Considering Pre 25 "Customization"

[M29since14]

If Jimmy doesn't tell your Mom I will!

Nevertheless, if you just have to rework that gun, do what Dave suggests. BTW, does your gun have the W mainspring?

 

[S42N8]

FWIW, high quality 25s are not getting cheaper, at least around here, and pre-25s are at a premium. I second Deyomatic's "post to the Classifieds" suggestion, and if it doesn't go for more than $1200, I would be happy to have an S serial in that condition. If you are interested in selling, please let us know...I think you'd have takers.
If you really want a Jovino-style gun, a 625 could be converted as well as a pre-25, and with far less karma incurred.

 

[jimmyj]

Pre-25: would this be aka a Model 1950 ?

 

[steelslaver]

Pre-25: would this be aka a Model 1950 ?

Looks more like a 1955 as it has a heavy barrel and the 1950 barrel I have is much lighter.

 

[jimmyj]

Model 1950 Target and Model 1955 are my favorite Smiths

 

[flundertaker]

Pre-25: would this be aka a Model 1950 ?

Model of 1955. Heavy barrel .45 acp

 

[bamabiker]

Here is mine. It is finish challenged and a good candidate for an alteration. I would not alter yours.

 

[Art Doc]

It's your property to do with as you please.

Doing what you suggest would be an abomination. If you do it please don't post photos without a warning in the title. Something like: "Warning! Classic revolver that's all butchered up."

 

[Muley Gil]

Back in 1976, I bought a 1962 era M27-2, blue 3 1/2". It had a little light freckling on the frame, near the rear sight. I bought it to convert to .44 Special. i shot before the conversion, using the standard lead .357 Magnum ammo that was most common back then. After 50 rounds, you could barely tell the barrel rifled, it was leaded so badly.

I got a factory 1950 .44 Special target barrel from J&G Rifle Ranch and did the conversion.

I've never looked back. I realize I destroyed a "grail gun" for many folks, but I don't care. After the conversion, I had MY grail gun.

Now, that said, I would sell that pre M25 and convert a M625 to a Jovino, if that is what I wanted. Back in 1976, there were fewer choices for conversions.

 

[arjay]

I've got a great condition mid 60s Colt commercial headed this way.Somebody put big adjustable sights on it and took a belt sander to a rubberized mainspring housing.I could put it back to original,but I'm thinking a retro rear sight,file the front one,a flat mainspring housing and a long trigger would be so much cooler [emoji41]

 

[flintsghost]

Look on GB. Last time I browsed, there were 3 Jovino's on there. Not cheap but not overly pricey. For what you want a 696 shooter would work. They are easily found and work well as a carry gun. If you simply must have an N, then a three inch 629, 657, or 625 would work for you and they can be found fairly reasonably.

 

[BAM-BAM]

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

Sorry ...... that is not a project gun. And I don't even have a passing interest in anything over 6 inches.................

 

[1blindref]

It's your gun. but I wouldn't do it.

IMHO, that gun is in the perfect condition that I like. Very respectable, but not so nice that you would feel bad shooting it.

I think you should sell it to me, and use the money to buy something that you can carry

 

[Doug M.]

I am not a collector fetishist, but will say that from a purely financial perspective you can almost certainly find any beater N frame and do the work you want, selling this revolver to someone who wants it the way it is, and be money ahead. Figure on $1500 and a year for the work if you use any gunsmith who is worth a hoot.

I had a .45 ACP 4" made out of a 629-4. It is a great revolver, and the work (Bowen) is first rate. It was financially ... questionable at best. Find a beater with some real flaws, get a gunsmith on board, get a new cylinder, have the barrel rebored, round butt the grip frame, go with a 3 - 3.5" barrel, get some sights on it that work for you, have it finished by Robar (I wonder if they can do all the work - if they will, consider doing it there) and you will have a heck of a working gun.

 

[wheelgun610]

Here you go Sir....

Where's the "~90%" gun you referred to? I'm not so sure you understand what the percentage rating system really is, but without a hands on inspection, I'd have a hard time calling that one a 90%er....

Mark

 

[flundertaker]

thank you gentlemen. i hear the majority loud and clear. I may send it down the road and buy something different or may just stick it back in the safe, who knows. I probably will carry it to the Raleigh show tomorrow and see if anything strikes my fancy. In any case, at least I will not be responsible for one less unmolested Pre 25 in the world.

I apologize for the scare.

 

[aphelion]

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.

A "flaw" in a revolver is something like poor fitment, a machining error, a mechanical problem, deep rust, or maybe having someone's initials scratched in the surface with an engraving pen. A little bluing rubbed off in the process of someone actually using it for what it is intended does not constitute a "flaw."

 

[Kinman]

I decided to cut down the barrel on my Brazilian model 1917 to 4" for just about the same reason you are talking about. I didn't consider it a loss of any historic piece or collectible for that matter because it had already been severely polished down and re-blued by its previous owner. I took it a local gunsmith that is noted for his quality work. He will correctly remove the barrel, very slightly open up the angle of the forcing cone and polish it, cut and properly radius the muzzle, install a Baughman stye front sight with a custom bright red ramp of correct height, then reblue the barrel/sight combination. I'm looking forward to the results. A friend of mine did exactly the same thing but wanted a 3.5" barrel, I prefer a 4". I was interested enough after shooting his 3.5 that I decided to have mine done to 4.
I spent a good bit of time and money getting my hands on a 90% plus Pre-Model 25 that the thought of having one cut down is abhorrent, if you had to get the job done wouldn't it be possible to install a Model 25 barrel in the length you wanted, keeping the original barrel?

 

[sodacan]

The OP should be stripped of his membership in the SWCA if he butchers that gun.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

While I understand it is your gun. This is just like me whining about folks taking 38/44's and butchering them into 44 specials.

Your pre-25 is a classic nice target gun in what appears to be great shape. Keep it and find another really abused one to convert over if you must. But, think long and hard before you take out a really nice looking Pre-25.