?s about a 25-5

[Jaymo]

A buddy of mine is going to sell some of his guns and has offered to sell me his 4" 25-5.
So, how common are oversized chamber throats on this model?

How big ARE the chamber throats?

How big of an accuracy issue is this?

Does it affect accuracy with jacketed ammo, or just lead?

What is the fix for this issue?
Can Smith replace the cylinder with one that has the right size throats?
If so, will they warranty it, as I would like them to do, or will they charge?

Or, should I just size my lead boolits to match the throats?

 

[AkRay]

I'm no expert but if it's a later gun with the non pinned barrel, you should be good to go. Even if it does have over sized throats it still might shoot fine. You might go with larger size cast bullets if it doesn't group well enough though.

 

[Jaymo]

My buddy believes it is a non pinned barrel.
He hasn't looked at it recently.
He states it has target hammer/trigger/stocks.

I figure, I can powder coat and size the boolits to the needed size, or just use jacketed bullets.

 

[zonker5]

My understanding is that if the serial number is of the alpha-numeric type (AAA1234) rather than the N12345 it is good.

Also if the barrel is not pinned it is good.

 

[PRSearls]

I have a 25-5 with the three-letter prefix serial number. The cylinder throats are .4525 inch (checked with pin gauges). If you have a .452 inch sized bullet, you can use it to check the throats. It should be a good fit... not loose. The M25-5 is lots of fun to shoot... you'll enjoy it.

 

[ADP3]

Loading Remington 250 grain RNL bullets fixes the accuracy issue on 25-5's with oversized throats . They measure .454 to .455 and work very well. Don't try to make a magnum out of the 25-5. The cylinder walls are fairly thin particularly under the bolt cuts.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[5erdriver]

I recently purchased a LNIB pinned 4" bbl 25-5 S/N 828xxx with .452 throats. A .452 plug gauge snugly passes through each one, a .453 gauge doesn't fit in any. I assume that my 25-5 was built during a transitional period when they started to produce the smaller throated cylinders and put them on the last of the pinned bbl models.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm going to get it next Saturday.

I'm not going to try to make a magnum out of it.

Is it ok with tier two .45 Colt ammo, or do I have to load tier one (original BP pressure) ammo for it?
I wouldn't dream of shooting tier three ammo through it.
I have a Ruger Blackhawk for that.
If safe, I think a 250 grain hard cast SWC at 900-1,000 fps would do most of what I'd want a big bore revolver to do.

 

[spad124]

I have a 25-5 with the three-letter prefix serial number. The cylinder throats are .4525 inch (checked with pin gauges). If you have a .452 inch sized bullet, you can use it to check the throats. It should be a good fit... not loose. The M25-5 is lots of fun to shoot... you'll enjoy it.

I have a 6" 25-5 SN prefix AUCxxxx that is a non-pinned barrel with the inside of the grips stamp dated 1987 that I bought about 1988. Charge holes mic at .452. No problems with accuracy using hard cast 250s.

Factory RNL bull lets are hollow based to account for the variations in charge hole and barrel diameter- the same principle as a Civil War era minie' ball.

The only issue with my 25-5 is POA v POI. I think mine has the M-29 barrel blank with a front sight regulated for .44 mag. If I use a 6 o'clock hold all is good. I just have never gotten around to having a gunsmith convert the front sight to a taller patridge sight.

And yes, they are a lot of fun to shoot! Just like my M1917 with .45 auto rim.

 

[USSR]

Is it ok with tier two .45 Colt ammo, or do I have to load tier one (original BP pressure) ammo for it?

Keep your loads < 25k psi and you will be fine. 1000-1100fps with 255-270gr SWC's are a lot of fun.

Don

 

[Jaymo]

So, what are they going for these days?

 

[DR505]

You might find some good info here about your 25-5 and loading ammo:

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5 By: John Linebaugh

I have a nice 25-9 I shoot 255 grain LSWC at about 900 fps. Very comfortable and accurate.

 

[Boxhead]

My 4" P&R'd 25-5 had .457" throats and shot like duedue. A quick trip to S&W and all was good with a proper .4525" throated cylinder. The old one.