Thinking of buying an S&W 25-2 Model 1955 - UPDATE WITH PHOTOS!!

[Flyin Brian]

I've got quite a few nice Semi-Autos (1911s and SIG 226s) but have never owned a revolver. Today I was killing time and stopped in a store and saw a beautiful Smith & Wesson that just spoke to me!! It looks to be unfired and not a scratch anywhere. On the right side of the barrel it says "Model 1955" and in the crane it has 25-2 with some other (serial?) numbers.

I looked at the tag and it said "45LC" which I assumed is 45 Long Colt. I asked the clerk if 45LC has a rim since I am unfamiliar with it and he proceeded to tell me it doesn't... he was mixed up and finally we got things straight. The boss comes over and says the pistol is a 45LC but I can shoot 45ACP in it if I use moonclips.

So they pulled out a wooden box and showed me the accessories and there are 2 half-moon clips there from the factory. So now I get home and start researching and I am seeing this model as chambered in 45ACP with no mention of 45LC so that is my main question, is this capable of shooting 45 Long Colt?

Can anyone tell me any details on a 25-2 and what they are worth in super nice condition? It's the 6" barrel version, original wood grips.

PHOTOS:









Beautiful grips:


Doesn't look like it has been shot after leaving the factory:

[ckprax]

The model 25 is a little different because it comes in both 45LC and 45ACP. I am not sure if you can shoot 45ACP in the LC cylinder

[pyromensch]

would be nice to have, but i wouldn't want to shoot acp in it, big jump to the chamber shoulder.

[shooting4life]

25-2 is 45 acp only. They made a very few with both 45 acp and 45 colt cylinders. If this has 2 cylinder then snatch it up right quick as it is worth over 2k. The 25 series came in both 45 acp and 45 colt. 25-3 25-5 and 25-7 all came as 45 colt. 25-2 always came as 45 acp. If the one you are looking at is in great shape with factory grips and comes with the factory box and wood presentation case it would be worth near $900.
If you don't buy it let me know where it is.

[Flyin Brian]

Thank you S4L, that's what I needed to know. It does not have 2 cylinders, I believe it was just a case of the clerk being mixed up a bit. It is in absolutely FLAWLESS condition and I truly believe it is unfired since leaving the factory, or fired very little. I did confirm it is a 25-2 so it must be 45ACP which is good since I already load for my 1911s. I will check closer on Monday when I stop by there.

[westcoast362]

They are very nice to shoot.

[shooting4life]

Also check to see if the barrel is dated model of 1950 instead of 55. These were a factory marking error and are worth a slight premium.

[dfletcher]

I've got quite a few nice Semi-Autos (1911s and SIG 226s) but have never owned a revolver. Today I was killing time and stopped in a store and saw a beautiful Smith & Wesson that just spoke to me!! It looks to be unfired and not a scratch anywhere. On the right side of the barrel it says "Model 1955" and in the crane it has 25-2 with some other (serial?) numbers.

I looked at the tag and it said "45LC" which I assumed is 45 Long Colt. I asked the clerk if 45LC has a rim since I am unfamiliar with it and he proceeded to tell me it doesn't... he was mixed up and finally we got things straight. The boss comes over and says the pistol is a 45LC but I can shoot 45ACP in it if I use moonclips.

So they pulled out a wooden box and showed me the accessories and there are 2 half-moon clips there from the factory. So now I get home and start researching and I am seeing this model as chambered in 45ACP with no mention of 45LC so that is my main question, is this capable of shooting 45 Long Colt?

Can anyone tell me any details on a 25-2 and what they are worth in super nice condition? It's the 6" barrel version, original wood grips.

The Model 25-2 uses 45 ACP and 45 Auto Rim cartridges only, the Model 25-5 uses 45 Colt. They're not interchangeable and you can't shoot ACP/AR in a 45 Colt version . The older Model 25-2 was had with a 6.5" bbl but after (about) 1980 they went to a 6" bbl.

Outside CA these go for about $650.00 I'd say. Inside CA, they're harder to find and I'd guess as high as $800.00 in excellent condition.

I've had a few (made a mistake reloading and am looking for a replacement) and they have always been very accurate and easy to shoot. I'm in NorCal, if you're not interested in picking it up and would consider PM'ing the store I'd appreciate it.

[wamphyri13]

Does it look like this?
25-2

25-5

Ryan

[kurac]

It may not be there on Monday, I wouldn't wait that long.

[Flyin Brian]

Well I know this is an old thread but I put this revolver on layaway and I just finally got it all worked out on the sale. You guys were absolutely correct, this is 45ACP or 45 Autorim only, not 45 Colt. I put it on layaway in January and I almost had it paid off but I still hadn't met with the owner of the shop to figure out the deal with the caliber mixup.

So after dropping in a few more times I finally found the owner of the store this week and he agreed to drop the price by an additional $100 so I did the paperwork. I will be picking it up next weekend hopefully, and then I will post up some pics. Thanks for the help guys.

[Flyin Brian]

Photos added:

[redcliff]

Great revolver, congratulations. Hard to find in that condition and with case in California.

That looks like a 6.5 " barrel to me, not a 6", I have both lengths in 25-2's which I purchased in the late 70's and early 80's.

Some of the 25-2's have over-bored throats on the cylinder measuring approximately .455-.457 instead of the proper .451-452 diameter. If yours is over-bored you'll need to experiment a bit to find a .45acp cartridge it likes for maximum accuracy.

[Flyin Brian]

Great revolver, congratulations. Hard to find in that condition and with case in California.

That looks like a 6.5 " barrel to me, not a 6", I have both lengths in 25-2's which I purchased in the late 70's and early 80's.

Some of the 25-2's have over-bored throats on the cylinder measuring approximately .455-.457 instead of the proper .451-452 diameter. If yours is over-bored you'll need to experiment a bit to find a .45acp cartridge it likes for maximum accuracy.

Thanks Redcliff, yes I was incorrect in the OP when I said it had a 6" barrel. I was surprised to find the warranty card and specification sheet under the tray in the presentation box and it said 6.5" barrel.

I have heard of people taking a lead boolit and dropping it in each cylinder bore to check the throat sizes... I have some Hornady lead .45 boolits that I will try that with and check it out. I hope to shoot it either today or tomorrow

[shooting4life]

If it has oversized throats your best option would be to either shoot jacketed or get slightly oversized lead bullets to match your throat. Some of the smaller bullet makers will size on the larger side for you for no additional charge.