Question for Model S&W 25-2 Fans.

Recently bought, but it has not arrived yet, a Smith and Wesson Model 25-2 in .45 ACP.   I just ordered some moon clips and a demooner tool for it, but I'm wondering if I should also consider getting some .45 AR brass as well.   What say ye?

Don

Greetings,

I like the "full moon" clips.

I load up all my ammo for a 2700 and carry them in an empty shot bag.

After firing, merely place the empty cases and clip in the bag.

For some reason, I prefer the steel clips to the plastic ones.

Cheers,

Dave

Hello Don,

That's what makes life a horse race....I much prefer Auto Rim cartridges.  I get considerably better accuracy with them and have never been hampered for time in a match with a slower reload.

When I use clips, I like the thinnest steel ones I can find.

Jim

spursnguns wrote:

That's what makes life a horse race....I much prefer Auto Rim cartridges.  I get considerably better accuracy with them and have never been hampered for time in a match with a slower reload.

Ain't that the truth. I will no doubt get some Auto Rim brass just to check them out. Since I won't using my loads in any competition, speed of reload is a non-issue.

Don

I've been shooting a 25-2 for a while now and use AR cases for slow fire and ACP cases/moon clips for the short line. A different load and bullet for each.

I thought I would like the AR and bought a bunch and loaded it all up. I really don't see and never found an advantage for it. I still have most of the first box of 50 I loaded sitting on the shelve waiting to be used. The moon clips are just really handy. I do like carrying the 25-2 in the field (hunting) with AR ammo because loaded clips will poke you. I never found either one more accurate then the other.

Len

Thanks Len.   The -2 will never see the field; that's the job of my -5.   My only hope is that the throats are not outlandishly large.   .454" - .455" I can live with, as that is the size of my one -5's throats, and I just cast larger diameter bullets for it.

Don

My proper size throats 1955 Model (very early) likes without doubt, AR brass and 200 JSWC. 
My other 45 revolver a newer 25-2, with big throats does 9-ring offhand with lead and clips.  But I have not really worked with it much.  I don't like messing with clips anyway. 

Here is the 1955 and an offhand target sample. 


And here is an exchange with Jerry in a file dated 2009:  (2009, time flies)

Hi Jerry

I recently slugged the bore and cylinder throats on one of my
25-2 revolvers.  On the 1972 era revolver the chambers measured
.455, while the bore is .451.

My earlier made '5 screw' measures .451-2 cylinders and same in
the bore.  This one is a very accurate gun.

I have not fired the 1972 made one much.  So I have no results
to report.  With that bore/chamber difference, what might I
expect?  Do you recommend any particular things I should be
aware of for loading ammo for this one?  I will give it a
serious try.  I have heard of getting new cylinders fit into
guns like this.  Thanks Jack




Hello Jack;

I saw the recent thread on this subject.  I have five Model 25's in the
shop right now, so I measured them, and each one  measures .455/.4555 at
the chambers. The slugged barrels are in .451 area, so it is a very
consistent S&W feature..
Jim Stroh and I have been Taylor Throating these guns with a fair degree
of success. Which is to say that I think  the throating process seems to
somewhat  compensate for the oversize chamber issue by easing the
transition into the rifling rather than an abrupt and forceful upset. My
reamer body is .452 with a 1-1/2 degree leade transitioning into the
rifling.  This seems to reduce leading quite a bit and accuracy has been
good. There is a
"theory" that the expanding gases rapidly blow past the projectile, and
because they expand equally in all directions, they tend to center the
bullet as it enters the free bore area of the Taylor Throat...again
theory, but it might be so, as T/T defiantly improves most revolvers.

Jim is one of the few gunsmiths that can and will make new cylinders.
Although,  I am not sure he does double action S&W, but he does quite a
few single action cylinders.
Take care

Jerry




Jack
My experience Taylor throating improves accuracy, usually about the same
amount; 30 to 40% reduction in group size.  The more accurate the gun, the
less dramatic the improvement, but the percentages hold.  With oversize
throats, soft lead usually works best with pressures in the 10K - 14K psi
range.  Shooting bullseye, Bullseye powder is a good choice providing a
good "bump" to upset the bullet to fit the cylinder, yet keeping velocities
& recoil low.

Jim Stroh





Thanks Jerry

What bullets might you suggest.  .452 LSWC hardcast?  Swaged
soft?  .451 Jackets?  If none work well enough, I'll ask again
about the Taylor Throating.

Any other suggestions in the meantime? 

   In the other 25-2 with tight chambers 200 JSWC shoot great. 

Jack

I would put my best guess on the LSWC hardcast, but you never know...
I find it hard to beat the  Noslers at 50 yards with any gun..
Let me know how it turns out.

Jerry

Just yesterday I read an article in Sport Shooting USA where the first shooter to break 2600 at Camp Perry with revolvers shared his secret loading for the Model 25. Good read!

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/2/22/revolvers-top-2600-in-hands-of-the-babe/