[horse gunner]

Looking to buy a second hand S&W S625 at the local Gun shop. Like new in the box. 800 CDN too much? Any good reports on them?I like the idea I can shoot 45 ACP.Does S&W still make this model?
Do I need moon clips to shoot,or is it designed to shoot another type of bullet? Thanks for your help.

Horse Gunner

[Jim Watson]

I can't help on the price vs your market and the US-Cdn exchange rate, but the 625 is a fine gun, still in production at S&W although there have been a number of variations on the theme.

It is made to shoot .45 ACP in clips. You can get full moon 6-shot clips, half moon 3-shot clips (as original in 1917) or two shot clips (which let you put clipped ammo in a cartridge box or belt loops.) There are plastic clips, the RIMZ, which are easy to load and unload barehanded although a friend found them a little too flexible for speedloading in IDPA competition.

It will probably shoot .45 ACP without clips but you will have to pick out the empties with your fingernails or poke them out with a stick as the extractor will not engage the rimless cases. I have seen a very few reports of cylinders chambered a little too deep for use without clips but that is a manufacturing error and not common.

You can still get .45 Auto Rim brass for use without clips. It has a thick rim to take up the thickness of the .45 ACP rim plus the clip thickness, and is loaded and shot like any other revolver cartridge. Loaded ammo is not common any more, though.

It will not fire .45 Colt or .455 Webley.

[Stainz]

S&W has three 625 models in their '05 catalog: SKU 160927 5", 160935 4", and 160936 4" 'Jerry Miculek special'. The first two MSRP for $817 US, $579 locally, the latter $845, $619 locally. I bought a #160936 before my local dealer realized what a deal it was - he ordered it when they came out in Feb for $589. The 625JM came with Miculek-style wood stocks, an easily changed gold bead front sight, chamfered charge holes, and a hard-chromed hammer and trigger, easily distinguished from the other two models - a big 'J M' on the sideplate and stock.

This revolver is a true big bore - it just uses the kinder-recoiling, and more economical, .45 ACP - with moonclips, as others have stated. It really shines if you reload - as it obviously isn't dependent on recoil or bullet length for proper operation. Of course, the Auto Rim rounds are really nice, especially if you reload, as I do. Go to 'handloads.com' for more info.

I bought my first 625 9/02 - and sold it last June. I regretted that the next day... and didn't fill the void until last Feb. I am not as fond of it's flat, or satin, SS as I am polished SS, nor do I like full lugs. They are quickly forgotten when you shoot it, of course. Good luck.

Stainz