M25-5

[pmhayden]

I have an M25-5. 4 in barrel, white outline rear and red insert front sights. I bought it from a friend, and I paid a friends price. That is, I tried to pay him a little more, and he tried to take a little less. So it's within $100 of market.

The serial number is BAR51XX. It has a tiny bit of muzzle wear, but no scratches or dings. Timing seems good. Tight, small gap. The grips have been replaced with Pachmyer Professionals. It's still a big gun, but would probably only be a range gun.

I would appreciate it if anyone could provide information on this build, particularly cylinder throat diameter issues, if any. My understanding is that those were worked out by the time the three letter serial numbers were being issued. Also, can this revolver handle 8.5 gr Unique under a 255 gn LSWC? That is my standard +P load for Ruger. Or should I keep it at 8.0 or less?

Thank you.

 

[robertrwalsh]

BAR puts it in 88 or 89. I am sure somebody with better info will jump in soon. I don't pound mine so I can't help you much with the load data.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have a model 25-5 , 4" barrel . It will handle 8.5 grs of unique with ease . Alliant does not list 8.5 as a +p load as they show 9.5 grs of Unique not exceeding 14Kpsi , the std pressure loads . That fact I have confirmed with them . The model 25 Smiths are not " weak sisters " . Most people consider them capable of handling about 25Kpsi . Interestingly , the 45 Colt cartridge doesn't need to be " hotrodded " to give great performance . Standard pressure loads give great performance using a 255 gr cast bullet , RNFP or SWC . Enjoy your model 25 , I have mine . Regards Paul

 

[charlie sherrill]

I saw one for sale today at a gun show for the first time in a long time. Price was around $1,000.00. If I had not just purchased another one I might have haggled with the seller a little.

 

[pmhayden]

8.5 gn of Unique is a healthy load for .45 LC. I don't go above that in a revolver, though use 8.0 gn for a Colt clone. Bullets are my cast 452424, at about 263 gn.

The cylinder throats appear to be between .451 and .452. Best I can do without a gauge set.

The condition appears to be excellent.

 

[StrawHat]

9.5 grains of Unique under a 260 grain SWC is a nice easy load for the 45 long Colt. When I used the 25-5 for deer I went to black powder with the same bullet.

Kevin

 

[fortyshooter]

We must have a picture! 8.5 of Unique is mostly a standard .45 Colt load I use in all my revolvers...8-9 gr. Unique is plenty safe. Try the 6 gr. of Red Dot with a 250-260 gr. cast bullet nice and accurate.
I have a new to me 25-7 coming Tuesday I hope. Can't wait to get that one!
I hear all the Model 25's tend to shoot high with standard 250 gr. loads?

 

[rockquarry]

I used the 8.5 or 9 Unique and the #454424 260 grain load for decades in 25-5s and a Winchester Trapper. A few years ago, however, I tried HS-6 with the same bullet at about the same velocity and found it to be a little more accurate than the Unique load. The Unique load remains a good one, especially if that's all you have. These day, it may be all you have.

 

[Muley Gil]

I used the 8.5 or 9 Unique and the #454424 260 grain load for decades in 25-5s and a Winchester Trapper. A few years ago, however, I tried HS-6 with the same bullet at about the same velocity and found it to be a little more accurate than the Unique load. The Unique load remains a good one, especially if that's all you have. These day, it may be all you have.

Unique is hard to find these days.

 

[John in WYO]

John Linebaugh runs 13.0 grains of HS-6 powder and a 250-260 cast semi-wadcutter in his Stainless .45 Colt Mountain Gun for a daily carry load.
He says it's just over 900 FPS in his 4" revolver.
I had breakfast with him and his son, Dustin, this morning.

Like the others above I haven't seen any Unique for sale in several years.

 

[rbrbrb6]

What in the heck is Dustin doing going out for breakfast! That boy is supposed to be in the shop finishing up my 475!

 

[cowboy4evr]

In the past 6 months I have seen Unique listed several times with on line suppliers . It's just not one of my favorite powders so I haven't bought any in many years . Regards Paul

 

[st regis]

25-5

Does it have a combat hammer and trigger or the target size?

 

[st regis]

Fun Fact Dekalb county GA PD issued the 25-5 in the late 70's and early 80's. Load was the 225 gr Winchester Silvertip. These replaced Colt Border Patrol 357's. They were ordered with the thinner combat hammer and trigger. Larger throats affected accuracy, so S&W refitted these revolvers with the smaller throats. These have the pinned barrel.
They were sold off by Southeastern public safety supply when DKPD went to the Beretta in about 86/87.

 

[ColbyBruce]

St. Regis, were those 25-5's marked? The S&W 66's were.

I bought my 25-5 from Franklins a few months after DeKalb switched to the Beretta.

 

[Grayfox]

I love the S&W 25s in .45Colt and have several of them. 8-9 grs of Unique with a 250-255gr lead bullet has been a standard .45 Colt load for many years. I load 8.5 grs as the standard load for all my guns.
The 25s are tougher than a lot of people think. They can easily handle loads up into the +P range of 950-1000 fps. Although I wouldn't make a habit of it. Mainly because its hard on me. The standard velocity .45 Colt load is plenty for whatever you may need. There's no need or point in trying to hot rod it.
As for the throat question, I believe your gun will be fine. Its easy enough to test. Just drop one of the bullets you plan to load into the chambers. If it hangs up in the mouth, you're fine. If it drops straight through, its oversized. However, many of the guns with oversized throats have turned out to be excellent shooters. So try it before drawing any conclusions.

fortyshooter: I have one of the 25-7s. You're gonna love it! I truly believe these are the finest .45 Colts that S&W ever built.