Smith 25 questions

[Quoheleth]

I'm looking at two 25s, both in .45 Colt, both in outstanding shape:
one a 4" Mountain Gun; one a 6" similar to what Mr. RevolverGuy posted above. Same price for either.

What does THR think? 4" or 6"

Q

 

[SaxonPig]

Any of the 45 caliber S&Ws will be a good gun. The N frame is big and heavy. Recoil is not a problem but small hand size can be. Hold one and see how it feels.

One advantage of the 45 ACP models over the 45 Colt versions is the use of moon clips for very fast reloading. I would be very cautious about warm loads in a 45 Colt caliber S&W because the cylinder gets thin at the bottom of the cylinder stop cut.

I currently have two 35 S&Ws. The older M25-2 is a dream to shoot and has more panache than the newer gun but the 22-4 might be better for carrying.

 

[philbo]

4" is definitely preferable to the 6" for me

 

[Backpacker33]

S&W .45-Colt revolvers

Four Stars for the .45-Colt S&W!

My first was in the early '70s when I was a young deputy sheriff, and an "Olde Guye" on the department loaned me one of his S&W's to carry (no memory of the model) until I got a model 65 (.357) for myself. It was my first experience with a "big bore" revolver. Loved it.

In the late '70s I bought a pair of S&W 25-5s. They have the oversize chamber mouths but I load with the .452 or even .454 bullets and they shoot where I point them, though I have never been a bullseye shooter. Lasercast are my favorites today.

I got a stainless 625 for backpacking and much later a blue 25 Mountain Gun, the one with the lock, etc. Sure, it lacks the glamor of the earlier models, but it is a fine shooter. I load everything from black powder to low-end "+P" cartridges. Like someone else on the forum said, my early 25-5s are showing their wear so they don't get out a lot.

Standard loads pack all the whomp I need and I feel they serve well for self-defense, plinking, or safety while backpacking. I rotate the 625 with the newer 25 and my modified .44 Magnum 329. I've love to see a .45-Colt S&W with the scandium frame like the 329.

The .45 ACP is, in my opinion, a more efficient use of space. It and the .45 Auto Rim appear they can be loaded to levels similar to the standard .45-Colt, but I haven't tried any. I don't own a .45ACP revolver. Besides, I love those long brass cases.

Starting a little over a year ago I began using Trail Boss powder because it fills the case pretty well, and saves on my oatmeal filler expense ):-{(=). Works fine, for me.
-Backpacker

 

[joed]

I've owned 2 S&W .45 Colts and sold them. I'd prefer the .45 acp over the Colt cartridge any day sorry to say. The acp does the same thing in a much smaller package.

 

[StrawHat]

Quoheleth
...I'm really considering swapping/selling my Springer Loaded to get into a Smith 25...

The S&W 45 caliber revolver is one of my favorites. I have both versions, 45 ACPs and Long Colts.

Quoheleth
...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...

Not to many of the 25-2 were built with 4" barrels. Many have been modified by owners by cutting the 6.5 or 6" barrel down. One version of the Mountain Revolver did come with a 4" barrel and would be a good choice. In 45 ACP the revolver can do a lot that the self loader can not. I have a favorite load that uses a 235 grain full wadcutter bullet.

Quoheleth
...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)...

With the 45 Long Colt, there is an advantage if you handload but only if you go with heavier bullets. Using the same weight bullets, you will need to add more powder to get the same velocity in the larger case. Pressures will be lower in the larger case if that is a consideration.

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

As I said, I have several M25s. I used a 25-2 for target work for many years and found few other revolvers to be as accurate and comfortable to shoot. In the early 80s, I sent a M28-2 barrel off to Dick Nickel and had him bore it and rifle it to accept the 45 ACP bullet. I fitted it and a new cylinder to the N frame and had my 4" N frame 45 ACP revolver. I carry that piece daily and see no reason for other options. I have a 6" M25-5 that also sees some range time but I am looking for a 4" M25-5. In the M25-5 I use one of Linebaughs recommended loads and have no concerns. I hunt with a 45 Long Colt and have good success with it.

Of the two cartridges, I would steer you towards the 45 ACP since you already are set up to load it and have an understanding of it. For my thinking the 25-2 is the perfect union of cartridge and revolver.

 

[RugRev]

Trigger Reach

"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?"

Back when John Taffin had his discussion board years ago the question came up. I do not know how he measured the reach but as I recall the trigger reach on an N frame was 2.88" and on a K/L about 2.75". An Anaconda was 2.80" and a Redhawk 2.76" or so and a Python 2.90" as a comparison.

As noted by another grips can ameliorate the reach somewhat if one uses a less bulky and thinner grip such as a Herrett Roper (which they will make to fit your hand). I had a Redhawk with a Hogue wood grip and never could reach the trigger correctly for double action. A Roper solved that problem neatly.

At one time I had an early 625 .45 Colt Mtn. Gun that I am sorry that it got away. It had a Walt Sherman roller action tune (he did K, L, N frame conversions) and unlike the C&S conversion retained the single action. It must have only weighed about 38 oz or so which was about 2 more than a 4" 66 K frame I had.

 

[harmonic]

Recoil is not a problem but small hand size can be.

Bad advice, pig.

To the OP, the stock S&W grips are criticized for being a poor design anyway. Buy the gun you want then select aftermarket stocks to fit your hand.

Peruse the following list for some dandy aftermarket stocks. (Not all of them make grips for the Smith, but hey, we always enjoy window shopping.)

For smaller hands, grashorngunworks is great, as Pat makes outstanding stag grips. I have some on a short barreled 27-2 and they're great.

Also, Herretts makes custom grips to fit your hand. I've put some on a Python in the 70s and have no complaints.

Ahrends also are good for smaller hands. I've had a couple of pair. They were too small for my big hands.

http://www.ahrendsgripsusa.com/
http://www.badgercustomgrips.com/
http://www.boonetrading.com/Pg14.html
http://carboncreations.com/
http://www.clccustomgrips.com/
http://www.collinscraftgrips.com/
http://www.eaglegrips.com/
http://www.grashornsgunworks.com
http://www.grips4guns.com/
http://www.gungrips.net/
http://www.herrett-stocks.com/herretts.htm
http://www.hogueinc.com/
http://www.kelleyarms.com/SWDA.htm
http://www.nill-griffe.com/
http://www.pachmayr.com/
http://www.woodgrips.com/

 

[jdomin]

25-2 or 1917 are both a joy to shoot

 

[Walkalong]

One of my favorite guns to shoot.