Smith 25 questions

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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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I'm really considering swapping/selling my Springer Loaded to get into a Smith 25. I've thought of going the .45ACP route (25-2, right? Or, model 1955 if it's a little older) since I'm already set up to load .45ACP. Honestly, I see this as a range gun and maybe home defense - not carry, unless I luck into a 4" somewhere.

Would I gain anything by looking for the .45 Colt (25-5?)? I would need new reloading dies, but a bunch of my bullets would serve both cartridges (I have another 1911).

I'm in the "thinking about" stage. If any 1955, 25, or 625 owners want to chime in, I would love to hear it.

Q
 
Hello My Friends-

You lnow, the Smith model 25 (model of 1955 in .45 ACP) is one that has
eluded me all of these past year's. I use to see them occassionally, 'round
large gun shops, etc; but it always seemed as 'tho when I found one in tip
top shape, I never had the dough~! The S&W remake under the heading of
"Classic's" are really pricey; although I think they are now available in .45
Colt caliber~?
 
I have a 3" M625-3 that I love. In fact I went to the range today with it and a couple others. I like using the moon clips. Just load'em up before I go and it makes for quick and easy reloads. The gun shoots very well and carries nicely under a shirt I made a holster for it and wore it all day today.
I like 45ACP and own a couple of Colt 1911s but not needing to crawl around picking up brass is making the 1911s stay at home more.
Here it is with the holster.
 

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A Holy Grail for S&W .45 Colt shooters might be an early Mountain Gun without the lock or MIM parts, or the even more rare S&W 25-9 with 4" barrel, or 25-7 with 5" barrel and non-fluted cylinder. Why? Because starting in 1988, S&W finally started boring the cylinders tighter, and more uniformly, and the .45 ACP and .45 Colt guns after that have had a reputation for being extremely accurate. Throw in the pre-lock design, with firing pin on the hammer, etc, and you have Classics that S&W fans dream about. I'm still looking for a 25-9 four incher. Got the 25-7...........
S_WM25-7_lg.jpg
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I'm on my second. This one is a little unusual in that it has a "Model of 1950" stamp on the barrel.

They're loads of fun to shoot. I use full moon clips and a demooning tool from Dillon.

25-2, right? Or, model 1955 if it's a little older
Click to expand...

My other 25 was a -2, and it was a model of 1955. I think they're the same. Except for the one I've got now, but that's only cause the barrel was misstamped.
 
My 625JM is the last gun I would sell from my current inventory. Accurate and no brass to find on the floor.
 
I bought the new 25 Classic, despite all the negative comments about THE LOCK, and new technology. It shoots great. I plan on shooting it hard for 20 years and posting on it's durability.

45 Colt is a joy to reload. I also have a Ruger Blackhawk convertible. For me the .45 acp is ok to shoot from the revolver, but I have a few nice 1911s which are all set up for that round. I bought the convertible because I was impulse buying at a gun show. No regrets. If I can only take one gun, but two types of ammo I'm good to go.

I also have a Rossi '92 Puma in 45 Colt. I can load buffalo killers. They also impact the shoulder. 340 gr LRN @ 1,300 fps. I've got a nice 230 gr load sighted in for 100 yards and hope to take a deer with it this fall.

For light range work the 5.5 Red Dot with 230 gr lead or 6.3 Red Dot with 200 gr swc are fantastic range loads.

Both 45 Colt and ACP are classic rounds, easy to reload and fun to shoot. The Colt is more versatile.
 
I had a M25-2 45LC. Darn thing had .456" diameter chamber mouths. Shot very poorly with .452" lead bullets. Shot better with .454" lead, but those are hard to find.

Traded it and a FIE Hombre for this M25-7. A much better revolver with properly sized chamber mouths and barrel.

Life is much better now.

ReducedM25-7BesideBoxDSCN2031.jpg
 
Love them both. I shoot the .45 Colt more simply because the 25-2 is too pretty and my 25-5 is well worn. Hard to go wrong with either.

Expand your horizens, get one in .45 Colt.
 
Updated question

Ok, so I have two more questions that I hope y'all can help with. Apparantly N-frames are scarce as hens' teeth in Houstin so I'm having to learn via THR - which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

First, how does the N-frame compare to a K-frame and a 686 (which is kinda a K-plus)? I'm thinking specifically of backstrap-to-trigger reach. I have relatively small hands, but I can handle my Smith model 15 and my GP100 without any problem. My CZ85 is about as long as I can reach. Anyone have a graphic that shows various Smith revolvers superimposed on each other?

Second, the more I look the more I like the Smith 325. Buds has one (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/19523) that tips the scales at just a shade over 26 ounces. How does the .45ACP feel out of that "light" of gun?

Finally, I've seen a few used 25s with 6.5" barrels. I have to imagine those are real horse pistols. Compared to the 4" models, are the longer barrels harder to handle or is the added length/heft a nice plus?

Thanks,
Q
 
I wouldn't worry about backstrap to trigger reach. You can modify that with any number of aftermarket/current production grips. If you want the 'N' frame Smith then you can put magnas, Ahrends or even custom made (to your hand size) Herretts.

The 45 is not a particularly robust cartridge, only pushing a 230 grain cartridge at about 850 feet per second. The 325 is fine for that.

Added barrel length gives you increased sight radius which normally translates to better shooting. It does for me, anyway. Shorter barrels are better for carrying. It's all a tradeoff.
 
I don't like barrel heavy guns, and I don't mind my 6.5" 25-2 or my 6" 25-5 at all.

Magna grips make the gun easy to get your fingers around, even with small hands. Those grips on my 25-2 are smaller than average for S&W target N grips, and the aftermarket grips on my 25-5 are a bit smaller still. (Both linked above) The Magna grips on N frames fit my hand great, but you feel recoil more.
 
I bought a used 25-3 125th Anniversary a while back off GB. MOST accurate handgun I have ever fired. Started out shooting 8 gr Unique/200gr swc 452 in starline brass. I went to an IHMSA match a couple weeks ago with the idea of shooting it in the field pistol class. Bad weather killed that round. I have a couple 25-5s. They dont shoot anywhere near as good as this one. I really that 6 1/2'' is the perfect 'N' frame barrel length. Just dont try and make a MAGNUM out of Mod 25 Smiths
 
I had a 325, did not like it at all. Weighs just a few ounce more than an alloy 3" 1911, holds two fewer rounds, and (in my hands) was about half as accurate. Sold it several years back.

Just (last week) sold my M25-5, 3 1/4". Much nicer to shoot than the 325, but still, it never "grew on me"...

I currently own three M25s in .45LC--a 6" M25-5, a 4" M25-5 with action work done by Hamilton Bowen, and an M25-13 Mountain Gun with ILS removed.

I am "downsizing" my modest collection, and plan on keeping one. Which one? I am undecided: hence the range visit.

I took them all to the range Wednesday evening and was unable to discern any difference in accuracy in amy of them. The one with the Bowen work had a lighter, smoother trigger, obviously.

If you find yourself in the DFW area anytime soon, you are welcome to look at and try any/all of them. Contact me by pm and or email and I will forward phone info.
 
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I think one of the attractions to the .45 bore revolvers is the lack of steel, and corresponding WEIGHT. They just seem balanced better, due to them being lighter than comparable N-frame .357's, etc. If you really want to handle a lightweight .45 revolver, get an old 1917 and cut the barrel back to 4". I have a 2nd model Hand Ejector, previously in .455, but converted to .45 Colt and barrel cut to 4". I call it the "Indy" gun, as it was modeled after the prop gun used in the first "Raiders of the Lost Ark" movie. It is so well balanced, it has become one of my three "go to" guns for everything; plinking, packing, HD, etc. Any 4-6.5" .45 revolver is a honey, even the Webley. Some of them might just need careful, appropriately powered reloads, but they all make for great weapons.
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Q,

I've owned and subsequently sold many model 25's over the years. The 4" and 5" are the best handling in my opinion. The most accurate I owned was a 625 JM model using the 45 acp. But, I prefer the 45 colt models, especially if you reload as it offers heavier bullets than can be used in the 45 acp... and I really am not fond of loading and unloading the moon clips.
 
100_0199.jpg I have a 325pd with 2.5 brl I hated the factory grips but really like the pachmeyers. They are not pretty but are easier on my hand. It's a nice carry gun you hardly know its there.
 
I like the way the 325pd looks myself. If I wanted a light weight, medium sized, carry revolver, it would be right up there.

SharpDessedMan's old work horse is an awesome loooking revolver.
 
For me the holy grail is a revolver in 45ACP it just doesn't get any better.

Here is a picture of mine
SW45Cal1955.jpg

Here is a review on my website for the 625 in 45ACP
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=237

Here is a review on my website for the Ruger Redhawk in 45 Long Colt for comparison
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=31

Again I like 45 Colt but 45ACP is one awesome round especially in a revolver. My 625 5inch is what occupies my night stand.
 
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