Model 25 Decision?

[JeffD607]

My next "planned" purchase is going to be a Model 25. I keep flipping between purchasing the 45 ACP or the 45 Colt. Any advice from you owners/experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[gwpercle]

I do a lot of target shooting and plinking ... lighter loads are easy to assemble in the 45 acp's smaller case .
So I would go 45 acp ... But

If I wanted to hunt deer or hogs ... I would choose the 45 Colt .
Heavier hunting loads are easy to assemble with the 45 Colt .

How do you plan on using the gun ... for the most part ?
Are you set up to reload and cast bullets for one of the calibers considered .
Gary

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Most older 25's in 45LC have large throats..........I have to use .454 dia bullets for mine to be accurate........Anything smaller patterns like buckshot.

 

[steelslaver]

Either make a good choice . The colt being the better choice if you want to shoot heavier bullets. The acp has more factory loads avalible and usually less per round. If you go with the ACP get lots of clips and a decent loader.
My choice was a bunch of each

 

[NavyVet24]

My next "planned" purchase is going to be a Model 25. I keep flipping between purchasing the 45 ACP or the 45 Colt. Any advice from you owners/experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I have a 25-2 and a 25-5, both made in 1980, blue, 6 inch with TT, TH,TS with red ramp front & white outline rear sights. You cannot go wrong either way. I hate moon or half-moon clips so I bought a bunch of 45 Auto Rim brass many years ago and have been a happy camper ever since.

 

[Grayfox]

If you want to shoot targets, get the .45acp.
For any other use, go with .45 Colt.

 

[Hair Trigger]

My next "planned" purchase is going to be a Model 25. I keep flipping between purchasing the 45 ACP or the 45 Colt. Any advice from you owners/experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

That's easy--- get one of each. If you're not a collector and don't care whether it's pinned (barrel) or not, go with a Dash-7 or later if you want the .45 Colt (throat problem not an issue), and look for a dash-2 if you want the .45ACP

The thing about large throats on the earlier (dash 5) .45 Colt guns is a variable issue. Some people have problems with accuracy and grouping, some don't. I'm in the "don't" group, my 4" M25-5 shoots as accurately as any of my other S&W revolvers and the throats measure 0.454". Bullet choice makes a lot of difference. .45 Colt is fun to shoot; mild recoil, easy to load for if you reload.

 

[Model19man]

My Model 25-2 came new with cylinders for either 45 ACP or 45 Colt. When I bought it in 1982 it came with the 45 ACP cylinder installed. I left it in there. It gave stellar accuracy.

Then in 2010 I decided it was time to give the 45 Colt cylinder a try. I like it better - it may stay in there until the gun is for sale at my estate sale.

 

[austintexas]

My first 25 was in 45 ACP, I shoot a lot at paper and it is cheaper to shoot and very accurate. I have 45 Colt 25s but seldom shoot them. A plus is if you don't reload, 45 ACP is easier to find in stores. With a demooner unloading full moon clips is not hard. Get enough clips you can load and unload at home, just throw loaded clips in a bag and go shoot
SWCA 892

 

[Jim Watson]

I have a sawn off M25-2 ACP for cliploading in IDPA matches. I have a .44 Magnum, don't need a bigger .45.

 

[JeffD607]

Yeah......when I was looking for a Model 29-2 I could not decide between a 4" nickel or a 6.5" blued gun. All the enablers said "buy both".....so I did.

 

[SS336]

I would love to have a 25-2 but they have gotten a little pricey around here.
I do have a 25-5 that I like a lot. Mine is very accurate with powder coated bullets sized to .454. These groups are 18yds offhand.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Get both… I am kind of collecting/accumulating so I guess not everyone is in that boat.
45 ACP is half price of 45 Colt the most places I have seen.
That is certainly a factor.
I am partial to the red ramp sight aesthetically, in which case the 25-5…in 4”, 6” or 8 3/8”.
The 25-2 is a 6.5”. I am partial to that barrel length being a Dirty Harry fan, but you could also get the commemorative 25-3 in 45 Colt with Red ramp sight.
Or you could always change out any sights on any of them to suit your preference.
This is if you’re into the older bottles with pinned barrels.
Of course, there is a newer model 25 classic. 6.5” barrel. I’m sure it shoots just great..

You could always get a 29 and shoot 44 Specials. Really not much of a difference in recoil between 45 Colt, 45 ACP and 44 Special. I think the 45 ACP has maybe a very slight bit more kick than 45 Colt.

What do you already have that is not doing the job?

If you’re looking just to keep going and keep consuming, that with the 25–2 for cost of ammo… then get anything else you want later.,
You can always trade, buy more…

Personally, mostly due to the price of ammunition, I have been shooting my 25–2 more than my 45 Colts.
It’s a very accurate gun.
Since I don’t want to bother with moon clips, just a little screwdriver or some kind of stick to push the shells out from the front of the cylinder.
Maybe something made of a harder plastic so it won’t scratch the blue if you slip.
My favorite of all my 45’s, though, is my 4” 25-5, even though I shoot it less than 25–2.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have several 1911s that shoot ACP. I have a Ruger Convertible Blackhawk that shoot ACP and Colt. My 25-5 is only Colt. THAT's the one to buy.

My Ruger has had the ACP cylinder installed ONCE, just to try it. Now 49 years later (it's a 1976 commemorative) the ACP cylinder has never been used again.

1911s need ACP. Revolvers need a Long Colt. That's just my opinion.

 

[Fortcouragearmory]

I have both but I have to admit I’m partial to the 25-5 .45 Colt.

 

[Dave Fox]

I purchased a 25 decades ago. Bought a passel of auto-rim brass. Loaded down for target work, the rounds are interchangeable in my 'shaved' Webley .455.

 

[NHNS]

I love the acp with moon clips. I keep an ammo can full of loaded clips. Fast reload and I never lose brass. My 25-2 is only second to my M17-4 for accuracy, and even that 100+ year old chopped M1917 shoots great.

 

[SSBiggun]

Get both , no shame in owning both

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I like the 45 Colt better in revolvers and 45 ACP better in semiauto pistols.
I have a 25-5 8 3/8" and a 25-9 4". I have a Ruger Vaquero with both cylinders. The 45 ACP cylinder has been fired 6 times.


The 25-9 was nickleless plated and I won some Kurac grips on the forum.


I have only done this once. I fired some 44 special in my 25-5. This is the target at 15 yds. Do not do this!

 

[tygar]

I'm a big fan of .45acp with moon clips! Have had 25s in both, now have 625 & 325PD which I carry & the 625 is my bed stand gun. Accurate, quick loading & great for protection.