Smiths in 45 Colt Ctg The Ultimate 25 and 625 discussion.Edited June 2014

[Ziptar]

Beautiful revolver cprher!

I'm curious about and interested in the Bowen customized Model 58s and the reason for having a 58 converted to .45 Colt as opposed to standard non-pinned 4" 25-5, 25-7, or 25-9.

Is it just a preference thing?

 

[keithherrington]

I love the S&W Military and Police 44 Special revolvers from the early 50's. The whole concept of a fixed sight big bore with a 4" tube is to me the high water mark of revolver design and function. I had Bowen build me an entire set of what I thought a modern version of that gun should look like. In the pictures below you'll see the 44 Special built on a Model 520, in the middle a 41 Magnum on of course a Model 58 and at the bottom a 45 S&W built on a Model 520. In each case I used a factory barrel to make the conversion, from a Model 29, a Model 57 and a Model 1955 respectively. The shorter 520 cylinders are perfect for the 44 Special and the 45 S&W since they are much shorter than either the 45 Colt of the 41 Magnum. All have the ejector rod lug and exactly the same internal and external modifications. I asked Bowen to make them look as much like factory guns as possible and I think he hit me a home run on that alone.
Keith

 

[Ziptar]

I understand now. Thanks for the explanation. That is a gorgeous group of revolvers thats is for sure. They look like factory Smiths alright, he did an excellent job with that.

Mr. Bowen does do excellent work. I've got two revolvers on my list to get first. After that the next one is a Bowen Redhawk .45 Colt ‘Kodiak’ Conversion in blue.

 

[Arisin Wind]

My 25-5. The most accurate revolver I own.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Once again I see a fine thread initiated by Allen Frame, very informative, well documented and great posts by forum members. Thanks for all of the information and especially all of the photos. All I have to do now is find one of these to add to my varied collection. I'm thinking at least a MG!

 

[one eye joe]

This is my 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. It's one of my favorite revolvers....

 

[Allen-frame]

Original post edited February 3rd. 2012.

Pictures and text added as the collection has grown.

Just picked up a 625-5 and a 25-5 today.

Good luck. and keep the faith.

Allen Frame

Now 21 Smiths chambered in 45 Colt.

 

[ghitch75]

only have 1.....the one on top is 45 Colt...

 

[roundgunner]

I traded a 8 3/8 41 mag. for this 25-13. It was LNIB and my first 45 Colt.

Now I need a lever gun to go with it!

 

[JWS3]

Here's my latest S&W. It's the Model 25-5 (pinned barrel) with a serial number of SN 679XXX. Back in November of 2011 my younger brother, who is terminally ill, presented me with his prized Shorty Forty. I've been taking care of him since Thanksgiving and the Model 25 was the gun he kept by his bedside until his illness affected his condition to the point when he could no longer bring himself to sit up. We'd jokingly talk about how, if ever, "scallywags" broke into his house, he'd be ready for them with "six-for-sure."

He knew that I had previously owned a Model 25-5 that I'd purchased from a German gun shop when I was stationed there in 1985. I used that revolver to compete in the local IPSC club matches. I once took out six bowling pins mounted on a railroad tie, all with one shot with that handgun. The huge .45 Colt slug does have a tendency to dump a heckuva lot of kinetic energy on a target.

I have shot this particular revolver when the entire family went to the gun range in November. Shooting at a distance of 15 yards, it performed admirably in the accuracy department. I did not bench rest it as we had many firearms to shoot and the day was getting late. Also, since reading on this forum about the pinned barrel versions possibly having cylinder and forcing cone improper diameters, I'll have to set it to the micrometer, when I return to Michigan.

Along with the revolver is the wood S&W Case and the original Goncalo-Alves grips. I'll post more pictures as time permits and update the post when I am able to do a projectile drop-though test and mic the cylinders and cone.

In the meanwhile, I've already given this Model 25-5 a nickname; Mjolnir ("The Crusher," the name of the mythological Norse god Thor's hammer).

..and a close-up with the HKS Speedloaders

 

[Allen-frame]

JWS ,, condolences for your younger brother.
I lost my older brother back in November on his 64th. birthday.

Have a story associated with him also.

Good luck.
Travel safely

Allen Frame

 

[JWS3]

Thank you, Allen. My condolences to you on the passing of your brother. I'll have so very many fond memories of him and stories to pass along to the family.

Brothers are special people. All too often we tend to take them for granted and miss them dearly when they depart.

 

[Allen-frame]

Questions about Smiths in 45 Colt Ctg.


Allen Frame

 

[bigshep85]

Well....here it goes again

I just purchased my first s&w 45lc I currently have it listed in the classifieds but I am already regretting letting it go and it isnt even gone yet. It is a beautiful gun and is also my first nickel plated gun, I cannot get over how great the finish is practically spotless mirror shine even under the grips there is no blemish. It has a small flake on the cylinder is the only flaw but I contacted s&w today and believe I am going to send the cylinder in and have the cylinder replated and add this one to my collection.
It just feels superbly in the hand, The quality of the old s&w never ceases to amaze me.

I didn't see any nickels in allens collection....is there a reason for this or did I just overlook those?

 

[haris1]

4 revos Smith never made, and two unusual factory mods

This is a 28-2 converted by Cogan Custom to 45 Colt with the lightest smoothest action I have ever felt. This is a "keeper". 3 inch barrel and ported,and refinished





Hamilton Bowen breathed new life into a 25-5 by reaming a pinned and recessed 44 mag cylinder out to 45 Colt.There were no recessed 45 colt
cylinders. Entire pistol was finished with a matte surface.I was fortunate to buy this from fellow member PattonTime

First a closeup showing the 44 magnum cylinder as converted to 45 colt


Next, the left side of this jewel




Now,the right side of my Hamilton Bowen 25-5




Next, an old Heavy Duty Post War Transitional S64106 which I bought from a fellow forum member.This also was converted to 45 Colt,but by master
pistolsmith Jim Stroh of Alpha Precision.First, right side view



Next ,left side view



Lastly,closeup of caliber marking



Next is a 25-5, but it has been fitted with a 1950 45 Colt Barrel which is the
light tapering barrel and seldom seen in 45 Colt

Tight side of the 25-5



Next,left side




Next is a cool revolver that Smith never made in PreLock, a blue 45 colt mountain gun. I am not as ambitious or mechanical as Allen-Frame to create pistols in Prelock that the factory never made. Here is my mountain gun, a 25-13

Right side of mountain gun




next,left side of Mountain Gun




Next, a 25-10,a limited edition of about 150 made in 2001 .Has extra side plate screw and Tapered barrel in 45 Colt.Explained in detail on page 347 of the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog

First left side of 25-10



Now,right side of 25-10




all pictures were uploaded from Image Shack

 

[Donald Paul]

My 'new'.45 Colt 4 inch 'N' prefix S&W 25-5 purchased new by me in June of 1980. Manufactured in 1980. It has never been fired, except at the S&W factory. Flawless beauty.

 

[S.B.]

Donald Paul, unlike you, I couldn't resist shooting mine. Shoots great!
Steve

 

[one eye joe]

I'm with you S.B. Life's too short--I'd shoot the snot outta that fine revolver...

 

[*Shot]

New member

Hello everybody,

I have been following this thread off and on for awhile. Bought a 25-9 about 4 years ago and stumbled on to it then. Just bought a 625-7 and picked it up last week. Very nice! I wanted to see what kind of penetration you would get with Buffalo Bore 255 gr, 1000 fps standard pressure rounds. So, I fired a couple into a tulip log that I had recently cut in my front yard. I guess two ice storms and last summers draught did it in. I decided to just use the Mountain Gun to split up the rest of the trunk I had cut into 16" chunks. OK, it won't actual split 20" thick logs.
I didn't know what to expect, I've read some pretty astounding claims on the penetrating power of 45 colt rounds. Have to say I was a little surprised they didn't go a little deeper. The one that penetrated 3" traveled about 1/2" sideways and the one that went 2 1/2" went about an 1" off to the side.
I don't care for the Hogue grips so I order some Ahrends today. I'm looking forward to working up some loads for the gun.

Chris

 

[870fan]

This is the only .45 Colt I own. It is lettered from Mr. Jinks as being a .455 originally, and converted to .45 Colt by S&W.


This is one sweet old gun, and a tack driver to boot.
augy

You wouldn't happen to know what kind of grips those are would you? A buddy of mine has a Colt Officer's Match that he inherited from his grandfather with very similar grips and I was wondering who may have made them.