My 25-5

[Bloodhound]

I have had this gun for about 13 years. I got it from a friend/mentor. He bought it new, put a Pachmayr Presentation grip on it lost the box and the factory grips into the dark hole that is his gun room. He told me that he had never fired it. I have never fired it, but it had to have S&W grips on it, so I bought the diamond magnas from a member here, and it has been in my safe since. It has a Target Hammer and Trigger and a red insert in the ramp front sight and white outline on the rear sight.

I have a few questions...
1) Age/Date of manufacture SN is N678164
2) Grips...would it have come with Magnas or more likely targets
3) Ball park value

I have been watching the auctions on line, there are quite a few 25-5 6 and 8 3/8 inch guns, but seems the 4 inch guns don't show up very often. I haven't really wanted to get this gun lettered, because I know my friend bought it new. He couldn't remember where he bought it, but it was likely somewhere here in Colorado. I asked him at the time where he bought it and he couldn't remember and he has not run across the box papers grips or tools.

Any thoughts comments would be great

Thanks

Scott

 

[collectordude]

Here is bb value

​

Nice gun
Not sure if the 4in is more valuable
Made between 78 and 87

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Every one of these 4" 25's that I have seen (not many) was wearing Target stocks. But man that looks bad**s with magnas.

 

[22hipower]

Probably built in 1979/80. Those diamond magnas are nice but earlier than the gun, it probably shipped with non diamond targets. I'd expect to find it priced at around $1200+/- where I shop; another hundred or two if the box/tools/paperwork were with it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Bloodhound]

Thanks...after 13+ years, I have given up on him finding the box, papers, tools or grips...I am betting they found there way to the trash or another gun or...

Other than my finger prints (I wipe it down before putting it away) there is not a mark on the gun. Since I am not selling it, I may put a set of Altamont "Cokes" on it...or leave the Magnas on, they do look bad**s

 

[Narragansett]

Very nice gun OP. The gun on the bottom is my 25-5, unfired. I paid 1300 for it, no tools or box, a couple years ago. If it is truly unfired and mint, I would say 15-1600, but not with those grips or Altamonts. That gun should have dark S&W football targets made from goncalo alves wood.

Forum member Weatherby just sold 3 beautiful sets of rosewood targets. Perhaps reach out to him for a nice set if he has more. He has been selling a lot lately. He is a wood junkie ( self proclaimed ), so he has nice stuff.

 

[ameridaddy]

Bought mine new in late 79, ser no N6768xx, came in presentation box with football targets. Hope this helps you zoom in on yours.

 

[Retired W4]

Not a 4" but I just bought a ANIB 6" 25-5 for a hair under $1000. It's from 1982 without the pinned barrel and with speed loader cut stocks. Around here your N prefix 4", as described, would likely sell for ~$1200-$1300. Get some nice period correct targets for it and enjoy.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have a 25-5 , 4" . I bought it used , no grips . I quickly discovered it shot high , I mean HIGH . With the rear sight screwed all the way down it still shot high .
I finally took it to my local gunsmith along with a box of ammo , 8.5 gas of Unique w/ 255 gr cast bullet for him to try it out . He called a wk later and said it definitely shoots high .
He said the front sight and it's base are all part of the barrel so no easy way to change the front sight . He said best to mill off the red ramp portion of the front sight . Mill s slot in the sight base and install a new partridge type sight . He had it 4 months , work turned out great . He made his own front sight out of a piece of sheet steel , blued it and pinned it in place . NOW it shoots accurately with the rear sight not bottomed out . I hope yours is better than mine . Good luck , regards Paul

 

[Muley Gil]

S&W M25-5, a 4” blue, # N697079, shipped in May 1980, to McCain's Uniforms in Birmingham, Alabama.

It came with target stocks.

 

[Model19man]

I have owned several blued Model 25-5's. All had a 6" barrel. All came with Target stocks. The 4" version is pretty rare but I don't know how desirable it would be. I would think $1000 - $1100 ought to buy one wearing earlier magnas.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Mine dates to 1980, N824xxx. I gave $1200 for it with no box, etc. about three years ago. It was (and still is) immaculate, but I've started a turn ring on it because I shoot the heck out of it. It was my first gun chambered for .45 Colt and since I got it I've added two SA western clones and a lever action gun in the caliber. When I saw it I wondered how many 4" M25's there were because every one I'd seen up til then was 6".

 

[Birdgun]

My 25-5 cost me $1,100 in 2018. SN:N6810xx. It came with presentation box with an interior that was worn out. No tools or paperwork. But, it's a beauty. And shoots nice groups with my reloads. Personally, on the Model 25, I prefer the 6-inch barrel. No disrespect for those that prefer the 4-inch barrel.

S&W Model 25-5 in .45 Colt with 6-inch barrel.

Thanks for looking at my "Black Beauty."

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[larryofcc]

Yes, the 4" with the pinned bbl. and nickel plate do bring more than the other bbl. lengths. Mine shipped January, 1981. Bought it off this forum for $890, shipped. No box, but has one now. Appears to be unfired. I also have a blued 8 3/8" that puts all shots in the black at 25 yards with reloads. The ugly stocks on the 4", have been replaced. Big Larry

 

[StrawHat]

…, on the Model 25, I prefer the 6-inch barrel. No disrespect for those that prefer the 4-inch barrel.
…
God bless,
Birdgun

Here is my 6” Model 25-5. I used it for hunting during the 80s.

Funny thing, when it comes to Model 25s, I prefer the ACP cartridge. This one is marked on the frame MOD 25-2 but it is over stamped -5 and chambered for the 45 long Colt. I have been thinking about converting it “back” to ACP.

Kevin

 

[Jack Flash]

...

Since I am not selling it, I may put a set of Altamont "Cokes" on it...or leave the Magnas on, they do look bad**s

Altamonts would be a fine choice, in my opinion.

Personally, I would keep those diamond magnas and add a grip adapter. A four inch S&W (to me) is meant for carrying, whether you actually carry it or not. A set of Pachmayers would not be a bad choice either.

If you (for whatever reason) want it to be like it left the factory, then targets are the way to go.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Here is my 6” Model 25-5. I used it for hunting during the 80s.

Funny thing, when it comes to Model 25s, I prefer the ACP cartridge. This one is marked on the frame MOD 25-2 but it is over stamped -5 and chambered for the 45 long Colt. I have been thinking about converting it “back” to ACP.

Kevin

Why not keep it and just find a nice dash-2? I wouldn't mind having a dash-2 to go with my dash-5, don't care if it's nickel or not, but I've about given up on buying guns. I have more than I can shoot and keep up with now.

I removed my targets stocks and put a set of magnas on mine. The recoil isn't so bad as a big magnum and the smaller stocks fit my hand a bit better.

If Wild Bill had been a gangster:

 

[bananaman]

I kept looking for a nice 25 some years back. NO luck! Did finally find a 25-15 at the local gun show that I could afford. Changed to S&W N Target stocks. Now has skip checkered Herrett Targets. Have 2 colt revolvers. (wish had more) The other is a Blackhawk Convertible. Bob ( sorry for the crummy pics)

 

[Grayfox]

I'm a huge fan of the .45 Colt cartridge especially when its chambered in a N-frame S&W revolver. You're doing yourself a great dis-service by not shooting that gun.
The 4" 25-5s were popular among LE back when many still carried revolvers. My own 4" came from a retired Captain in my county's Sheriff's Dept.

Bottom right is a .45acp, but all the others are .45 Colt.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I had a 4" Model 25-5 that I purchased new in 1978. Serial number was N679XXX. It shipped with the 3T's. Not to be a "Debbie Downer" but it also had the largest chamber throats that I have read about in the whole "oversize throat" scenario. .458" - .460" - it patterned like a shotgun, plus it keyholed. Stolen in the mid-80's and of all the guns lost in that theft (6), that is the one that I miss the least.

Anecdotally, I was told that Smith used pre-war specs for the cylinder chamber dimensions and post-war specs for the barrel.

Stocks should be GA checkered targets with the football cutout (extractor relief).

Any 4" N-frame is a sight to behold - finestkind.

Adios,

Pizza Bob