What did i get? 25-5 8”

[Dauntedfuture]

Just got a 25-5, 8 3/8" .45 colt Pinned barrel sn N7xx xxx
99%+ no box or papers

I think it was made in 1978

Any idea on value etc.?

As i understand, and i believe there is some debate, i should be able to run 250 lead at 900-1000 fps

Thanks

 

[CJSmith]

Welcome to the forum. Pictures would help very much. Is the gun blue or nickel? Are the stocks (grips) original and in good condition?

Are you asking about loads for hunting? Putting holes in paper?

 

[Dauntedfuture]

Very new and attempting out how to post pics

Blue w factory grips

For loads; this would need to have a little more oomph then my 625 to keep it. Sedate .45 colt loads are too close to .45 acp

 

[gen3guy]

I have a 25-5 and I love it!

You need to flash 10 pictures of Ben Franklin at me before I will even discuss selling it.

Not sure where to go with your generalized statement about bullet weight and velocity. .45 Colt is fun!

 

[Dauntedfuture]

Thanks

I have a 625 already I dont know what id do with a .45 colt in same gun if ballistics are the same

If i can push a 250g lead bullet from the .45 colt at 900-1000, thats enough to get my attention

 

[Dauntedfuture]

Thanks

I have a 625 already I dont know what id do with a .45 colt in same gun if ballistics are the same

If i can push a 250g lead bullet from the .45 colt at 900-1000, thats enough to get my attention

 

[Art Doc]

I dunno, what do you think you got? Sounds like a long barrel 25-5 to me. Value? You just got it, right? If you bought it's worth what you paid. If it was gift, it's priceless.

 

[CJSmith]

People seem to value the shorter barrels more than the 8 3/8". Therefore, it could take you longer to sell the 8 3/8" at the price you want. If it were me, I would be temped under $800 but that is just me not really wanting that barrel length.

I have both 45 ACP and 45 Colt revolvers but I like variety. I don't care that much about the two having similar ballistics with similarly weighted projectiles. I guess you can push 250gr projectiles faster than factory loads in modern guns chambered in 45 Colt or push heavier bullets. To me, this is a personal decision thing.

 

[Doc44]

Sounds like a nice gun in 45 Colt. The serial number dates it to 1980.

Bill

 

[StrawHat]

Yes, a 255 grain bullet at 900 fps is a standard load for the 45 long Colt. It is also achievable from the 45 Super and maybe from the ACP+P round. So, no, it will not out do the 625.

Now the question becomes, "Which revolver are you going to sell?"

Kevin

 

[jdlii]

I agree with gen3guy! I have a great deal of respect for this caliber and the S&W 25-5. Great shooter and lots of fun!

 

[Dauntedfuture]

Tough choices then I suppose ill have to measure bore and cylinders

 

[Model19man]

I owned two different blued / 6" pin barrel 25-5 revolvers in the 1980's. One was ordered with an orange sight insert, the other had the green sight insert. Both were tack drivers with the right combination of 454421 SWC's over Unique.

Perhaps my finest day at the range was shooting a paper bullseye at 25 yards. On about the 10th shot the center ring of the target fell out because there was nothing left attaching it to the rest of the target. Unfortunately that gun, the one with the green insert, was stolen in a burglary. The one with the orange insert was foolishly traded for a .41 Magnum.

Rather than slugging the bore I would just take it to the range. These revolvers shoot best with lead SWC's sized at .454". Perhaps the most accurate 45 Colt off the shelf ammo is the 250 grain LRN Remington.

Tough choices then I suppose ill have to measure bore and cylinders

 

[greenmachine]

I'm betting it looks something like this one. Serial number N7649xx from 1980.

 

[OldChief]

I have a real nice 25-5 4" and I shoot mostly 200 grain hard lead through it. I don't worry much about velocity because I only punch holes in targets and my goal is to keep them as close to 10 and X rings as humanly possible for me. I find 6 grains of Trail Boss pushing a 200 grain hard lead bullet a good load for my needs.

 

[GypsmJim]

I don't have a 625 but I have a 7 1/2" Convertible Blackhawk. Since 1976 I think the ACP cylinder might have been mounted twice, the last time as recently as a month ago. The ACP offers a fairly nice target experience, but the 45 Colt reallly rings the bell.

I DO have a 8 3/8"n 25-5 and its one of the most accurate revolvers I own. I shoot it twice as much as the BH. 255 grain RNF lead bullets over Unique is an awesome load.

 

[oddshooter]

I think you are concentrating on the ballistics a little too much.

I think you have two similar guns; one with 4" and the other with 8 3/8" barrel. One in blue and the other in stainless. They may be similar, but they will not feel or shoot the same.

The 8 3/8" is my kind of hawgleg. That long sight radius will be lots easier to shoot at distance. The increased velocity is also nice. I shoot mine mostly at 100 yards plus steel.

There are 3 tiers in 45 Colt.

Tier
1 14,000psi old Colts, Replicas, new Vaq <1000fps
2 23,000psi Ruger only, T/C, SW25, USArms
3 32,000psi Freedom Arms

Notice that I have the 25-5 in the Tier 2. Some might thing that's a little aggressive.


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