S&W 625 Advice Sought

[Chuck Perry]

My goal this year is to become a half-decent revolver shooter, good enough to qualify on our annual 60 round re-qual. Most all of my handgun shooting is done with single action autos, so I will definitely need to do some double action practice to get there. To this end, I am looking at purchasing a Smith 625. I am undecided on the 4" or 5" bbl lengths; going to have to find some local and see if there is any difference in balance on the two for me. I see that there are several varities of 625's out in the market. Looking at all the models out there, I guess I am limited to either a standard 625 or the JM. The JM seems nice, but I'd replace the gold bead front with a fiber, and would probably swap the grips out for Ahrends too. So, knowing all that, does the JM model still have anything to offer me over getting a standard model and a good trigger job? I hate that enormous engraved "JM" on the sideplate, but I guess I could live with it if the gun performs.
On another note, is anyone aware of a decent duty holster for the 625's? The best I can find right now is Don Hume. However, they only offer a Level One retention, which does not give me a warm and fuzzy.

 

[Bill B.]

I personally own a straight 625 4" and find it one of the most accurate .45's I have ever shot. It is a bit easier for general carry than the 5" but if you are planning on shooting in competition the 5" may offer a bit faster recovery. I do like the gold bead sight and have this same setup on a 627 PC. The action on my stock 625 is also as good as the one on my 627 Performance Center revolver. I also don't care for the JM on the sideplate or the grips. If I could shoot one like Jerry I guess I could get used to putting up with them! I also prefer the Ahrends grips. Can't help on a duty holster as I use a older S&W made holster for a 4" N frame for mine for general carry. I think Dillion sells a high end Kydex holster that most use for competition. You should be able to locate either in the Blue Press or on their website.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have a 5" Model 625. I usually don't like guns with full underlugs but something is different about this one. It feels really good and is by far the most accurate handgun I own or have ever fired.

Get the RIMZ plastic full moon clips from Beckham designs for range work. They're much easier to load and unload than steel clips.

Gratuitous M625 pic:

 

[Just Jim]

In my opinion you would be better served with a model 18 Smith 22 lr to practice double action stuff. It may seem exspensive to you but in the long run you would save huge amounts of money by learning with a 22lr. Enough saveings to buy a 625.

Learning to stroke the trigger on a DA revolver takes alot of practice especialy since you have to concentrate on the front site to keep it on target. Since ammo is so exspensive for center fire cartridges it may take alot of ammo to get really good.

Just my opinion.

jj

 

[Dave Markowitz]

This seemed appropriate here

Never mind, wrong thread.

 

[Round Gun Shooter]

I have shot 625s extensively. The difference between the JM Model and the 625 (other than price) are the following:

The grips-You don't like them
Front sight-You don't like that
Serrated trigger-You need to see the difference
the JM on the side plate.

With the two features you do not want out od\f the picture, the difference in price is not worth it for a serrated trigger.

Send mark at Pinnacle an e mail. He should be close enough to you to give you advise and then do the action work you will no doubt want completed. Front sight on the standard model is pinned so you will need him or someone to do the fiber optic install.



This was a 4" JM but is now a 6" I use for USPSA.

 

[KurtC]

Over the last 20 years I have qualified with the 625 is 3, 4 and 5 inch barrel lengths. The 3" is fasted out of the leather, but the short sight radius open it up your groups from the 25m line. The 5" is easiest to shoot, but is slow on the draw.

I found the 4" as the best compromise, and you should be able to find duty leather for a 4" frame from either Bianch or Safariland.

As for the 625, the PC models are the slickest, but any -3, -4 or -6 will work nicely with a little tuning. With the -6 you can install slightly lighter springs, since you can make up for it with an extended internal firing pin.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Great replys all! What PC models are out there that I should watch for? I have seen the V-Comp's (very cool!). Smith has a PC model on their website right now that, best I can tell, the only "upgrade" is a hammer mounted firing pin. Are there any others out there that I should watch for on the used market? Wish they made one that looks like the 627PC, those are awesome looking revolvers.

 

[MrBorland]

Does it have to be a 625? The PC also has the 325 Thunder Ranch which looks to have a bunch of goodies. Check out the link below. There's also a vid on Youtube (search "defensive revolver") in which Clint Smith reviews the 325TR. As far as the 625JM, don't have one myself, but Grant Cunningham wrote a bit about it if it helps.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15714&isFirearm=Y

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/e8b998dd63b440b469dd8c5d4d262aed-150.html

 

[KurtC]

The S&W Performance Center made a 4.25" and 5.25" model with half lug barrels that had a shorter cylinder, so there would be less freebore. These are easily indentified because you can clearly see that the barrels are milled down from full lugs to half lugs.

 

[Chuck Perry]

And now I have discovered the 325PD with 4" bbl. I may have just found my gun. I had a 329PD (never should have sold it) so I am familiar with the overall handling of the 4" scandium revolver. I have to give some thought to whether I really want the extra weight of the stainless 625 or not. The 329 was a bear with full loads, but 44 Specials were fun and accurate. I don't see how the 45ACP version should be any different than the Specials were.

 

[BlindJustice]

THe current offering 625 PC with 5.25" Bbl. len. does not have the
full underlug. as well as Traditional Old School pin sear, and a forged hammer and forged trigger. It weighs 42 oz

I have the 625 5" Bbl. Len. and with the full underlug it is 45 oz.
It has a Master Revolver Action job from the S&W Performance Center $ 125
this includes:
* Trigger Stop
* Chamfer CHarge Holes
* Polish Rebound spring, Hammer Stud Boss, and Yoke Barrel Bosses
* Detail lockwork surfaces
* Stone Hammer and Trigger contact surfaces

Oh, it's also got the Guy Hogue full size, finger grooves & checkered grips
in ROsewood.

I practice DA shooting with a S&W 617 6" Bbl. Len. it's close to
the same balance and sight radius and cheaper to shoot
as well.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Blindjustice, sounds like a beautiful piece!

 

[Citroen]

Round Gun - is that a 25-2 barrel on the 625? Reason I ask is I want to put a 3 inch barrel from a 625 on my 25-2 and want to know with certainty that the two interchange.
Thanks,
John