Insane Prices on Gun Broker for a 25-5

[DR505]

I was watching an auction for a "mint" 4" 25-5 in .45 Colt. The winning bid was $1850.00! The end of the world MUST be at hand.

Mint Smith and Wesson 25-5 .45 Colt S&W 45

[DR505]

Of course, not as outlandish as the 27-2 listed in this thread, but nuts just the same.

Model 27-2 Nickel w/ 5" on GB

[Dennis The B]

For "nuts", see this thread:
Model 27-2 Nickel w/ 5" on GB

[Bloodhound]

Warms my heart as I have a mint 25-5 4inch in the box sitting in the back of my safe.

[brokenprism]

I started out a month or so ago looking for a 4" 25-5. Aware of the chamber throat thing, I shifted gears to something in the 29 line because the risk was just too high on a distance purchase. Ask a seller if he knows the throat diameters on his .45 and his eyes roll back, either because he doesn't know, or he DOES know. It seems almost irresponsible or suspect to offer a 25-5 without some reassuring info about the throats, or a 624 without mentioning the Circle C.

I'm surprised lately to see a 'head-on' approach to deception. Show a photo of the flaw, but under-describe it in the text. Call a pit a "freckle;" make sure a scuff is on a glare point but still visible; back up from the thick white cylinder line and call it the "usual turn line" -- that's evil genius right there -- and when you're called on it, claim you made disclosure. List the manufacturer's features rather than a description of the conditon (white outline, red ramp, 3Ts...). Deflect, distract, delay. The biggest catch-all bucket of all is "handling wear." Handled by me means it's like new, but by others, it could be anything. Past a certain pointit's called 'character.' Not even percentages mean much any more -- if you say it's 95%, tell me about the missing 5 and forget the rest.

[Frank237]

My all time favorite description..... MINTY.

Just today at my FFL I was sending out a 6" blued Python I sold for a friends Family on GB. Got $2525 for it.

While I was there he showed me a absolutely perfect early Colt Diamondback, a nickle gun, .38 special in SIX inch. It had just arrived for a fellow who bought it off of GA or GB. Buyer paid $3100+ for the gun! And....Not even a BOX!

Crazy times we are living in. Great to be a SELLER.

[SLT223]

Originally Posted by brokenprism

I started out a month or so ago looking for a 4" 25-5. Aware of the chamber throat thing, I shifted gears to something in the 29 line because the risk was just too high on a distance purchase. Ask a seller if he knows the throat diameters on his .45 and his eyes roll back, either because he doesn't know, or he DOES know. It seems almost irresponsible or suspect to offer a 25-5 without some reassuring info about the throats, or a 624 without mentioning the Circle C.

I'm surprised lately to see a 'head-on' approach to deception. Show a photo of the flaw, but under-describe it in the text. Call a pit a "freckle;" make sure a scuff is on a glare point but still visible; back up from the thick white cylinder line and call it the "usual turn line" -- that's evil genius right there -- and when you're called on it, claim you made disclosure. List the manufacturer's features rather than a description of the conditon (white outline, red ramp, 3Ts...). Deflect, distract, delay. The biggest catch-all bucket of all is "handling wear." Handled by me means it's like new, but by others, it could be anything. Past a certain pointit's called 'character.' Not even percentages mean much any more -- if you say it's 95%, tell me about the missing 5 and forget the rest.

Well put. Bigger auction hammer prices are fueling this problem. The market needs to wisen up.

[S&WIowegan]

Great time to be a seller!! I'm at the point age-wise that I should start selling down the iron pile. The current frenzy is really making me antsy.

One thing that I've also noticed is more dead-beat bidders who can't pay their bid.

[jjbrewst1]

I won't buy a gun from someone who uses the word Minty. Hate It!!!!!

Oh ok maybe if it's a smoking deal.

[mojave30cal]

I noticed that the 4" minty 25-5 didn't have a pinned barrel,
so no oversized throats.

[ben_g1]

OK,,,, A 19-3 for over $1500.

NIB Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 P&R 2½? 357 Mag *NR : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

[blackdeuce]

I've never bought a gun that smelled "minty", but I have had some come in boxes that smelled like cigarette smoke.

This thread makes me wonder what my minty 25-5 in 6" is worth. Crazy world out there.

[05CarbonDRZ]

Don't be fooled into thinking that your Gun will sell for these prices.If you don't believe me list it for .99 No Reserve and see where it goes.......

[blackdeuce]

Originally Posted by ben_g1

OK,,,, A 19-3 for over $1500.

NIB Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 P&R 2½? 357 Mag *NR : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

No photos of the box label? Cleaning rod seems long for a short barrel gun.

[northslope]

Originally Posted by S&WIowegan

Great time to be a seller!! I'm at the point age-wise that I should start selling down the iron pile.

I realized a few years ago that my ratio of time spent "researching/accumulating/buying" to "shooting" these damn things was way out of whack.

California has a limitation on the number of in-state "private party" sales per year - 5. No limit on the number of guns per transaction, but that did cause me to hit the brakes (a little).

--Neill

[model70hunter]

Originally Posted by brokenprism

I started out a month or so ago looking for a 4" 25-5. Aware of the chamber throat thing, I shifted gears

I learned about the chamber mismatch after trading into a 25-5 in 4", a 3 screw Ruger 4 5/8" 41 Mag was my trade away item. I'm thinking sucker. He's thinking I can't believe this sucker didn't ask about the accuracy.

It did not shoot groups it shot patterns. Luckily the gent I got it from saw me at a later gun show and wanted it back. He traded me a Manlicher Schoenour in 22-250.

That feller was good to me, after I had a gun smith drill and tap the red loc tited scope mount buggered head screws I traded it for a high 97-98% pre 64 Model 70 Standard in 270 Win.

I sold it for enough to buy a couple of S&W revolvers, neither of which was a model 25-anything.

I too ended up with several 629's and a 29-2. A S&W sort of has that old school feel when one adds 44 to it.

All of this just because I wanted a 25-5 in 4".

[chief38]

Over the past year or so, almost ALL on-line gun prices have gone through the ceiling and there are many people who have just put insane prices on their guns for sale in the hopes that during the gun craze people will pay just about anything. In many instances especially for guns in excellent condition their hunch paid off - big time!

[jaymoore]

Originally Posted by brokenprism

I started out a month or so ago looking for a 4" 25-5. Aware of the chamber throat thing, I shifted gears to something in the 29 line because the risk was just too high on a distance purchase....

And the oversized throat situation for 29s and 629s doesn't bother you?

First big bore revolver i ever had was a large throated 25-5. Was easier to sort than the .44s as Winchester bullets were the right size and Lyman still sold 454424 moulds. Which cast nicely at 0.456". And shot very well.

Getting the 0.433" bullet situation sorted has been much harder. Durn things fit the throats of my old .44s (pre-1990s) well before loading, but the cartridges won't hardly chamber without lots of tinkering!

[bigl1911]

There are dumb buys on the auctions, great buy, amazing and ok ones.. I've had plenty of amazing but you have to look.. I just bought a 25-3 125th for 1k of course unfired and complete package time capsule. Some would say bad buy not me. A new Model 25 today retails for over a grand and it is not legal rostered in Cali where a 25-3 125th is a Curio Relic and a beautifully finished gun imo. It filled a hole in my collection without going into detail...And no offense anyone but the finish on the new Smiths are not as nice as the older ones... What I am seeing as a general rule is the really nice guns complete near perfect are expensive and people buy them.. This 25? Hey there were several people that wanted it and one lucky winner. They see something we didn't or they had a need we don't understand. Ben - the 19-3 at 1500.. Is that really outrageous? OK I wouldn't pay it today but what is it really worth right now assuming it is complete 99 plus? 1000? 1300? If one is looking for a Combat version 2 1/2 when will the next pop up like this and how much... What is it worth in 12 months 300 or 500 more than today. Will 1500 in 2015 be a good buy for this 19... The buyer thought so... Time is an evil woman that leaves bruises...

[bigl1911]

Originally Posted by northslope

I realized a few years ago that my ratio of time spent "researching/accumulating/buying" to "shooting" these damn things was way out of whack.

California has a limitation on the number of in-state "private party" sales per year - 5. No limit on the number of guns per transaction, but that did cause me to hit the brakes (a little).

--Neill

Neil - I don't believe California has any limitation on PPT. As many as you want legal.. A C/R holder is under a different level of scrutiny where transfers and sales are concerned; however a 00 3 holder can buy sell as many guns as they like to improve their collection. The limitation comes if one is selling like a dealer for the purpose of turning a profit as an ongoing business.

[Old TexMex]

...usually it's like this:

THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME!!!


And some times, like this:




But every now an then.....

[Allen-frame]

Bidding against someone with deep pockets is a losing proposition.

Of late there has been much discussion regarding selling prices
on '' investment grade '' guns.
Persons with quantities of disposable income are setting the prices.
It is that simple.

There are still deals to be had but one must be more vigilant than ever.
Using the features available in our new electronic communications age
can make ones job easier.
Gun shows and pawn shops still offer up the occasional deal
but finding is directly commensurate with how much time
is spent looking.

A couple recent G.B. deals. ? . You decide.


8 inch in great condition with .452 chamber throats.


S&W Smith & Wesson Model 25 .45 Long Colt 8" EXC : Revolvers at GunBroker.com


Is $1250. too much to pay for a Mountain gun ?

Smith & Wesson 45 Long Colt Mod 625-6 Mountain Gun : Revolvers at GunBroker.com


Performance Center 25-10. A nice Buy Now.


Smith & Wesson 25-10 Performance Center .45 Colt : Revolvers at GunBroker.com


The year is 2014, friends. Keep that in mind.


Regards,

Allen Frame

[boykinlp]

Originally Posted by blackdeuce

I've never bought a gun that smelled "minty", but I have had some come in boxes that smelled like cigarette smoke.

Mmmmmmmmmmm......................mentholly!!!!

[northslope]

Originally Posted by bigl1911

Neil - I don't believe California has any limitation on PPT. As many as you want legal..

It turns out there is a limitation written into CA law for sellers. Apparently it had been ignored (or not enforced) until a number of LEOs in the Sacramento area were found to be purchasing LEO-only guns and "flipping" them to civilians.

It's a gray area legally speaking (I certainly feel like if both parties are going through the PPT process, and paying the $35 fee, you ought to be able to sell as many times in a year as you want).

--Neill

California Penal Code Section 16730 - California Attorney Resources - California Laws

16730. (a) As used in Section 31815 and in Division 6 (commencing with Section 26500) of Title 4, "infrequent" means: (1) For handguns, less than six transactions per calendar year.

...and here's a news story about the deputies arrested for flipping guns:

California sheriff's deputies accused of illegally selling weapons | Fox News

[mc5aw]

Exactly what Allen Frame said. Deep pocket speculators and collectors are doing the high bidding. The average person cannot compete, any more than with similar bidders going after collectible cars at auction. Is a mint Model 27 worth $4K? Is a Shelby worth $400K? Ask the guy who paid for them.

[DR505]

Well, I need a place to buy S&W's at a reasonable price.

I did buy a near perfect 6" 25-9 for $700.00 on GB not long ago. The photos were totally out of focus, so no one was bidding. I contacted the seller and asked for specific photos. One hour later my inbox had 8 tack-sharp pictures. I bid on the revolver. Didn't meet the reserve, so it was re-posted. This happened 4 times, I kept bidding $700.00, and the seller finally sold it to me for $700.00. It is now one of my favorites (at least for right now!).


What I don't get is why the seller didn't use the focused photos? The gun would have gone for at least the reserve.

[MN2944]

Originally Posted by mc5aw

Exactly what Allen Frame said. Deep pocket speculators and collectors are doing the high bidding. The average person cannot compete, any more than with similar bidders going after collectible cars at auction. Is a mint Model 27 worth $4K? Is a Shelby worth $400K? Ask the guy who paid for them.

I agree. It seems like a lot of the criticism of the auction prices is coming from guys who are upset that they can no longer buy guns that have become collectors at shooter prices.

[ibewbull]

smith & wesson model 58 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

M 58 was not a 45 LC no way!

The word custom must mean hatchet job.

LET THE BUYER BE WARE.

[insider]

Originally Posted by ibewbull

smith & wesson model 58 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

M 58 was not a 45 LC no way!

The word custom must mean hatchet job.

LET THE BUYER BE WARE.

WOW, they ruined that gun!

[mc5aw]

Originally Posted by ibewbull

smith & wesson model 58 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

M 58 was not a 45 LC no way!

The word custom must mean hatchet job.

LET THE BUYER BE WARE.

Upon first glance, I thought the grip part of the frame had been shaved down to K/L size, but I see the proper screw in front and the grooves on the backstrap. That part looks okay, but the porting? Great Caesar's Ghost! What one-eyed 'smith did that hack job? And the cylinder? Replacement? The way prices are going, if the timing and lock-up were decent, I'd buy it for $700 and swap out that ruined tube with a factory barrel. That would bring the investment up to $1K, but it would make for a nice carry gun.

[bigl1911]

Originally Posted by northslope

It turns out there is a limitation written into CA law for sellers. Apparently it had been ignored (or not enforced) until a number of LEOs in the Sacramento area were found to be purchasing LEO-only guns and "flipping" them to civilians.

It's a gray area legally speaking (I certainly feel like if both parties are going through the PPT process, and paying the $35 fee, you ought to be able to sell as many times in a year as you want).

--Neill

California Penal Code Section 16730 - California Attorney Resources - California Laws

...and here's a news story about the deputies arrested for flipping guns:

California sheriff's deputies accused of illegally selling weapons | Fox News

..

Yes this is correct I should have been more specific. Limitation 6 transactions a year; however no limitations on amount of firearms per transaction. The intent no private sales with a principal objective of making a profit as a business through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. This being said, a C and R holder 003 can buy sell as many times as they pleases as long as the action is intended to better the collection.. Or at least this is my understanding...

[BigBill]

I guess we're starting to see exceptional prices already?
If we go to the s&w online catalogue there is more n frames elimimated lately. Plus the condition. I wonder how high the average prices will go.

[Boxhead]

I bought this 25-5 for $400 a few years ago at a gunshow knowing the
throats were out (I carry bullets in my pocket for such occasions). I sent it to S&W and $200 later (shipped) I had a proper revolver. They returned the "bad" cylinder for which I found a use..

[jimmyj]

WOW, WOW !!
Where are these big spenders when I am attempting to sell a item??

[jack the toad]

Originally Posted by ibewbull

smith & wesson model 58 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

M 58 was not a 45 LC no way!

The word custom must mean hatchet job.

LET THE BUYER BE WARE.

Didn't look too bad until I saw the ports.
Must've been done by a one-armed drunk in the dark with a dremel cutoff wheel.
No offense to one-armed drunks.

[flintsghost]

Gunbroker is not the only place you will find faulty descriptions and out of line prices. Just keep an eye on the this forums own classified sections. There have been more than a few and some probably still reside there.

[g8rb8]

Originally Posted by DR505

I was watching an auction for a "mint" 4" 25-5 in .45 Colt. The winning bid was $1850.00! The end of the world MUST be at hand.

Mint Smith and Wesson 25-5 .45 Colt S&W 45

"The end of the world MUST be at hand."

I just saw a zombie walk through my back yard.

[BSA1]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Warms my heart as I have a mint 25-5 4inch in the box sitting in the back of my safe.

Ditto.

On the other hand though prices are so out of whack that more old S&W revolvers are out of my budget.