Tell me about the Model 25

[Roofuss]

I will never understand why this gun never reached a higher level of popularity then it did.

Agreed !
I own both versions of model 25 { .45 Colt and .45 ACP } and reload for them..... both shoot extremely well.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Well, I went to see the M25 I've been talking about. It was very clean, no real scratches or serious defects, and the bluing was intact, but it had a "used" look to it. The bluing, while not worn or dull, lacked any gloss, almost like a M28 finish. It is a M25-5 but made after 1982, as it did not have a pinned barrel (I'd thought it did, but the glass on the display case head some glare when I saw it first time). It passed the push-off test, and lock-up was good, if not really tight, and there was, IMO, just a bit more end shake than it should have had. With the cylinder open, the extractor rod felt a little loose in its channel. Stocks were in perfect shape. I had a 200 grain .451 bullet (I reload for .45ACP) and it was a snug push fit in the front of the cylinder, about what you expect of a fired case sliding in or out of a chamber. He also wanted more than I thought it was worth, given the later manufacture date and the "looseness" issues.

I passed on it. Had it been a few years older, and he'd have been willing to take about 2/3 of what he was asking, I'd have bought it. It would have made a passable range gun, but I wanted something a bit nicer. I shall continue the quest.

 

[bananaman]

If it is a .45 Colt and has a pinned barrel it is a 25-5. Before you buy, you need to check the chamber throat dimensions. Really should be done with a pin gauge, but the easiest way is to take .452 bullet and see if it drops through the throat with no resistance.

I had an early 25-5 (4") and this was before we knew there was a problem, it patterned like a shotgun. The chamber throats measured .458 - .460. I was told, and can't testify as to the veracity of this statement, that the barrels were made to post-war specs while the cylinders were made to pre-war specs.

The 25-3's used the short cylinder of the .45 ACP guns, but was chambered for the .45 Colt. This precluded using some hand loads with cast bullets. Starting with the 25-5 the longer cylinder was used on all guns chambered for the .45 Colt.

25-7 and 25-9 are also .45 Colt as are 25-10 and 25-11 although the 10 & 11 are Heritage series guns. The 25-9's were made in several configurations. A high polish blue with fluted cylinder in normal barrel lengths and a black PVD coated 5" with an unfluted cylinder. Also the 25-13 Mountain Gun.

Here is my 25-10...

and my 25-9...

Good luck in your quest.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

25-7 & 25-9 are 2 guns that I would really like to own. My only 25 is a -15. 45 Colt is a great caliber! Bob

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

This thread made me remember I've got one of those here somewhere. I'd forgotten about it.

 

[BigMuddy]

Here's 3 I currently have...
Top: 25-5 N prefix
Middle: 25-5 ABC123
Bottom: 25-7
I was lucky in that all pin gauge basically the same.

I've never seen a 25-7 with 4" barrel and fluted cylinder. I also thought they all had the matt finish. Great looking trio!

Dan

 

[jack the toad]

Good eye Dan. It's not a -7, it's a typo on my part.
It's a -9. Sorry about that. Guess I should proof read before posting.

 

[kevin in nh]

25 no dash

I picked up a .45 ACP no dash 25 from 1962 and it is beautiful and so much fun to shoot.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I haven't shot this M25-5 for awhile but I recollect that it was a decent shooter. I don't think I paid more 600 bucks for it just a few short years ago: