625... I like it!

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Prodigalshooter

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Finally took my 625 (-8, .45ACP) to the range for it's baptism on Friday. What was that that they used to say on "Wayne's World" ? "scwhiinngg", yeah that's it.:neener:
Seriously tho, what a nice revolver, shot to point of aim at 15 yards, just about where I would have set the sights myself, were they off that mark.
Trigger is good, I know it'll get better with use, so I doubt I'll send it off for any work. I used several different loads in it, couple factory standard 230 gr. ball rounds and a couple different handloads. I was pleased with the results, tho I shot much better with my own loads than with the factory stuff. My handload I liked the best was a 205 gr. RNFP over 3.6 gr. of Titegroup, very accurate and low recoil. Also shot the same bullet with 4.0 and 4.4 gr of Titegroup, a bit stiffer recoil, but very manageable. I'm going to enjoy this gun in IDPA revolver class! Won't be until I get my holster tho, got a Wild Bill's Speed Scabard on order.
I'm still sporting the Hogue grips it came with (they feel good) don't know if I'm going to go to wood for this one or not. I've been eyeing some Jordon grips by Herrets, look great, wish I could hold them first.
This is my first N frame Smith, it's the best feeling of my three S & W's (K & J are the others), hope I don't catch the N fever:eek:
 
Isn't it a great gun? I got mine about a month ago and loved it right out of the box. Accurate and well made.

Now the bad news: You will catch the N Frame fever... there's nothing you can do about.

:cool:
 
Try the Ahrends 329 N frame grips. You can get them from the S&W web site accessory store. I tried them on a 329PD and they were superb.

Titegroup is accurate, but if you're getting sooting on the cases, try VVn320. 4.8gr behind a 200SWC is a very nice load, about 825fps. Burns real clean, mild recoil. I think you'll like it better than TG.

BTW, you can tune the trigger with the screw that pre-tensions the leaf spring. S&W doesn't like you to do this, but it works fine, and will drop your single action pull weight by 50%.

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I have had my 625-8 for ~14 months. The only time I notice that hammer-lock-zit is when I have been cleaning it in front of the tube at night and try to clean it off with Hoppes... need to wear my reading glasses then, I guess. I shot a bunch of Blazers in mine before I started reloading after December. They were very consistent, seemed cleaner, and loaded in the moonclips easily. BTW, get plenty of moonclips - and a nutdriver-style demooner. My scissors style developed a career-ending stress crack in <2wk. Great fun piece, the 625.

Now the bad news... leave that hammer leaf spring strain screw alone! Sure, it will lessen the DA pull... but also the hammer strikes. The hammer/transfer bar/firing pin already must hit the primer and 'push' the moonclipped round, taking up some rim-slack, before compressing the primer against it's anvil - a stiff strike is necessary for reliable ignition. If you reload, consider Federal primers as they require a tad less of a 'hit' to ignite. The OEM hammer spring is fine for Win primers, etc. Additionally, if you like rapid follow up shots, leave the trigger return spring stock, as softer springs there slow the return. Even Wolff will tell you their spring kits aren't right for everyone in the 625. To lighten/even-out the trigger, simply do this: Remove the sideplate - clean completely and lube with drops of a good gun oil (I use KleenBore Formula 3) - reassemble - dry-fire 500-600 times - repeat the clean/oil procedure - make sure the leaf spring strain screw is tight - and return it to service.

As for grips - anything will do, due to the low recoil. I put pao ferro finger grooved Hogue monogrip on mine. They look and fit great - too great. My wife even likes them, too well, I am afraid. I heard her telling her girlfriend on the phone after her last range trip that she had " ... this way-cool old-guy's gun - a S&W 6-2-5 forty-five thingie - and it has neat slick wood grips...". She won't pick up my other checkered wood gripped N-frames... maybe just a grip change will save it. Chamfering the charge holes - even slightly - and using RN FMJ will keep moonclipped reloads fast. An HKS #25 speedloader with .45 Auto Rims loaded is a neat change - Georgia Arms loads a nice 200gr JHP in new Rem brass at a fair price - good way to acquire some for reloading. To reload them on my Dillon 550B, I just needed a $21 shellplate. 625=great fun!

Stainz
 
A fellow SoCaler and a fellow 625 owner!

Aren't they the most accurate and reliable 1911 you can get?;)

I have a -2 5incher (non IDPA legal:( ) and it just loves 230 LRN over 4.6 gr of 231. Yes Federal primers are a must if you wanna fiddle with your mainspring set screw. I don't fiddle with mine because it's the nightstand gun.

Isn't there a gun show in Costa Mesa this weekend? Time to stock up on them full moonclips. Last time I bought em they were a buck a bang. See if you can get the demooning tool too. I have a Wilson unit that has served me since.. well since the day I got the gun. Some ppl find it hard to mount the rounds on the clips as well. I find that loading up on a table or sumthin' with the clip in my hand pressing down on the round is easy.

Enjoy!
 
625 Warning

If you leave S&W 625s alone in a dark place like a gun safe they will bred!!!The big one was the first arriveing in September then The 21/2"later that same month followed by the 3"Lew Horton in .45LC and lastly another 3"Lew Horton in .45ACP.With 230 ball in the 5"at 15 Yards I can cover the groups with a cigarette pack.The 21/2" and the 3" both carry easy with good leather and a good belt.N Frames make me Smile
 

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Ooh...

3" .45 wheelies. Yummy...

I need one to go with my 3" 657 Lew Horton!
 
It just kills me that the 3" one isn't offered by Smith. I saw one(3") at the last gunshow, guy had it for $750 !:rolleyes:
Granted, it was a pre-lock version, but jeez! I also wish they had the blued option too, they just look better somehow.
I have a bunch of moon clips on order from Ranch Products, a good deal there believe me. Also have a demooner and remooner coming from them as well. Bought the screwdriver style shell remover and a pack of 5 clips from my dealer, that way I can at least shoot a little till my stuff comes.
I'm not crazy about the half moon clips, not sure why they even make them? Can't wait till my holster and the rest of my clips come, soon as they do, I'll be shooting the 625 in the next match!:cool:
 
Just when I convinced myself that I can't afford another gun, that I don't need another gun, that I don't want another gun, and I don't have room in my safe for any more guns...

I have to open up this thread....


ARRGG!!!
 
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