Looking for info on a 625-6

[Chris Pinkleton]

Hello all.

I just have came into possession (possibly temporary, but keeping my fingers crossed) of a barely fired S&W 625-6, sans grips, serial # CET6xxx. The right side of the barrel is marked "45 CAL MODEL OF 1989."

A few questions:

---does this pistol vary much from the current 5" 625 listed in the S&W catalog?

---is it safe with .45 Super-level loads? (not planning on shooting any, just curious)

--any suggestions on a good neoprene replacement grip?

--is it fine to dry-fire?

--how is the printing done on the barrel & frame? It's not the current fugly laser engraving or stamping.

Any other information/comments would be apprieciated.

And a comment:

THIS THING IS SUPER SUPER SWEET! I SURE HOPE I GET TO KEEP IT! I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT A .45ACP REVOLVER WOULD MAKE THE PERFECT NIGHTSTAND GUN....oh well, I guess I'll know soon enough.

Thanks in advance, y'all.

Chris

 

[SnWnMe]

625-6

I have a 5in Model of 1989 I purchased in the mid 90s. It looks just like the one in Smith's website. It is the gun I keep loaded in my household, because, you're right, it's the perfect nightstand gun!

1. I've lost track of the revisions but I doubt that your gun varies alot from mine or the one that Smith currently sells, except for the lawyer lock. Mine came with half moon clips, what about yours?

2. Maybe ask those guys @ Ace Custom? We already know Smith will say "NOOOOO!!!"

3. Try the Hogue grips. If you don't like the open backstrap style then try Pachys.

4. Don't dry fire, make your own Snap Caps. Take a pretty hard plastic lid (I used an ice cream container lid) and cut out a disc of appropriate cylinder diameter, cut a hole in the center for the extractor/cylinder pin assembly, put the resulting ring over the charging holes and dry fire away. Been doing it for about 9 years now on my 629, 7 on my 625. I had to stack 2 rings for the 625 because of the bigger gap between the recoil shield and the cylinder.

5. No idea how the printing is done.

Suggestions:

Get full moon clips
Get a moonclip tool. It will help preserve your sanity.

 

[Chris Pinkleton]

Thank you sir!

I was wondering about the moonclip thing -- I have not located any clips for this gun yet (late father-in-law's weapon, maybe they'll turn up when we search his house, along with the original grips?). Are clips necessary for proper functioning? The cartridges sure do seem to have a lot of room to slip around without one.

What is a moonclip tool? Pardon my ignorance, but I'm new to the world of auto-cartridge chambered revolvers.

Chris

 

[SnWnMe]

The moonclips are necessary for proper ejection of spent cases. As you can tell, the extractor star doesn't have anything to push against in the rimless 45ACP rounds. The clips provide that surface to push against and give the 625 the fastest revolver reload possible.

A moonclip tool makes removal of spent cases from the clips easier. Mine is item # 69EX from http://www.wilsoncombat.com under misc handgun accessories. You can get moonclips from them as well.

 

[P0832177]

You will be hooked on the 625 in any incarnation! I had a Model of 1988 the first year of production. That was a sweet gun! Ufda! But, since that passed through my hands I have since gotten 2 5" models both 625-6 versions and I have a 4" 625-8. The one 5" version is well so smoothe! I think the 625 is the funnest gun I have ever owned. I am lucky and have allot of full moon clips. A local vendor at gun shows has a good deal on them 40 for $20. I have broken a few of the plastic demooner tools. Thankfully Dillon has replaced all of them; the new aluminum one looks to be the cat's meow now. I shoot 230 RNL reloads with 4.6 of 231/HP38 with no problem shooting one hole groups to 50ft when I am tuned in properly!

No chasing brass all over! And, well I wish you a fine time with your new 625.

 

[Chris Pinkleton]

Thanks y'all!

One more set of questions: my wife found what I believe to be the pistol's original grip as well as a set (my father in law seemed to buy 2 or more of most things for some reason) of Pachys. The original grip fits fine, but how is it secured to the frame? The hole in the bottom of the grip doesn't match anything on the frame. The Pachys don't fit well around the front(there's a slight gap between the halves of the grip), which may be due to a slightly underlength grip screw--would a longer grip screw solve the problem? If so, where would I get a replacement?

Thanks, Chris

 

[E357]

Chris it sounds like you found a Smith/Houge N frame round butt one piece grip. You are probably missing the spring metal clip and screw that it needs - give Houge a call.

Elliot

 

[Chris Pinkleton]

Looks like we get to keep this thing! Yay!

I may have the clip & screw -- what exactly do they look like & how are they attached? I doubt the 625 will wear the monogrip too often, since the pachy fits me way better, but I'd be nice to have the option (my wife & stepdaughter would probably prefer it, too).

 

[SnWnMe]

Yay!

Congratulations! Good acquisition!

http://www.getgrip.com/main/support/instruct.html