Yes they are excellent revolvers and no I wouldn't load them as hot as a blackhawk.
S&W Model 25 Classic?
I am thinking of buying a S&W Model 25 classic in 45 LC and I have read articals and reviews in magazins but I some times do not trust those, so if any one who owns one could give me advice if they are good pistols, I would be greatfull. Also can they handle hot reloads in 45 LC like the Ruger Black Hawk? Thanks
Joe
Joe
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No loads like a Super Blackhawk...
I am thinking of buying a S&W Model 25 classic in 45 LC and I have read articals and reviews in magazins but I some times do not trust those, so if any one who owns one could give me advice if they are good pistols, I would be greatfull. Also can they handle hot reloads in 45 LC like the Ruger Black Hawk? Thanks
Joe
read the article by john linebaugh, not sure i spelled his last name correctly. the article addreses the strength of the 45 colt cartridge and also the strength of the 45 colt in the ruger blackhawk and smith model 25. his findings were surprising. as i recall (dont quote me) i believe he states that the smith model 25 is good for up to 25000 psi which would be very close to ruger max. pressures.
The Ruger is good 30 to 34 thousand PSI give or take a littleread the article by john linebaugh, not sure i spelled his last name correctly. the article addreses the strength of the 45 colt cartridge and also the strength of the 45 colt in the ruger blackhawk and smith model 25. his findings were surprising. as i recall (dont quote me) i believe he states that the smith model 25 is good for up to 25000 psi which would be very close to ruger max. pressures.
Look the Smith's big N frame 25's are great guns, but there not magnums. Get the 29 if you want to run hot loads. If you like the 45 Colt cartridge load it with some sense and enjoy a really accurate gun. I've never figured out why folks would buy a gun then try to magnamize it.
Seen a lot of them come thru the shop shot to pieces running super hot loads thru them. Even the 29's can be shot to loose to repair, I know I have one in the safe that has had three sets of innerds and two barrels on it and simply can't be repaired anymore. It's good for a paperweight now.
Best I can say is if you want a hot 45 take a look at the Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk in 454. They will take way more abuse than a Smith and you still can shoot mild 45 colts in them if you want.
Seen a lot of them come thru the shop shot to pieces running super hot loads thru them. Even the 29's can be shot to loose to repair, I know I have one in the safe that has had three sets of innerds and two barrels on it and simply can't be repaired anymore. It's good for a paperweight now.
Best I can say is if you want a hot 45 take a look at the Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk in 454. They will take way more abuse than a Smith and you still can shoot mild 45 colts in them if you want.
The S&W is a wonderful gun, but nowhere near as durable as a Blackhawk. It will handle loads that a Colt SAA or clone won't, but the fact is that the closer your loads get to Ruger levels the closer you come to ruining a S&W.
But -- that's not a bad thing! Although many love the buck and roar of magnum-level loads, the truth is they are really far more than the vast majority of shooters will ever need. .45 Colt loads throwing 250-260 gr. bullets at around 1000 fps are easy to achieve, accurate, easy to shoot, easy on the gun, and in the hands of a competent shooter will do 99% of the work a magnum-level load will do. They allow guns, hands, and nerves to last a whole lot longer!
But -- that's not a bad thing! Although many love the buck and roar of magnum-level loads, the truth is they are really far more than the vast majority of shooters will ever need. .45 Colt loads throwing 250-260 gr. bullets at around 1000 fps are easy to achieve, accurate, easy to shoot, easy on the gun, and in the hands of a competent shooter will do 99% of the work a magnum-level load will do. They allow guns, hands, and nerves to last a whole lot longer!
If you must shoot hot loads get a handgun that is up to the task. If you want to continue being a concert pianist at age 75, listen to what these guys are telling you.. . . They allow guns, hands, and nerves to last a whole lot longer!
A career shooting hot handgun loads can be a short one.I have a Smith Mountain Gun in .45Colt.
Probably the finest example of a handgun I own. Accurate as can be.
You cannot hot rod the Smith and expect it to last. Not realy a need to though as the ol Colt will make a hole on both sides of most things you would care to shoot with a handgun.
You need to read Linebaughs article. The last two paragraphs deal specificly with the Smith 25's
I doubt you would ever regret the purchase or the choice.
Scotty
Probably the finest example of a handgun I own. Accurate as can be.
You cannot hot rod the Smith and expect it to last. Not realy a need to though as the ol Colt will make a hole on both sides of most things you would care to shoot with a handgun.
You need to read Linebaughs article. The last two paragraphs deal specificly with the Smith 25's
I doubt you would ever regret the purchase or the choice.
Scotty
I have both the Mod 25 and the Mountain Gun, also shoot a new and an old model Vaquero. The S&W's are very nice guns, they don't come any better than the Mod 25 (an older one). It shoots like a dream and is smooth. The Rugers are excellent and will handle most reasonable loads. You will find yourself using lower to mid range loads for most things. The 45 Colt cartridge is effective at it's old Black powder velocities.
+1I have a Smith Mountain Gun in .45Colt.
Probably the finest example of a handgun I own. Accurate as can be.
You cannot hot rod the Smith and expect it to last. Not realy a need to though as the ol Colt will make a hole on both sides of most things you would care to shoot with a handgun.
You need to read Linebaughs article. The last two paragraphs deal specificly with the Smith 25's
I doubt you would ever regret the purchase or the choice.
Scotty
Scotty and I bought these just about the same time, save I'm in NJ and he's in AK.
The MG in 45 colt is by far the most accurate handgun I own, even more so than the K38 target masterpiece.
I keep the loads at about 900fps, no matter what weight, but my gun really performs with the Beartooth 265 keith.
I have loaded from 200 grain to a 325BTB for this gun, and it shoots all very well, but truly shines with a 265 keith, and the 285 also.
I "oopsed" once and loaded a 240 grainer that was running about 1200fps out of it....WOW, nice to know it handled it, but never a steady diet.
Here's a few old threads on the 45 colt MG, hope they prove helpful.
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=1089&highlight=Mountain+gun
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=12135&highlight=Mountain+gun
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=15310&highlight=Mountain+gun
Attached is a pick of the accuracy i have achieved with handloads
Chris, I still stoke mine with the 335gr CorBon cast when in the real thick stuff. 1050fps. Top of my tolerence level for a handgun (at least with any followup accuracy).
I REALY try to keep my wits about me when in the company of the big bears (just so I don't have to touch one of those off in the Smith ;*)
The gun handles em fine but not for a steady diet. Emergencies only type of deal. Fine by me. A 255 at 900 will do most critters easy enough.
Headed out in a few days to poke sticks at Black Bears. I imagine the Smith will be there in case things do not go quite as planned.
Scotty
I REALY try to keep my wits about me when in the company of the big bears (just so I don't have to touch one of those off in the Smith ;*)
The gun handles em fine but not for a steady diet. Emergencies only type of deal. Fine by me. A 255 at 900 will do most critters easy enough.
Headed out in a few days to poke sticks at Black Bears. I imagine the Smith will be there in case things do not go quite as planned.
Scotty
Dager, please make note of this thread. It may be the only time in the history of a shooting forum that there was a unanimous opinion!
For good reason: they're all absolutely correct.
For good reason: they're all absolutely correct.
LOL Rocky....course, the day aint over ;*)
yeah, i think 32000 psi is listed as about max.The Ruger is good 30 to 34 thousand PSI give or take a little
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