Author Topic: The Model 25, Why two?  (Read 2932 times)

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Offline P.A. Myers

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The Model 25, Why two?
« on: December 03, 2009, 09:59:25 PM »
Why are 45colt and 45acp Smith revolvers both Model 25? The dash numbers are the same. What have I missed?  Shoudn't one be a Model 26 or something?


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Offline krod47nw

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2009, 03:54:15 PM »
I was wondering the same thing.  I was considering one in 45ACP, but can't tell the difference from the model numbers.


Kevin
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Offline StrawHat

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2009, 12:37:51 AM »
I thought the -# were different? 

My 25-2 is a 45 ACP and my 25-5 is a 45 Long Colt.  Not sure what the stainless models are called, don't have any of them.

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Offline rawhidekid

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2009, 06:02:57 AM »
For Stainless model numbers just add a 6 in front, my 45 colt SS mountain gun is a 625-9. 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2009, 01:51:16 AM »
-2s are usually .45 ACP caliber while -5s are usually .45 Colt caliber. Remember I said usually! The -5s are somewhat spotty in quality to some anyway. Some eras of this model had too large chamber throats some have pinned barrels, some don't. -5s should enclude -8s and -9s to add to your confusion they have nonfluted cylinders. Most -2s  mostly I've have seen 6" barrels, -5s have 4'or 6" and still some have 8 & 3/8" barrels. Check for picture in ads on Gun Broker, Guns America or other internet site about guns?
My 25-5 in .45 Colt:

HTHs, Steve
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Offline rawhidekid

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2009, 04:45:59 AM »
I would like to add that my 625-9 is a very accurate firearm.  The light 4" barrel lets you know when shooting 255 grain bullets, but with 200 grain bullets it really shines.  Light recoil and dead accurate. 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline bckskin2

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2009, 11:07:47 AM »
did S&W ever offer with 2 cylinders? I think Ruger did in a single action.

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2009, 12:22:48 PM »
Yes on the Ruger, no on the S&W.  They could but they won't out of legal fears, can't be shooting a .45ACP out of a .45 Colt barrel or .45 Colt out of a .45 ACP barrel. :(
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline P.A. Myers

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2009, 01:24:30 PM »
I have two Smiths that have two cylinders [acp & colt]. I had them made, I don't know of Smith ever offering a two cylinder option of any type.
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty -
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Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #9 on: December 27, 2009, 01:34:30 PM »
I have two Smiths that have two cylinders [acp & colt]. I had them made, I don't know of Smith ever offering a two cylinder option of any type.
I believe the .22 Jet was offered with two cylinders? And one of the kit guns both LR and Magnum cylinder. IIRC.
Steve
Steve
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Offline P.A. Myers

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2009, 01:44:55 PM »
I did not know that, I wonder how they dealt with the firing pin on the 22Jet. I had a Ruger 22 convertable. It was not very accurate [75% on beer cans].  I traded it for a 1938 Luger.
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty -
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Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #11 on: December 27, 2009, 04:25:31 PM »
Hammer had an adjustable firing pin IIRC. Had one too long ago to remember for sure but, had both cylinders.
Steve
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Offline bckskin2

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.22 Jet
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2010, 01:54:19 AM »
The Jet used insers and had 2 firing pins. The only one I ever saw the owner only used the inserts because the Jet had set back problems. I really wanted one until I heard about the problems. I would love to find a shooter quality .45 Colt Model 25.

Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2010, 03:09:47 AM »
Mine had both center fire and rim fire cylinders, along with the chamber inserts. Problem with set back is common to most bottlenecked cartridges with tapered body in revolvers. Cleaning with isopropil alcohol usually solves the problem? IIRC, the Bains and Davis .357/.44 suffered the same problems?
Steve
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Offline bckskin2

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2010, 03:47:47 AM »
Steve, Do you still have it. I would guess there would be some collector interest now. I compromised with a Single Six. That I only use the Magnum cylinder.  With Winchester ammo, if i do my part it never misses and dispatches 'coons, 'possums, and feral cats with one shot. I carry it on my tractor.
Jerry

Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2010, 04:02:43 AM »
bckskin2, long gone, now just a pleasant memory.
Steve
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Offline shooter6br

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #16 on: June 14, 2011, 09:51:34 PM »
Mine is a 6in Model 25-2  45acp. Made 1982 , N frame of course Barrel staped 1955 Target Nodel uses :Moon clips:  Blued  According to American Handgunner mag  "45acp Perfect revolver caliber"

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2011, 12:39:07 AM »
Mine is a 4inch N-frame, 45 Colt 625-9.  It is a Mountain Gun and a pleasure to shoot with 200 grain bullets with wood grips;  250 grn require the Hogue grips for comfort. 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline StrawHat

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #18 on: June 23, 2011, 01:55:09 AM »
...did S&W ever offer with 2 cylinders? I think Ruger did in a single action...

Yes, I believe it was one of the anniversery models that was offered with cylinders for both the 45 ACP and 45 long Colt.  I believe it carried the designation of M25-3.  Not too many were made or sold.

Another option is having your M25-5 cut to accept 45 ACP rounds with moonclips.

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp

http://www.moonclips.com/content/machine.asp

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Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #19 on: June 23, 2011, 02:17:24 AM »
...did S&W ever offer with 2 cylinders? I think Ruger did in a single action...

Yes, I believe it was one of the anniversery models that was offered with cylinders for both the 45 ACP and 45 long Colt.  I believe it carried the designation of M25-3.  Not too many were made or sold.

Another option is having your M25-5 cut to accept 45 ACP rounds with moonclips.

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp

http://www.moonclips.com/content/machine.asp



Could be but, I've been a S&W lover since teenage years and don't recall the 25-3 model? If you'll look closely to the forcing cone end of the barrels you'll see more protrution through the frame, with ACP cylinders. Also, the cylinder stop is modified. I am not saying guns modified by Pinnacle or others won't work.
Steve
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Offline StrawHat

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #20 on: June 29, 2011, 01:31:59 AM »
The 25-3 was the Anniverary edition and was offered with two cylinder, one 45 ACP/AR and the other 45  long Colt.  To accomadate the frame, S&W elected to use a shorter cylinder for the long Colt cartridge which restricted the loads able to be used in that chambering, for example, the Lyman 454424 Keith bullet was too long to use when seated to the crimp groove.  Newer revovler chambered for the 45 long Colt have the longer magunm cylinder so most bullets can be used when seated to the crimp groove.

Pinnacle starts with a revolver chambered for the 45 long Colt and modifies it to accept the ACP rounds.
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"  Winston Churchill

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Offline S.B.

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #21 on: June 29, 2011, 02:38:21 AM »
StrawHat, I've a copy of the latest bible(I'll have to look it up). I think it's a mistake to refer to S&W .45 Colt chambers as magnums? Could induce loaders to get into trouble.
Steve
"The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson."
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Offline StrawHat

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #22 on: July 02, 2011, 12:50:32 AM »
StrawHat, I've a copy of the latest bible(I'll have to look it up). I think it's a mistake to refer to S&W .45 Colt chambers as magnums? Could induce loaders to get into trouble.
Steve

I was referring to length.  The ACP cylinder is too short to accept the long Colt round, as I mentioned in the text. 

"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"  Winston Churchill

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Offline GLShooter

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2011, 01:27:52 PM »
What a 25-2 can grow up to be.   ;)
 

 
 
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Offline P.A. Myers

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #24 on: October 25, 2011, 12:35:26 AM »
Double-action only, this must be a competition gun. What is that button behind the trigger?
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty -
never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”
 Winston Churchill

Offline StrawHat

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #25 on: October 25, 2011, 01:23:58 AM »
GLShooter,
 
Nice revolver!!!  I had something similar built on the Brazilian contract ACP revolver.  The stud behind the trigger is a trigger stop.  Prevents the trigger from going further than necessary to drop the hammer.  The less the travel the less jar to the sights.
 
I have just done some reading about the 454424 bullet mold from Lyman.  It seems that over the decades they have been cutting the molds they modified it to the point it was too long.  That is why it fit in some revolvers and not others.
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"  Winston Churchill

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Offline GLShooter

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #26 on: October 25, 2011, 07:17:30 AM »
That trigger stop is a pencil eraser that has had a drop or two of Super Glue placed on the top to adjust the trigger stop action to just the right point.  Usually I shoot it full pull through but for lining up that rare 30 yard head shot it is a nice addition when you can stack it.
 
For my matches I use 230 RNL bullets as they load so much more easily.  I think the 25-2 is a super gun. I've got a pure stock untouched one too hat is fun to shoot in a non-serious venue.
 
Greg
The best gun for self defense? Any loaded one will do!

Offline WIL TERRY

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Re: The Model 25, Why two?
« Reply #27 on: November 29, 2011, 07:10:53 AM »
I am amazed the NO ONE has commented on the S&W M26 that was asked about in the first post. Does not anyone read gun history anymore.....??