New S&W M25 ?'s

[drannor]

Does anyone here have experience with one of the new blued model 25's released earlier this year? I'm thinking of getting a smith in .45LC and wanted to solicit opinions from folks who've owned, shot, or handled one of these.

Is the blueing comparable to older smiths?
What were your thoughts on quality? (fit, finish, trigger, etc)
How does it compare to older model 25's?

Thanks!

I used search, but was frustrated by the result set. If I missed a good thread on this subject please cite it!

 

[Baba Louie]

drannor,
Type in Mountain Gun for your search in the Revolver Forum and you'll find a number of posts from this summer re: S&W's new 25.
S&W Brought it out in Feb, finish seems to be nice enough, priced around $550 - up
Compare it to older S&W 25's? Perish the thought It still shoots the .45 Colt, not as strong as a Ruger, thin cylinder wall at notch, etc... sure is a sweet Blued N-Frame tho isn't it?
Something about blue vs. stainless that looks just right. Specially once it gets a little leather wear here and there for highlights.
I've only fondled the new one, my 25-7 being enough for me for now.

 

[Majic]

The finish is blued, but no where near what the bluing used to be. They do have the chambers and throats sized correctly.
They misnamed it as the M25 is a heavy barrel revolver. The M26 was the light tapered barrel .45 caliber revolver.
Considering the price of the M29-8 MG of the previous year they greatly inflated the price by $100.
The action, like all new S&W's today, begs to be worked on.
S&W made a good attempt to please the market, but are overcharging for it.

 

[drannor]

Thanks for the search tips, I will read up shortly.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear it's lacking in comparision to the older production models. I was hoping the blueing would at least be up to spec. I will probably start trolling around looking for an older specimen soon. The 1970's era 19-4 I picked up last weekend is of better build than the PC627 I got on the same day, beginning to put a lot more stock in "They don't build them like they used to".

I appreciate the ruger for it's strength and reliability, but they leave me cold. I sold the blackhawk and redhawk I had this year, there's just something about the Smith N frame that induces me to lighten the wallet.

 

[knzn]

The M26 was the light tapered barrel .45 caliber revolver.

There was a model 26? Never heard of it before. Anyone know its years in production by chance?

 

[Majic]

The Model 26 started life as "The 1950 .45 Target Model" in 1950. In 1957 when S&W went to the numerical naming system it became the M26. It was made until 1960, but was re-introduced 1988 and discontinued in 1989.
The heavy barrel of the M25 which first came out in 1955 as "The 1955 .45 Target Model" was more popular and killed off the M26. Target shooters of that time period wanted the heavy barrels.

 

[knzn]

Wow, thanks for the info. Learn something new every day. Except now I need one!

 

[BluesBear]

for reference

1957-1986 Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers blued/nickeled models only

Models 20-23 have fixed sights.
Model 20 = .38 Special 38/44 Heavy Duty
Model 21 = .44 Special Model 1950 Military
Model 22 = .45 ACP 1950 Army (essentially an improved 1917)

Models 23-29 have adjustable sights.
Model 23 = .38 Special 38/44 Outdoorsman
Model 24 = .44 Special (Model of 1950) tapered barrel
Model 25-2 = .45 ACP (1955 Target) - heavy barrel/patridge blade front sight
Model 25-5 = .45 Colt heavy barrel
Model 26 = .45 ACP (1950 Target) - tapered barrel (26-1 Commemorative was in .45 Colt)
Model 27 = .357 Magnum (The .357 Magnum) tapered barrel
Model 28 = .357 Magnum (The Highway Patrolman) tapered barrel satin blue
Model 29 = .44 Magnum heavy barrel

Model 57 = .41 Magnum heavy barrel adjustable sights
Model 58 = .41 Magnum M&P heavy barrel fixed sight.
Model 520 = .357 M&P 4" fixed sight tapered barrel (blued only) limited edition created for NYSP but never delivered.
Model 544 = .44/40 Texas Wagon Train Commemorative 5" heavy barrel, adjustable sights, made in 1986.



Regarding the Model 25;
Originally the Model 25, 25-1 and 25-2 were .45acp/auto rim.
Model 25-3 was the 150th Anniversary model in .45 Colt with a short cylinder and 6" barrel only, blued only.
Model 25-4 was the commercial version of the 25-3 blued only.
The 25-5 had a long cylinder and came in all of the common barrel lengths.


edited to correct several drug induced misspellings

 

[Majic]

Model 25-3 was the 150th Anniversary model in .45 Colt with a short cylinder and 6" barrel only, blued only.

125th Anniversary model and it had a 6 1/2" barrel.
Just splitting hairs.

 

[Bart Noir]

I ain't Texan but I been there....

Hi Gary, glad you can get online on occasion. Gotta correct you because I may never get a chance to do it again

The 544 is an anniversary model to mark the 150th year since Texas Independence from Mexico. They beat Santa Anna and became a nation in 1836 and joined the U.S. of A. in 1845, although I may be off by a year or two on that second date. Since the barrel and the fancy Texas stamp on the sideplate don't have anything to do with a wagon train, where did you get that idea?

Bart Noir
Who is fixin to go with BluesBear to national Colt Collector's show in Portland. (See, I even use Texan words.)

 

[Johnny Guest]

Continuing the thread veer - - -

Hi, Bart - -

Your information is pretty correct. The 544 was a commemoration of the wagon train tour, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Texas Independence from Mexico. Date of that, was, indeed, 1836. While 1845 is frequently given as date when Texas annexed the US, the TREATY was signed that year - - December 29, I believe. The actual changeover didn’t take place until February 1846.

Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train Site - -
http://www2.spindle.net/rmenoher/texwag.htm
In fact, one of the images is of the S&W wagon with information about the M544 on the wagon sheet:
http://www2.spindle.net/rmenoher/wagon4.jpg

CCCFIREARMS INVENTORY board lists a Mod. 544 Texas Wagon Train Commemorative .44/40 for sale on their list at - -
http://www.cccfirearms.com/inventory.htm

Since the barrel and the fancy Texas stamp on the sideplate don't have anything to do with a wagon train . . . .

As to the title of the revolver, the wooden presentation box had a map on the lid with the route of the Wagon Train traced upon it. The Texas Map on the sideplate incorporated the TWT logo (front view of a covered wagon.) Here’s a thread with some pretty good images:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39761

Oh, yeah, the semi-official NORTH Texas abbreviation for that phrase is “finta,†as in, “finta go to Portland.â€

Best,
Johnny
(Who shot Tam’s M544 from Art’s front porch, 3 July 2004.)

 

[BluesBear]

Since the barrel and the fancy Texas stamp on the sideplate don't have anything to do with a wagon train, where did you get that idea?

It probably came from the fact that S&W called it the Texas Wagon Train Commemorative.
Or that the serial number begins with TWT.
Or that there is a image of a covered wagon branded into the top of the presentation box.
Or the path of the wagon trains inside the image of Texas burned into the top of the box.

And oh yeah the same covered wagon image IS engraved on the sideplate. At least it is on mine.

 

[Bart Noir]

Dagnabbit, I hate it when I argue with experts.....

....'cause I always come up dumb-looking.

I've only seen one of these gun's up close and never the box or paperwork. Didn't recognize the little symbol inside the Texas outline on the sideplate. Well, I got the Texas history dates pretty well nailed. I post like I shoot....there's always some flyers!

Bart Noir