A five-shot 25-5 ...

[Ron H.]

Hey, all:

I'd like to see Smith bring out a five-shot version of the old 25-5, designed to easily handle "Ruger only" .45 Colt loads. A five-shot cylinder, plus regular Model 29 type heat treat and endurance package stuff, should be sufficient. The cylinder throats should be properly sized, and ideally it would lack the internal lock.

The resulting gun would be quite useful: lighter than a Ruger Redhawk, stronger than old Model 25s, and offering double-action capability that the Ruger and Freedom Arms single-actions lack.

Probably it would best be introduced as a Mountain Gun variant in stainless with a 4-inch barrel and narrow hammer and trigger. I'd think such a thing would be popular in bear country and among those who bank on bullet weight.

Assuming that sells well, (and I suspect it would), it could then be expanded into a "family": the Mountain Gun version, traditional half-lug barrel versions a la the old M25-5, full-underlug Python types, blued or stainless, etc.

I suspect such a thing would sell well--I'd certainly buy one. What do you think?

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[BlindJustice]

I don't think this would work gbecause it would still have the thin wall toward the outside of each chamber - thogh it would be thicker in between each of them. to get a greater diameter cylinder would take a bigger
frame.

imho

Randall

 

[Andy Taylor]

Originally posted by BlindJustice:
I don't think this would work gbecause it would still have the thin wall toward the outside of each chamber - thogh it would be thicker in between each of them. to get a greater diameter cylinder would take a bigger
frame.

imho

Randall

The thinest part of a cylinder is where the notch is on the oustide of the cylinder. With a six shooter, or any even number, the notch is over the chamber, with a five shooter, or any odd number of chambers, the notch is between the chambers, making the cylinder stronger. I am not a metalurgist, so I do not know if this, in conjunction with the other changes mentioned by the OP would be enough to do the job as the OP suggests.

 

[shorty500]

Actually this has been done on a M625 on a custom basis. the cylinder can be made slightly larger without a new larger frame, and the 5shot configuration puts the bolt notches between chambers. the extra .020" diameter and minimum diameter chamber reamer actually made it somewhat thicker than a Ruger Blackhawk at the outer wall and then it has the aformentioned offsett bolt notches. the cylinder was made from 17-4 stainless and heat treated to 37.5Rc scale. for those who are curious that is the same material and hardness used by Freedom Arms in the M83 & M97 revolvers. this was built on a late M625 and they have the same upGrades internally that the M29 has. dont let S&W or any EXPERTS fool you, i have personally checked several guns out and ever since the big .44 came out in 1955 every Nframe both frame and cylinder has received the exact same heat treatment. the Rockwell tester dont lie. also in regards to the strength of any M25/M625, check out John Linebaugh's article,the H.P.White laboratory tests or try it yourself, the M25 has the same pressure/strength ratio that the Ruger .44/.45 shares. you wont blow any S&W M25 in .45Colt made since 1956 with any "RUGER ONLY" load that is published by any reputable loading manual