Model 25 questions. Please help

[Dueeast]

I'm fairly new to revolvers, owning two. A .38 and a .357. that being said, I have a deal lined up to buy a model 25 (45 long colt) 4" from an aquaintence. It doesn't have the original grips however, and I think I'd like to get the style I have pictured here. Am I correct in believing it's an "N" frame? And are these called checkered target grips? What should I be on the lookout for? Am I even posting this in the right section? Or is it a more modern revolver. All I know at this point is the hammer has the pin attached. Sorry if all this sounds dumb, but I'm trying to learn. Thanks! Rob. The gun in the photo is NOT the one I'm buying, just a picture with the stocks I want

 

[murphydog]

It is an N frame, and these are called either Target or Presentation stocks. The left panel on the gun in the photo has the extractor or "football" cutout, which would be proper for a gun from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Hope this is helpful.

 

[TDC]

Withdrawn..

 

[Bullet Bob]

You're buying a great gun. If you're concerned about maximizing future worth, having a correct set of Target grips is certainly a plus.

However, if you're mostly concerned with shooting the thing, aftermarket grips are more functional. I like Herrett's but opinion varies as to the best.

Enjoy your new gun.

 

[Mack]

I don't believe the gun in the photo is the one being purchased, it is posted as an example of the grips Dueeast wants to find. At least that is the way I read the OP.

 

[BUFF]

The gun pictured is an N frame with a square butt. The grips shown are indeed "target" stocks; the same style without checkering are often called "Presentation" stocks as they were often used on engraved and commemorative guns.

N frames are/were also made with what are called "round butt" frames. A model number with 'dash' number would help tell you which you need. ('Dash" numbers indicate either model variations or engineering changes.)

A 4 inch .45 Colt Model 25 with the firing pin on the hammer is most likely a Model 25-5. It would look like the gun in your photo and indeed is an N frame with a square butt.

It is very probable that the complete model number is stamped on the frame, in the cut-out where the crane (that holds the cylinder) pivots, just below where the barrel is screwed into the frame. You have to swing the cylinder open to see it. If you can look at this, it will help determine what the original style of grip will be, as the factory stocks vary with the manufacturing date.

 

[TDC]

Withdrawn..

 

[JT]

Great gun, Dueeast. As Barney would tell you, the only concern with this model are the cylinder throat diameters. Some are oversized, which may require a larger than .452 bullet to get decent accuracy. Most 25-5s will fall into the .455"-.458" range. The unpinned barreled versions later in the production run are usually associated with correct throat size. Ideally, the throat will measure .4525" to get the best accuracy with most .45 Colt ammo. Handloaders can customize loads for those guns with large throats using swaged lead bullets like those from Remington and Winchester which run larger and also have hollow bases for better obduration.

A simple way to check throat diameter without using a measuring tool is to take a jacketed .452" diameter .45 Colt bullet (Hornady 300 gr XTP's work great as they are longer and have the correct .452" diameter) and drop it into each chamber from the rear. If it falls right on through, the throats are too large (generally .455" or more) to give very good accuracy with standard .45 Colt bullets running .451-.452".

If it hangs up briefly in the throat before falling out, the throats are probably in the range of .453-.454", and will work with some of the larger diameter bullets.

If it hangs up in the throat, but can be pushed on through using finger pressure or the eraser end of a No. 2 pencil, you have a gun with correct throats for good accuracy with standard bullets.

 

[Dueeast]

I checked today and determined it's a 25-5 Ser.# N657xxx

 

[BUFF]

Yep, you are going to want checkered target stocks for the square butt N frame. They were just about always made of Goncala Alves wood during the time your gun was made. The ones shown in your photo would be correct and original for your gun. These were made by S&W; they later closed their wood shop and started buying all of their stocks from outside vendors.

Your gun was made in 1979 or 1980. 4 inch Model 25-5's are great guns. Big-bore muscle without all the recoil, blast, racket and flash of the Magnums.

 

[Dueeast]

Lined up a nice deal on a pair of excellent factory stock panels (just what I wanted) from a fellow forum member here, " Grips13". A very nice gentleman to deal with.