Best 45 Revolver for BE

I’m thinking of building iron sighted 45 revolver for BE and don’t know if there is a reason to start with a 25-2, Model of 1955, or another version.  Also, I’ve read a bit about taylor throating it for 50 yard accuracy.  Is this still a source of improvement?  Anything else to consider?

If you go shopping for a 25-2 (or 625) in 45 ACP, take a set of calipers and measure the cylinder throats.  Many 25s and 625s were made with large cylinder throats and sometimes they require larger bullets or other loading foibles.  REMEMBER, that measuring the INSIDE diameter of a bore under an inch or so can be challenging so…you need to “calibrate” the reading on the caliper to what the bore actually IS. One way of doing this is to use your caliper to measure the inside of a drill gauge.  Amazon has an “Irwin” brand for a few $ and the 29/64 is .453inch.  Or you can get some gauge pins from Amazon for around $4-7 each.  I’d reject a revolver that had cylinder throats bigger than .4555.  So if it accepts a .455 and won’t take a .456 you should be good.

I think the 25-2 is still premier. Just find one with .452 cylinder throats.
Taylor throating has its advocates, and it opponents.
I think a lot of great scores have been shot with nothing more than action smoothing and finding the best chamber for the long line

Both these target clippings are offhand at 50y with 1955 Model (pre 25-2)  Highly recommended revolver.

Made a sight and target change between the upper and lower clipping

Per Wobbley, go with the pins. .452 to .455 should do. And a bore brush.

If you have medium hands and short fingers (as I do, sadly) the large 45ACP revolvers are too much of a handful. I could not comfortably and controllably manage the DA on the very nice 25-2 I owned - gave up and sold it on.

Great guns, but you need big'ish hands.

Of course, if you've got mitts like LenV they are easy!!

Hammer457 wrote:I’m thinking of building iron sighted 45 revolver for BE and don’t know if there is a reason to start with a 25-2, Model of 1955, or another version.  Also, I’ve read a bit about taylor throating it for 50 yard accuracy.  Is this still a source of improvement?  Anything else to consider?

For Bullseye shooting, opting for a Smith & Wesson Model 25-2 or a similar .45 revolver is a wise start. Taylor throating, when done by a skilled gunsmith, can enhance long-distance accuracy. Make sure your selection aligns with your preferences and adheres to competition regulations. Goodluck!!

The earlier models from the 50s, 60s and 70s are higher quality builds.  I have a 25 no dash (1960) that is match grade accurate on its own without any taylor throating.  But the throats are large at .455", so I cast and size bullets to .454".  Try it, you'll like it.

Webley-Fosbery! This way you don't have to thumb cock the hammer or shoot DA in timed and rapid fire ))

Hammer457 wrote:I’m thinking of building iron sighted 45 revolver for BE and don’t know if there is a reason to start with a 25-2, Model of 1955, or another version.  Also, I’ve read a bit about taylor throating it for 50 yard accuracy.  Is this still a source of improvement?  Anything else to consider?

"If" the cylinder has proper and consistent barrel cylinder gap and it indexes and locks in alignment with the barrel at each charge hole and if the crown at muzzle and the forcing cone at throat are cut correctly you do not gain by Taylor throating. Conversely, if you Taylor throat and all the other things are afoul the gun will not shoot as it should.

If you want a revolver to shoot, you must get it to an old school revolver smith who was trained properly and who has worked on these things for decades to get it right. Talk to any of the PPC shooters who must use a revolver and must use all six of the charge holes who are 1490+ shooters and find our who does their work. The list is diminishing for sure.

Here are a few:

Sandy Garrett of Northern Virgina Gunworks in Springfield VA
Bob Jones in Jackson MS
Frank Glenn in Prescott, AZ
MoJo Custom in Michigan
Rich Fried in Damascus MD

Joe Leinenger (Mojo guns) has retired and is living the good life upstate Michigan.

Another well experienced gunsmith is Andy Horvath living/working in northeast Ohio. He and his work, for example, has been mentioned many times by John Taffin. The work he has done for me has  been excellent.

james r chapman wrote:Joe Leinenger (Mojo guns) has retired and is living the good life upstate Michigan.

He was among the best.

I know Garrett at 80 is still at it.

I would add Nelson Ford to the list of gunsmiths.