Model 25-2 Holy Grail

[j357p]

Here's a hypothetical question for you and yes, I just may be out of my mind.
Knowing that I am asking a group who's primary interest is Smith and Wesson firearms this may prove interesting.
Here's the situation. I have been wanting a Model 25-2 for a long time.
Preferably one from the 60's and with a 5" barrel.
Coming up with the cash for one would not be easy. What I do have that I "might" consider trading is a 2nd generation Colt Single Action Army in .38 Special.
I do not have the box or paperwork. Having done some research, I figure it's worth about $1,200.
Last gun show I went to there was a guy that had a 5" 25-2 for $1,200.
At the time I hadn't given the trade any consideration. Now I'm wondering.
What say ye? Attached are a couple of pics. Not the best, but should give an idea of the condition.
Opinions welcome. Blast away!

 

[pineappleshooter]

Don't know much about either gun but it seems to me that if the 25-2 is your "holy grail" and the money seems even(ish) - GO FOR IT!

 

[fyimo]

I agree if the the 25-2 is your holy grail gun with a 5 inch barrel then go for it. If you can live with another inch or 1.5 inch added to the barrel you can probably get it for half of what you said a 5 inch would cost you. All I know is that with a few hundred rounds loaded into moon clips it makes for one hoot of a day at the range with the 25-2.

 

[Doug M.]

Are there 5" 25-2s or similar?

 

[fyimo]

Actually there wasn't a 5 inch barrelled 25-2 made but at a later date in the Model 25 series some were made in 4 and 5 inch barrels made in 45 colt in 2004 according to the SC of S&W.

 

[roundgunner]

I bought this 25-2 from a friend who bought it used with the ports.

(MagnaPort?) the finish is worn but it is a great bowling pin gun, low recoil and fast reloads if ya miss.

Is a shooter 25-2 valuable?

 

[LEO918]

I don't like the trade unless the 5" M-25-2 is lettered as a 5" gun.

 

[j357p]

I don't like the trade unless the 5" M-25-2 is lettered as a 5" gun.

Now there we go! I've been waiting for some opposition!
I've seen a 5" 25-2 with my own eyes, so whether it was factory or not I don't know on that particular gun.
I do know that 5" barrels are somewhat rare on smith revos.
The Colt SAA is now the official gun of Arizona and that kind of makes me want to keep it.
However, I do not shoot it as I have a Model 10 and Model 15 for .38 special wheelguns and I don't really care for "safe queens" which is pretty much what this one has been relegated to.
I'm still undecided and still welcome all opinions. Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond so far.

 

[Art Doc]

To the best of my knowledge no 5" 25-2s were made. If you saw one it was either modified from original or was a special order. S&W would do special orders back in the day but they are very rare and very valuable.

PS: A 5" barrel is not rare on all S&W revolvers. This was a standard barrel length on numerous models. Just not the Model 25.

 

[jrhoney]

I would ask myself which I would like to have more. The Colt or the Smith & Wesson? A 38 or a 45.

 

[Jeff45]

I had a couple nice old unfired S&W safe queens that I would take out once and a while and wipe down, but finally decided to sell them and ended up with a 686 and 1911 that both get lots of range time and I enjoy much more.

 

[shil]

First, I'd be skeptical about the originality of a 25-2 with a 5" barrel.
Buyer beware; Especially at gun shows.
Second, will you be assured of getting $1200. in trade for your SAA?
SAA's in .38 Special, I hear, are very popular among the CAS crowd. You might pursue that sale route.
Final: Which gun will make you happier?

 

[29aholic]

Well I traded/sold all of my Colt SAA's off and now jusy mostly own Smiths. However, I doubt I'd trade a 2nd gen. SAA for a chopped up 25-2

 

[M29since14]

I'm with Curtis and LEO918. I have never been a big Cxxx single-action man, and certainly am not overly-fond of .38 Special in an SAA, but I would be very hard pressed to turn loose of your Colt. I would hang on to it and look into a shooter-grade 25-2 if you just want one for use at the range.

I am the odd man out here, but I see nothing so precious about 5-inch barrels. If you are one-gun man, I suppose they make some sense, but they are really neither fish nor fowl. They're not as quick and handy as a 4-inch gun, especially if you are often seated, and definitely not as good at the range as a 6-1/2" gun. JMHO.

 

[bmg60]

hi
there were 9 model 25,s made on a special order. and only one that has been documented on the 3 screw frame -2 and I have it with its factory letter. it shipped in 1960 and the factory charged 10.00 to have the barrel cut. I also have one of the 5 screw model 25,s.
These guns are rare and bring a large amount of money for the right collectors.
the last 5 screw that sold from the shipment of the 9 sold for
around 10,000 dollars. if you want a 25-2 to shoot buy a 6 or 6 1/2 and have the barrel cut that way you can get one for under 1500.00 dollars.
jim fisher

 

[j357p]

hi
there were 9 model 25,s made on a special order. and only one that has been documented on the 3 screw frame -2 and I have it with its factory letter. it shipped in 1960 and the factory charged 10.00 to have the barrel cut. I also have one of the 5 screw model 25,s.
These guns are rare and bring a large amount of money for the right collectors.
the last 5 screw that sold from the shipment of the 9 sold for
around 10,000 dollars. if you want a 25-2 to shoot buy a 6 or 6 1/2 and have the barrel cut that way you can get one for under 1500.00 dollars.
jim fisher

Holy Guacamole!
Mr. Fisher, thank you for this information and congratulations on snagging that one. That to me, looks perfect with that barrel length.
However, with this new data, that puts it right out of my league financially. I am not a collector. Merely an accumulator.
I would definitely be looking for a shooter, not something to put away and never shoot.
My most recent acquisition was the Pre-Model 28 I picked up at the last SAR show here in town and that kind of depleted the fun funding for now which is why I was thinking about horse trading.
I figured there would be different camps regarding the subject. And I do thank all for the input, opinions and information.
Guess I need to give this further thought before "pulling the trigger" so to speak.
If anyone has any more information, opinions or what have you, please chime in.
Thanks again to all who responded and I hope this doesn't bring the topic to an end.


Jim

 

[Art Doc]

So tell me, Jim, just how much fun is it to say "They made one these... and I have it..."

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

For a really great and fun shooter, I'd recommend one of the later 25-2s that came with the tighter throats, such as a 1980-82 serial numbered one. They are real tackdrivers and less fussy with "standard" .45ACP ammo that comes in the typical .451 and .452 diameter bullet sizes!

As someone mentioned, you can always cut the barrel down if you simply HAVE to have a 5" barrel.

Mine is customized back in the '80s when S&W failed to see the self-defense market wanted .45ACP revolvers. It has a 3 1/4" barrel and thus looks at a slight distance a lot like the gorgeous profile of a 3 1/2" Model 27. TONS of fun . . . and nobody told that revolver that is wasn't STILL a tackdriver!

Best wishes on finding a sweet 25-2 . . . my favorite Smith revolver for many reasons!

Mine's from 1980 . . .

 

[j357p]

Tom,

You're KILLING ME!!!!

I love that gun!

I have a 625 with a 4" barrel that is probably my most favorite handgun to shoot. I prefer blue over stainless which is why I've been jonsing for the 25-2.
You bring up a good point about the newer models having tighter throats and I do recall reading about that somewhere else at some time.
That is a great picture of an awesome gun.

Thanks for sharing.

And I am wondering the same thing that SaxonPig is!
Must be great!

 

[TDC]

Yep..... If I had BMG60's 5" Mod.25, Doc 44's one only documented 5" 57, and one of the few 5" Mod. 29's in existence I believe my huntin' days for guns would be over....

But the quest for those elusive or non-existent treasures are what it's all about for many of us. I, for one, am just happy the guys who own them have a special appreciation for what they really have and these guns didn't end up bouncing around under someones pickup seat....

Long live the 5" N frames. It's no mystery to me why so many 5" Mod. 27's are the favorites of so many people. It's sad that S&W didn't see fit to produce them in other calibers so "serf's" like me could own one today.