Smith & Wesson has had more than a brief association with the .45 Colt cartridge. Two of the earliest models were built on the 5 screw N series target frame; the light barrel 1950 .45 Target Model, forerunner to the Model 26, and the heavy barrel 1955 .45 Target Model, forerunner to the Model 25. Only approximately 200 and 15 units, respectively, were manufactured with the .45 Colt chamber1 during this initial effort. In 1957 the first became the Model 26, the second became the Model 25. Both have been in and out of production over the years.
Currently, there is only one S&W firearm dedicated to the .45 Colt cartridge, the Model 25 Classic. After being discontinued in 1999, the model was reintroduced in 2008 as part of S&W’s Classic series. Built on the N target frame, the gun has a four screw side plate, the venerable 5th trigger guard screw is absent, the result of a designed out in 1961.
As in 1955, the current gun has target grips and a 0.500″ wide target trigger and hammer. The cylinder is still 1.670″ long and the barrel is still 6½” long, however, it is the tapered ribbed barrel of the Model 26, rather than the straight heavy barrel previously utilized on the Model 25. The result is a strong, relatively lightweight gun with excellent balance.
Sights
The Model 25 ships with a micro adjustable rear and a pinned patridge front sight, There is a lot to be said for a squared notch rear and rectangle front when it comes to precision shooting. The Model 25 are quick to align and hold on target and there is more than enough contrast in shade to make them visible against a black bullseye.
For shooters who desire a bit more visibility, S&W offers white outline rear sights in a variety of widths, as well as plain, gold bead and fiber optic front sights in a variety of widths and heights. These can be purchased directly from the accessory section of the S&W site. Brownells offers a competition rear sight with anti reflection angled face grooves, .110″ notch for target and PPC use, .125″ for IPSC, IDPA and pin shooting. Brownells #078-000-012, and an assortment of fiber optic front sights to match up with rear sight selections.
The Model 25 cylinder is retained at three points. At the front, the tip of the ejector rod is retained by a spring loaded locking bolt, the cylinder stop holds the cylinder indexed to the guns barrel and, at the rear, the cylinder’s center pin locates to a hole in the gun’s breech face. It is a simple, effective system that has been continually finessed for the better since 1988.
An N frame compact…
I don’t know why the Model 25, like the Model 29, tends to be perceived as a massive revolver. Setting aside the extended and hand filling target grips, the Model 25 is a half inch less in height than a Ruger Bisley or Blackhawk and the Model 25 weighs a full half pound less.
The Model 25 is a flat mainspring spring gun, which is a tried and true method of maintaining reliable and consistent ignition. The spring is pictured left, as is the amount of mass added to the Model 25 by the gun’s target grips. No complaints here. They are comfortable and hand filling and well worth the space they occupy.
The only trace of government presence is the lock systems built into the gun’s frame, just above its thumb latch. Probably an effective way of stowing a gun safely at home, but I would be so worried about losing the keys I’d probably tape them to the gun… no Joe, not a good plan. This lock is clean, it has no effect on firearm operation when not in use and it is unobtrusive. I don’t hyperventilate over the presence of good locks, just the presence of poorly designed locks and this is a good one.
Trigger pull is double action Popeye and single action crisp; 13.7 lbs double action and 4.3 single action. Within my framework of thought, pull weight that is greater than the birth weight of any one of my children is considered to be heavy… but that’s just me and the world of double action revolvers. That said, the pull is smooth, crisp and free of crunch, captain or otherwise, and I had zero problem shooting the gun over a long afternoon. For those wanting a little less trigger tug, Brownells offers a lower than stock Power Rib mainspring 080-665-210 for well under $20. 713-000-101 Custom Trigger Kit provides a 2¼ pull, 0.400″ wide target trigger with improved sear geometry with slick surfaces and supporting rebound spring for approximately $100. I mention these items, not because the gun needs to be reworked after purchase, but rather to note there are lots of bits and pieces for the N frame and people who need to finesse the guns they buy.
Big bore bark…
With the .44 Magnum getting the bulk of the N frame attention, sometimes it is easy to forget that the .45 Colt Model 25 is a cannon, and a relatively compact and light one at that. It took only one or two shots to smack me back to that reality, even though I didn’t put any higher than standard pressure handloads or factory ammunition through the gun. Well behaved, but still…
I shot 250 grain Jacketed Hornady loads at a clocked 768 fps and 255 grain hard case semi wad cutters at 925 fps, both modest loads for the 45 Colt, both comfortably honoring the 14,000 PSI maximum pressure specification. At a half pound lighter than my Ruger Bisley, as noted earlier, if I were to characterize the shooting personality of the S&W it would be… gratifying. Heavy lead, big bore muzzle blast, manageable recoil thanks to the big target grips. Below, two groups shot at seven yards from a standing two hand hold.
The jacketed Hornady bullets, left, shot 0.5″, the hard cast 255 grain shot 1.4″. I shot several groups with these loads and they were all similar in respective size. My intention was not to represent the gun’s accuracy potential, but rather to illustrate how controllable the big gun is at defensive shooting distances. My guess is that the increase in group size, from jacketed to cast loads, could be attributed to an increase in velocity and associated recoil, and my lack of shooting experience with the Model 25. That said, I was pleased with the results.
Perspective
It’s good to see S&W continuing on and expanding revolver lines in Classic, standard and performance shop versions. The fit and finish on the Model 25 is nicely done, the sights are good and the revolver stayed tight throughout a day of shooting. It is a quality firearm.
I’d be very comfortable using the Model 25 for recreational target practice, handload development and open carry self defense. Loaded with the right ammo, I could see deer and black bear hunting in dense Maine woods, or hog hunting wherever hogs are hunted. Fun gun. Glad S&W has this Classic model in production.
An N Frame Big Bore… Without Dirty Harry Part I
An N Frame Big Bore Without Dirty Harry Part II
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