Hippocritical (sic)- gun glee

[NeroM]

Long story shortened, this weekend - scouring shops for primers, stumbled upon a NOS S&W M25.
All tight and good, trigger even feels nice, perhaps a little shop worn, best part it still had the 5yo price tag with 10% off at the time.
Got it home, cleaned it up, shoots great, still tweaking the sights- added a dab if white fingernail polish to front sight. Had not really noticed in the shop, left grip panel is a couple shades lighter than right grip. I know there is often a little mismatch. Took them off, cleaned them well, applied Danish oil to the bare wood- left is still lighter. Thinking about the color difference, gun laid on its right side in the case facing the fluorescent shop lights, plus anyone who might have looked at it in the past more likely was right handed - hand oils contacted left panel more than right. See how the grip colors wear, might refinish them in the winter or get a set of fancy walnut ones. Or just continue to shoot it, if I can get more primers!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Nice 25!

 

[bannockburn]

NeroM

I would love to stumble on to something that nice while I was making my rounds at the local gun shops!

You did good...really good!

 

[Tallball]

NICE!

 

[Pat Riot]

NOS = New Old Stock, right? It took me a little while to figure that one out.

That is a very nice buy!
I bought a model 25 Classic a couple of months back. It had some minor scratches on the barrel, but I was so happy to get my hands on one I decided it didn’t matter. I really like shooting mine. I am sure you will enjoy yours.

 

[StrawHat]

I find it funny that S&W chose to call this a Model 25 anything. The tapered barrel was the signature feature of what in 1957 became the Model 26. The Model 1955 Target revolver which became, in 1957, the Model 25 has a bull or heavy barrel.

Of course S&W also called the fixed sight, tapered barrel version, a Model 22-4 which is much closer to correct.

Neither rhyme nor reason for how they assign names.

Kevin

 

[Jim Watson]

My thought.
Ah HA!
It is a current model 25 Classic, complete with keyhole which does show tapered barrel.
Say, Nero, just what is the caliber?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Nice pickup. I've recently heard that S&W has discontinued production of all their .45ACP revolvers.

I'd think the popularity of the 8-shot moon-clipped revolvers has had a negative impact of the 6-shot models

 

[Pat Riot]

My thought.
Ah HA!
It is a current model 25 Classic, complete with keyhole which does show tapered barrel.
Say, Nero, just what is the caliber?

Looks just like my 25 in .45 Colt. Pretty sure this issue of this model only comes in .45 Colt, but I could be wrong…It is Smith & Wesson.

 

[Bazoo]

Leave the lighter grip in the windowsill a few months and it'll darken up from the sun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Looks just like my 25 in .45 Colt. Pretty sure this issue of this model only comes in .45 Colt, but I could be wrong…It is Smith & Wesson.

Yes, catalog listing and visible cylinder length say .45 Colt. But we shouldn't have to figure it out.

 

[Jonesy814]

Nice pickup. I've recently heard that S&W has discontinued production of all their .45ACP revolvers.

I'd think the popularity of the 8-shot moon-clipped revolvers has had a negative impact of the 6-shot models

There are no 45 acp revolvers currently on their website. Don't know if it is temporary so they can focus on what sells best, or permanent

 

[NeroM]

My thought.
Ah HA!
It is a current model 25 Classic, complete with keyhole which does show tapered barrel.
Say, Nero, just what is the caliber?

45 Colt.
Yes, a current M25 classic.
This eve, took it for a walk about the back 40.
Shot it a few times,
255 gr SWC at around 950 fps
Really liking the feel of this revolver!

 

[Pat Riot]

Yes, catalog listing and visible cylinder length say .45 Colt. But we shouldn't have to figure it out.

Agreed! I have always wondered why S&W can’t rename or re-model the 25 series. .45 Colt one model number, .45 ACP another.

 

[CraigC]

If those grips are Altamont, you'll have a hell of a time stripping the old finish.

 

[Tallball]

"Agreed! I have always wondered why S&W can’t rename or re-model the 25 series. .45 Colt one model number, .45 ACP another."


I read something recently about the dash numbers being even for one and odd for the other.

 

[Pat Riot]

I read something recently about the dash numbers being even for one and odd for the other.

That is supposed to be true. Apparently odd numbers = .45 Colt, even numbers = .45 ACP.
It still makes no sense to me, but they have done it so long I doubt they will ever change.