S&W 625 older vs new

It's not clear to me if you're looking for a revolver chambered in .45 ACP or .45 Colt. If you want a .45 ACP, I'd be looking for a vintage Model 25 (1955 Target). Hard to beat the finish and workmanship on these older, classic Smith & Wesson revolvers.

The older ones are better. BUT the original Model of 1988 625-2 models had very tight chambers. VERY tight. I had to run a finish reamer through mine because after 2 or 3 clips extraction became tough. It would not tolerate any fouling. That became a real problem at matches - you had to run a brush through the chambers about every other stage. But the Model of 1988 625-2s are the most accurate S&W revolvers I have ever seen. Out of a Ransom Rest mine will put 6 rounds in one hole at 18 yards. I will never ever be able to hold it that steady. I have a Model 57 from the 1970s that is almost that good but the 625-2 is just amazing. Hitting bowling pins at 100 yards is too easy. Everyone who shoots it begs me to sell it to them.

Tallball and I share an affinity for the ACP revolver. Here are some of mine.

Included in the photo (bottom row, right) is the M28-2 I converted to 45ACP in the early 80s. It is also pictured with a 625-6 Mountain Gun which is nearly a stainless steel copy.

I have several variations of frame mounted pins and hammer mounted pins. All can be tuned for a smooth pull.

As for saving a few dollars, anything you save will be well spent on ammo. Chose what you like. Obviously, I like 4” tapered barrels, Magna stocks and grip adapters. Some prefer target stocks, checked or plain. Some of my revolvers have a skinny grooves trigger, others a wider smooth one. My preference is smooth but they all work.

Kevin

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It's not clear to me if you're looking for a revolver chambered in .45 ACP or .45 Colt.
You didn't think that it was clear enough in the OP by including:
Leaning towards the JM
FWIW, locks don't bother me, MIM parts don't bother me
There is no JM 625 chambered in .45 Colt and none of that chambering were equipped with locks or MIM parts

"Leaning" (toward the JM configuration) isn't the same as being committed to a choice and the S&W Model 625 (the revolver model, sans "JM" designation, headlining the op's thread) is available in either .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I only suggested looking at a Model 25 (also made in either in .45 ACP or .45 Colt) and made no reference to MIM parts or locks because, like the op, it matters little to me either. So, no, it wasn't "clear to me" as to what exactly he is after in terms of the cartridge or the specific configuration he wants and I was only suggesting another option.

Rodentman said:

I had an issue with the cylinder on my newer 625. One chamber consistent would bind on releasing the brass. S&W promptly replaced the cylinder and I have had no issue since. I have the JM but changed the grips, which I suppose rather defeats the point, but that's what I did.

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One of the things that has held me back from buying a current production 625 is the grips and engraving on the 625JM. I admire Jerry and love to watch videos of him shooting, but I don't want someone else's name on my gun.

ClemY said:

Jerry may like grooved triggers, but the ridges on mine were very sharp. I sanded down the grooved surface and it now works fine for me.

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I find the factory serrations to be sharp and uncomfortable in DA, but I do like some "traction." Mine has the serrations dulled but not ground smooth except at the edges. But I'm not a Grand Master shooter, either.

mdauben said:

One of the things that has held me back from buying a current production 625 is the grips and engraving on the 625JM. I admire Jerry and love to watch videos of him shooting, but I don't want someone else's name on my gun.

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I don't, either, but it would not keep me from buying a gun I otherwise liked. Grips are interchangeable with a lot of choices.

Jim Watson said:

I don't, either, but it would not keep me from buying a gun I otherwise liked. Grips are interchangeable with a lot of choices.

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Yeah, I know I can swap the grips if I want, although that adds another $50+ to the cost for a nice set of S&W target grips. If it actually come down to go time, I'd probably suck it up and buy the gun. There's so many guns on my "to buy" list that don't have the poor grips or unwanted engraving that I usually just buy something else.