I was looking around a local shop and saw an old blue N frame that peaked my interest. Turned out to be a model 25. Check the model number looking for a dash and low and behold there was none. It was on consignment and the asking price was $799. I thought about it but I am a newbie at the Smith thing so I wanted to do some research.
I go home check the book and look around the web. Then it eats at me for a week. I didnt really want to spend the money but I have let too many guns get away so exactly seven days later I go back thinking "I'll just see if its still there." Sure enough...still there. I ask the guy if the owner is open to offers and he says he would call him. I offer $700 he comes back with $750. Almost knee jerk I say no and wander around the store. After about ten minutes I figure "Are you really going to let a gun you have never seen before get away for $50?" So now I have this:
Serial number puts it 1960-61 if I am reading the book right. Its far from perfect but mechanically very sound. Some fine scratches in the blue and it had some Pachmayr grips someone had taken a file to on it. Looks like someone modded the front sight as well.
I couldnt figure out if they came with white outline rear sights or if someone added this as well:
It has a target hammer and trigger. The trigger seems to be a little wider than one on a Model 27 I have too. Have yet to shoot it as it came without any clips. I may just do the pencil ejector thing until I get some.
So how did I do? Worst case I figure I have a nice shooter that I shouldnt lose anything on in the long run. I would like to hear any observations or info about these no dash 25's. I also want to thank everyone on this forum. Most of the links of any substance led here when I was searching for info.
I go home check the book and look around the web. Then it eats at me for a week. I didnt really want to spend the money but I have let too many guns get away so exactly seven days later I go back thinking "I'll just see if its still there." Sure enough...still there. I ask the guy if the owner is open to offers and he says he would call him. I offer $700 he comes back with $750. Almost knee jerk I say no and wander around the store. After about ten minutes I figure "Are you really going to let a gun you have never seen before get away for $50?" So now I have this:
Serial number puts it 1960-61 if I am reading the book right. Its far from perfect but mechanically very sound. Some fine scratches in the blue and it had some Pachmayr grips someone had taken a file to on it. Looks like someone modded the front sight as well.
I couldnt figure out if they came with white outline rear sights or if someone added this as well:
It has a target hammer and trigger. The trigger seems to be a little wider than one on a Model 27 I have too. Have yet to shoot it as it came without any clips. I may just do the pencil ejector thing until I get some.
So how did I do? Worst case I figure I have a nice shooter that I shouldnt lose anything on in the long run. I would like to hear any observations or info about these no dash 25's. I also want to thank everyone on this forum. Most of the links of any substance led here when I was searching for info.
