New to me 25-2

[safearm]

I found a pretty bad looking 25-2 at a local gun show last weekend. According to the dealer, the gun had been kept in a gun sleeve and neglected for years. The finish was rough and there was a fair amount of exterior pitting on the cylinder. It looked like the gun had been sand blasted and cold blue re-finished. I initially thought this might have been a "Katrina" gun, but when I looked down the barrel, the bore was clean and bright, the lands and grooves were sharp, and there was no pitting. Same with the cylinders. There was no creep or grit in the action, which was surprisingly smooth. The cylinder locked up tight when the action was cocked. It came with dark colored "coke" target grips that had minor chipping on the bottom edge. Of course, no box, papers, etc.

The dealer was asking $350 due to the condition and I offered $300. We settled on $325 OTD. I took it home and completely scrubbed it clean with CLP including some minor rust spots. When I removed the grips, the grip frame was in very good condition, the serial number (N689XXX) was sharp and clear and the finish was still a bright blue, which indicates to me that the re-finish job was very amateurish, just enough to sell the gun. I also removed the side plate and the internals were coated in a gray, oily substance which I removed with Gunblaster. There was no rust or corrosion on the internal parts. One reason for the smooth action was the main spring screw had been backed out about a full turn. After lubing everything with nano-oil, I reassembled and tightened everything and went out to my range.

I shot some old Aquila brand 230 grain FMJ in moon clips. Once I got the sights registered, I found that this ugly duckling could really put the rounds on the target. It had been threatening rain all day, and it began to really come down just as I was finishing up one box of ammo. I admit I'm not the marksman I once was and the best I achieved was 6 shots in a ragged oval hole about 3/4 x 1 inch at 15 yards standing.

This is never going to be a collector's piece, so I'm going to be shooting it regularly. I've ordered some .45 AR brass and lead bullets to see how it will shoot with tuned rounds, even though I'm perfectly satisfied with the performance of the .45ACP rounds.

I'm reluctant to post photos as I don't want to send some of the hardcore collectors into cardiac arrest, but I'll try get a couple posted later. In the meantime, if some one could give me an approximate manufacture/shipping date based on the serial number, I'd appreciate it.


P.S. - I'm considering having it re-finished in ceracote to cover up all the blemishes as there is no reason to keep the existing finish.

 

[kraynky]

Oh, I gotta see it now! I already have a visual from your description, and I want to see if it matches. Bluing loss has never bothered me much, pitting just makes me mad. One is from loving use, and the other is disrespect or ignorance. But at that price I would have likely bought it as well.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Ceracote is good.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Get it hard chromed. It's an outstanding finish, and it'll make it look sort of like a M625 Mountain Gun.

 

[jimmyj]

Fords in Crystal River, Florida-have it returned to the original finish.

 

[Patrick L]

That was an awesome score. As many have said, there are lots of refinish options if you do desire, or there's nothing wrong with a great performing Smith that is somewhat visually challenged. I love them all!

 

[RMFnLA]

There's a certain freedom to a gun that is far less than perfect. You can just enjoy it without worrying about every little bump.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I too don't let exterior blemishes stop me from buying a gun.I'm a shooter,not a collector(even though I have over 50).Those imperfections are good contributors to getting the price down.
While I don't like Cerakote,if it turns you on,why not.Like they say,some prefer blondes,others prefer brunettes!
Congrats for your great acquisition!

 

[jtcarm]

Come on, to heck with the collectors. Let's see some pics!

I'd be tempted to find a custom smith who could give it the John Jovino treatment: chop the barrel, round the butt, etc.

I just love beater guns. I can shoot & modify without guilt.

 

[Nightowl]

Since no one else answered about manufacture date, my estimate would be last half of the 1970s, maybe 77 or 78. Only a factory letter will tell for sure as these were not hot sellers in that time frame.
The Smith .45s are notorious for oversize throats up until late 70s, early 80s, so you might want to check this. Standard lead .452 bullets sometimes do not do well in large throats, but it seems that jacketed bullets fare better.
I have a 25-5, .45 Colt serial number N847xxx that has throats measuring .458! It has never been shot outside the factory.

 

[safearm]

Sorry for the delay (I've been busy for the last 2 weeks), but here are the pictures.


I shot the target on Sunday, both are 10 rounds at 15 yards. I'd like to say that I called the flyers at 11 o'clock on both targets, but that wouldn't be accurate. When I did my part and concentrated, the bullet would find the target. I'm very satisfied with how this ugly duckling shoots.


Thanks to Nightowl for the date info.

 

[CH4]

Thanks for the pictures.
I'd leave it as is, shoot the snot out of it and don't worry about scratching it. To have it refinished will easily cost as much or more than what you paid for it, and I dont think a refinisher will be able to remove all the pitting.

 

[flagman1776]

I bought my M25-2 new in May, 1979 SN# N615XXX.