If you haven't read this yet, give it a read. It is an article on the 25-5 by John Linebaugh.
Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5 By: John Linebaugh
Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5 By: John Linebaugh
FOUND - Model 25 in 45 colt
- Thread starter Big Arm
- Start date
Grayfox
US Veteran
As as a general rule of thumb, S&W fixed the cylinder throat problem at about the same time they eliminated the barrel pin. For the most part, non-pinned barrel guns will have the correct cylinder throats. However, as with all things S&W, this is not a hard and fast rule. 
A quick check is to take a .45 caliber lead bullet and drop it through the chambers. If it hangs up, the throats are fine and the gun will shoot well. If it falls through, the throats are oversized.
I much prefer the .45 Colt to the .44 magnum. A standard velocity 255gr .45 bullet will go clean through the average Whitetail Deer. And do it without all that buck and roar of the Magnum. Why subject yourself to that when you don't need to?
I also agree that the 5" Model 25-7 is the absolute best .45 Colt revolver S&W ever made. But those are hard to find and expensive when you do.
A quick check is to take a .45 caliber lead bullet and drop it through the chambers. If it hangs up, the throats are fine and the gun will shoot well. If it falls through, the throats are oversized.
I much prefer the .45 Colt to the .44 magnum. A standard velocity 255gr .45 bullet will go clean through the average Whitetail Deer. And do it without all that buck and roar of the Magnum. Why subject yourself to that when you don't need to?
I also agree that the 5" Model 25-7 is the absolute best .45 Colt revolver S&W ever made. But those are hard to find and expensive when you do.
Grayfox
US Veteran
Its easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
I bought a 4" 25-5 in 1986 after reading an article on it in 'Guns & Ammo'. I immediately feel in love with the .45 Colt. I don't have any more Smiths, but I have a bunch of Rugers, a Uberti, and a Marlin 1894. Watch out! You could get hooked too.
My 25-5 4" pinned bbl S/N N8282xx came with .452 throats. Must have been made in the transition period. I was a little concerned and then relieved about oversize when I found that a .453 pin gauge wouldn't fit through the throats. A .452 gauge passes through snugly.
My 25-5, N660XXX is very accurate and I use .452, 255gr RNFP from Missouri Bullet. I even wanted to use the fifty yard but it was rifle only. I never checked the barrel since I did not know of the problem till now. I will check just for peace of mind. Perhaps I was just lucky. Paid $600.00 for it three years ago. Included presentation box and some cleaning stuff.
No lock.
Going backwards thru the posts, just saw the drop thru test. The .452's drop right thru the cylinder, but not past the ogive in the forcing cone. Love the pistol, shoots great.
No lock.
Going backwards thru the posts, just saw the drop thru test. The .452's drop right thru the cylinder, but not past the ogive in the forcing cone. Love the pistol, shoots great.
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