Here's a hypothetical question for you and yes, I just may be out of my mind.
Knowing that I am asking a group who's primary interest is Smith and Wesson firearms this may prove interesting.
Here's the situation. I have been wanting a Model 25-2 for a long time.
Preferably one from the 60's and with a 5" barrel.
Coming up with the cash for one would not be easy. What I do have that I "might" consider trading is a 2nd generation Colt Single Action Army in .38 Special.
I do not have the box or paperwork. Having done some research, I figure it's worth about $1,200.
Last gun show I went to there was a guy that had a 5" 25-2 for $1,200.
At the time I hadn't given the trade any consideration. Now I'm wondering.
What say ye? Attached are a couple of pics. Not the best, but should give an idea of the condition.
Opinions welcome. Blast away!

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Don't know much about either gun but it seems to me that if the 25-2 is your "holy grail" and the money seems even(ish) - GO FOR IT!

I agree if the the 25-2 is your holy grail gun with a 5 inch barrel then go for it. If you can live with another inch or 1.5 inch added to the barrel you can probably get it for half of what you said a 5 inch would cost you. All I know is that with a few hundred rounds loaded into moon clips it makes for one hoot of a day at the range with the 25-2.

Are there 5" 25-2s or similar?

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NHI, 10-8.

Actually there wasn't a 5 inch barrelled 25-2 made but at a later date in the Model 25 series some were made in 4 and 5 inch barrels made in 45 colt in 2004 according to the SC of S&W.

I bought this 25-2 from a friend who bought it used with the ports.



(MagnaPort?) the finish is worn but it is a great bowling pin gun, low recoil and fast reloads if ya miss.

Is a shooter 25-2 valuable?

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I don't like the trade unless the 5" M-25-2 is lettered as a 5" gun.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Now there we go! I've been waiting for some opposition!
I've seen a 5" 25-2 with my own eyes, so whether it was factory or not I don't know on that particular gun.
I do know that 5" barrels are somewhat rare on smith revos.
The Colt SAA is now the official gun of Arizona and that kind of makes me want to keep it.
However, I do not shoot it as I have a Model 10 and Model 15 for .38 special wheelguns and I don't really care for "safe queens" which is pretty much what this one has been relegated to.
I'm still undecided and still welcome all opinions. Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond so far.

To the best of my knowledge no 5" 25-2s were made. If you saw one it was either modified from original or was a special order. S&W would do special orders back in the day but they are very rare and very valuable.

PS: A 5" barrel is not rare on all S&W revolvers. This was a standard barrel length on numerous models. Just not the Model 25.

I would ask myself which I would like to have more. The Colt or the Smith & Wesson? A 38 or a 45.

I had a couple nice old unfired S&W safe queens that I would take out once and a while and wipe down, but finally decided to sell them and ended up with a 686 and 1911 that both get lots of range time and I enjoy much more.

First, I'd be skeptical about the originality of a 25-2 with a 5" barrel.
Buyer beware; Especially at gun shows.
Second, will you be assured of getting $1200. in trade for your SAA?
SAA's in .38 Special, I hear, are very popular among the CAS crowd. You might pursue that sale route.
Final: Which gun will make you happier?

Well I traded/sold all of my Colt SAA's off and now jusy mostly own Smiths. However, I doubt I'd trade a 2nd gen. SAA for a chopped up 25-2

I'm with Curtis and LEO918. I have never been a big Cxxx single-action man, and certainly am not overly-fond of .38 Special in an SAA, but I would be very hard pressed to turn loose of your Colt. I would hang on to it and look into a shooter-grade 25-2 if you just want one for use at the range.

I am the odd man out here, but I see nothing so precious about 5-inch barrels. If you are one-gun man, I suppose they make some sense, but they are really neither fish nor fowl. They're not as quick and handy as a 4-inch gun, especially if you are often seated, and definitely not as good at the range as a 6-1/2" gun. JMHO.

hi
there were 9 model 25,s made on a special order. and only one that has been documented on the 3 screw frame -2 and I have it with its factory letter. it shipped in 1960 and the factory charged 10.00 to have the barrel cut. I also have one of the 5 screw model 25,s.
These guns are rare and bring a large amount of money for the right collectors.
the last 5 screw that sold from the shipment of the 9 sold for
around 10,000 dollars. if you want a 25-2 to shoot buy a 6 or 6 1/2 and have the barrel cut that way you can get one for under 1500.00 dollars.
jim fisher

Holy Guacamole!
Mr. Fisher, thank you for this information and congratulations on snagging that one. That to me, looks perfect with that barrel length.
However, with this new data, that puts it right out of my league financially. I am not a collector. Merely an accumulator.
I would definitely be looking for a shooter, not something to put away and never shoot.
My most recent acquisition was the Pre-Model 28 I picked up at the last SAR show here in town and that kind of depleted the fun funding for now which is why I was thinking about horse trading.
I figured there would be different camps regarding the subject. And I do thank all for the input, opinions and information.
Guess I need to give this further thought before "pulling the trigger" so to speak.
If anyone has any more information, opinions or what have you, please chime in.
Thanks again to all who responded and I hope this doesn't bring the topic to an end.


Jim

So tell me, Jim, just how much fun is it to say "They made one these... and I have it..."

Hi,

For a really great and fun shooter, I'd recommend one of the later 25-2s that came with the tighter throats, such as a 1980-82 serial numbered one. They are real tackdrivers and less fussy with "standard" .45ACP ammo that comes in the typical .451 and .452 diameter bullet sizes!

As someone mentioned, you can always cut the barrel down if you simply HAVE to have a 5" barrel.

Mine is customized back in the '80s when S&W failed to see the self-defense market wanted .45ACP revolvers. It has a 3 1/4" barrel and thus looks at a slight distance a lot like the gorgeous profile of a 3 1/2" Model 27. TONS of fun . . . and nobody told that revolver that is wasn't STILL a tackdriver!

Best wishes on finding a sweet 25-2 . . . my favorite Smith revolver for many reasons!

Mine's from 1980 . . .

Tom,

You're KILLING ME!!!!

I love that gun!

I have a 625 with a 4" barrel that is probably my most favorite handgun to shoot. I prefer blue over stainless which is why I've been jonsing for the 25-2.
You bring up a good point about the newer models having tighter throats and I do recall reading about that somewhere else at some time.
That is a great picture of an awesome gun.

Thanks for sharing.

And I am wondering the same thing that SaxonPig is!
Must be great!

Yep..... If I had BMG60's 5" Mod.25, Doc 44's one only documented 5" 57, and one of the few 5" Mod. 29's in existence I believe my huntin' days for guns would be over....

But the quest for those elusive or non-existent treasures are what it's all about for many of us. I, for one, am just happy the guys who own them have a special appreciation for what they really have and these guns didn't end up bouncing around under someones pickup seat....

Long live the 5" N frames. It's no mystery to me why so many 5" Mod. 27's are the favorites of so many people. It's sad that S&W didn't see fit to produce them in other calibers so "serf's" like me could own one today.

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Terry

Hi. Mr Saxonpig
So tell me, Jim, just how much fun is it to say "They made one these... and I have it..."

When I started collecting I was like most people I collected A little of everything. Then About 15 years ago I started looking for the lowest
production models and the rarest models I could find. I do display my
Rare and Limited production Models so people can get a chance to see
these rare models. This year I will display in Denver and Boise, the display will have many rare models and several one of ones, but people that come to these display shows will get a chance to see them.
Thats the part of collecting that I like the most (letting people be able to see some of these rare guns.)
I hope I have answered your question.
Jim Fisher

This is not a common point of view on the forum, but one I go along with. But I don't particularly care for wide target hammers and triggers, red ramp/white outline sights, or S&W's incorrectly shaped "target grips", either. And I don't think recessed cylinder chambers serve much purpose. But I don't hate that stuff, either, just as I have a couple of 5 inch guns.

Back to the original question, should a nice 2nd gen SAA (no matter which caliber) be traded straight across for a cut down M25-2? Not in a million years.

Mr. Fisher, when and where will you be be in Boise? I'd like to see that. Thanks.

Hi
the display will be at the annual smith & Wesson Collectors show
in Boise the middle of June.
it is a members show. there will be about 60 or 70 tables of only Smith & Wessons but you have to be a member.
Jim

I should have guessed that. Thanks.

So, uh, Tom,
I've got this Colt........
LOL!!!!!
Sorry. I couldn't help myself.

Thanks

I have on hold a Model 25, 6 1/2 barrel , 99% with the presentation box at local sports store for 699.00 I think I may buy it today.

Well good God man!
Did you get it?
Please share.

Bought it today, have to wait the 3 day period, will post pics.

It was a 25-2 Pinned barrel. 6 1/2

Here it is

I am a four inch barrel guy and do not want a revolver with any barrel longer than four inches.

That said, I have a 25-5 with a five inch barrel that i just enjoy looking at it. Owned it for many years and never shot it. One day I may have to buy some rounds for it just to see how it shoots.

People tell me they shoot like a handheld cannon.

I have a mystery that I hope someone can shed some light on....
My father recently gave me a Model 25-2 but it is a .44 Magnum.
I have searched online and I cannot find any information about it. The serial number is N62819. It can't be a model 25 or 29 because all the pictures I have seen the trademark side (right) of the gun there are 3 screws and mine only has two located near the trigger and none up by the hammer and rear sight.
Can anyone explain this?

The third screw is under the stocks. If it is marked 25-2 under the crane, it is either a factory mis-stamped gun or a conversion of a standard M25. Is the barrel stamped .44 Magnum? Pictures would help.......

With so many models being made on the same frame it was unavoidable that some would get stamped with the wrong model number. I happens quite frequently. The overwhelming odds are your gun is a 29-2 that mistakenly stamped as a 25-2. They are so common, most people ignore the mistake as far as value goes.

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No life story has happy end.

I hope these photos will help. Thank you for the quick reply.

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Mr. j37p, You might want to hold onto the Colt, and consider buying a newer 625 . I have a 625-8 5 inch .45ACP and it is my family`s favorite revolver it requires no fancy aiming , just point shoot and hit the target.ITs scary accurate,Plus it only cost $600 used at Gander Mt.

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So after reviewing every thread I can find, and the NRA GBB of values; I'm having a hard time identifying this revolver. This appears to be a good thread to ask!

The revolver is stamped N845883 on the frame and butt along with 25-2 and has the trigger guard screw

The crane is stamped 88716 - with a larger "c4" also on the crane

The barrel is 4" and stamped "45 CAL. MODEL 1955

I'm no revolver expert, but my understanding is the targets were only made in 6-61/2 inch barrels?

Any advice on what's going on here would be appreciated!

Based on the positioning of the barrel markings I would bet the 6.5" barrel was cut back to about 4". Is the muzzle crowned? Any evidence of the front sight being reattached?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

That's a late production 25-2 that has had its barrel cut to 4" along the way. Not so mysterious at all. The barrel stampings being so close to the muzzle are an immediate tip off. They should be more centered on the barrel and they were until it was shortened.

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No life story has happy end.

My .45 LC

Very Nice.
I believe it was engraved with either a football recessed or non-relieved set of stocks in mind

[QUOTE=bmg60;136322914]hi
there were 9 model 25,s made on a special order. and only one that has been documented on the 3 screw frame -2 and I have it with its factory letter. it shipped in 1960 and the factory charged 10.00 to have the barrel cut.

Two

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

That would make sense. So its not one of the 9 that S&W did from the factory.

What I find interesting is that the end of the barrel isn't a straight cut, it looks like my other S&W's. Slightly convex around the circumference of the barrel with the top of the barrel (flat portion) set back just slightly. if it isn't factory, its damn good work IMO.

Allow me to ask a couple questions?
Does this demand the same premium as a 6-6.5 model 1955 target?
Is it worth more because of the pinned barrel, and trigger guard screw still present (meaning prior to 1957?)
What would you value it at?




Thanks for all the help!

I wanted one of these too (a 5" 45 ACP blue steel N-frame). Since they never made them as a regular production model I found a non-collector grade pre-25 and had this made:



Much as I like it if someone offered me $1200 for it I'd have to give it some consideration. (smile)

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

My Model 25-2, .45 ACP, TH, TT, Smooth TG, special order bright blue finish.

I agree.

I see a more lucrative market for the Colt, and that one looks to be in great condition. .38 special is the round of choice for CAS, and I bet there's a bunch of CAS shooters out there who want the Real McCoy, probably even a few with 2nd-Gen .38 specials who would kill to find a mate.

Besides that, I don't think there were a whole lot of SAAs made in .38 special, were there?

Book value is just that. Street value is what counts.

Oh boy, I just replied to a 2.5 year-old post. I really gotta start reading the dates!

Does anyone realize this thread is 2 1/2 years old...just saying..

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Should I delete my contribution?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I would like to date a 25-2 N378668 and ask if these had the throat issues like the 25-5?

The 25-5 is found with over size throats. That serial is around 1977.

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No life story has happy end.

WOW! I am relieved as I thought that Model 25-2 (my very favorite Model) came only with six and one half inch barrels and I didn't know about factory five inch barrels.