625-2 Model of 1988 help needed

[1blindref]

I was treasure hunting this afternoon at some local gun shops and ran across a used 625-2 marked Model of 1988. It has a 5" barrel and Pachmayr grips on it which according to my Standard Catalog of S&W is correct for the early production guns.

The SCSW states that "the authors are quite befuddled by varying information surrounding the introduction of this model"

I've never seen a 625 marked "Model of 1988" in person, only in pictures and I'm wondering what would be a fair price for this gun. I'd say the gun is in very good to excellent condition. It's been shot a fair amount, but the finish is very good and the lock up and timing are also very good. It comes with the original box numbered to the gun, papers, the cleaning kit (sealed bag), and about 10 moon clips.

The SCSW puts a value of $575 on a gun in excellent condition, and $475 in very good condition.

The shop has a firm price of $799.00 on the gun!

This particular shop's prices are usually very good and fair but for some reason they seem very high on this particular gun, especially since it's far from being a safe queen or LNIB.

Is this a rare gun since it's marked "Model of 1988"?

Do you think it's worth buying??

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[scout II]

It seems as the 5" models command a higher price.Out here in CA,that is about the going price for one of those,probably a bit higher.Those are some super accurate shooting guns,you won't be sorry for owning one.

[Joni_Lynn]

That sounds high to me but I haven't been paying too much attention to the prices for a few months.

[BADSBSNF811]

It's about 200 high unless it's in the PRK

[pinkymingeo]

Everybody seems to want 45acp revolvers these days. I, on the other hand, have sold two in the last 6 months. I'm down to only five. Box and stuff with a 1988 is pretty rare, which would add to the price. A 1988 was my first 625 (and isn't going anywhere), the selling point being stamping on the barrel vs laser etching. All things considered it's probably $100 high but you don't have to ship it, or pay a transfer fee. What's a hundred bucks, anyway? A movie with a date who won't shut up without a large popcorn and milk duds. So if you want it, buy it. Cheaper than a porky date, in more ways than one.

[michael thornton]

they are hard to find, i just found a 3 inch 625 and have been looking for a long time the last one i found was $795 and sold before i could buy it

[fat tom]

I sold a mint Model of 1988 in the classifieds a couple of months ago for $695,shipped.
f.t.

[625smith]

There were 1500 of the "Model of 1988" made. As for price $799 seems to be the current going rate on Gunbroker. I am looking for a 625-7 Power Ported in 45LC so I see the prices often. Here is a poor picture of my 625-2. Oh and you can't buy just one.

[BUFF]

I bought my Model of 1988 in May, 1989, when they first hit town. $430 out the door. My notes from the literature of the day say that there were 5,000 of them in a "limited production" batch. It proved to be popular and was kept in the product line as the 1989. Mine is a great shooter. I like the 4 inch M-625-3 I bought 2 years later better for most things, though.

[nutsforsmiths]

You have to remember that the SCSW book is now almost five years in age. Prices have gone up since the book was published.

[Dale53]

I am not the best one to ask price of, but that one is a bit high priced in my book.
I have bought two 625's in the last couple of years:

Two years ago, I bought a 4" 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special, new, from the local Bass Pro for about $750 less $100 to open one of their credit cards. It may have been the best gun dollar I have spent. They listed for over $900.00. I put a set of JM springs in it and tuned it to 9.0 lbs dbl action and 3.0 lbs single action. It has an absolutely SUPERB trigger and I have shot the best scores of my life with it. I DID add a Red Dot due to my vision problems.

I liked that one so well, that I went looking for a five inch. I found it at the Ohio Gun Collectors Association Show near Wilmington, Ohio. It apparently was the only 5" 625 there. It is a 625-6 Model of 1989 (not '88). It was a NIB safe queen from a estate sale. As I remember, I paid around $600.00 for it. It is also an extremely accurate revolver. I did the same action job on it and also added a Red Dot.

I cast my own bullets and reload. Both of these revolvers will shoot nearly anything I run in them. They do not seem to be "ammo sensitive" in the least. However, my favorite load is a #68 H&G clone from a MiHec six cavity mould and 4.0 grs of Bullseye (or equivalent). For a self defense load (I have no qualms about using reloads for self defense) I load a 200 gr cast hollow point from a Mihec brass two cavity Cramer Style mould at about 900-1000 fps. Another good choice for self defense is a 250 gr Keith bullet from an NOE five cavity mould ahead of a healthy charge of Unique that gives me just over 900 fps. That is also a VERY good field load.

After I bought my first one, three of my local gun club friends liked mine so well that THEY each bought one. Truth be told, we are a bunch of happy campers.

Pay what you have to pay to get one and if your experience is like mine, the price will fade very shortly in your memory, but a perpetual smile will be on your face.

FWIW
Dale53

[alde]

One of the worst things I ever did was sell my 5" 625-3. It was by far the most accurate handgun I have ever had the pleasure to shoot. In a year the extra hundred bucks will not mean a thing. I would pay that if I found a nice one at a local shop.

[Kaumheimer]

I paid $800 last September for a 625-2 in excellent shape but not NIB. It did come with the box though. I'd say for a decent one that seems to be the going rate. And to repeat what everyone else has said, it's incredibly accurate. FWIW the older ones (circa 1988-9) are more desired by collectors. You will enjoy this gun and you won't lose money if you ever want to sell it.

[Iowahunter]

Around here that would be abit high but, I'm pretty sure it would sell at or close to that price as "any" 625's get sold rather quickly when that pop up forsale and thats not often. I got lucky and got a Model of 1988 from an auction 98% or so with box for $475 last fall but, I would say I got real lucky on that deal..

[1blindref]

Originally Posted by nutsforsmiths

You have to remember that the SCSW book is now almost five years in age. Prices have gone up since the book was published.

Good point!

I did search Gun Broker but didn't find any. Is there a concrete number on how many where produced? I see 1500 and 5000. That's a big spread.

I do like the fact that this 625 has been shot. All too often I end up buying something that's LNIB and then I have this internal struggle of whether to shoot it or just look at it! I usually end up putting it in the safe and then looking to buy the same gun in "shooter" condition.

Thanks for all the replies! I was surprised there were so many.

Looks like I have something to think about. This is definitely one of those "you didn't pay too much, you just bought it a little early" guns.

I'll be sure to post pictures if I decide to make the deal!

[Vulcan Bob]

Grab it and dont look back!

[500 Magnum Nut]

If it's in sound condition with no mechanical problems, plus box, the price is OK.

I bought this one for $475 and fixed the problems with it. It was in poor condition, lots of abuse. Then I glass beaded it so it looks new.

Parts in this one are:
Front & rear sights
hand
frame lug
trigger job & springs
turned barrel / set air gap / straighten ejector rod
new frame screws
& new wood stocks
My labor don't count

looks better and works as it once did.

[Harrison]

It is about $49.00 more than I paid for my used 625 5" model of 1988 a little over two years ago. I plan on keeping mine forever. It is one sweet shooting revolver. You don't see many of them for sale around this part of the country. They seem to be popular with the competative shooters.

[44wheelman]

I bought my 625-2 '88 used 2 years ago $450. I would not put any premium on the Model of 1988 (over other 625 models). Going rate seems to be closer to $600.

[michael thornton]

have you tryed to find one for $600? or even $700? they are hard to come by, at least here anyway

[1blindref]

Originally Posted by michael thornton

have you tryed to find one for $600? or even $700? they are hard to come by, at least here anyway

A 625 is on my "list" but I haven't really looked hard for one. I don't really like to buy stuff on GB because it's hard to find a good deal on guns with all the people shopping there.

I like collecting the not so common guns and a 625 marked 1988 instead of 1989 kind of fits that description. I also like the fact that this gun comes complete with the box, unopened tools, and papers. I know that's not a big deal to a lot of people, but it makes the gun more desirable in my eyes.

I guess I'm having a hard time justifying spending about $850. on a gun that's worth about $725 - $750.

I don't really buy guns as investments, so I'm not looking to flip or sell it any time soon.

[rollin_hot]

Originally Posted by 1blindref

A 625 is on my "list" but I haven't really looked hard for one. I don't really like to buy stuff on GB because it's hard to find a good deal on guns with all the people shopping there.

I like collecting the not so common guns and a 625 marked 1988 instead of 1989 kind of fits that description. I also like the fact that this gun comes complete with the box, unopened tools, and papers. I know that's not a big deal to a lot of people, but it makes the gun more desirable in my eyes.

I guess I'm having a hard time justifying spending about $850. on a gun that's worth about $725 - $750.

I don't really buy guns as investments, so I'm not looking to flip or sell it any time soon.

A gun is worth what it is worth to you and only you. I have paid way too much for guns I had to have and I have also balked at the prices of some guns because I did not need or want them as bad.

That being said, I recently bought two 625's both in 3" and waited 15 years to do it, my wallet wished I had only waited 5 years but I got to the point that I had to have them. They are steadily going up, may level off but not decreasing in price that is for sure.

In todays market $750 give or take seems to be fair but fair is a very relative term. Prelock and non MIM parts guns carry a premium. If it is not a true need or want, don't do it. If you decide later you want one, you will probably be able to find one but expect to pay as much or more than what they are today.

[500 Magnum Nut]

[QUOTE=44wheelman;135539028] I would not put any premium on the Model of 1988 (over other 625 models). QUOTE]

Most of use do for two reasons. Location of firing pin, but to me more importantly, the barrel isn't laser etched. When I reblasted my -2, the job was done. I didn't have to send it back to be lettered.

[jt1]

Do the 1988 models have a floating hand? Some people seem to think this is a negative.

John

[1blindref]

My mind was made up for me!

I went to the gun shop this morning and it was gone. I guess it wasn't meant to be. Oh well, at least I still have $$ in my pocket.

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by jt1

Do the 1988 models have a floating hand? Some people seem to think this is a negative.

John

Yes they do. But if it gives you trouble it can be repaired very easily.

Mine was working fine, but since I was inside, I changed it.

[william iorg]

I don’t know about the Model of 1988 but the Model of 1989 is a well balanced handgun. This is one of those easy to hit with handguns due to the front sight. The front sight is a combination of ramp and Patridge. Whoever designed this sight did a good days work.

[michael thornton]

I GOT MY 3 INCH 1989 TODAY!!!!!!it was dirty as hell but cleaned up nice, and shoots great! so now im looking for moon clips

[i8mtm]

Hi 1blindref - If you go back to the store, you should see the gun is available again. I was going to buy it - but then I found out that the 5" barrel is not IDPA legal.

Since I would not use it for CCW and couldn't use it for competition, I decided to pass. It sure is nice though.

Regards,

i8mtm

[stumper]

I believe the Model of 1988 would draw a bit of a premium over the 1989, maybe $100 or so. As such, for a nice example in the original box with the tools and papers I don't think that price is out of line.
I don't think you would see any "naked" Model of 1989s selling for $550these days. These are all going into the $600 plus range.

[clang444]

It's funny how things change - I picked up my used 5" 625-2 for $325 when the IDPA put the rules in about only 4" barrels or less. Shooters were selling them at discounted prices so they could buy a 4" model.

I also have a 4" 625-3 that I paid about $450 for before the IDPA rules change. The 5"er is the one I usulally shoot.

[1blindref]

Originally Posted by i8mtm

Hi 1blindref - If you go back to the store, you should see the gun is available again. I was going to buy it - but then I found out that the 5" barrel is not IDPA legal.

Since I would not use it for CCW and couldn't use it for competition, I decided to pass. It sure is nice though.

Regards,

i8mtm

really??
PM sent!

[1blindref]

After two trips back to the gun store today, it's mine. Long store but it ended well for me

It looks like it was made sometime between Feb and April 1989.

[i8mtm]

Great pictures!

Congratulations.

Now you have *got* to tell the whole story of how you got it to the rest of the forum....pretty lucky indeed.

Cheers,

i8mtm

[rollin_hot]

Nice job, took you loooong enough!!

[1blindref]

Originally Posted by i8mtm

Great pictures!

Congratulations.

Now you have *got* to tell the whole story of how you got it to the rest of the forum....pretty lucky indeed.

Cheers,

i8mtm

Whole story:

I first looked at the gun last Thursday and for some reason didn't come home with it.

I posted this thread when I got home so I could get talked into going back and buying it by everyone here

I went back Saturday morning to buy the gun and it was gone so I figured it wasn't meant to be.

Sunday i8mtm posts:

Hi 1blindref - If you go back to the store, you should see the gun is available again. I was going to buy it - but then I found out that the 5" barrel is not IDPA legal.

Since I would not use it for CCW and couldn't use it for competition, I decided to pass. It sure is nice though.

Regards,

i8mtm

I sent i8mtm a PM and sure enough he saw the gun on Friday and asked them to hold it for him. He decided it wasn't exactly what he needed so he told the store he'd pass on it at around 4:00 pm on Saturday.

I went back to the store Monday morning (they are closed Sunday) and got there about 15 minutes after they opened. The gun was not in the cabinet so I asked one of the guys working there if it was still there. He told me that the original person interested in the gun (i8mtm) passed on it, but another customer asked them to hold it for him on Saturday.
The store is open til 5:00 pm on Saturday's so in that 1 hour period, I lost the gun again!

I gave the store my cell number just in case the second sale fell through and left thinking that it really wasn't meant to be.

About two hours later my phone rang and the second person ended up buying a different gun (325 night guard) and he decided not to buy the 625.

Needles to say, I wasted no time getting back to the store to buy the gun.

So after 4 trips to the gun shop (about 20 miles each), the 625 is finally mine

[Joni_Lynn]

Congrats, you'll really like this one.

[shotguntom]

I would say that that gun was meant to belong to you. 4 trips. I've done the same thing a few times. See the gun, run home to ask a few questions on the forum, run back and hope its still there. It pays to be persistent. Enjoy your new toy.
Tom