S&W 625 questions

[CleverNickname]

I want an IDPA ESR-legal revolver, and I really want it in .45ACP. From the research that I've done, it seems as if the S&W 625JM would be the perfect gun, except for the fact that it has the S&W integral trigger lock. I hate integral trigger locks. Apparently it's not too hard to remove the S&W lock, but then there's a hole in the side of the gun where the lock was.

So my questions are:

1. Does anyone make an aftermarket part that will fill in the hole in the frame created by removing the S&W lock?

2. Did S&W make a 4" 625 in .45ACP before they started making guns with internal locks? I can find plenty of pre-agreement 5" 625's, and some pre-agreement 4" 625's in .45LC, but no pre-agreement 4" .45ACP 625's.

3. Are there any other ESR-legal .45ACP revolvers that would be a better choice?

 

[earplug]

I have the 625 JM the lock is A none issue.
Its effect is the same as what color socks i'm using.

 

[Jim Watson]

1. I don't know of anything sold to plug the hole. Not having one to take apart to fool with, I do not know if just removing the "flag" which is said to disable the lock opens up the hole. Read at
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/9711095241?r=5991091341#5991091341

Even if it does, so what? What do you think is going to sneak in the keyhole?

Most of the inadvertent lock engagements reported have been with the light weight high power models, which a 625 is not.

I don't like the lock, either, but would not let it keep me from getting the competition gun I wanted. Defense? There are too many sound used pre lock guns on the market to have to put up with the superfluous parts.

2. Yes. You just have to find one and pay the price. (Or buy a 5" and pay to have it shortened.)

3. Not in current production. I have an old M25-2 with the barrel sawn off that does ok. There never has been a lot of choice in clipguns anyhow. A gunzine writer known for plugging Taurus products once assured me that Tarurus was going to bring out guns particularly well suited for IDPA. That was several years ago and nothing has shown up nor likely will.

 

[Stainz]

The 4" 625 was produced in limited numbers as Springfield Bi-Centennial Edition, Mountain Gun, and V-Comp up until '99 or so - re-introduced as a real catalog item 8/02 as the 625-8 - with the IL. I bought an earl one and did have to send it back after 10+k rounds - in 21 mos - the b/c gap had closed due to my dropping the cylinder/yoke in the heat of some steel plate challenges (Always check the yoke sideplate screw for tightness...). S&W shipped it both ways - repaired it - gratis, of course. Still, a guy offered me $100 over a replacement's cost - my wife and I had a nice vacation on the Gulf Coast... and I didn't replace it for seven months (A LONG time without a 625!), when the 625JM version of the 4" 625-8 came out - great bargain. I've had mine since 2/05 - probably the same number of rounds as it's predecessor, with no problems. My best-ever new S&W buy.

I have mostly lock-equipped S&W's - purchased new. Never a hint of a lock problem here. As Renee DesCartes would put it, the IL is a 'necessary evil' for S&W - permitting their anticipated sales in 50 states. You are orders of magnitude more likely to have all commercial dud rounds loaded - or to be hit by a meteorite - than to have a spontaneous lock failure. If you govern by statistics, you won't load your guns - or come out of a cave. Of course, it is ugly...

The 625JM's seem to come with an eased ejector star, for faster reloads, and a tweaked trigger, too. Add to that the spring-loaded front sight base - I changed that excellent gold bead Patridge front sight to a HiViz fiber optic in seconds - and the Miculek-style wood stocks, and you've got a great 'keepr' - for fun or competition. Note also the grooved trigger - it and the hammer are also hard-chromed - all of the mentioned goodies are over and above a stock 4" 625 - and for an MSRP only $40 more - half the cost of those stocks! Besides, for '07, it seems the standard 4" 625-8 is gone - only the JM and the 5"-er. Good luck - and keep us apprised.

Stainz

 

[SDC]

Just leave it unlocked, and (if you want) throw away the key.

 

[S&Wfan]

Yes, pre-lock 4" 625 wheelguns WERE produced back in the pre-MIM times . . . they just weren't hugely popular (in number of sales).

Back then, the 5" guns ruled the roost in wheelgun competitions . . . and still would if the stupid rules weren't changed to force .45ACP shooters to compete with 4" maximum barrels to "level" the playing field with the more common .38 and .357 wheelguns that don't load with moonclips.

Thus, you'll have to look pretty hard to find the pre-lock 4" and 3" versions. They ARE out there, and they aren't THAT rare, but you may have to wait a while to find one and pay a higher price for it than should logically be paid.

The 5" pre-locks, in the "Model of 1989" version are sweeeeet shootin' guns and, unless you compete in games with wacky rules, try a 5" gun. They are awesome . . . and pretty common too!

T.