Bought the gun,not the glitter

[Breakaway500]

I've been on the hunt for a Model 25 in .45 Colt with all the target goodies for under $1k and haven't been successful..until last night. I know Commemoratives are looked down upon by many,but as long as the embellishments are not overdone,they don't bother me. This one struck my fancy,but I figured it was hopeless as lately anything with a case and accessories is going well over the grand mark. I placed my top bid and walked away. Thanks to everyone who didn't bid it up! Winner winner chicken dinner. Looks to be like new. I can't wait to get this home. Cool serial # "S&W8979" Maybe I can get Roy to autograph the book.

 

[RKmesa]

Looks beautiful to me. I like the commemoratives and that one has all the goodies.

Congrats,

 

[steelslaver]

Nice looking gun. I am a big fan of the S&W in 45 colt. Enjoy.

 

[glenncal1]

I have the same package, great gun. Mine had been shot when I bought it and I paid accordingly. Mine shoots very well, in fact I need to get it to the range.





P.S. anyone know the production numbers for the 125th Anniversary Edition?

 

[Watchdog]

Beautiful gun. Pinned barrel, too! Love it.

 

[Topsarge]

Beautiful piece. Love the 45 Colt. I have a 25-2 snub. Enjoy it.

 

[75Vette]

Winner winner STEAK dinner! Very nice purchase! You're sure to enjoy that fine piece!!

 

[STCM(SW)]

I had one when they first came out.
And of course I sold at some point....

 

[FifthWheel]

Looks great!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Nice gun! A Model 25 in .45 Colt was a grail gun for me for years - I was ever so happy to get one. To my lights it is the epitome of a big bore handgun. "FOUR FIVE"/Forty-five/.45 Colt - just seems right to me! I let everyone else have their .44s.

I didn't NEED to change the stocks but, well, I couldn't resist.


Well done! Shoot that puppy and enjoy it.

 

[marinevet]

I a not a fan of the Commemorative guns......but that is a nice looking gun......enjoy

 

[Breakaway500]

I actually hate the term "commemorative". More like special editions. 125 years of S&W...sounds like a worthy anniversary to celebrate with a gift..

 

[BUFF]

S&W made 10,000 of them, which included 9948 M-25-3, 50 with engraving and ivory stocks (M-25-4) and 2 super Class A engraved guns by Alvin White. I have SW5951 bought new by me 11-22-77. It was the first day they hit the market in my area. I actually bought 2 of them, shot the one with the most plain stocks and then sold that one. Haven't shot the one I still have.

They were initially priced at $350.00 POR (piss on retail).

 

[bananaman]

Congratulations, it looks nice to me! That being said I would not pay any more for a special edition. They are normally worth more only if unfired. I have a 25-15. Wish it was an older 1. Couldn't turn it down. Bob

 

[daddy bear]

I had two at jobber price back in the day. In retrospect, I should have kept one as a shooter....

Jack

 

[BUFF]

I thought about keeping one of mine to shoot, but other factors changed my mind. First, I noticed that the rifling in the M-25-3 barrel was way deeper than the rifling in my M-25-2, which indicated to me that maybe S&W was going to make .45 Colt revolvers a catalog offering; not likely they would make unique rifling for a commemorative that hardly anybody would shoot. Then Winchester and Federal began making modern ammunition in .45 Colt. The final bump was that, soon after these were sold at retail, the secondary market went nuts. People were asking $700-$1,000 for them and getting it. I cleaned the one I shot, took it to the next gunshow and the first guy to ask, "Whatcha got in da bag?" gave me $750 for it and smiled like he was putting the britches on me.

A couple of months later, some of the gun mag writers were saying that S&W was going to offer a standard .45 Colt, and sure enough, they did, the M-25-5. Prices of the 25-3 then kind of collapsed. It's only been the last few years that they have recovered.

The gun, presentation case, medallion and book make up a very nice package.

 

[Muley Gil]

The longer cylinder of the M25-5 helped too, for those of us that liked shooting the 255 grain Keith bullets.

 

[CA Escapee]

I just looked at a new 6" one through the glass at a LGS. $999.

Bill

 

[xray97]

S&W made 10,000 of them, which included 9948 M-25-3, 50 with engraving and ivory stocks (M-25-4) and 2 super Class A engraved guns by Alvin White. I have SW5951 bought new by me 11-22-77. It was the first day they hit the market in my area. I actually bought 2 of them, shot the one with the most plain stocks and then sold that one. Haven't shot the one I still have.

They were initially priced at $350.00 POR (piss on retail).

This one is an anomaly- letters as factory engraved but NOT one of the 50 special edition.

 

[Sixtogo]

Great revolver. I had two of the 125th anniversary packages and still suffer the usual seller's remorse.

I only shot the first one. It did very well, especially with the wadcutter designed by Jan Libourel, formerly a handgun editor at Guns & Ammo. Saeco made the mold.