I saw one today in the store that's unfired with the box and al original papers for 1100 bucks. Thoughts on price? The gun is as new, flawless looking but I'd shoot it. Can it shoot .45 ACP with clips?

Looking at a Gunbroker listing  http://www.gunbroker.com/item/587251570

the price is right for the 8-3/8" model, but looking at the pic of the cylinder swung out, it doesn't look like it will handle .45acp in moon clips as there isn't enough clearance, and the cylinder is not recessed.

 

Oh well ...

You could potentially have the cylinder machined to accept clips or you could potentially shoot 45ar in it.  

 

Or, just buy 45Colt dies and have at it.  That and 100 pieces of brass.  Bullets, primers and, most likely, powder should carry over.

 

I missed a scoped one 2 years ago for 550.  Shoulda bought it but didn't want another caliber at the time.  Good luck with your choice.

OK, hears the straight poop on 25-5's. Price seems high and may be way too high dependent on your findings, relevant to below. If all is OK, would expect more in the range of $800 to $950. Long barreled Smiths are the least desirable for some reason.

 

Here is the major problem with 25-5's. The early guns used pre-war dimensions for the cylinder throats and post-war dimensions on the barrel. Rule of thumb is that if the barrel isn't pinned you are probably OK. However, I'd check the throats whether it has a pinned barrel or not, especially if you intend this to be a shooter. Easily done - simply take a .452" bullet with you (just a bullet - not a cartridge) and attempt to drop it into all six chambers from the front of the cylinder. If it drops through easily, especially if it has room to spare - run away. If there is some resistance you are probably OK. A vernier is really not the tool to use to measure the throats - a pin gauge will give you the most accurate measurement.

 

I had an early gun (4") and it patterned like a shotgun at ten yards, with most bullets going through the target sideways. My throats ranged from .458" to .460".  At the time, Smith only had cylinders made to the old dimensions, but the CS rep measured cylinders on hand and fit my gun with a cylinder with the smallest dimensioned throats he could find. I also had the forcing cone cut to 11 degrees and used .454" 250 gr LSWC's from Albert's/Taurus (which probably pre-date many of you on here). It shot - not great, but it shot. It was stolen around 1987 and it is the one gun I won't miss.

 

If the gun you are considering does have big throats, all may not be lost. Smith is now making a Model 25 Classic in .45 Colt, so they may have cylinders with the correct size throats as a service part. You would have to inquire if the current cylinders will fit the 25-5 and if so, are they willing to make the swap.

 

As to ammunition compatibility - in its current state, it will only chamber and shoot .45 Colt. However, you can send the cylinder to TK Custom or Pinnacle and they will machine the cylinder to accept moon clips. They leave a shoulder around the outside of the rear face of the cylinder so that rimmed .45 Colt ammunition can still be loaded and shot without clips. You will also be able to shoot both .45 ACP and .45 Colt in moon clips. .45 Auto Rim is a no-go regardless whether the cylinder is machined or not.

 

Now you know the rest of the 25-5 story.

 

Here's my Model 25-13 Mountain Gun, chambered in .45 Colt and machined (by TK Custom) for moon clips with .45 ACP or Colt. That's a Burris Fast Fire III on an Allchin mount.

 

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Thanks for the details. I'm going to pass on it. This was a NJ moment in FL. It looked cool and since I'm not limited by permits and OGAM sometimes I just impulse buy. It looked but it wasn't for me. He also had an early unfired 586 in stainless that looked cool with box, etc for 700. Not sure though. I'm just going to have to adjust to freedom and slow down

He also had an early unfired 586 in stainless that looked cool with box, etc for 700. 

 

If it was a 586 it wasn't stainless - that would be a 686. 586's were blue or nickel. If it was highly polished it was probably a nickel gun. If it was matte and resembled stainless it was probably an aftermarket refinish. Blue or nickel $700 is a stretch but not ridiculous. Aftermarket finish you should be looking around $500 depending on the quality of the work.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

I'm sorry I meant nickel.