Model 25

[amir_fabrizzio]

I'm new to the forum and wanted to do my first post. I recently got into revolvers and I've made a few purchases in the past few months. This is one of them.

S&W model 25 45 ACP model 1955.

 

[amir_fabrizzio]

A few more pics.


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[Valmet]

The Model 25-2 is currently my favorite S&W to take to the range- an absolute joy to shoot.

 

[amir_fabrizzio]

The Model 25-2 is currently my favorite S&W to take to the range- an absolute joy to shoot.

I haven't shot mine but want to soon! I gotta find some moon clips to go with it.


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[6string]

I'm new to the forum and wanted to do my first post. I recently got into revolvers and I've made a few purchases in the past few months. This is one of them.

S&W model 25 45 ACP model 1955.


View attachment 729992

Welcome to the S&W Forum.
That's what I'd call getting started on the right foot!

 

[Valmet]

I haven't shot mine but want to soon! I gotta find some moon clips to go with it.


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Pick up an unloading tool also- trust me it'll make life a lot easier.

 

[StrawHat]

Moon clips are still made by the original manufacturer, Ranch Products of Malinta, Ohio. Other, more expensive ones are also available.

A simple unloading tool can be made from a hollow tube. File, cut or otherwise remove an area around one end to leave a tit. Slip over the case so the tit is against the outer rim of the clip. Twist. Pops right out.

Loading tools can also be made. I use a large set of water pump pliers, modified to fit the ACP cartridge, to squeeze two at a time into place.

Kevin

 

[22hipower]

Welcome to the Forum, that's a very nice first post. Looks like a Model 25 no dash, is it a three screw or one of the early four screw guns? If the latter there's a 25-50% premium for them according to the 5th edition of the Standard Catalog. Moon clips are fine and I use them but another option is 45 Auto Rim brass. Enjoy it and we look forward to future posts of more S&Ws.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Retired W4]

45 Auto Rim makes life much easier. That is, if you can find it. I have two boxes of the old Remington. When those are spent, the cases go to my reloading friend so I can keep going. This is my 4 screw 25 ND. It's pretty spiffy.

 

[22hipower]

Wow, spiffy indeed. Here's my four screw, but no box.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qruMyc https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Hawg Rider]

add text

Welcome to the Forum! From your pictures, your revolver definitely appears to be a 4-screw Model 25 (no dash), although I can't quite make out the s/n (S20xxxx?). If you post the s/n (either from the yoke area or from the bottom of the grip frame), it would help us more accurately date the revolver. That s/n would be about right, since the 1955 .45 Target Heavy Barrel revolver was re-introduced by S&W in 1955 and became the Model 25 in 1957. The s/n indicates that your revolver was manufactured ca. 1960, just prior to the release of the Model 25-1 (1960) and Model 25-2 (1961). Looks like someone changed the wood stocks on your revolver. Unless I'm mistaken, the Model 25s were shipped with checked diamond center target stocks, and yours is wearing the smaller Magna stocks. Shooting .45 ACP in a relatively heavy revolver like the Model 25 is a real joy...and they are very accurate. I have a Model 25-2 (1973), and it often goes to the range alongside my U.S. Army Model of 1917. I use moonclips in both. Enjoy!

 

[rockquarry]

Welcome to the Forum! From your pictures, your revolver definitely appears to be a 4-screw Model 25 (no dash), although I can't quite make out the s/n (S20xxxx?). If you post the s/n (either from the yoke area or from the bottom of the grip frame), it would help us more accurately date the revolver. That s/n would be about right, since the 1955 .45 Target Heavy Barrel revolver was re-introduced by S&W in 1955 and became the Model 25 in 1957. The s/n indicates that your revolver was manufactured ca. 1960, just prior to the release of the Model 25-1 (1960) and Model 25-2 (1961). Looks like someone changed the wood stocks on your revolver. Unless I'm mistaken, the Model 25s were shipped with checked diamond center target stocks, and yours is wearing the smaller Magna stocks. Shooting .45 ACP in a relatively heavy revolver like the Model 25 is a real joy...and they are very accurate. I have a Model 25-2 (1973), and it often goes to the range alongside my U.S. Army Model of 1917. I use moonclips in both. Enjoy!

The Magna stocks are more comfortable (and look better) to some of us. When I get an N-frame with target stocks, I usually change them out to Magnas.

I also find Auto Rim brass much more convenient to use than ACP brass with or without clips.

 

[pabicyclist]

In mid 1970's, my barber had a combo barber shop/small sporting goods business. Sitting in the chair one day, he said I have something that might interest you. Enough said.

 

[erikpolcrack]

Hope you enjoy your Model 1955 as much as I enjoy mine. It's probably my favorite revolver.

 

[H Richard]

Model 25's are meant to be shot. Be sure to enjoy yours.

This is a Mooncliptool, (company I believe now out of business), but Midway and Dillon both sold a copy of it. Works well for loading, and unloading both.

 

[amir_fabrizzio]

Welcome to the Forum! From your pictures, your revolver definitely appears to be a 4-screw Model 25 (no dash), although I can't quite make out the s/n (S20xxxx?). If you post the s/n (either from the yoke area or from the bottom of the grip frame), it would help us more accurately date the revolver. That s/n would be about right, since the 1955 .45 Target Heavy Barrel revolver was re-introduced by S&W in 1955 and became the Model 25 in 1957. The s/n indicates that your revolver was manufactured ca. 1960, just prior to the release of the Model 25-1 (1960) and Model 25-2 (1961). Looks like someone changed the wood stocks on your revolver. Unless I'm mistaken, the Model 25s were shipped with checked diamond center target stocks, and yours is wearing the smaller Magna stocks. Shooting .45 ACP in a relatively heavy revolver like the Model 25 is a real joy...and they are very accurate. I have a Model 25-2 (1973), and it often goes to the range alongside my U.S. Army Model of 1917. I use moonclips in both. Enjoy!

Here's a picture of the serial number! When I open the crane it just says model 25 (no dash). I paid $800 and it came with another pair of grips.

 

[amir_fabrizzio]

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[22hipower]

View attachment 730084
Here's a picture of the serial number! When I open the crane it just says model 25 (no dash). I paid $800 and it came with another pair of grips.

Neither set of grips are correct for the gun; should be diamond magnas or diamond targets. That said, you got a great price on that one. Did you confirm it is a four screw gun (screw in frame in front of the trigger guard)?

Assuming it is a four screw I think you got it for about half the expected retail price. Selling both of those sets of grips should get you close to what you need to buy a correct set; eBay is a good place to look.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[wbraswell]

My first S&W is a Model 25-2. That was about 47 years ago. I've shot mine a good bit over that time, but I've never cared to mess with the clips. I just load the .45acp rounds, pull the empties out with my fingernail or push them out with a pencil or dowel. You did good.

 

[StrawHat]

Shipping dates on S&W 45 ACP revolvers are all over the place. Numbers close togeteher may have shipped years apart and revolvers shipped the same day may be separated by a thousand numbers. The only SURE way to know is with an Authentication letter.

Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

They are great revolvers, the ACP ones. I have 20ish and always looking for the next one.

Kevin

 

[larryofcc]

In my search for a M25, I ran across this M25-2 and I bought it instead. It's an early M25-2 with the 3 T's. The condition is what sold me. Big Larry

 

[Kanewpadle]

Model 25's are meant to be shot. Be sure to enjoy yours.

This is a Mooncliptool, (company I believe now out of business), but Midway and Dillon both sold a copy of it. Works well for loading, and unloading both.

TK Custom makes one just like it.

 

[Model29-26.5]

The Model 25-2 is currently my favorite S&W to take to the range- an absolute joy to shoot.

Mine, too. My accuracy seems to be better with it.
Very little recoil. And cheaper rounds.

 

[moosedog]

Call me insane but unless you shoot hot 45 ACP rounds in the 25-2s, you really don't need those clips and tools. Standard velocity 45 ACP brass comes out with my fingers on my guns.

 

[StrawHat]

Here are two of my Model 25s, both -2s. One is stock and was used in non-sanctioned PC matches. The other is 'slightly" customized. If I had the shorter one back then, it would have seen a lot of PPC matches. It is even more accurate than the stock version!

Kevin

 

[Model29-26.5]

Call me insane but unless you shoot hot 45 ACP rounds in the 25-2s, you really don't need those clips and tools. Standard velocity 45 ACP brass comes out with my fingers on my guns.

Mine mostly do. If one gets stuck, I'll hook the rim of another used cartridge under the rim of the one that is stuck and pull it out.

 

[M29since14]

The way I shoot, I too would rather just pull the empties out than fuss around with moon clips. Some question whether the revolver will be accurate when loaded without the clips but I've never noticed any difference. I only have a handful of nice Auto Rim brass, which I hoard for rainy days.

I've been tinkering with my 25-2 lately with powder coated bullets sized normally for my autoloaders (.4515") and have found the powder coating to be favorable in my gun.

Congrats on your new .45.

 

[Hawg Rider]

View attachment 730084
Here's a picture of the serial number! When I open the crane it just says model 25 (no dash). I paid $800 and it came with another pair of grips.

Your revolver's s/n (S211081) means that your revolver was indeed manufactured in late-1960, and that confirms that you have a true Model 25 (no dash) and that the "Model 25" stamp in the yoke area is correct. However, as StrawHat states, the shipping dates rarely match the manufacture dates, so you cannot determine the actual shipping date without a letter from S&W. You picked up a very nice Model 25 for a great price, even though it doesn't have the original checked target stocks. Enjoy!

 

[amir_fabrizzio]

Neither set of grips are correct for the gun; should be diamond magnas or diamond targets. That said, you got a great price on that one. Did you confirm it is a four screw gun (screw in frame in front of the trigger guard)?

Assuming it is a four screw I think you got it for about half the expected retail price. Selling both of those sets of grips should get you close to what you need to buy a correct set; eBay is a good place to look.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I just looked at it and it does have the fourth screw. I'm going to keep my eye out for the correct grips now.

 

[Rider1300]

My first S&W is a Model 25-2. That was about 47 years ago. I've shot mine a good bit over that time, but I've never cared to mess with the clips. I just load the .45acp rounds, pull the empties out with my fingernail or push them out with a pencil or dowel. You did good.

That is always what I do also. It's amazing how easily the empty cases pop out. For competitions though, I always use auto rim cases to load….i have a 200 grain Wadcutter mold that I had custom made from a company in Texas many years age. All the guys from my gun club wanted to buy them after I won a few competitions with these bullets…….with the gun lashed down in a Ransum Rest this gun printed a single hole at 50 ft.