Smith & Wesson model 25 Classic

Some of you may have seen my lists of revolvers I would like to own in recent threads. On my lists I never put a model 25 .45 Colt because I had honestly just given up ever finding one that I could afford. It seemed that when I did find one it was a .45 ACP model, which would be nice too, but not one of my Grail Guns.
Well, long story short I picked up my S&W model 25 Classic yesterday.

What a nice revolver. I took it to the range right away and tried 3 loads in it that my Vaqueros like. The 25 likes them too. I just had to take some “nicer than range” shots of it this morning.




I still have my left hand in a brace so shooting was all one handed / free hand. It really seems to like my 900 FPS 205 grain RNFP load best. I had such a great time shooting this revolver. I truly believe it may become my favorite, of course all my revolvers are “favorites”, but this one might be extra special.

bannockburn said:

Pat Riot

Very nice looking Model 25 Classic! Have to say something like that was well worth the wait!

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It was. Thank you
The funny thing is I found this purely by accident. I was just looking at handgun inventories at various local stores and dealers online after missing out on a model 27 when I found this store called Ammo Bros. I remember these guys from when they first started out selling reloaded ammo at gun shows back in the early 2000s. Now they have 6 or 7 stores.
Anyway, they had all the S&W Classics listed as one section and I was surprised they listed the model 25 because as far as I knew they, S&W, had only made one run of them back in 2008. When I selected the 25 in their search it popped up they had 3 in stock and one at the store near me. And they had it listed at $939, which is $100 less than MSRP.
I had my wife drive me over as they wouldn’t hold it for me online or over the phone. CA laws restrict this
Anyway, I had to wait 16 days to get it due to my wife’s work hours but I have it now and I am very happy with it.

I plan to head back to the range today or tomorrow with it again after I reload some more non-CAS loads.

Thank you all very much.

DR505 said:

Nice revolver! Isn't the Model 25 a hoot? You inspired me to put together a family photo:

View attachment 988105

6" 25-9 .45 Colt
4" 25-9 .45 Colt
4" 625-7 .45 Colt Mountain Gun
3" 625-3 .45 ACP Model of 1989
5" 625-6 .45 ACP Model of 1989

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DR505, thanks for posting the family photo.
That 4” model 25 and your Mountain Gun are both very nice. As is the rest of your .45 family. I have never come across a .45 Colt Mountain Gun for sale.
I am curious. Did your 6” model 25 come with the red ramp front sight?

Riomouse911 said:

Nicely done! That’s a real beauty for sure. I wish the .41 Model 57 Classic had a 4” barrel, I think I would go that route rather than buy a used one off GB... if I bid enough of course . The .45 Colt Model 25 is a nice combo of big size, power and “fun factor” without being .44 magnum-abusive to shoot.

There are two Ammo Bros. stores pretty close to me, I’ve only been into one of them pre-Covid. It was full of all sorts of good stuff, I walked out with a few boxes of Federal 6.5x55 that no one else had on the shelves locally.

Again, nice pickup and good initial shooting with the injured wing, I hope you’re better soon.

Stay safe.

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This was my first experience buying from them. They seem like decent folks there. My gun has a little tiny scratch on the barrel in the left side. I pointed it out to the guy when I purchased the gun and I mentioned it to the guy that was giving me my gun when I picked it up. The first guy kind of acted like a tool about it but when I mentioned to the 2nd guy I asked if he wouldn’t mind documenting it on my receipt paperwork so I could see if S&W might fix the scratch under warranty. Of course he said the scratch was there from the factory, but I wanted it documented in case I decide I would like it fixed. I may just not worry about it. It’s pretty insignificant and I am sure I will do more damage to it just in general use.

nofendertom said:

You might be able to change it---look carefully at the ramp under a magnifying glass for a pin.

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DR505 said:

The two 25-9 revolvers do not have pinned front sight blades. The three 625 revolvers all have pinned blades.

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Mine is pinned. Blew up a photo.

I have decided to keep the Patridge sight for now. I have Patridge sights on my model 19 and model 17. I think when I decided to change one I will change them all.

I just got back from another range trip with my new model 25. I must say that I really do like this revolver.

Edit: somehow auto communista changed “Patridge” to “patrol def”.

cfullgraf said:

For a long time I thought the 8-3/8" barreled S&W revolvers were less than useful but shooting the 8-3/8" Model 25-5 is a hoot.

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I would love to get my hands on a 8 3/8” model 25...or a 27.
I have seen only one 8 3/8” model 25. It was LNIB at a gun show here in CA in a glass case. The man selling it had it priced at $1900. Of course, off roster guns go at a higher price but that was pretty high in my book. I didn’t bother asking details.