nerfsrule2
Member
Do you know if Smith and Wesson made a 45acp revolver with a full size frame?? I like my model 29...686..57 ... ect, but i have big hands.. I do a lot of target shooting so I am looking for something around 8 and 3/8..thanks, Dave
45 acp Smith revolver on a big frame????
- Thread starter nerfsrule2
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bluetopper
Member
All the Smith 45acp revolvers that I know anything about are all on the full size "N" frame.
OP
OP
nerfsrule2
Member
Thanks!!!!!
dbarale
Member
You are looking for a S&W 625. However I do not think that they ever made an 8".
You can also look for a 25 (blued).
You can also look for a 25 (blued).
Bullet Bob
Member
I can highly recommend a used S&W model 25. I hear the 625's are great also, but I've never shot one.
My "pre" 25 is at the bottom of this group of .45's, wearing some old and good-feeling Herrett's grips - I have fairly large hands myself, and really like these grips. It's one great shooter:
My "pre" 25 is at the bottom of this group of .45's, wearing some old and good-feeling Herrett's grips - I have fairly large hands myself, and really like these grips. It's one great shooter:
hanno
Member
Here's my S&W Model 625, my favorite revolver and one of the most accurate I own.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
All .45 ACP 6-shot S&W's are made on the same N size frame as your Model 29.
The 1950 Target, or pre-model 25, had a square butt and 6" barrel.
The blue model 25's all had a square butt grip like your model 29.
They were made in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrel length.
The newer stainless 625's have a round butt grip, but they are still the same size N frame.
They have been made in 3", 4", and 5" barrel length.
rcmodel
The 1950 Target, or pre-model 25, had a square butt and 6" barrel.
The blue model 25's all had a square butt grip like your model 29.
They were made in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrel length.
The newer stainless 625's have a round butt grip, but they are still the same size N frame.
They have been made in 3", 4", and 5" barrel length.
rcmodel
OP
OP
nerfsrule2
Member
This is on gun broker right now.. Not an 8 in but a little over 6 in.. Description --- Smith and Wesson Model 25-3 .45 acp; S/N: 5159; 6 ½-inch barrel; TH, TT and smooth TS. Deep blue finish is excellent - estimated at 98-99%. Stocks are near-perfect; pinned barrel; red-ramp front and white-outline rear sights. Gun comes in a locking (with key) factory mahogany presentation case with a copy of the book ‘125 Years with Smith and Wesson’. Special metal-cornered gun box with all papers, including warranty card and brown wax wrap is provided. Gun is unfired except for factory test. Barely visible cylinder ring. This gun looks brand new, is extremely clean and in collectible condition .. Should I leave this for someone that wants to put it in a safe or should I give it a shot??? Can Anyone give me a reasonable limit to stop At.?? Thanks for your help...
Choose the N frame
Once you settle on the revolver you want (and the M25 is a great choice) look into the Bill Jordan Trooper stocks. At 6'6" Bill Jordan had really large hands, and much of the design of the stocks reflects that. They are the most comfortable stocks I have used with powerful .44 Special and .44 magnum loads.
Herrett's makes them in wood, and custom-make them to your hand size. To see if that's the way you really want to go, Pachmayr made them in a plastic version (that apparently nobody in North America ever liked but me) and I put them on all of my N-frames. You can find a pair for $5 - $10 and test drive them. If they work out for you, go for the Herrett's version in wood.
Once you settle on the revolver you want (and the M25 is a great choice) look into the Bill Jordan Trooper stocks. At 6'6" Bill Jordan had really large hands, and much of the design of the stocks reflects that. They are the most comfortable stocks I have used with powerful .44 Special and .44 magnum loads.
Herrett's makes them in wood, and custom-make them to your hand size. To see if that's the way you really want to go, Pachmayr made them in a plastic version (that apparently nobody in North America ever liked but me) and I put them on all of my N-frames. You can find a pair for $5 - $10 and test drive them. If they work out for you, go for the Herrett's version in wood.
jwxspoon
Member
The 325 is a great pistol also, like the 625 but lighter.
Bullet Bob
Member
"This is on gun broker right now.. Not an 8 in but a little over 6 in.. Description --- Smith and Wesson Model 25-3 .45 acp; S/N: 5159; 6 ½-inch barrel; TH, TT and smooth TS. Deep blue finish is excellent - estimated at 98-99%. Stocks are near-perfect; pinned barrel; red-ramp front and white-outline rear sights. Gun comes in a locking (with key) factory mahogany presentation case with a copy of the book ‘125 Years with Smith and Wesson’. "
__________________________________
Something's wrong with this picture. The 125th Anniversary S&W is in .45 "Long" (don't shoot me) Colt, not .45 ACP. Mine is at 3:00 in my picture above.
__________________________________
Something's wrong with this picture. The 125th Anniversary S&W is in .45 "Long" (don't shoot me) Colt, not .45 ACP. Mine is at 3:00 in my picture above.
johndoe1027
Member
I have some Pacs off of a 625 that you can have for free (plus shipping of course).
I must be in the group with the rest of the North Americans. They are WAY too big for my hands. All three fingers fit into two of the finger grooves with room to spare. My hands aren't huge though.BlindJustice
Member
Smith & Wesson has been making .45 ACP chambered revolvers since the
2nd MOdel Hand Ejector of 1908-1915 aka the "Triple Lock" was
changed for use by the U.S. Army. THe M1917 military designation was put on the N-frame S&Ws as well as the large frame Colt New Service had
the ball detent on the crane as well as the ejector rod removed for these
service pistols for the Doughboys in the trenches in WWI. THe rimless .45
ACP case was enabled for use in the revolver via the use of half-moon clips
which hold 3 rounds each, and enable the ejector star to gain purchase for
extraction. It was Horace Smith who invented the moon clip. The demand
for handguns for the troops was greater than the capacity to produce the 1911 Semi-auto pistol.
Post WWI, Cplt stopped making the large frame New Service revolvers but S&W continued production of the N-frames in .44 SPecial, .38 SPecial as
well as .45 ACP. WIth the surplus M1917s on the market or brought back
by servicemen Remington-Peters created the .45 Auto Rim(AR) cartridge
The .45 AR did not require use of moon clips since it has the same case dimensions as the .45 ACP case but it has a 0.0910 thick rim in order to
position/headspace the cartridge with the same amount of space moon clips occupy in relation to the firing pin.
Between the wars the N-frame .45 ACP sold on the civilian market but it
dwindled during the mid-1930s and S&W almost stopped
production of this calliber revolver. However, the Brazilian
goverment put in an order in 1937 for 37,000 - they are known
as "Brazilian Contract" guns identified by the Brazilian crest on the
Rear RH side of the frame. All of the Pre-WWII N-frame .45 ACP
S&Ws had fixed sights and a 5 1/2" Bbl. although with S&W there
might be the oddball special low production run.
Production stopped during WWII, it ramped back up in 1946 and
while the rest of the N-frames were built with the new shorter stroke
action the .45 ACP revolvers were still built on the PRe-WWII
longer stroke until they ran out of parts or whatever and in 1949
it was time for the .45 ACP revolvers to also get the shorter double
action design. Two models were built, the 1950 Target with
adjustable sights and a 6 1/3 inch Bbl. as well as the 1950 ARmy
a 4" Bbl. with fixed sights.
Bullseye shooters weren't satisfied with the 1950 Target so S&W
gave the design a no taper barrel with a 0.790 diameter - Target hammer
and Target trigger with the large Target grips this is known
as the 1955 Target. In 1957 when all S&W handguns were given a 2-digit
Model number the 1955 Target became the Model 25. MOst Model 25s
were built with a 6 1/2" Bbl. Len. through the 1970 but with S&W variants
exist.
In the mid-1970s, somebody came up with the Full moon clip which holds six cartridges. In the early 1980s, the Stainless Steel version, the 625 was introduced. Today, there also is the 325 xx variants with a Scandium frame and either a Titanium or Stainless STeel cylinder. Another current production variant(s) are the "Classic" line Model 22s, which have modern
internals and the front of the frame is sculpted to look like earlier N-frames
THe 22s resemble the fixed sights 1950 ARmy and the M1917.
2nd MOdel Hand Ejector of 1908-1915 aka the "Triple Lock" was
changed for use by the U.S. Army. THe M1917 military designation was put on the N-frame S&Ws as well as the large frame Colt New Service had
the ball detent on the crane as well as the ejector rod removed for these
service pistols for the Doughboys in the trenches in WWI. THe rimless .45
ACP case was enabled for use in the revolver via the use of half-moon clips
which hold 3 rounds each, and enable the ejector star to gain purchase for
extraction. It was Horace Smith who invented the moon clip. The demand
for handguns for the troops was greater than the capacity to produce the 1911 Semi-auto pistol.
Post WWI, Cplt stopped making the large frame New Service revolvers but S&W continued production of the N-frames in .44 SPecial, .38 SPecial as
well as .45 ACP. WIth the surplus M1917s on the market or brought back
by servicemen Remington-Peters created the .45 Auto Rim(AR) cartridge
The .45 AR did not require use of moon clips since it has the same case dimensions as the .45 ACP case but it has a 0.0910 thick rim in order to
position/headspace the cartridge with the same amount of space moon clips occupy in relation to the firing pin.
Between the wars the N-frame .45 ACP sold on the civilian market but it
dwindled during the mid-1930s and S&W almost stopped
production of this calliber revolver. However, the Brazilian
goverment put in an order in 1937 for 37,000 - they are known
as "Brazilian Contract" guns identified by the Brazilian crest on the
Rear RH side of the frame. All of the Pre-WWII N-frame .45 ACP
S&Ws had fixed sights and a 5 1/2" Bbl. although with S&W there
might be the oddball special low production run.
Production stopped during WWII, it ramped back up in 1946 and
while the rest of the N-frames were built with the new shorter stroke
action the .45 ACP revolvers were still built on the PRe-WWII
longer stroke until they ran out of parts or whatever and in 1949
it was time for the .45 ACP revolvers to also get the shorter double
action design. Two models were built, the 1950 Target with
adjustable sights and a 6 1/3 inch Bbl. as well as the 1950 ARmy
a 4" Bbl. with fixed sights.
Bullseye shooters weren't satisfied with the 1950 Target so S&W
gave the design a no taper barrel with a 0.790 diameter - Target hammer
and Target trigger with the large Target grips this is known
as the 1955 Target. In 1957 when all S&W handguns were given a 2-digit
Model number the 1955 Target became the Model 25. MOst Model 25s
were built with a 6 1/2" Bbl. Len. through the 1970 but with S&W variants
exist.
In the mid-1970s, somebody came up with the Full moon clip which holds six cartridges. In the early 1980s, the Stainless Steel version, the 625 was introduced. Today, there also is the 325 xx variants with a Scandium frame and either a Titanium or Stainless STeel cylinder. Another current production variant(s) are the "Classic" line Model 22s, which have modern
internals and the front of the frame is sculpted to look like earlier N-frames
THe 22s resemble the fixed sights 1950 ARmy and the M1917.
Mannlicher
Member
I had my gunsmith make a .45 ACP cylinder for my Smith 25-5. It is quite accurate, and very reliable. I use full moon clips.
By changing cylinders, I can shoot .45 Colt, or .45 ACP.
By changing cylinders, I can shoot .45 Colt, or .45 ACP.
RobertFBurnett
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 415
I too recently fell in love with a N-frame 8 3/4" S&W. It was a 29-2 with stock wood coke bottle target grips. I've never had any gun line up as quickly as that gun...i would lift my arm, look through the rear sights and that front blade was DEAD on every time.
My problem is I am not in love with the .44Magnum as a paper puncher ($$$) and the .45 (in either LC or ACP, or both like Mannlicher's) seems like it offers a great comprimise between power and affordability.
Keep us posted,
RFB
My problem is I am not in love with the .44Magnum as a paper puncher ($$$) and the .45 (in either LC or ACP, or both like Mannlicher's) seems like it offers a great comprimise between power and affordability.
Keep us posted,
RFB
Archer1945
Member
RFB, any of the large caliber rounds are expensive to shoot unless you reload. The 44sp used to be a inexpensive alternative in the 44mag but even they are now in the $25 a box range. The price of lead has gone thru the roof in recent years which has really affected the price of large caliber, 44/45, ammo.
hghunter
Member
I know the 1955 Target was chambered for the .45 Auto Rim, and could be used with .45 ACP with clips. Is the mod. 25 chambered the same? And is the headspace the same? If it is, you should be able to shoot .45 Auto Rim's in the newer revolvers. Next question is, where to get .45 Auto Rims these days?
The old 1955 Target or mod 25 should fill the bill for being large enough.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Actually, the 1950 Target was chambered for .45 ACP, and the AR cartridge could be used in them if you wanted to use them.
That is still true of any .45 ACP DA revolver ever made by any company.
BTW: The older guns like the 1950 Target and Model 25 with the hammer mounted firing pin works perfectly fine with .45 ACP ammo without the clips. You just have to flick the empties out one at a time with your fingernail because they won't eject without the clip.
The later guns with frame mounted firing pins may cause mis-fire problems with some ammo.
Some do, some don't.
rcmodel
BlindJustice
Member
.45 Auto RIm SOurces
Starline brass is making .45 Auto RIm for reloaders
Buffalo BOre
Double Tap
Both have stout loads in .45 AR offereings.
Reeds Ammunition and Research (R.A.R.)
Oklahoma City, Ok - Google is your friend.
I have two of R.A.R.'s .45 AR loads
185 gr. Golden Saber JHP @ 1,050 FPS
225 gr. Barnes XPB HP @ 900+ FPS
I also had R.A.R> do a Custom order of .45 Auto RIm
( minimum order is 250 rounds )
200 gr. Leadhead hardcast SWC @ 1,025 FPS
that was last September? It ran about 42 cents a
round for 500 + S&H which added rounghly 4 cents a round
Oh, if you want spendy CorBOn offers some .45 AR in some of
their various lines of ammo.
with all the talk of ammo price increases I bought 1,000 of .45 ACP
1,000 of .45 AR as well as 500 of .400 CorBon last fall. Glad I did
in early January I looked for a price increase by Starline - it is up 30+ %
I also bought 4 x 500 each of different types of .45 bullets but
have been cooking a waffle before loading it up.
Starline brass is making .45 Auto RIm for reloaders
Buffalo BOre
Double Tap
Both have stout loads in .45 AR offereings.
Reeds Ammunition and Research (R.A.R.)
Oklahoma City, Ok - Google is your friend.
I have two of R.A.R.'s .45 AR loads
185 gr. Golden Saber JHP @ 1,050 FPS
225 gr. Barnes XPB HP @ 900+ FPS
I also had R.A.R> do a Custom order of .45 Auto RIm
( minimum order is 250 rounds )
200 gr. Leadhead hardcast SWC @ 1,025 FPS
that was last September? It ran about 42 cents a
round for 500 + S&H which added rounghly 4 cents a round
Oh, if you want spendy CorBOn offers some .45 AR in some of
their various lines of ammo.
with all the talk of ammo price increases I bought 1,000 of .45 ACP
1,000 of .45 AR as well as 500 of .400 CorBon last fall. Glad I did
in early January I looked for a price increase by Starline - it is up 30+ %
I also bought 4 x 500 each of different types of .45 bullets but
have been cooking a waffle before loading it up.
Georgia Arms also sells NEW .45AR cartridges. I've got some, plus a few hundred handloaded AR cartridges.
My favorite handgun of all time is one of those "Model 1955" Model 25-2 versions that came with the 6" barrel for target use, plus a super-wide "Target" trigger. A nice, original configuration example is posted above by SaxonPig.
Mine's set up for fast, double action matches and self defense work though and now sports its original barrel cut down to 3 1/4", a radically narrowed, smoothed, and rounded trigger and the slickest double and single action pulls you'll ever find in a S&W. Amazingly, back "in the day," S&W totally missed the boat by only making the 25-2 as a long barreled, target revolver, so people had to get this kind of work done after purchasing the target revolver.
I love those big Smith N frames!
T.
My favorite handgun of all time is one of those "Model 1955" Model 25-2 versions that came with the 6" barrel for target use, plus a super-wide "Target" trigger. A nice, original configuration example is posted above by SaxonPig.
Mine's set up for fast, double action matches and self defense work though and now sports its original barrel cut down to 3 1/4", a radically narrowed, smoothed, and rounded trigger and the slickest double and single action pulls you'll ever find in a S&W. Amazingly, back "in the day," S&W totally missed the boat by only making the 25-2 as a long barreled, target revolver, so people had to get this kind of work done after purchasing the target revolver.
I love those big Smith N frames!
T.
Here is a pic of my S&W DA 45 with half moon clips and ammo that it came with it I think it is a 1917 commercial? It has no US Army or Brazilian markings and has a blued finish. It has a round top strap and a u shaped rear fixed rear sight.The frame has a hole for a lanyard swelve. She is wearing what i think are the original grips they have serial numbers written in pencil under the grips. The bluing shows a lot of hollister of wear i am thinking it was a LEOs service revolver. She is tight and has a nice trigger and is a very good shooter. The serial are #178xxx i am thinking it was made some time right after WW1?
Mike
Mike
Attachments
mnw42
Member
I have a model 22 TRR and it has been a great shooting revolver. Mine came with a Tyler T grip and it real;ly make the gun feel decent in the hand.
I have a hi-res pic here...
I have a hi-res pic here...
BlindJustice
Member
Some nice pics on this thread. I need to get a pic of
my 625 on the web so I can plunk it in here.
I got the Master Revolver Action Job by the S&W Perf.
Center on my 625 Smooth DA and SA is a light glass breaker.
THe charging holes are chamfered as part of the $125
package. I have Guy Hogue Full size checkered Rosewood
grip on it.
I recall SKeeter Skelton writing in the 1970s about a couple
of LEOs he knew who served in the wild border town
of El Paso in the late '40s/early '50s They both carried PRe-WWII
N-frames they had the barrels cut back to 4" and kept them
loaded with 250 gr. SWCs in .45 Auto Rim and had half moon clips
loaded with 230 gr. FMJs in case they got into a shootout.
.
my 625 on the web so I can plunk it in here.
I got the Master Revolver Action Job by the S&W Perf.
Center on my 625 Smooth DA and SA is a light glass breaker.
THe charging holes are chamfered as part of the $125
package. I have Guy Hogue Full size checkered Rosewood
grip on it.
I recall SKeeter Skelton writing in the 1970s about a couple
of LEOs he knew who served in the wild border town
of El Paso in the late '40s/early '50s They both carried PRe-WWII
N-frames they had the barrels cut back to 4" and kept them
loaded with 250 gr. SWCs in .45 Auto Rim and had half moon clips
loaded with 230 gr. FMJs in case they got into a shootout.
.
wundudnee
Member
I'm always a little late to the party, however, here's my pre 26. It's about my favorite S&W revolver.
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