Accurate INFO on Model 25

[murphydog]

It's difficult for me to imagine the miss-stamped models being stamped on the frame with "25-2"!
Here's why.
In a letter I recently received from Roy Jinks, he says the miss-stamping occurred in Sep. 1976 on 1000 of the Model 25s. Then, in a paragraph immediately prior to the one just described, he says

"In 1977, S&W began offering the Model 25 in .45 Colt caliber. This meant that the same model was available in two different calibers. The designation Model 25-2 became important as it indicated the revolver was manufactured in the .45 ACP cartridge. Whereas designation Model 25-5 indicated the revolver was chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge."

If what I've quoted is actually accurate, then why would S&W stamp a Model 25 with "25-2" in Sep. 1976 -- BEFORE the introduction of the .45 Colt version of the model, since it was the introduction of the additional caliber that led to the need for the different stamping (in this case 25-2).

If I'm understanding Roy correctly, the need for the designation "25-2" only arose AFTER the introduction of the Model 25 in the .45 Colt caliber -- prior to that introduction, the "25-2" designation would presumably have no purpose unless there was something else requiring a distinction to be made between Model 25s other than the caliber.

When you say the miss-stamped model are stamped "25-2" -- are you simply reporting commonly held beliefs OR did you actually see a miss-stamped Model 25 with the "25-2" stamped on the frame?

The model 25-2 (.45 ACP) and 25-5 (.45 Colt) were made concurrently; the -5 did not replace the -2.

 

[Doc44]

I believe there have been one or two 25-1s documented. The change to the 25-2 was the implementation of the new cylinder stop with the deletion of the cylinder stop plunger screw.

Bill

 

[sodacan]

To my knowledge the only 45acp guns that did not have a "step" as you call it were some of the later war era 1917 Colts and possibly some of the 1917 S&W's but to be honest I haven't seen that many 1917 Smiths. All S&W 45acp target models have a "step" or more correctly a chamber making it possible to shoot 45acp ammo without having to use a clip. They will not extract mechanically, but require the use of your finger nail or some other tool. Obviously you can use 45 auto rim cartridges, but they are hard to find. I believe the AR round/case was designed to be shot in revolvers with no chamber.


To further address your posts, Smiths in the 60's and 70's were notorious for having oversized throats which could affect accuracy somewhat when using cast bullets. It was the late 70's early 80's before the factory addressed this and the 25-5 typically does not have the same problem. It is not an insurmountable issue as most bullet casters offer slightly oversized bullets for sale.

All S&W model 1917's had the "stepped" chambers (from the beginning of production) to accept the 45acp cartridge without the half-moon clips. The earliest Colts did not and were returned to the factory for replacement cylinders. The cylinder design was a S&W innovation.

 

[Ray.Leiter]

S&W Model 25-2 in 45Colt

Hope you are successful! It looks like a nice 1 from the pictures. I have a 625JM, and a 25-15 (Colt) Both are a pleasure to shoot. Let us know how you make out! Bob

I got the S&W Model 25-2 in 45Colt.
The barrel length is 8 3/8.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Lot of funny ideas here.

As far as I can tell, every .45 ACP S&W since introduction for the Army in 1917 has the "step" in the chambers for headspace control, just like the automatic.

The .45 Auto Rim was introduced ca 1920 by Peters to avoid the need for clips.

I have READ of 625 series guns with chambers too long to allow use of unclipped ACPs, making them dependent on clips or ARs. But they are not "bored straight through" or "without chambers." Just missed on spec.

I have read many times that 50,000 Colt 1917s were "bored straight through" but such guns are seldom seen. I wonder if they had a cylinder replacement program when they saw what Smith was doing.

Early Colt 1917s from serials 1 to 30450 had bored-through chambers and had to be used with half-moon clips. I have one of these, illustrated here.

John

 

[murphydog]

I got the S&W Model 25-2 in 45Colt.
The barrel length is 8 3/8.

Welcome back 6 1/2 years later.

The model 25-2 was not made with an 8 3/8" barrel, or in .45 Colt. As mentioned above that would have been the model 25-5, unless someone swapped the -5 parts onto the -2. Photos would help.

 

[Model19man]

Welcome back 6 1/2 years later.

The model 25-2 was not made with an 8 3/8" barrel, or in .45 Colt. As mentioned above that would have been the model 25-5, unless someone swapped the -5 parts onto the -2. Photos would help.

Actually the -2 requires the -3 or -4 45 Colt cylinder to make it work. The -5 cylinder is too long.

 

[Moon Mullins]

For casual shooting, the plastic RIMZ clips are easy to load and unload but may not be secure enough for competition. Saves the expense and hunt for Auto Rim. Caution, buy the one suited to your vintage of gun, ratchets differ and so does the center hole in the RIMZ.
Ez Moon Clips

I keep dedicated clipgun brass with no burrs or dings from automatic ejectors. That, and inspection of clips for flatness, avoids binding.

I purely LOVE the RIMZ moons.
For some guns they DO need some modification.

The RIMZ 25 is the one you will need for the early S&W M25 1955 Target Revolver. Mfr. states that the ones that fit the 625 will not work on the M25 as the ratchet hub is larger on the early 25's . I have a 25-2 and needed the RIMZ 25's to clear the ratchet hub.

You MUST file the inside of the clip to get it to fit !
Even the slightest radius on the inside of the clip hole will stop it from seating fully. FILE EM FLAT THERE.

They say you can use an emery board like your wife uses.
Well GOOD LUCK !
I used the cheap little diamond files from Harbor Freight. They are METAL so you can BEAR DOWN when filing. I would think an emery board would be too bendy.

Also..... I found holding the clips while filing was a real booger!
Solved it by filing the clips while loaded. (dummy rounds to be safe)

The LOADED clips are easier to hold and don't wiggle around.

I kept the gun on the table while working. Cylinder up so I could test each assembled clip by testing if it would go in the cylinder and the clip be flush with the back of the cylinder.