Smith 25-7

[470evans]

I picked this up today for what I thought was a fair price.



The throats measure right at .452-.



I would be interested in hearing any opinions on this model.

[bushog]

Ha! I just sold mine on Gunbroker. For just shy of $2K.

They’re supposed to be great guns but never even fired mine. That’s why it went down the road..

Have you seen the old John Linebaugh writing about this one? Front sight will be short…

Have a blast!

[45MAN]

MINE SHOT HIGH WITH 250's, WAS A BIG PIA TO DEAL WITH. YOU MAY HAVE TO PUSH THE 250's OVER 1,000fps OR USE LIGHTER BULLETS, AND/OR FILE THE RS BLADE DOWN. LET ME KNOW HOW YOURS DOES.

BTW, I BELIEVE IT IS A SQUARE BUT AND YOU CAN DRESS HER UP WITH SOME NICE GRIPS IF YOU WANT.

[470evans]

Sept 15, 2022 18:21:41 GMT -5 bushog said:

Ha! I just sold mine on Gunbroker. For just shy of $2K.

They’re supposed to be great guns but never even fired mine. That’s why it went down the road..

Have you seen the old John Linebaugh writing about this one? Front sight will be short…

Have a blast!

I was watching yours which made me jump on this one. I was able to pick it up for quite a bit less.

[bradshaw]

Parts which appear in photo to be formed by drop forging include:
* frame
* yoke
* barrel
* trigger
* hammer
* thumb piece

Agree with 45MAN those finger-separators are some hideous Hogues.
David Bradshaw

[flyingzebra]

My model 25 (dash something) is a great revolver

Those 452 exit throats, if they're in the right place and if they're round, should do the trick
S&W cylinders move all over the place during the firing sequence, they're likely to do well at finding the right place to be while handing off the bullets to the barrel.

Those grips are great for someone's hands
If they don't end up being right for yours, there are hundreds of options out there from which to choose

I think I'm running a 265 WFNGC at over 1100 and they go where they're told

I really like the 45 Colt
It helps me really like the large frame S&W

[taffin]

I bought both the 1888 and 1889 when they first became available. A number come up with any reason to get rid of them. Exceptionally accurate sixguns.

[blackmamba]

I have a 5 inch model of 1989, but mine is a 25-9, not -7 (not sure of the differences?). A 5 inch N frame is my sweet spot, ever since I came across a prewar registered 357 magnum 5 inch back in the mid 1980s. The balance and compromise of velocity, sight radius and portability are about perfect for me. The 270 SAA @ 1000 fps will do anything I need done.

[sj6g]

Bucket list gun for me, I just haven’t stumbled across the right one yet.

[oddshooter]

Be cautious.

I had the SW 25-5 which is well known for cylinder throat issues. Mine was .456+ and I chased my butt for a couple of years trying probably 20 different boolits trying to find the right combo. Mostly I swaged down, a correctly sized bullet every time I tried seating it, into a too small pill for the barrel. I even had a special M die made trying to make the right sized "nest" and not lose the correct size during seating. Spring back of the brass after expanding was a real issue. I never did find even a decent group.

Luckily someone relieved me of my pain and stole the wheelgun.
I hope everyone realizes luck comes in two forms; good and BAD.

Prescut

[owen67]

Sept 16, 2022 7:58:46 GMT -5 blackmamba said:

I have a 5 inch model of 1989, but mine is a 25-9, not -7 (not sure of the differences?). A 5 inch N frame is my sweet spot, ever since I came across a prewar registered 357 magnum 5 inch back in the mid 1980s. The balance and compromise of velocity, sight radius and portability are about perfect for me. The 270 SAA @ 1000 fps will do anything I need done.

Beautiful revolver and love your puukko. Their simplistic design just “works”.

[45MAN]

MY 5" BLUE MODEL OF 1989 45 COLT IS A 25-7, SERIAL # B D S 6777. I WILL HAVE TO CHECK MY REFERENCE BOOK TO SEE WHAT IF THERE WERE ANY 25-9 MODEL OF 1989's.

[45MAN]

Sept 16, 2022 11:15:11 GMT -5 45MAN said:

MY 5" BLUE MODEL OF 1989 45 COLT IS A 25-7, SERIAL # B D S 6777. I WILL HAVE TO CHECK MY REFERENCE BOOK TO SEE WHAT IF THERE WERE ANY 25-9 MODEL OF 1989's.

THE 4th EDITION OF SUPICA & NAHAS' "STANARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON" DOES NOT HAVE MUCH INFO ON THE MODEL 25 "1989's". 25-7's (45 COLTS) STARTED IN 1988, 25-8's (45 ACP's) STARTED IN 1990, AND 25-9's (45 COLT) STARTED IN 1990, SO VERY POSSIBLE THAT SOME MODEL OF 1989 45 COLTS ARE 25-7's AND SOME 25-9's.

[starmetal47]

My Model 25 Smith 45 Colt is one of the most accurate revolvers I've owned. I shoot the RCBS 255 gr SWC from it sized at .452 even though the cylinder throats are at .456 and it still shoots amazingly. I tried some bullets at .456 and they didn't make a damn bit of difference is accuracy. I went through that crazy stuff of neck sizing only and it's basically a pain in the butts. Would be nice to have a cylinder made to tighter chamber tolerances.

[wpeel]

Has anyone tried purchasing a .44 magnum cylinder and having it bored to tight .45 Colt specs? Seems like it would be a good way to address the loose specs that the early Model 25-5s were famous for.