Model 25 questions

[TEXVET]

Did S&W make a Model 25-2 in .45 Colt?

I see a few guns listed on auction sites as a factory modified Model 25-2 in .45Colt.

I believe S&W converted the Model 25 to .45 Colt beginning with the Model 25-5 in the early 80s. I also know that the 1957/58 (ish) Model 25-2s had oversize barrels (.454" to .458" I.D.) which caused the guns to be less accurate. I assume by the time the 25-5 came out, that problem have gone away.

What would be a fair price for a Model 25-5 in good shape? Not a safe queen or a range beater, just a nice quality gun?
Would the 25-2 be more collectible than the 25-5?

 

[Art Doc]

No.

People misidentify S&W models regularly.

The 25-2 and 25-5 are really completely different guns due to the longer cylinder on the -5. A conversion of a -2 to 45 Colt is not easy or cheap and is rarely undertaken.

The over sized chamber throats have plagued both models.

I don't give value estimates. Others here will do that.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Did S&W make a Model 25-2 in .45 Colt?

I see a few guns listed on auction sites as a factory modified Model 25-2 in .45Colt.

I believe S&W converted the Model 25 to .45 Colt beginning with the Model 25-5 in the early 80s. I also know that the 1957/58 (ish) Model 25-2s had oversize barrels (.454" to .458" I.D.) which caused the guns to be less accurate. I assume by the time the 25-5 came out, that problem have gone away.

What would be a fair price for a Model 25-5 in good shape? Not a safe queen or a range beater, just a nice quality gun?
Would the 25-2 be more collectible than the 25-5?

The 25-3 was made in 45 Colt (as was the 25-4) with the same length cylinder found on the 25-2's, albeit, with the slight difference in length at the rear of the cylinder when measured from the cylinder stop notches to allow for the differences in case rim thickness/headspace.

The 25-5 came out in 1978.

The 25's in both dash series (-2, -5) up to the late N prefix guns had lots of problems with oversized throats, not bores/barrels. S&W started tightening up the throat specs by the end of the N prefix, and by the start of the ABC 1234 serial system started in about 1983, they throats were being reamed correctly for all of the 25's.

 

[Murdock]

Did S&W make a Model 25-2 in .45 Colt?

The answer is yes, sort of.

There was the 25-3, as mentioned above. More specifically back in the day the M25-2 in .45ACP was offered with a .45 Colt cylinder as a factory option, much like the M53 being offered with a .22LR cylinder.

As indicated above, this is a rarely undertaken custom option, because of differences in the cylinder faces necessitated by clips for the ACP cartridges, but the factory was able to do this with a special cylinder the same length as the ACP cylinder. The SCSW mentions this in the M25-2 section.

I have one, and it is perfectly satisfactory. I had to cheat to get it, buying an unissued, M25-2 .45 Colt cylinder privately on this forum several years ago, and then twisting the factory's arm just a little to have it installed.

It's nifty. I'm traveling on an extended business trip away from home or I'd post a picture.

It should be mentioned that the .45 ACP-length cylinder somewhat limits the use of heavier .45 Colt bullets in handloads, if that's important. (It isn't to me). This is why, I believe, that the M25-5 cylinders are longer.

 

[TEXVET]

What is an average value on the 25-5?
I'm talking with a fellow on this site for his 25-5 in trade on one of my guns. I do not know what to offer him. I assume he doesn't have the original box and paperwork.
I see prices ranging all over the place on the internet. I want to offer him a fair price, not some pie in the sky price.
Any experienced advice would be appreciated.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

A 4" 25-5 like I have that is in at least 95% or better condition, and has the correct throats is worth between $800 and $1K these days, depending on what area of the country you live in. Having the box and tools increases the value. The 6" and 8.375" guns a bit less on average.

 

[teesur]

Hello TEXVET
I agree with Gun 4 Fun. I have a 6 inch 25-5 with the correct throats, shipped July 1986, that I bought at auction in Jan. 2011, for $730 plus shipping. The gun appears to be unfired after leaving the factory and came with it's correct box.
I'm pretty sure that this gun would bring $800 to $1,000, maybe even a little more.
Hope this helps,
teesur