This article on the S&W 625 accuracy has me a bit worried.

[sammy]

Well Ok folks,

I took it out today and was not all that impressed. I started with my standard 6.1g. of Unique under a 230g. Zero. The best group I managed to get was about 2-1/2" at 15 yards rested. Freehand groups were just about the same. My 200g. LSWC with 5.7g. of Universal shot 2" lower but grouped a little bit better. What makes me doubt myself were the fliers I was getting. Shooting one cylinder full it would group OK. Then another cylinder I would get 2 fliers that were about 3" low, some left, some right. These were all shot single action 6 shot groups.

I am not blaming the gun. This is the only revolver I own and this is the first day I shot it. The grips are very uncomfortable and trying to get the same grip shot after shot is tricky without finger groves. With some practice I should get them tighter.

We have a guy at my club that is a much better shot than me. He is very good with revolvers. Next time I run into him I will ask him to shoot it and see what kind of results we can get.

After switching back to the Baer made me appreciate the 1911 that much more. Damn that is a great gun.

Thanks all!!! Sammy

 

[Cop Bob]

This is discerning. It is hard for me to believe that Smith & Wesson has let quality control go that far down the tubes.. there has to be another explanation..

I have a safe full of smiths, most all have done time on the ransom rest... and all shoot pretty well. I have 5 revolvers in 45. One a 1917, another 25-2 and both shoot better than I do.. My 1950 is capable of one hole groups at 25 yds. with a 200 gr swc and 4.6 grs 700-x,

My two 25-5s in 45LC are also very accurate with the right ammo... A 4" and an old one with 6 1/2" 5 screw.. they shoot very well... I carried the 4" as a duty gun for several years with 200 gr bullet with 4756 for powder, I would have to ck my logs for the amount, but it pushed out the tube at about 1350 if memory serves... It also printed well, if it wouldn't hold close to 1 MOA I won't use it...

 

[918v]

"Accurate with the right ammo"

Yup, that's the trick. S&W's quality actually improved in some areas.

 

[sammy]

918V, what kind of loads have you found that work? I have 200g. LSWC bullets on hand and several different powders.

For the moment I am going to blame myself for the not so great groups. I am dry practicing every night and should see some improvement next weekend. I wish I had access to a ransom rest but I don't know anyone that has one.

Thanks again everyone for the help here. Sammy

 

[Jim K]

"...at 15 yards. Rested."

How were you resting the gun? Handguns in general and revolvers in particular don't like to be rested, with either the barrel or the butt coming in contact with a bench or hard rest. For accuracy, use a two-hand hold, with the wrists, not the gun, resting on sandbags.

Resting the butt of the revolver on a bench is almost a guarantee of wild groups.

Jim

 

[918v]

Sammy:

4grs of Bullseye under the SWC will work. Also, read Taffin's article on the 625. He found some decent loads as well. You should give them a try. But understand your PC 625 has a Lothar Walther barrel with different rifling. The 625-2 had broach cut deeper grooves than the button rifled LW barrel. I think this is why Ayoob couldn't get his gun to shoot.

http://www.sixguns.com/range/sw6252.htm