A friend has acquired a pristine 25-5 with an 8 5/8" bbl, complete with presentation case. I do not remember ever coming across one of these as most seem to be 6" guns with an occasional 4" surfacing from time to time.

He is asking me about selling it on GB, but I advised him to try to sell it locally or, perhaps, let me post it on the S&W Forum "classified" section. Of course, he will need a fair value as a starting place.

So, does anyone have any thoughts about the actual scarcity of the 8 5/8" 45s? What kind of price should he assign to a really nice example in the case? Thanks!

Value depends on vintage. Model 25-5s are the exception to the rule that, all else being equal, earlier revolvers are worth more. The oversize throats of early 25-5s gave the guns poor accuracy. They were manufactured with smaller throats starting in the early 1980s around the time S&W quit pinning barrels or a little later. S&W replaced some of the original cylinders under warranty but only if the owner complained. There was no recall. Since most S&W guys are familiar with this, 25-5s with pinned barrels are worth less. 25-5s with alpha-numeric serial numbers like ABC 1234 all have correct throats so they are worth more. 25-5s made in between those two obvious changes have to be measured.

While there are less 8 3/8" S&Ws there are a lot less people who want the long tubes so there relative scarcity does not increase value.

I don't think they are rare. I never understood a long barrel 45 Colt since I associate a long barrel with wringing top velocity from a Magnum caliber.

But then again I have a COLT SAA with a 7.5" barrel so what do I know?

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No life story has happy end.

You know that a long barrel increases the velocity of a black powder .45 Colt load more than a .45 Colt loaded with fast burning smokeless powder. Also, no matter how good or bad the military chose, all their choices are popular with collectors.

Yeah, but, that 7-1/2 inch SAA looks so GOOD like that!

Maybe in your eyes. 4 3/4" Pre war SAA's bring a premium. You cannot give a 2nd gen. Buntline away. Big Larry

I have a 83/8" 25-5 non pinned barrel, unfired when I bought it.
Not being a big fan of late model guns it was headed for trade
pile. Shot it more less to crank in a trade at the range. Turns
out it is probaly the best shooting 45 I got. It's a bullseye gun
with 242WC at 800fps. Would be the last one I would sell.

I wish somebody would give me a 2nd generation Buntline. That would be a happy day.

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Dr. B

This one is pinned. I will check the serial number when I next visit my friend and narrow down the year.

gkitch,

You've been around long enough to know we easily stray off topic. Lets refocus. You were asking how great an 8 3/3" 25-5 looks in a left hand full flap holster opposite a saber, correct?

I have been wanting to use one in SASS competitions as part of the new "Spaghetti Wild Bunch Dirty Harry" category. So can I use 45 Autorim in that?

I bought one NIB sometime in the late 60's from Krasnes gun shop in San Diego. It lettered as being shipped there in 1958, so it was at that shop for many years. I fired 5 rounds out of it, cleaned it up and never fired it again. With all the original papers and 12" cleaning rod, a couple years ago, I gave it to my Step Son. He moved to Italy, so the gun resides in my safe again. Get this, I paid $145 for it. Things have sure changed. Big Larry

so...anybody have an opinion as to what a ANIB (presentation case) pinned 25-5 8 5/8" blue revolver is worth?

With ALL the original paperwork and tools, blue flocking intact, sharp crisp grips, no pitting or wear marks other than maybe a very light cylinder rotation mark, and the blue box in addition to the presentation case it could fetch $1800 on GB. This is assuming it is as you state ANIB. Detailed photos would also have to be in place. Outside of that $1100-$1300.
I have been watching for several months now, specifically the 25-5.