A 25-5 For My Collection

[jmiles1960]

Yesterday, I picked up this 25-5, w/3 T's, 8 inch bbl, not a mark on it except for the turn line. I'm a sucker for a nice N-frame and always wanted this model in 45 Long Colt. Non-pinned barrel tells me it is a late production of this model. No box or paperwork unfortunately.

Serial number is BA E74xx. If anyone can tell me the approximate date of production, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[sodacan]

I'm guessing 1988 production based on the SCSW (4th ed.).

 

[chief38]

Very nice indeed! You can poke your eye out with that barrel - . I'm really surprised the fellow who sold that didn't have the box & paperwork as well - being that it is so nice & clean!

Anyway, enjoy it!

 

[RSinOR]

38/44

Wow.............what's not to like about a long tube, especially
that one. Wonderful wheel gun. Now, go shoot it...a lot.

 

[wcat94]

Nice! After seeing that I had to get my 25-5 out.
It is a little older with serial number n 8034xx.

 

[jmiles1960]

Thanks for the comments and info.

Looking forward to a trip to the range soon. My father loved this caliber and brought a few 25's home over the years. I know he'll be smiling from above when he sees this one in my hands.

 

[sousana]

Beautiful. I had one but I traded it for a brand-new Ruger Redhawk in 45LC.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Yesterday, I picked up this 25-5, w/3 T's, 8 inch bbl, not a mark on it except for the turn line. I'm a sucker for a nice N-frame and always wanted this model in 45 Long Colt. Non-pinned barrel tells me it is a late production of this model. No box or paperwork unfortunately.

Serial number is BA E74xx. If anyone can tell me the approximate date of production, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Gorgeous gun, you should have a blast (pun intended) shooting it. I think I like shooting mine the most out of my N frames, recoil is much less than the .41M and even the .357M. That long tube should be scary accurate, too. I've got a nickel 4", from 1980. Mine's still pinned, but what the heck, these are 34-42 year-old revolvers, they don't make 'em like this any more.

 

[StrawHat]

Good looking revolver. I still have one Model 25-5 left, a 6" version. Trying to turn it into a 45 ACP revolver but so far, no trades.

Kevin

 

[S&WIowegan]

Standard Catalog says pinned barrels on 25-5s were 'deleted' in 1982. I've got to look at mine for the pin/no pin.

 

[BigMuddy]

Non-pinned M-25's usually have correctly sized cylinder throats. I bet it shoots as good as it looks, and it looks GREAT!

Dan

 

[Drm50]

I have a 25-5 non pinned 83/8" barrel. Good shooter with original 45 Colt dupe loads. Then switched to 242gr WCs at 750fps. Shoots even better. I would like to have another 83/8 or 6" model that has pinned front sight.
My 83/8 has red ramp which I detest. Ist order of business is to swap out red ramps for Patridge blade if pinned.

 

[Moo Moo]

I picked up a 25-5 with 8 3/8" barrel a few years ago. Still have not shot it yet. Not much ammo about for it that isn't Cowboy Action loads down here in Australia.

I have heard about 25-5 issues with Cylinder throat issues but never really sat down to measure mine. What is the correct dimensions so I the OP and I can check?

 

[StrawHat]

I have a 25-5 non pinned 83/8" barrel. Good shooter with original 45 Colt dupe loads. Then switched to 242gr WCs at 750fps. Shoots even better. I would like to have another 83/8 or 6" model that has pinned front sight.
My 83/8 has red ramp which I detest. Ist order of business is to swap out red ramps for Patridge blade if pinned.

So, something like this?

Just messing with you, that is my Model 25-2!

Kevin

 

[44wheelman]

Cylinder throats used to be .455 now .451.

I used to take a hornady xtp bullet to gun shows, if it fell through the cylinder holes, it's a pass.

 

[rockquarry]

I picked up a 25-5 with 8 3/8" barrel a few years ago. Still have not shot it yet. Not much ammo about for it that isn't Cowboy Action loads down here in Australia.

I have heard about 25-5 issues with Cylinder throat issues but never really sat down to measure mine. What is the correct dimensions so I the OP and I can check?

This a regularly mentioned topic here. A search will turn up much more information. I bought one of these revolvers not long after they were introduced more than forty years ago. The oversized throats are fine and these guns will shoot well if you use an oversize cast bullet, about .455" or .456", whichever fits best. I'm not aware of what is available from commercial casters; you may have to cast your own.

 

[StrawHat]

This a regularly mentioned topic here. A search will turn up much more information. I bought one of these revolvers not long after they were introduced more than forty years ago. The oversized throats are fine and these guns will shoot well if you use an oversize cast bullet, about .455" or .456", whichever fits best. I'm not aware of what is available from commercial casters; you may have to cast your own.

I agree. You have to be a bullet caster to really appreciate the Model 25-5. And you have to define accuracy. A Bullseye shooter will not be using the long Colt cartridge. Hunters will, and their criteria is vastly different.

The revolver I posted above has accounted for about 1/2 dozen Ohio white tailed deer. Know your revolver, pick your shots, enjoy the meal!

Kevin

 

[NavyVet24]

Congrats. I've been looking for a 25 in 45 Colt for quite a while, but I haven't found a 90%+ one with 3 Ts for a reasonable price. Saw one last week, but it had been ported.

 

[NavyVet24]

I have a 25-5 non pinned 83/8" barrel. Good shooter with original 45 Colt dupe loads. Then switched to 242gr WCs at 750fps. Shoots even better. I would like to have another 83/8 or 6" model that has pinned front sight.
My 83/8 has red ramp which I detest. Ist order of business is to swap out red ramps for Patridge blade if pinned.

My friend Nelson Ford in Phoenix has a machinist he works with to remove a non-pinned ramp sight and make the slot so he can install a pinned patridge. He has done 3 for me. Once done, you cannot tell at all. He also does a great gold (brass) dot insert in a patridge sight.

 

[Milleman]

Nice! After seeing that I had to get my 25-5 out.
It is a little older with serial number n 8034xx.

Sheesh, now I have to go get mine out to compare numbers. I bought it new in 1986 and never fired it.