Considering Pre 25 "Customization"

[flundertaker]

I have a Pre 25 that is a bit finish challenged and I have a desire for a new carry piece. I want something .4" bore or larger and while I have a .44 special gun, its far too nice to carry. So I am considering having the Pre 25 cut down to minimum length and basically given an "effector" type of customization, round butt and all. A friend suggested I find a newer gun to customize or buy a purpose built CCW gun rather than cut up my 5 screw. What do y'all think? would the cost of the conversion be far more than a new gun or a different gun (Say ~$1000)? Would it be blasphemous to permanently alter a ~90% pre 25 that is otherwise complete with non relieved targets, 6.5" and patridge sight, S160xxx SN.

 

[shottist]

DO NOT DO THIS!!!!!

 

[quinn]

FWIW, I have 2 original jovino's (45acp & LC0) and a pre 25 and pre 26 both with 6.5" barrels in high condition. I really, really like the Jovinos so I appreciate where you are coming from. The non relieved targets have some value depending on condition. The 3" Effector barrel would be a less costly conversion than the earlier 2.7" conversion with the crane lock, though I have no idea what either conversion would cost. Jovino's pop up for sale but can be pricey (+/- 2k). Just as an alternative, look for one of the 625s with the 3" barrel and round butt. There are a number out there and the price won't sink the Titanic (+/- 1200). I don't mind carrying that one... Next to my 696, they are my 'go to' guns.

Before I get flamed I'm not recommending he modify a stock 5 screw... but it is his gun, it's not pristine, and he wanted information.

 

[jimmyj]

Do this "Conversion" and I WILL TELL YOUR MOTHER !!
Jimmy (registered taddle tale and wimp)

 

[jimmyj]

Could you post a photo of this Pre Model 25 ?

 

[flundertaker]

Yes, it is blasphemous to alter a high condition, "S" prefix serial numbered pre-model number Smith & Wesson revolver. That would destroy all collector value, and it would also destroy most of the shooter value of the gun. If you want to destroy a gun, why don't you destroy a common gun?

The "S" prefix S/N S&Ws were built to quality standards no longer met in any mass produced revolver. I do not believe that quality of revolver will ever again be mass produced. What a shame it would be to destroy such a fine revolver with the modifications which you discuss.

It is also probable that you would spend more on the proposed conversion than the cost of buying a revolver which was initially built to the specifications you desire.

Agree but define "high condition". Anything less than 98% ballpark is shooter grade from what I have learned here.

I have no desire to destroy a great gun if I can get something that fits my needs in the same ballpark price wise. Any snub nose 40 cal and larger are going for $1200 and up with many approaching 1500 and higher. I have no idea what a Javino type customization would cost, so thats part of my question. If mine is shooter grade and any refinish doesnt change that, then whats the harm in properly done further modification?

 

[flundertaker]

Could you post a photo of this Pre Model 25 ?

Here you go Sir, and please dont tell my mom, she thinks guns are icky and doesnt know I have one.

 

[series guy]

I would never alter that gun. But that said if you do I would love to buy those stocks for my pre 27.

 

[quinn]

Uh, that looks a little nicer than 90% to me.

 

[flundertaker]

Uh, that looks a little nicer than 90% to me.

there is wear on both sides of the muzzle and on the cylinder. I dont have a pic handy that highlights the flaws but its a long way from perfect. Admitedly I am not educated on how to percentage rate guns and looking online to figure it out is an exercise in futility so I estimate low.

 

[colt_saa]

The big dollars that revolvers from Behlert, Jovino, and all the other gunsmiths that produced snub nose N-frames in the 70s and 80s bring tells us that CUSTOMIZATION of a gun DOES NOT RUIN IT's VALUE......It just turns it into something else that has a different value.

Let's face it, Jovinos and Behlerts and all the others are customizations/conversions.

In the end it is your gun and you should do what makes you happy, not what a few hundred strangers on the Internet want to do

In reality, you are making a personal keeper here. Do you really care what kind of money it is worth decades from now when you sell it in your old age or your heirs sell it? Is a few hundred dollars in value one way or the other going to be an issue at that point?

Or is your personal enjoyment of the firearm over those decades the issue that has true importance?

 

[DGT]

Since you asked for opinions, I'll give you mine. Leave that revolver as it is. Admittedly I am bias cause I have a particular soft spot for the 1955s but, I wouldn't do anything with that gun but shoot it and clean it.

My opinions are free and worth every penny

 

[Retired W4]

I bought my 25-2 Jovino already modified so I have no idea what it looked like before the mod. Personally I would have a hard time modifying a gun such as your pre-25 but it is your gun and it's your call. BTW, who does that kind of work these days?

 

[rgm36]

NO WAY I would destroy that revolver.

It's still fairly nice. Far better than the average shooter grade.

It's still collectable in that condition to someone that's not made of money.

Many up and coming youngsters just getting into Smith & Wessons can only dream of having a gun like that some day.

There is plenty of dash 2 and dash 3 guns out there to fill the bill. I would never wreck a fairly nice old 5 screw N frame.

 

[H Richard]

If you think that is poor condition gun that should be butchered, you need to have your eyesight checked. I'm not great at math, but if you take a $1000+ gun and have $1000+ worth of work done to it and result in a $800 gun, I get about a minus $1200 in my book. (All just estimated figures, but may not be too far off).

 

[steelslaver]

Don't do it. That gun as said is to nice to change into something else.

 

[Jack Flash]

How does it make sense to take a target revolver and turn it into a carry piece?

Seems like you could find an M1917 in good working order but finish-challenged (perhaps a Brazilian?) and have it round butted and the barrel cut down. Perhaps even have the action slicked up and refinished in a dark, dull hard chrome. You could sell the pre-25 to someone who would actually appreciate it and be money ahead.

 

[colt_saa]

I forgot to put a picture in my post.

Much like you are contemplating, a friend of mine had his longer barreled model 25 cut down and round butted more than 25 years ago. I am grateful that he did because now I get to enjoy it too.

I carried this for more than a decade, I have no idea how many decades he carried it for.

 

[deyomatic]

If it was mine, I'd put a price on it and throw it in the classfieds, then find something that's more finish challenged, or something that's 1980s or later and have that customized. I would think you'd better than break even and someone else would cherish that Pre-25. I sure would.

 

[Nedroe]

I Wouldn't.........

do anything to that gun, except , maybe cut it to a 5" barrel. I don't care for 'em longer than that. You should look for a compromised 1917, model 58 or 20, a newer 21 or 22

These 2 were 58's Both are round butt now. 44 mags

Not that I haven't done things to nice ones too. A Pre-War Heavy Duty, all matching numbers

In the last 6 months, I have purchased a pre-27/8-3/8", a 27-2/8-3/8", both with bulged barrels, and, a pre 20, fitted with a 6" 28 barrel with a shotgun bead on it.
I picked up a 4" HD that had been stripped for the pre 20.
The bulged 27-2, 8-3/8", now looks like this.

There are plenty of compromised guns out there that make great projects. There are plenty of parts as well.

Ned