I have one of the original four inch 625-3's, bought new in 1990, if I remember right. It would be the last gun I would give up. Very accurate.
When growing up in Roseburg, OR in the 50's and early 60's, I remember seeing in gun shops a few 1917's with the barrels cut down to the end of the ejector rod lug and new front sights fitted. Made a pretty good big bore carry gun, I imagine.