S&W Model 625-2 Talo

[TEXVET]

My local gun store has a nice 5" Model 625-2 on consignment. The gun has a Talo stamp on it. I am familiar with what Talo does with 1911s, but I have never seen a Talo S&W. In their 1911 guns, most of what sets them apart from other 1911s is cosmetics. I did a web search for Talo 625s, but I couldn't find much information.
Would this Talo conversion be considered an asset or a liability for a gun's resale value? Would it improve the performance of the revolver?

The owner has lowered his initial selling price from $895 down to $795. I was planning to offer $700. I want to offer the guy a fair price for his gun, so I am looking for advice.

Would this Talo gun be something worth having?
Thanks.

 

[WisconsinKen]

I own a couple of Talos. IMHO, it is cosmetic. However, I like a cool looking gun so, for me, cosmetics count for something
Normally, the distributor guns (like Talo) are produced in lower numbers than the standard production guns. So, it would make it theoretically "rarer." However, I do not think it would add (or detract) for collector value (some may disagree, but that is just my opinion).
I like to use the closed auctions on gunbroker.com as my litmus test for gun values. Looking at the recent ones, the $795 seems like a good price. However, it never hurts to offer the $700. Even if he is insulted and doesn't take it, he'd still sell it to you for the $795. Also, pricing is regional.
Good luck.

 

[kaaskop49]

On the face of it, yes, it's worth having. Most any 625 is worth having. I say 'most' because I can't estimate the gun's value without a hands-on inspection.

I once read that the vehicles at a test-driving track looked superb on the surface, but underneath, they had been torture-tested and were no longer superb mechanically. The same could be true with this gun. Has it been fired heavily? Abused? Subjected to over-pressure handloads? Has an amateur 'kitchen-tabled' the gun and messed with its insides? Can you do a revolver inspection to check for obvious flaws? It's relatively easy to buff the surface of a stainless gun and make it look good...

Hope I've given you food for thought. I've never been good at patting people on the shoulder!

 

[TEXVET]

The first response reaffirms my thoughts on Talo guns. You take the grips off and you have a standard factory produce.

As far as the condition, the gun seems to be in good shape. The timing and lock-up are on a par with other well taken care of older Smiths. The drag line is typical for a stainless gun, especially the bead blasted finish guns.

I already have a nice 5" 625-4 that I purchased from a fellow on this website. The 625 is a little bit of a hassle when using the moon clips, but .45 Auto rim ammo solves that problem.

I am thinking of taking a run at this gun. I don't need it, but if I can get it at a good price (for me), then I will buy it. The 625 seems to be like the Model 58 in that there are groups of people who really like them.
I enjoy shooting mine and it makes capturing my spent .45 ACP brass much easier then when I shoot my 1911s.

 

[kaaskop49]

Tex, obviously you know guns! Didn't mean to lecture, but used guns can be a 'trip,' as we said back in the 60s.

You said you didn't 'need' the gun. Once saw a magazine article on the 4 reasons for retail purchases: Acquisition, Pride of Ownership (vanity), Dreams and Imagination, and way at the bottom... Need! The 625 is not a 'need' gun, but a 2nd 625 is something you gotta have! Offer him $700 in cash. Wait a minute, you do need it!

 

[TEXVET]

You guys must excuse me when it comes to knowledge about S&W revolvers. I never owned one until I took one it trade last August. That was my first mistake. Being a 1911 guy for over 43 years, I had little use for a revolver made by anyone. That first Smith changed all of that. Since last August I have bought and traded for a grand total of sixteen revolvers in various calibers. The majority are P/R models.

I think my "want" has turned into gluttony. Every time I buy one, I tell myself this is the last one, [I have run out of places to store them] then I run across something else I like.

Most guys have a spousal unit that keeps his gun buying passion under control. My wife is just the opposite, she gets excited when I bring something new home.

Ahh, let me rephrase that. She gets excited when I bring a new gun home.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Something is strange about this offering. The 625-2 variation was made for a very short time in the late 80s before the 625-3 version was introduced. I have several dash 2s which typically have roll marks on the barrel(laser etching on dash 3s) and a black ramp front sight(dash 3s are Patridge). Many of the 625-2s had bad cylinders and floating hands(soon discontinued).

Finally, I don't think Talo was even around in the late 1980s and the Standard Catalog of S&W has no mention of a Talo special.

 

[TEXVET]

Now see here is my dilemma.
I couldn't find anything on them either. I found information on other Talo S&W revolvers, but not for the 625.
The gun store owner tells me the gun has the Talo marking. I have only looked at it through the display case glass, so all I know is it is a Model 625-2. A friend went to look at it today. He tells me the gun for sale is not as nice as my 625-4. I have been told the 625-4 has some factory endurance upgrades which is designed to make the gun last longer. I am still looking into that information to see just what improvements S&W made.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Something is strange about this offering. The 625-2 variation was made for a very short time in the late 80s before the 625-3 version was introduced. I have several dash 2s which typically have roll marks on the barrel(laser etching on dash 3s) and a black ramp front sight(dash 3s are Patridge). Many of the 625-2s had bad cylinders and floating hands(soon discontinued).

Finally, I don't think Talo was even around in the late 1980s and the Standard Catalog of S&W has no mention of a Talo special.

I have to agree with most of the above. The only discrepancies would be that the rollmark (1988) or etching (1989) both appeared on 625-2's. One could then conclude that the 625-3's only used the 1989 etching.

Talo has been around since 1965 as a coop distributor. Not sure when they got into commissioning special editions, but there is usually a visual or spec difference from the standard models. I have also never known Talo to use any kind of specific mark to designate such firearms - the special features were the identifiers.

In the time period from which this originates S&W required a minimum 5000 gun run to make a special edition (not so today - not sure how many are required now, but it may number only in the hundreds).

I suspect that what your LGS has is an early model 625-2 the the "Model of 1988" rollmark on the barrel.

One last comment - in order to really appreciate moon clips, you need the right tools. With those in hand, moon clips are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Even at $750 that is a good buy. Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[TEXVET]

My friend went to look at this gun yesterday. He said the name Talo does not appear on the gun. He said their is a T with a crest/wreath looking symbol around it etched onto the side of the frame. The barrel has the "Model of 1989" on it.

I am now concerned with the integrity of the firearm. Further web searches have lead me to stories of the gun having mechanical problems. It appears few -2 guns were made before S&W upgraded to the 625-3 and later guns. I am looking for a weekend shooter, not something that might have inherent quality control/design issues.

I will probably pass on this gun. My friend says it has several dings and scratches on it. Looks like someone has used it hard.

Can anyone tell me what modifications S&W made to the 625-4 when they did the endurance upgrade?
Thanks again. I enjoy learning new things from you guys.

 

[Pizza Bob]

My friend went to look at this gun yesterday. He said the name Talo does not appear on the gun. He said their is a T with a crest/wreath looking symbol around it etched onto the side of the frame. The barrel has the "Model of 1989" on it.

I am now concerned with the integrity of the firearm. Further web searches have lead me to stories of the gun having mechanical problems. It appears few -2 guns were made before S&W upgraded to the 625-3 and later guns. I am looking for a weekend shooter, not something that might have inherent quality control/design issues.

I will probably pass on this gun. My friend says it has several dings and scratches on it. Looks like someone has used it hard.

Can anyone tell me what modifications S&W made to the 625-4 when they did the endurance upgrade?
Thanks again. I enjoy learning new things from you guys.

Basing your buying decision on Internet lore isn't always the wisest way to go. If you were going to use this gun like JM uses his 625's then maybe - only maybe - you'd encounter a problem. Any 625 is desirable and I wouldn't let anything I read on the Internet keep me from buying one. Your decision should be based on a physical examination of the gun in question.

Engineering changes were relatively minor and it is hard to tell what applies to the .45 ACP or the .45 Colt or both (referencing The SCSW). An engineering change is just that - a change - not always indicative of an upgrade.

I did write to Talo because the "T" in a wreath you described piqued my interest. PM me with your e-mail addy and I'll let you know when/if they respond.

Adios,

Pizza Bob