Some of my favorites: Models 25-5 in .45 Colt

[PALADIN85020]

I've always had a fondness for the old .45 Colt cartridge, often mis-labeled the ".45 Long Colt." Since 1873, it pretty well gets the job done as a defense cartridge, with the original 250-grain lead slugs moving out at around 900 fps.

Today I load 250-grain SWC slugs to about 1,000 fps. These are usable in most modern guns, and are a piece of cake in the older big-frame Rugers. However, being a S&W collector, I enjoy shooting these loads in the 625 and 25 Mountain guns, and especially in the older 25-5 revolvers. These have more heft to them to moderate recoil. The .45 Colt really doesn't "recoil" as much as it "pushes back." .357s and .44 maggies do have a "kick" that is not experienced with the .45 Colt loads.

As defense revolvers for open carry, it would be hard to beat the 25-5s. The older guns had somewhat larger chamber mouths, so .454" bullets work best for them. The more modern Mountain guns seem to do better with .452" slugs. Given properly sized bullets, all will render very good accuracy.

Here are my Model 25-5s. The top one is a 4" barreled gun produced in 1979. The nickeled job in the center has a 6" barrel and was made in 1983. The bottom one with the 8 3/8" barrel is of 1980 vintage. Each is equipped with a target trigger, target hammer, white outline rear sight, and red ramp front sight. All have pinned barrels and reside in presentation cases which were offered with them as an option when new. They are often mistaken for Model 29s on the range, being very close in appearance. Much easier on the wrist, though!

How many of you own one or more of these beauties, and what has been your experience with them?

John

 

[SWBigBang]

I prefer the longer barreled revolvers and never knew the model 25 was available in that length. Looks like another item is now added to the shopping list.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Nice set you have there! Yes, I also really like the 25-5's, great gun's in one of the best cartridge's extant, the .45 Colt! I have three 25-5's and one of the new classic 25's, love em all. All except the new classic are N prefix gun's and only the six inch nickeled has oversized throat's and a .454 or .455 dia. bullet's shoot just fine.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Mountain gun and a 25-7. Love them 45LC's too.

 

[AnthonyF]

I've had a 625 in 45 Colt since the 90's and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a 25-5 just purchased from David Carroll here on the forum.

 

[feralmerril]

I have this 4" 25-5. I have the original grips stashed. For no reason at all, I havent shot this gun but a few times. I know linbaugh thinks they are smiths most desireable gun. I plan on working it out, its just that I have quite a few other guns to play with, and almost forgot I own it. I had a buddy with one in 8 3/8" years ago too.

 

[Arisin Wind]

The 45 Colt is a great cartridge. I have four handguns in 45 Colt. Three Rugers and a S&W 25-5. That 25-5 is my most accurate revolver. I've shot stout loads through it though not as stout as the Ruger loads. Here is a picture of the 25-5 surrounded by the Rugers.

 

[max]

My 25-5 is the only blue Smith I own. I keep thinking about having it nickeled, but it just looks so business like. My standard load is 7 or 8 grains of Unique over a cast swc.

 

[bwickens]

Had one of the early wide throat 25-5s, a blued four inch. Accuracy was not great, but was it fun to shoot. As soon as I heard Smith was coming out with the Mountain Gun in .45 Colt, the 25-5 was sold and the MG ordered. This is a keeper. I love this gun. Favorite factory duplication load has 11.5 grains of HS-6 pushing Hornady's 255 grain RNFP cowboy bullet out the muzzle at around 830 fps.

 

[sw282]

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[robctwo]

I bought the 6" Nickel 25 Classic to go with my 4 5/8" Ruger BH and the 20" Rossi '92. Very nice gun. Then I found a4" Blue 25-13 Mountain Gun on GB for a good price. I love that gun. I've been loading a lot of 200 gr SWC with Red Dot, Universal and Clays. Also loading 255 gr SWC with Universal.

The .45 Colt has me intrigued with the versatility. I've just bought some Hornady 225 gr FTX for the Rossi. Already have a good 255 SWC load for the rifle, as well as some 300 and 340 r=gr loads. The Ruger can handle them but I can't.

 

[ia1727]

25-5's

John,

I also have 3 Model 25-5's---4", 6", and 8 3/8"--all Blue and all have the appropriate ABCxxx type serial numbers to better guarantee the .452 throat dimension.

I received the 4" this May for my birthday from my lovely bride, what a woman. I've shot the 6" and the 4" and am absolutely blown away with the accuracy. The 8 3/8 " came new in the box, unfired with all the goodies so I haven't brought myself to firing it yet.

I couldn't agree with you more about the recoil sensation--more push than recoil--very pleasant and comfortable to shoot. The .45's are quickly becoming my favorite S&W revolvers. I also have a 6 1/2" 25-2 in .45 acp that I absolutely love. Planned on getting a 4" also until I started a different thread only to find out from others here that there is only one in existence.

Not reloading yet so I'm shooting factory 45 colt and am still pleased with accuracy. Has anyone tried Georgia Arms for 45 colt ammo ? Very curios as to how others may or may not have made out with ammo from them.

Great thread, thanks for starting it, I'm really impressed with my 25-5's. ( sorry--don't now how to post pics of mine )

Steve

 

[Allen-frame]

Nuts about 45 Colt. Great cartridge infinitely shootable.

Last trip to the range I took a 625-7 3" ,,a 625-7 Mountain gun,
and my newly acquired Winchester 1892 (Miroku) in 45 Colt.
It was a good day, my friends got to shoot them too.

I now own 11 revolvers in 45 Colt ,and the 1 levergun.
some day I'll have to get a group shot.

Regards ,Allen Frame

 

[RobertJ.]

My only .45 Colt, a New Service made in 1916. A beauty, and a real sweet shooter.

 

[skeezix]

Here are my four.....

Here's my set of 25-5s. I've shot only the 4" and really like it. I'll get around to shooting the other two some day.


Also have a Ruger Vaquero. It shoots high, but I haven't (and probably won't) filed the front sight down to make POA=POI. This should have read "It shoots low....."

 

[Allen-frame]

Lorin ,if your Vaquero shoots HIGH ,,you'll need to shorten the REAR sight
or add height to the front blade.

Filing the front sight is for when a fixed sight gun shoots LOW.

Regards ,Allen

 

[Smee78]

I love my Smith 625mg, I had it cut for moon clips and now have the best of both worlds.

 

[jubela#4]

How many of you own one or more of these beauties, and what has been your experience with them?


I own three model 25-5's. Two 4 inch guns and a 6 inch. The 6 inch and one of the 4 inch guns have pinned barrels. They have over sized throats but I load Remington swaged lead bullets in them which are sized .454-.455 and they shoot ok.
The other 4 inch gun has a non pinned barrel and correct sized throats. It is very accurate with .452 cast SWC's loaded over 7.5-8.0 grains of Unique.

You have a nice collection of 25-5's.

 

[sw282]

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[skeezix]

Lorin ,if your Vaquero shoots HIGH ,,you'll need to shorten the REAR sight
or add height to the front blade.

Filing the front sight is for when a fixed sight gun shoots LOW.

Regards ,Allen

Oops. I mispoke. Gun shoots 6" low to POA, so I have to aim 6" high to hit the bullseye.

Thanks for catching that, Allen. I'll edit my post accordingly.