Has or does S&W make a 4" 625 .45ACP, other than the 625JM? I'd prefer a 4" (rather than 5") 625, but their website indicates that at least currently, only the JM version comes in 4". For a number of reasons, I'm really not interested in the 625JM.
S&w 4" 625?
- Thread starter MrBorland
- Start date
- Status
Stainz
Member
They started selling the 4" 625-8 8/02 and seem to have dropped it fairly recently. Why do you not want a 625JM? It's MSRP is up now - but still only $40 over the standard 5"-er, which was the same price as the 4"-er. If it's the Miculek stocks, even if you use them for firewood, you'll only be out $20 for some 'stock' OEM-style Hogues - or go up to the recoil absorbing .500 Magnum Hogues for $35 (S&W Access.). You'll still have hard chromed hammer & trigger - and a spring loaded gold bead Patridge front sight... you can change that to a HiViz f.o. sight, etc, in seconds. Everyone I have seen has had an eased ejector star and the semblance of a trigger job - a true bargain. If it's that laser-etched 'JM' on the sideplate, it'll come off...
If you end up with an excess Miculek stock, I have a need for one... and a stash of OEM Hogue rubber monogrips!
Stainz
PS That easily changed front sight is nice!
If you end up with an excess Miculek stock, I have a need for one... and a stash of OEM Hogue rubber monogrips!
Stainz
PS That easily changed front sight is nice!
Thanks for the info, Stainz. Yeah, part of my thing with the JM version is the "JM" all over the gun. It's kinda like NASCAR stickers on my car - I just prefer not to have them there, though as you point out, I could replace the grip and sideplate with plain versions. I do like and already use Miculek grips, and I didn't even think about replacing the plate!
The rest of my hesitation has to do with the other extras, including the hammer/trigger. At least one well-respected revolver gunsmith seems to be lukewarm about the whole package, particularly if one will have an action job done on it anyway. I pasted the link and article below. I'd be interested in hearing what others think, too - of the 625JM and Cunningham's take on it.
From Cunningham's blog (http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/category-6.html)
The Model 625 dilemma
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Filed in: Permalink
So, you're in the market for a S&W 625, and you're torn between the "standard" 625 and the Jerry Miculek edition 625. Which to choose?
Well, you have to decide whether the "niceties" - such as the Miculek grips, interchangeable front sights, and the serrated trigger - are worth the extra money. There are some internal differences, though, which you may want to consider.
The Miculek edition is a little unusual, in that it uses a mix of MIM (metal injection molding) and forged parts. As you may know, S&W has been using MIM technology for several years now, and overall it's been a successful transition. However, in order to get the serrated trigger that Jerry specifies, they decided that to use one of their "old fashioned" forged parts.
There are a couple of problems with this. First, the interface of the forged trigger and MIM cylinder stop makes the trigger feel a bit rough at the very beginning of the trigger stroke - and it's difficult to get rid of this feeling. Second, the MIM hammer is given a flash chrome treatment to match the chromed finish of the trigger. Unfortunately, chrome applied to an MIM part doesn't seem to stick as well as it does to a forged part, and I've seen several where the chrome started flaking from the sear surfaces! As you might imagine, this makes the action quality degrade quickly, and the problem can only be fixed by replacing the hammer assembly with a non-chromed version, as comes on the "plain" 625.
Of the 625JM models I've worked on, all of them came in with a request to remove the trigger face serrations - one of the major features that Jerry insists on! It seems that serrated triggers, as much as he likes them, do not fit well with everyone.
Once the hammer has been replaced and the trigger face smoothed, you're left with the JM grips and an interchangeable front sight - and the grips are widely available as an accessory. I guess the whole thing boils down to this: how important are those interchangeable front sights?
To a person, every one of the JM model owners I've talked with said that if they knew ahead of time that they were going to put in the money for custom work anyhow, they'd have bought the "plain" 625 and saved themselves a few dollars. I agree!
The rest of my hesitation has to do with the other extras, including the hammer/trigger. At least one well-respected revolver gunsmith seems to be lukewarm about the whole package, particularly if one will have an action job done on it anyway. I pasted the link and article below. I'd be interested in hearing what others think, too - of the 625JM and Cunningham's take on it.
From Cunningham's blog (http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/category-6.html)
The Model 625 dilemma
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Filed in: Permalink
So, you're in the market for a S&W 625, and you're torn between the "standard" 625 and the Jerry Miculek edition 625. Which to choose?
Well, you have to decide whether the "niceties" - such as the Miculek grips, interchangeable front sights, and the serrated trigger - are worth the extra money. There are some internal differences, though, which you may want to consider.
The Miculek edition is a little unusual, in that it uses a mix of MIM (metal injection molding) and forged parts. As you may know, S&W has been using MIM technology for several years now, and overall it's been a successful transition. However, in order to get the serrated trigger that Jerry specifies, they decided that to use one of their "old fashioned" forged parts.
There are a couple of problems with this. First, the interface of the forged trigger and MIM cylinder stop makes the trigger feel a bit rough at the very beginning of the trigger stroke - and it's difficult to get rid of this feeling. Second, the MIM hammer is given a flash chrome treatment to match the chromed finish of the trigger. Unfortunately, chrome applied to an MIM part doesn't seem to stick as well as it does to a forged part, and I've seen several where the chrome started flaking from the sear surfaces! As you might imagine, this makes the action quality degrade quickly, and the problem can only be fixed by replacing the hammer assembly with a non-chromed version, as comes on the "plain" 625.
Of the 625JM models I've worked on, all of them came in with a request to remove the trigger face serrations - one of the major features that Jerry insists on! It seems that serrated triggers, as much as he likes them, do not fit well with everyone.
Once the hammer has been replaced and the trigger face smoothed, you're left with the JM grips and an interchangeable front sight - and the grips are widely available as an accessory. I guess the whole thing boils down to this: how important are those interchangeable front sights?
To a person, every one of the JM model owners I've talked with said that if they knew ahead of time that they were going to put in the money for custom work anyhow, they'd have bought the "plain" 625 and saved themselves a few dollars. I agree!
GrandmasterB
Member
Search around for a used one. They are out there. I've had mine for a few years and am very pleased with it.
Richard
Member
This is my 4" S&W M625 Springfield Commemorative with Altamont grips. There were 500 made and no, it is not for sale. Regards, Richard
Stainz
Member
I guess my 625JM was a mistake... an anomaly. It's less than a week shy of 27 months old - and probably has launched 6k-7k - maybe a lot more - total ACP's and AR's. It has improved, action-wise. It is slick in it's action - second now in my possession only to my JM PC627 V-Comp - both with my Federal-primed homebrews. I did use some emery cloth to dehorn the edges of the chromed trigger - as the other JM owners I know - after cleaning my blood from said grooves. The hammer shows some streaking on the sides - from rubbing - but it's chrome is still 100%. I am capable of re-springing my revolvers myself, so no additional 'work' was needed. Mine, and one bought new last fall, felt as though they had had trigger jobs - and both came with eased ejector stars to 'enhance' speed loading. My pusher charged me $589 for ordering mine - his in-stock 4" & 5" were $579. I still maintain it is a steal.
You don't have to 'replace' the sideplate or stocks - a decent metal polish will make short work of the laser-etched 'JM' on the sideplate - some UF ScotchBrite will closely match the satin finish of the remainder of the revolver. Of course, you can easily remove the 'JM' in the stock - just some sandpaper and a little finish needed there. My wife simply states that it stands for 'John's Money'.
John (aka 'Stainz')
You don't have to 'replace' the sideplate or stocks - a decent metal polish will make short work of the laser-etched 'JM' on the sideplate - some UF ScotchBrite will closely match the satin finish of the remainder of the revolver. Of course, you can easily remove the 'JM' in the stock - just some sandpaper and a little finish needed there. My wife simply states that it stands for 'John's Money'.
John (aka 'Stainz')
Richard,
I purchased one of those Springeild commemoratives myself--back in 1995. At a retail shop. Mines stays loaded only with Buffalo Bore +P ammo and has been shot quite a bit. It is currrently wearing CT lazer grips.
It might be noted that S&W made a coupule runs of this same gun in thier Mt. Gun version.
I purchased one of those Springeild commemoratives myself--back in 1995. At a retail shop. Mines stays loaded only with Buffalo Bore +P ammo and has been shot quite a bit. It is currrently wearing CT lazer grips.
It might be noted that S&W made a coupule runs of this same gun in thier Mt. Gun version.
mainmech48
Member
My local dealer has had one in excellent condition in his display case for several months. There are two at the 'big' dealer twenty-odd miles down the road. There're nice used ones out there, at least in my neck-of-the-woods.
Don't like the Jerry Special? Tastes vary. Hit the shows and put the word out in the local shops and you'll likely find a standard run 4" for sale.
If you're looking for a fine defensive tool and can do without the stainless and adjustable sights you could order a new M 22-4. 4" barrel, square butt, .45 ACP.
Don't like the Jerry Special? Tastes vary. Hit the shows and put the word out in the local shops and you'll likely find a standard run 4" for sale.
If you're looking for a fine defensive tool and can do without the stainless and adjustable sights you could order a new M 22-4. 4" barrel, square butt, .45 ACP.
- Status