S&W 625PC vs 625JM, which should I buy?

[dihnen]

I am fortunate enough to have the money to buy a new gun this week I want to get a new S&W 625, and will most likely shoot USPSA with it as well as having fun at the range. BUT, the fact that S&W makes two models is driving me nuts. Are there advantages of the Performance Center version vs. the Jerry M. model? They are only ~$60 difference in price.

That's the problem with this country, too many choices

 

[MrBorland]

Been thinking of this myself, and will likely go for the PC if I buy new.

The JM trigger is serrated, and many don't like it (I prefer smooth & polished myself). It's also forged, whereas the hammer is MIM. The hammer and trigger are flash-chromed, but I'm reading the hammer chrome doesn't stick as well as to the forged trigger, and tends to flake.

The PC innards are supposed to be all forged, but the 625PC I checked out in the S&W retail store had the hollow backing of an MIM trigger. The guy behind the counter just shrugged his shoulders.

The PC cylinder is shorter and has less mass, which means less inertia to overcome with my trigger finger. I have a standard 5" 625 I use for USPSA, and found the dynamic trigger pull of a stock 625 is a bit much for my trigger finger. Any 625 I own will get an action job anyway, but a lighter cylinder makes for a lower dynamic trigger pull, making it more shootable.

In favor of the JM, the full underlug likely reduces muzzle flip a bit better than the PC. Also, both have 4" barrels, but since the PC has a shorter cylinder, the sight radius of the PC is a bit shorter. OTOH, it might the PC a bit more nimble.

Both have interchangeable front sights, which is a very nice feature. The grips on the PC would have to go, though.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I defer to MrBorland's experience in competitive revolver shooting. I'll just add little things I've picked up is researching the subject with some serious ICORE shooters and pistolsmiths.

The smooth vs. serrated triggers reflect two differing philosophies to trigger control. One says that your finger should roll across the face as you go through the trigger stroke, the other that your finger should be anchored to the face as you press the trigger straight to the rear.

If you are serious about Open Class revolver shooting, the metal of the hammer and the length of the cylinder don't really matter as you'll be throwing them out and replacing them. Apex Tactical Specialties offers a forged skeltonized hammer with optimized geometry for the trigger stroke. They also usually replace the cylinder with a titanium one to lessen inertia to start rotating and to stop at lockup.

While the full underlug will add weight to the JM, the additional weight will make it slower to start and stop between transitions. You need to balance these things when considering the strengths of your shooting style.

The JM is optimized for how Jerry shoots and his physical build...what works for him won't work for me

 

[MrBorland]

Apex Tactical Specialties offers a forged skeltonized hammer with optimized geometry for the trigger stroke.

I installed an Apex hammer on my M66 just to see what the fuss was about. It's a nice hammer, and if you really want a forged replacement, without molesting the original, it's certainly an option. Otherwise, you can just aggressively whack it off (the stock hammer, that is ) and get something very workable, too.

They also usually replace the cylinder with a titanium one to lessen inertia to start rotating and to stop at lockup.

I don't know the relative weights or Ti and shortened steel cylinders, but if comparable, the PC already comes with a lightened cylinder. No doubt, though, some Apex magic helps those Ti guns run as remarkably as they do.

While the full underlug will add weight to the JM, the additional weight will make it slower to start and stop between transitions. You need to balance these things when considering the strengths of your shooting style.

True, a lighter gun feels like it presents & transitions easier, but, IME, it's also easier to outrun your front sight, something that's easy enough to do with the heavier gun. For most shooters (myself included), there's much lower fruit to be picked.

The JM is optimized for how Jerry shoots and his physical build...what works for him won't work for me

Yep - Not taking anything away from Jerry's extraordinary skill, but his is only 1 way, and not necessarily the best for any particular shooter.

 

[BYJO4]

I think both guns will shoot virtually the same for the majority of shooters. I would get which ever one you think looks the best.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Thought some of you might be interested what Apex Tactical's work looks like. They're just completing work on a 627 for one of my friends in NC. It is built for Limited Class in ICORE

Just finished up a full custom 627 for Limited in ICORE Official Page. This customer spared no expense and had us do all of the recommnded modifications.
Level 4 Action package - 4lb DA pull
Apex Evolution 4 Hammer
Chamfered TI Cylinder
Apex U-See Rear Sight
SDM Front Sight
Hogue Inc Long Cylinder Release and grip (on the way)
ILS Removal and Frame Plug install
Strain Screw Lock (Something new from us here)

 

[Owen]

but since the PC has a shorter cylinder, the sight radius of the PC is a bit shorter.

Are you sure about that? When I was at S&W, many moons ago, we were making barrels with longer butts to take care of the cylinder gap on the 625JMs, performance center guns, what have you. (it was a bit of a pain at the time)

I'd be surprised if S&W made a whole new frame for a limited sales item.

 

[MrBorland]

Are you sure about that? When I was at S&W, many moons ago, we were making barrels with longer butts to take care of the cylinder gap on the 625JMs, performance center guns, what have you. (it was a bit of a pain at the time)

I'd be surprised if S&W made a whole new frame for a limited sales item.

Good point. Now I'm not so sure. I recall reading the specs for each and seeing the overall (but not the barrel) lengths as being different, so, by inference, I took the frames to be shorter. Makes sense they wouldn't re-work a frame for such a limited-run gun, though.

 

[dihnen]

Thank you for your input, I went to the store yesterday and ordered up a 625 Performance Center. It'll be here in a week. I'll take it to the range and write up a quick review.

Thanks again!

 

[rikman]

Great choice! I love shooting mine!

 

[dihnen]

I took my new 625 Performance Center to the range today and put 200 rounds through it. I didn't have to adjust the sights at all, I was were I wanted to be at 7 and 10 yards right out of the box. Very pleased with the trigger. Here's a picture