Saturday I bought a S&W 25-5 in 45 Colt at a gun show. The gun appears to be in excellent condition, target stocks, hammer, and grip. It has the red front/white rear sights and a six-inch barrel. I paid $385 plus tax. This seemed to me to be a pretty good deal. What do you think?

Crosscut - I'd say that was a fair price for the piece in shows here in the SW. May be even better deal in some other areas.

I collect S&W large frame revolvers and my favorite for general shooting is a 25-5. Mine's not the most accurate piece, but you have lots of flexibility in reloading to different levels and it's just plain fun to shoot. The more modern steels in the -5's are up to heavier loads than what is usually listed in the manuals, but don't try to make a .44 Mag out of it.

Carry mine crossdraw on my place in NM and have dispatched several curious coyotes that way.

Enjoy the gun and don't worry now about what you paid, just shoot!

I'd have been tempted at that price, for sure.... doesn't sound bad at all. The S&W collectors would have the final say, but I can't imagine paying less for one.

Anyway.... nice revolvers, don't get carried away with your loads. There is plenty of debate on how strong they are, but Brian Pierce published a Handloader article saying to keep them below the Ruger loads. I've shot one, once, and even loads that are 'mild' in a Ruger, have fairly substantial recoil in the Smith. So that alone ought to discourage hot-rodding.

A 255gr. SWC or the RCBS 270 SAA ought to be plenty at about 1,000fps. Marshall has a new 280gr. WFNGC that ought to be a dandy in that gun.

Congrats, hope you enjoy it.

Sounds like a fair purchase to me. I have used the "new" M25-5 ever since they surfaced in like 1980 and have always been pleased. Used to shoot the wheel gun in bowling pin matches, and the .45 Colt ate the .357 shooters alive. Found that a heavy bullet was the ticket, and never did really heat up my hand loads. I still have that M-25. so it must be something good.

Larry

I have a 625 (Mountain Gun version of the 25) that I think is quite the berries.

I don't think you got burned at all. You got a great gun at a fair price. Enjoy it.

If you ever get around to reading John Linebaughs articles on the 45 Colt, you will find that he seems to consider the 25-5's as the ultimate packing pistol...this from an excellent smith that makes custom five shooters.

No need to hot rod it, the .45Colt will make a hole on both sides of most critters, and do it comfortably.

Scotty

Coldfinfers,
Where could Mr. Linebaughs articles be found? I'm not loading for the 45 LC yet but the dies are on order.

Crosscut,

Here is a link to his site.

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/Default.htm

All of the articles in his "Gunnotes" section will have usefull information for you but most of it is tailored to the stronger Ruger actions.

The last few paragraphs of "Heavy bullets Part II" are specifically about the Smith 25 and I suggest paying close attention.

Enjoy,

Scotty

Excellent articles, Coldfingers! These are keepers.