Lou_the_welder
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- Mar 19, 2016
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S&W 625 feedback
- Thread starter sothoth
- Start date
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entropy
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buckhorn_cortez
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 532
If you buy a new 625JM - look at it very carefully. The barrel on the one I purchased was not cut square (90 degrees to the bore) and was not crowned properly.
The trigger was an atrocious 10lbs double action and a little over 7 lbs single action.
The first trip to the range, it started having problems with light strikes because the strain screw was not tightened correctly.
Since Smith couldn't turn out a quality gun from the factory, and because I needed the gun for competition and didn't want to wait for Smith to service the gun - AND it needed a trigger job plus I wanted the cylinder chambers chamfered and polished - I took it to an extremely good gunsmith to have the problems corrected.
I got the gun back a week later with a 7lb DA trigger and a 5lb SA trigger, chambers chamfered and polished, strain screw fixed in place with thread lock compound, and the barrel problems addressed.
It is a fun, accurate gun to shoot, and other than the problems that had to be corrected - it has run flawlessly for the past two years.
But, as I've stated - if you're buying a new Smith, look at the gun very closely as they, apparently, have some QC problems now and again.
The trigger was an atrocious 10lbs double action and a little over 7 lbs single action.
The first trip to the range, it started having problems with light strikes because the strain screw was not tightened correctly.
Since Smith couldn't turn out a quality gun from the factory, and because I needed the gun for competition and didn't want to wait for Smith to service the gun - AND it needed a trigger job plus I wanted the cylinder chambers chamfered and polished - I took it to an extremely good gunsmith to have the problems corrected.
I got the gun back a week later with a 7lb DA trigger and a 5lb SA trigger, chambers chamfered and polished, strain screw fixed in place with thread lock compound, and the barrel problems addressed.
It is a fun, accurate gun to shoot, and other than the problems that had to be corrected - it has run flawlessly for the past two years.
But, as I've stated - if you're buying a new Smith, look at the gun very closely as they, apparently, have some QC problems now and again.
Yikes!! Sorry to hear that. Glad you got it fixed but it's a bummer you couldn't wait for S&W to fix it, bet it cost you a pretty penny.
Some of the first 625s were not bored to headspace on the case mouth. American Handgunner ran a test on one and got Smith some bad press. I bought one and it is headspaced right and works great three ways, no clips, clips, or AR. As many above have said, very accurate.
Mine likes my old pin load of the RCBS 45-255KT over a decent, not hot, load of Unique.
Tried it out on a deer carcass we found on our land two days after season and it gave full, but stinky, penetration just behind the shoulders. IIRC, I've put it through about eight inches of dry pine.
Have found nothing it doesn't like but SWC with good long bearing surface seems best.
Mine likes my old pin load of the RCBS 45-255KT over a decent, not hot, load of Unique.
Tried it out on a deer carcass we found on our land two days after season and it gave full, but stinky, penetration just behind the shoulders. IIRC, I've put it through about eight inches of dry pine.
Have found nothing it doesn't like but SWC with good long bearing surface seems best.
gotboostvr
Member
Mine shoots my 200gr SWC load and WWB 230gr great and have outstanding accuracy with Remington 230gr Golden Sabers.
Really, it shoots any load with good accuracy, but some are slightly better than others
Really, it shoots any load with good accuracy, but some are slightly better than others
BobWright
Member
I bought this Model 625 years ago after selling a Colt Gold Cup .45, so had plenty of ACP brass on hand:
Only objection I had to the gun was the round butt, but solved the problem with these home made grips of walnut. I ran just over 8,000 rounds through my gun without a hitch. Also had a very accurate load, one group measured 5/8" (five shots) at twenty five yards. It was the only stainless steel gun I've ever owned. I got shed of it to streamline my battery to Single Actions.
Bob Wright
Only objection I had to the gun was the round butt, but solved the problem with these home made grips of walnut. I ran just over 8,000 rounds through my gun without a hitch. Also had a very accurate load, one group measured 5/8" (five shots) at twenty five yards. It was the only stainless steel gun I've ever owned. I got shed of it to streamline my battery to Single Actions.
Bob Wright
gotboostvr
Member
BobWright, you wouldn't happen to still have those grips laying around would you?
Or that load data even! Peoples favorite loads for these guns are all over the place; some people launch 250gr WRNFP at pretty serious velocities, and some people favor 180gr wadcutters. But they always group well!
Or that load data even! Peoples favorite loads for these guns are all over the place; some people launch 250gr WRNFP at pretty serious velocities, and some people favor 180gr wadcutters. But they always group well!
LoneGoose
Member
sothoth, I had bought a sample pack of five of the original ones and five of the firm ones. I preferred the feel of the firm ones, so I use them exclusively. When I first got them, I segregated one and kept count of loads (not rounds) fired through it. I quit counting after 300, and to this day they all have the same characteristics as the day they arrived.
You guys all make an excellent case for this revolver. I think I'll have to save up for it now. I really like the idea of a 45 wheel gun and I haven't heard any negatives with this one. When my kid is older and gun proofed, this will make an outstanding nightstand gun.
cal44mag
Member
BigJakeJ1s
Member
Be sure to check out the Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt & ACP (with moon clips) too.
Andy
Andy
Good call it's a nice looking gun. Can you put larger grips on it? I haven't shot too many revolvers that style but I shot one that had that more cowboy style grip and it didn't work for me. Probably that's easily remedied with a new grip, right?
BlindJustice
Member
Late to the party
My EDC is a CCO format 1911, and a couple of other 1911s
however...
I have a 625-8 5" Bbl. w/Guy Hogue Rosewood/checkered grip,
It has the full length underlug and is 45 oz empty
It has had the S&W Master Revolver Action Job, as well as
an Apex Tactical XP Ignition Kit whiich consists of a forged
firing pin that is a smidge longer as well as 'roundy' profile
This was due to the original FP breaking the tip off and reulting
incosnstent 'ignition'
* easy to manage recoil, very accurate
* De-Mooner tool - I use the $3 Wilson Combat tool for
de-mooning empty cases. Putting the live rounds in
I use a pair of needle nose pliers.
* The 625 in .45 ACP will also shoot the
.45 Auto Rim cartridge which has a conventional
rimmed case - moon clips not required.
FYI - HKS speedloader is the 25M model
* I'd advise a Vertical carry shoulder rig like the Lou Alessi
Field Master for the field
I am considering the S&W 325TR = less weight but
recoil should still be on the mild side unless you have
some of the hot Buffalo Bore loads in .45 ACP +P or .45 AR.
R-
*
My EDC is a CCO format 1911, and a couple of other 1911s
however...
I have a 625-8 5" Bbl. w/Guy Hogue Rosewood/checkered grip,
It has the full length underlug and is 45 oz empty
It has had the S&W Master Revolver Action Job, as well as
an Apex Tactical XP Ignition Kit whiich consists of a forged
firing pin that is a smidge longer as well as 'roundy' profile
This was due to the original FP breaking the tip off and reulting
incosnstent 'ignition'
* easy to manage recoil, very accurate
* De-Mooner tool - I use the $3 Wilson Combat tool for
de-mooning empty cases. Putting the live rounds in
I use a pair of needle nose pliers.
* The 625 in .45 ACP will also shoot the
.45 Auto Rim cartridge which has a conventional
rimmed case - moon clips not required.
FYI - HKS speedloader is the 25M model
* I'd advise a Vertical carry shoulder rig like the Lou Alessi
Field Master for the field
I am considering the S&W 325TR = less weight but
recoil should still be on the mild side unless you have
some of the hot Buffalo Bore loads in .45 ACP +P or .45 AR.
R-
*
v8stang289
Member
Maybe it's the brand of moon clips (S&W and Wilson Combat) but I have never had need for a tool to insert the rounds into the clip. They pop right in without much effort. De-mooning is a different story, the brass is next to impossible to remove without damage or really sore fingers. For that I use a homemade tool consisting of 1/2" id pipe with the end ground down, leaving a tab stocking up. Much like the commercially available ones.
I own a Model 25. Two guys I shoot with every Friday have 625s.
I own a lot of handguns, and HAVE owned a bunch more: and.....The Model 25 is one of my favorites. In the top couple. I have shot my buddies 625 and I like it just as well. Mine is a 6" and his is a 4" FWIW.
One of the truely great handguns of all time.
I also don't shoot .45 ACP/Moon clips in mine. I did for awhile but quickly switched to .45 Auto Rim brass. I find moon clips to be a PITA and they don't benefit me in any way for the type of shooting I do.
I own a lot of handguns, and HAVE owned a bunch more: and.....The Model 25 is one of my favorites. In the top couple. I have shot my buddies 625 and I like it just as well. Mine is a 6" and his is a 4" FWIW.
One of the truely great handguns of all time.
I also don't shoot .45 ACP/Moon clips in mine. I did for awhile but quickly switched to .45 Auto Rim brass. I find moon clips to be a PITA and they don't benefit me in any way for the type of shooting I do.
Interesting. I have the same impression about the need for moon clips but also reload 45 and don't want to use the rim ammo. Then again I don't shoot 45 as much because it's expensive and I might want this as a bedside gun when my kid is old enough, so I'm not sure (for me) if that should discourage me. I am leaning towards the polymer moon clips for this reason but don't know if those are any easier to load/unload but again I think I just need to buy it and enjoy shooting it
It isnt like moon clips are horrible. Its just that it adds a step to the shooting process.
And they have a completely valid purpose. But i shoot paper on an indoor range and rapid reloads dont benefit me.
Dont let moon clips hold you back. They arnt a big deal. They may be a huge plus for you. I am just talking about my personal preference.
And they have a completely valid purpose. But i shoot paper on an indoor range and rapid reloads dont benefit me.
Dont let moon clips hold you back. They arnt a big deal. They may be a huge plus for you. I am just talking about my personal preference.
I own an older firing pin in the hammer model of 1989 version and I love it. It lost some value for being a 5" barrel since the competitive shooter rules changed to outlaw the 5" barrel - now they are 4"
One of the cooler things about the 625 is that they are strong enough to handle 45 Super - which changes the ball game up quite a bit.
One of the cooler things about the 625 is that they are strong enough to handle 45 Super - which changes the ball game up quite a bit.
I love shooting my 5" 625 and 3 1/4" chopped barrel 25-2 revolvers more than any other caliber period. Firm push-type recoil, super accurate. Recoil is a real pussy cat, including in the custom 25-2.
Here's the 25-2, which started as a target revolver. Back in the day, S&W didn't offer any short barreled 45 revolvers, so the custom gunsmiths stepped in to solve that problem. Mine has the most incredible trigger job of any revolver I've ever shot. In matches I put on Hogue rubbers and I've won a lot of matches with both revolvers. However, it usually "wears" these beautiful Elk stags by Patrick Grashorn, with a Tyler T-grip. Old school perfection for sure, and the 625 has only made it better. IMHO the 625-4 and 625-5 series are my favorites, with the 625-3 another wonderful series.
To shoot a S&W .45ACP revolver is to fall in love with it instantly!
Here's the 25-2, which started as a target revolver. Back in the day, S&W didn't offer any short barreled 45 revolvers, so the custom gunsmiths stepped in to solve that problem. Mine has the most incredible trigger job of any revolver I've ever shot. In matches I put on Hogue rubbers and I've won a lot of matches with both revolvers. However, it usually "wears" these beautiful Elk stags by Patrick Grashorn, with a Tyler T-grip. Old school perfection for sure, and the 625 has only made it better. IMHO the 625-4 and 625-5 series are my favorites, with the 625-3 another wonderful series.
To shoot a S&W .45ACP revolver is to fall in love with it instantly!
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