25-2 But what is it??

[trunnals]

Hey guys, got this in a trade for a beat to hell Stag AR15 back in September.

It says it is a Model 25-2. The guy I got it from said it was chambered in 45colt. I have fired 45 colt through it, it shoots like a charm.

I tried to get it appraised at a couple local shops. One said that it was originally blued and had been changed. The other said the barrel had been cut back.

The Model shows 25-2. The Serial is N829688. Pinned barrel. On the revolver yoke(?) the number is 23355. On the barrel, the left side says Smith and Wesson, on the right, 45 CAL. MODEL 1955. The barrel is cut just after 1955.

So, I also have submitted a history request to the Smith and Wesson historian, they cashed my check on Oct 31st. I called the other day and Roy Jinks said he was not into October's requests yet. I am getting antsy!

What do you guys think? Is it a custom job? Is it bubba'ed? What is it potentially worth?

Here are links to pictures of the gun:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvSkRZTDhHN2pRMHc/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvZXJQTVNLZzNBemc/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvOTVoaU1tb18xVFU/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELveDhxWWd4QTk2bUk/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvMzVxWmljTkJHQkU/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELveERNZXh2dFZnYUE/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvclcwdm5wTVI0czg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvbWlhanRVaDNOeWc/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Zs9j5qpELvdkM1OGNxc0hXME0/view?usp=sharing

Thanks!

 

[Lt JL]

Look at the rollmark on the right side of the barrel. Bubba'ed.

 

[H Richard]

You have a highly modified 25-2. The caliber has been changed from 45 ACP to 45 Colt, probably by changing the cylinder, the barrel has been cut back, it has been refinished with either a bead blast nickle or some industrial hard chrome finish. From a collectors standpoint it has zero value. From a shooter standpoint it may have some value if it functions correctly and shoots accurately.

 

[rgm36]

25-2

I'm glad to see your enthusiasm with big S&Ws. They are my passion also.

To answer your questions - yes, your gun has been cut as evidenced by the wording being off centered on the barrel and the end cut is different than factory.

However - the cut has been done fairly well - as well as I've seen a "cut job" anyway. It's not hacked, but neatly done. The gunsmith took the time to chamfer the radius nicely. I have seen truly bad cut jobs where they didn't even bother to file the end but left the saw blade marks in it!

Yes - the finish has been altered too. This would have had a beautiful deep blue to it from the factory.

Your Model 25 shares the same large "N frame" from which the Model 29 .44 Mag was built.

According to the ser. # yours has a date of approx. 1981.
Later Model 25-2s starting in 1978 did come in .45 Colt according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson and the earlier 25-2s such as yours did have the "old" barrel stamp saying ".45 CAL. MODEL 1955" which is when this basic gun design was first released. There were several slight changes to the original ".45 CAL. MODEL 1955" design through the years - but the basics are all in tact- even the original barrel wording as yours still has. Later production would have been marked ".45 Colt CTG."

Even though yours has been altered to the point that it no longer has "collectable" value - it is still something to be proud of because of its history in the S&W line up. It is impossible to wear it out, so shoot it and have some fun.
Warning! S&Ws are addicting! You will have to buy another, and another, and another....

 

[trunnals]

So not collectible. Shootable, ABSOLUTELY! Shoots like a champ and is an awesome carry gun.

What do you think the value is on this thing? I had my beat up stag valued at 500-600. Did I break even or better?

 

[Aguila9]

You did well. You got a weapon with character for a mass produced soulless clone.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

You did well. You got a weapon with character for a mass produced soulless clone.

What a great response.

The truth of the matter is that despite the modifications, which the guys say were done well, you now possess one of the finest revolvers of its type ever made. Modified? Sure. Butchered? No. Pretty? Not like it would have been when it was blue. Does it matter? No. Collectible? No. Does it matter? No.

You claim it's a great shooter - that's what matters!


***GRJ***

 

[Retired W4]

I like it. The front sight looks to have been well thought out as well as the rest of the gun. Was the grip frame modified to a round butt?

 

[Tom_R]

That gun was very well thought out, and they did a nice job on it.

Looks like it was hard chromed, and the barrel was cut down to 3.5".

That is a very good trail gun, or defense gun, depending on the type of load that you use.

It is also a great shooter as you indicated.

If you are worried about getting your money back, or your investment back, you'd get it back.

If you put it on sale in the classified section in this forum with a $600 price tag, I don't think you would have to wait more than a day to get it.

They don't make these anymore, you can get all kinds of AR's. Also this thing is set up to shoot.

I think you did well.

 

[moosedog]

Big fat bullets make big fat holes. Very cool. Enjoy.

 

[Jim Watson]

Big gunsmithing project, expensive; somebody wanted a DA .45 Colt BAD, and a 25-5 wasn't it.
Replace cylinder with rechambered M27-28 or scrounged M25-3 part.
Cut and crown barrel, build front sight and ramp.
Round off trigger, usually part of action job.
Plate.
$phew$

 

[jimmyj]

Bubba or chopped, I LIKE that revolver !