How Strong Is A Fifty Year-Old Model 25?

[ayetee]

I appreciate some advice on whether my sixties vintage Model 25 can safely handle the 185 Gr. Remington 45ACP+P or should I stick with the standard pressure loads? Thank you.

Wrong forum sorry. Re-posted.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It will handle any loads from that era or earlier times and, if used sparingly, it won't croak on those +Ps. But it isn't rated for them and you're taking a risk. I fired high performance 45 Colt ammunition once in a modern Colt Single Action Army replica and blew pieces off of it. The gun was simply not sufficiently well built to handle the recoil.

Now you're talking 45 ACP versus 45 Colt but, still, I'd be wary. The gun is plenty strong for what it was made for.

***GRJ***

 

[Dave T]

I have a 5-screw DA 45 Model of 1955, sometimes referred to as a pre-M25. I have fired every kind of 45 ACP ammo through it, including some +P. I have also fired a few cylinders of +P through a customized 1917. Unless you start competing with and practicing on a steady diet of +P 45 ACP loads I don't think you will have any problem.

I really don't think there has been any significant change in the steal or the tempering of that steel in a 1960s Model 25 and the last M-25-2 the factory turned out. Factory ammo should be safe in any production gun chambered for 45 ACP. YMMV!

Dave

 

[ayetee]

I am just wondering because the cylinder wall on the M-25-2 looked kind of thin compared to my other N frames, a M-27 and two M-57s.

Thank you for the info.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I am very fond of revolvers that shoot semi auto ammo. Therefore I have several N frame Smiths that are chambered in .45 ACP and several have an extra .45 Colt cylinder. The cylinder walls do look thin compared to other N frames, but the 45s are the biggest bore that you can get an N frame in so the cylinder walls are going to look thin by comparison.
I do not give any M25 or 625 a steady diet of high pressure ammo, however one does not have to as the standard Semi WC or flat point ammo will do just fine for just about anything that does not need real penetration(think Brown Bear).
I do use just about any major brand for .45 ACP including +P. +P is not what it used to be, sometimes not giving much more velocity than standard loads from the same maker.
Buffalo Bore makes some real screamers in ACP and .45 Colt, but I only use them in Rugers or carbines, but I would not worry about shooting a few of them out of my N frames if necessary.
I do regularly use Speer .45 ACP 200 GR +P FMJ flat points regularly in my 325 NG, the barrel is so short(and the bullet lighter) that the pressures just do not build up as much as in a longer barrel, and that round is a proven stopper of both 4 and 2 legged varmints. I prefer the flat point for most applications that the ACP and Colt round are used for. You have to have some serious velocity to get an HP in those calibers to expand, I would rather have the penetration and put the slugs where they need to be for the desired effect. I do use HPs in my .45 ACP pistols and do not worry about the higher pressures of the +P loadings as I just replace recoil springs regularly(although the above Speer load is a really good one for autos also).
Also I do not like to depend on expansion for effect when the stakes are high(serious social interactions), rather I prefer deep penetration CNS or pelvic area hits. Crack the pelvic cradle and that person is going nowhere anytime soon, and I have never seen anyone who could fight through the incredible pain of such a hit to keep on shooting, hope I never do either.

 

[ayetee]

Thank you for the advice. My use of +Ps will be very limited so I think it should be fine then.