While at a LGS I looked at a circa-1980 S&W 25 (45LC). Very nice condition, very close to mint, no turn lines, 5" barrel, pinned but not recessed (which I thought was interesting). It included a certification letter from S&W documenting the original order specifying which sights, etc. What would a reasonable ball park value for such a revolver be?

Iv'e never seen a 5" before, but if it has the box and tools it would be expensive. Nice 6" are starting to get up near $1000 if in the described condition. Probably should get it if you can, prices are very different in different parts of the country. Have had my 6" for a while, a lot fun to take to the range. You will enjoy it.

45s were not recessed, only magnums were.

$900-1200. Upper of range if it is in excellent condition and has the original box or a presentation box and tools.

While the box and tools are important. The condition of the revolver is every thing. Condition, condition, condition
Hasbeen

Of course condition is important. But, original or presentation box adds $100-150 to the value of a S&W revolver in at least "good" to "very good"condition..

Yep. And a 5” barrel is RARE. I’d give $1000 for it in a heartbeat, box or no box. But I prefer the 5” version, and I also prefer the 45 Colt over the 45 acp too.

If it’s as clean as you say, I’d bet it would easily bring $1200 on Gunbroker if the right two bidders got into a little bidding war. Maybe more.

I would not buy it without dropping some pin gauges in the cylinders. That period had oversized throats. If so, you may not be happy with accuracy (or leading).

My 6" 25-5 above has the dreaded oversize cylinder throats. It's not as accurate as my Ruger flat top convertible. I've still used it for bowling pin shoots and with a Hornady 255 FP swaged bullet over Unique and it is minute of bowling pin, for sure. Hard cast or jacketed will open up the groups a bit. But it's a fun load to shoot and with that knowledge I would buy it. 5" barrels are kind of rare in that model, I agree with Chlinstructor above. Besides a new revolver makes you feel better.

Personally, I would be willing to pay $1,000+ for that revolver. If, that is, I didn't already have one.

RS

Yep. The cylinder throats issue wouldn’t bother me at all.
I’ve got a couple of Ruger Blackhawks with the same issue. And they will still shoot 5-shot sub 2” groups at 25 yards off a sandbag with cast bullet hand loads. And kill deer and hogs graveyard dead every time. 🤠

I'm of two minds on older revolvers like that. On the one hand, I'd like one like that that's in really good condition. On the other hand, it's been sitting in a box or safe all these years and has no "history". Of course, if it had "history", it wouldn't be in as good condition.

I used to have an early 1980s Model 57. It also has a pinned barrel but un-recessed chambers. In the early 1980s they were transitioning away from pinned and recessed. They used up their old stock of recessed cylinders before they ran out of their old stock of pinned barrels on certain models.

A couple of questions Mr. Howard....what exactly does the S&W letter say as to the shipped barrel length...does it say it was a 5"? The reason I ask is that 25-5s of that era only came in 4", 6" and 8 3/8". If this is a factory documented 5" with a supporting S&W letter most any serious S&W collector would give north of $2K for that gun. A picture would help... A lot of times people say that a S&W barrel is 5" long but have measured from the front of the frame instead from the muzzle to the end of the cylinder...


Also is there a presentation case or original factory box with the label on it?


Bob

i have a couple of model 25 smiths in 45colt. one is a four inch, the other is a 8 3/8. the long tube one you could drop a bullet through the cylinders. just from memory i think they were like .454 or .455. my mould will cast out of the mould to about that diameter, so i have never had any trouble with it.
I know a 270grain from a slovienian mould casts to about 282grains, and with that long tube it throws it pretty fast.
a cast hollow point recovered after going through about a four inch phone book measured above .9 in diameter.

Bob, I do not remember everything the letter documented since I only glanced at it. I do specifically remember it mentioning the sights which were specified in the original order. Also, I'm pretty sure I remember it being a 25-2 or 25-3. It does have a wooden box but I did not look inside the box to see what all was inside.

I understand you have a better chance of good throats in a non pined barrel. I have a 4 in 25-5 made in 1980 with large throats and pinned barrel. I has the 3 T’s and is the newest looking handgun I own.
I bought it from a guy who got it in an estate sale. No box. I’ve never shot it and don’t plan on doing so. I’ve got a non fluted 25-9 that I shoot. Hasbeen

If it's a 25-2 or a 25-3, I think it would be 45 ACP, not 45 Colt.

If the price as you describe the condition were anywhere less than $1k, I would grab it in a heartbeat......

I just called them and asked for a confirmation. Instead of the 45LC it is indeed a 45ACP

Must be a 25-3 or 25-4? Short cylinder.

Pinned barrel stopped in 1982

That makes a little more sense...

It should be a 25-2 with a 6" barrel if it was made after 1979....they were 6.5" before that time. Unless it is a factory custom it isn't going to have a 5" barrel. 25-3s were .45 Colt caliber but had a .45 ACP length cylinder. The -3 and -4 were the only .45 Colt chambered 25s that could also be fitted with a .45 ACP extra cylinder.

The 25-5 is .45 Colt and has the same length cylinder as the .41 and .44 Magnum.

A 6" 25-2 in excellent condition with the original Target grips, presentation case and accessories has been bringing $900+- on the auction sites the last I looked...

Here is a nice one...sold for only $800...

Sellers ask big money but they just sit there for months...

...another nice one with the same staring price as the one that sold...

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/839660418

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Everything RJM said fits right in with my experience. Here are a couple pics of my 1977 25-2 .45 cap. Pinned 6.5" barrel and It has the original Goncalvo Alves target grips, wide spur target hammer and target trigger.

Mucho-nice, Brother. Got a 6" 25-2 with Pachmayrs...I shoot it a lot, usually after my regular practice, for fun.
Bob