That's too bad about the finish. I had an identical experience with a brand new Colt 1911. Not a good feeling.
I have that gun in nickel. It's a real looker, though doesn't get shot much. I prefer the 25 to the 27 or 29 due to the thinner barrel. Just a bit better balanced IMO.
Why S&W won't bring out the classic line 25 in 45ACP is beyond me. I have a 25-2 that is a real pleasure to shoot. I'm not as enamoured with the 45 Colt, as I find those heavy cases do not obturate all that well.
Didn't like the factory grips on my new 25 either. Slim in the wrong places. I shoot 1 handed and I swear by VZ grips. Slim, grippy, and with a palm swell in just the right place. I won't use ought else.
I keep nagging them to make conversions for round butt guns. Their round butt grips on an N frame are ridiculously small...