[Nightcrawler]

If you had the choice of either a 4" or a 5" 625 in .45ACP, which barrel length would you choose? Why? The longer barrel gives better ballistics, but the shorter barrel might be handier.

How do they balance?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/products/firearms/images/standard/sw160927.jpg
S&W 625 5" barrel

http://www.smith-wesson.com/products/firearms/images/standard/sw160935.jpg
S&W 625 4" barrel

[ACP230]

The four-inch 625 would be the one I'd pick.
The International Defensive Pistol Association has decreed that the five-inch guns can't be used in its matches any more. I plan to shoot some more IDPA with a revolver someday.

[Nightcrawler]

No 5" pistols? Like, no 1911s?

Why?

Anyways, I'm not interested in IDPA. Does the 4" balance better than the 5"?

[Rob96]

I would take the 4" barrel. But that is just my personal preferrence.

[owen]

no Nightcrawler, no 5" revolvers

owen

[Preacherman]

I have both. The 4" is IDPA-legal, and is handier for CCW if you feel like totin' an N-frame now and again ( :scrutiny: ). The 5" is the perfect candidate for a conversion to .460 Rowland - the extra inch of barrel takes full advantage of the Magnum-equivalent ballistics of this round.

[Tamara]

Have both, enjoy both.

The 4" is probably more useful (can be toted and/or used for IDPA.)
The 5" gun is more pleasant for range work. (And could, conceivably, be toted if one lived on Michigan's UP... ;) )

[Old Fuff]

I like older "N" frames with the regular underlug because I find the new ones with the full-underlug to be too muzzle heavy. For this reason I'd opt for the shorter 4-inch length.

And if I was interested in a new gun I'd look at those that are called "Mountain Guns." Much nicer too tote around. On the other hand I can see how match shooters would prefer the full-lug guns because they want additional weight to counter recoil during rapid fire.

Your choice in buying any gun should be based on what you're going to use it for. Always think through the "what for's" before deciding on what to get.

Also, if match shooting wasn't the primary idea behind the selection I'd sooner choose a regular revolver cartridge over the .45 ACP.

[Tamara]

Also, if match shooting wasn't the primary idea behind the selection I'd sooner choose a regular revolver cartridge over the .45 ACP.

I can think of other places where a fast moon clip reload might be handy...

[HogRider]

I bought the 4" version about a month ago. I played around at the gun store for about one hour with the 4 and the 5" trying to make a decision. Finally went with the 4 inch gun because it felt a little bit nicer balanced and I already have several longer barreled N Frames already.

Maybe I am going to buy the 5" too. :D

[Old Fuff]

Tamara:

I can too, but I've seen S&W 25's (by whatever number) hang up because of a bent or twisted clip. Also headspacing on the front of a cartridge case can be imprecise in a revolver. Given all of the possibilities, even if they are not probabilities, I perfer rimmed cartridges in a revolver (after all, they were made in the first place for revolvers) rather then cartridges that were originally intended to be used in pistols. A speed loader may or may not be as quick too use as a full-moon clip set-up, but I think the difference isn't consequental. If a person thinks this is important they might better be looking at automatic pistols.

As I pointed out to "Nightcrawler," the choice of any handgun (or any firearm for that matter) should be based on what the user intends to use it for. If Nightcrawler is looking for a defensive arm he should consider the .45 ACP models - both from their strong and weak points. I don't think he's looking for a revolver to use in combat style match shooting. If he was (or I was) I'd consider the "clipped-cartridge" revolvers. If this is to be a "range and field" gun I'd go for one of the rimmed magnum cartridges.

In any case the choice is his to make, based on the different points of view he receives.

[Tom C.]

I have a 25-2 that was originally a 6 1/2" that I had cut to 5". I personally feel that is the best length for an N-frame Smith. Not as muzzle heavy as the full underlug 625.

[Nightcrawler]

Also, if match shooting wasn't the primary idea behind the selection I'd sooner choose a regular revolver cartridge over the .45 ACP.

Like what?

.357 Magnum is nice, but it isn't big bore. .44 Magnum is so...pedestrian. I have a .41 Mag, and my .45 Colt isn't strong enough for a lot of "magnum power". The only .41 Mags Smith makes today have 8" full underlug barrels, and they're not making ANY .45 Colts.

Mostly, I want a general use revolver than can use the same ammo as my two .45 Automatics. .45ACP is considerably cheaper than .45 Colt, and I could shoot it more.

[Echo23TC]

Love my 5" 625. It's not fer packin', it's fer shootin'. Lots. I've got other guns fer packin'.

Recoil, what recoil? Are you sure this thing went off?

[Avery Goodschott]

Loved my 5" 625, but traded for a 4".... like it better.

Just got a 5" 29 Classic...full lug 5" helps me with recoil in .44...not needed in .45ACP

I had a Mtn Gun, prefer full lug

[Airboss]

I have 3 625's a 5" 3" and a 21/2"that started it life as a 5"here on the farm I carry the 5"a lot.I shoot it better at longer ranges than any of my other pistols.Its handy and I would carry it more if here in Texas concelled is the only way you can carry.I CCW the 21/2" very often now.No I dont know why I bought the 3" except I could,and I had a 3" model 24 .44 Special and a 3"625 .45 LC just a sucker for short barrel N Frames.
but back to the question at hand I would go with the 5" Barrel if I had to chose.YMMV

[Old Fuff]

Nightcrawler:

Considering that you have a good (if previously unstated) reason to stick to the .45 ACP cartridge you probably should do exactly that. As I said before, one's choice should be based on one's needs.

As for the rimmed magnum revolver cartridges. I don't consider the .44 Magnum to be anymore "pedestrian" then the .45 ACP when used in a revolver. In fact for a handloader it's much more versatile then the .45 ACP when that round is used in a revolver.

The .41 Magnum has it’s own supporters, (including me) but you may not be one of them. Anyway, I note a fair number of available model 57’s and 657’s with 6 inch barrels that could be purchased and have the barrel shortened to 4 or 5 inches (or any other custom length you like) for less or not much more then a new model 625 might cost.

Probably the .357 Magnum is the most versatile magnum made, but if your thinking went in that direction (and I doubt that it will) I’d sooner look for a model 586 or 686 or Ruger GP-100.

If I was determined to get an S&W model 25 of some sort I’d consider one in .45 Colt. While you can’t match the loads used in the bigger Ruger’s you can match anything offered in a .45 ACP.

Bottom line: To answer your question. If I’d already decided to get an S&W “N” frame I’d choose the 4 inch length for “packing,” but the 5 inch if I was more interested in shooting it at a range or such.

So it’s your choice …….

[Nightcrawler]

.44 Magnum is not pedestrian because of it's versatility; "Pedestrian" used in this sense is a snooty art word that I threw out there to raise an eyebrow or too. I don't want a .44 Mag because...well, I don't know why, really. I'd just rather have a .45 Colt.

I have the 25-5, and while it can beat .45ACP, finding factory ammo that does this is difficult. Very few factory loads that are safe for the M25-5 can beat .45ACP +P, or .45 Super.

As for shortening my model 57...I'm afraid it would give C.R. Sam a heart attack, and it still wouldn't do anything about the $25.00 a box ammunition.

I do not know why I can't get into .357 Magnum. It'd make my life SO much easier.

[Rob96]

Gp-100 would make things a lot easier on you. Had a great time at the range today shooting mine with Remington 125gr SJHP and 158gr Federal JSP.

[BluesBear]

Old Fluff,

There's always the .45 Auto Rim.

Brass is stil available and you can use standard .45acp dies, all you need is a new shellholder.

HKS even makes speedloaders for it.

[valnar]

.45ACP is not that hot a round. I don't think the heft of the full underlug in a 5" is required per se, so its up to you. I'd choose the 4". But then, I hate full underlugs as I think they bring too much weight up front.

-Robert

[Old Fuff]

BluesBear:

I fully agree with you about the .45 Auto Rim as an alternative to the .45 ACP in S&W or Colt revolvers. In fact I recently recommended this to a friend who has a 625 and is having problems with it.

I didn't bring the option up because reading between the lines I got an impression that "Nightcrawler" wasn't reloading his own ammunition. I believe one of the reasons he's interested in a .45ACP revolver is because of relatively low priced ammunition bought over-the-counter. If indeed he does reload the ACP cartridge he should consider your suggestion.

[slab jockey]

Any of you 625 owners ever change the patridge front sight for a ramp? Is this possible on the new pinned sights?

[Nightcrawler]

FYI, you can buy loaded .45 Auto Rim from Georgia Arms. Very mildly loaded, mind you, but it is there.

[Tamara]

...and +P .45 ACP JHP's slot neatly between the wimpy big-bore revolver loads and those designed to blow through Yogi.