Quick question...

In general is a 625-2 "Model of 1988" worth any more or more desirable than a "Model of 1989"?

I don't think so.

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ken
SWCA #1959

OK, I'll ask first...

What was the difference???

Mine is a 625-3 Model of 1989...

Allegedly the front sight ramp was different, the 89 was red ramped and the 88 was not. Also the barrel markings on the 88 were rolled but on the 89 they were etched. Thats it from what I understand. Just curious about quantity on the 88's.

I have and 625-2 of 88 with a red ramp...could have been done after the fact.

This is her as she came to me:



Mine could be swapped out I guess.

And I'm doing the daily mail check for my new Ahrends since the others went on to the 28...

Differences on the 5" guns:

625-2
Pachmayer grips
Black ramp sight
Traditional rolled rolemarks

625-3
Hogue grips
Patridge sight
Laser engraved rolemarks

Ahrends will be worth the wait. My '89 625-3:

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Stocks and sights on the 625-3 may depend on when it was made and which barrel length, but...

I bought my 625-2 NIB in March, 1989, s/n BDC06xx. It came with a plain black ramp front sight, plain black rear sight blade and Pachmayr 'Gripper' finger groove stocks, blackened brass Pachmayr logo medallion on both halves, moulded with the little 'window' in them so you could read the s/n on the butt if the sun was just right and you squint real good. Markings are roll marks, "45 CAL MODEL OF 1988' on the right side of the 5 inch barrel with the large S&W logo on the sideplate. I never saw an original shipped any differently. It shoots pretty well.

I bought my 625-3 NIB in March, 1991, s/n BEN31xx. It also came with a plain black ramp front sight, plain black rear sight blade and the same Pachmayr 'Grippers.' The gun has the longer cylinder stop notches, and accompanying lockwork changes, that were part of the N frame "endurance package" The frame markings are roll marked, with the small S&W logo on the left side of the frame beneath the cylinder latch. The markings on the 4 inch barrel are lazer etched, "SMITH & WESSON" on the left of the barrel and "45 CAL MODEL OF 1989" on the right side. It shoots pretty well, also. There was some variety of features on the 625-3's while they were produced.

As for the "quality" of the 625-2 1988 Model, they got a black mark in many's eyes due to a faulty test gun shipped to J.D. Jones, owner of SSK Industries, who then savaged it in print (AMERICAN HANDGUNNER magazine). He returned it to S&W, who "fixed" it and sent it back to Jones, who reported it still had the same issues. I don't recall what the problems were. The content of older issues of the magazine are probably online somewhere.

These guns were hot sellers. I bought the first one to hit my town's biggest dealer, and I had a number of shooting friends buy them. Mine has always worked perfectly, as did theirs. Most of the gun mag writers who commented on Jones' writing had their own samples that worked and attributed Jones' gun's problems to the haste which the early guns were likely assembled and shipped to writers for evaluation.

I have a 625 chambered in .45ACP, but isn't this same revolver available in .45 Colt?

Also I believe that the 625-2 was only available in 5", whereas the 625-3 was made in 3", 4", & 5" barrels. Here are my two -3's:

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ken
SWCA #1959

The biggest thing I hate about the 89 guns is if you wipe the gun with polish you can remove the laser markings. The 88 gun is stamped and is much more durable & desireable. The 2ND reason the 88 is worth more is the place of the firing pin. It's on the hammer and not stored in the frame.

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NRA Benefactor Member

My 1989 has a hammer nose firing pin as do most (if not all) of them. See images earlier in this thread.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I haven't noticed 1988 prices averaging higher than 5" 1989 pre-MIM or even 5" 1989 pre-lock prices. 3" 1989 prices are considerably higher than 1988 prices. I think all the 3" .45 ACP 625s are pre-MIM. 5 inchers sell for a little more than 4 inchers when everything else is equal because 5 inchers were discontinued.

My first choice in a 5" is a 1989 625-4 because only dash 4s combine forged hammers & triggers with the modern optics mounting set up. However, that doesn't make dash 4s worth any more. Other folks prefer different vintages for their own reasons.

The "Model of 1989" barrel marking continues through current production so it covers both frame and hammer mounted firing pins.

[QUOTE=k22fan;136026030]. I think all the 3" .45 ACP 625s are pre-MIM. 5 inchers sell for a little more than 4 inchers when everything else is equal because 5 inchers were discontinued.

The 625-6 pre-lock with MIM hammer and trigger was made in 3" in small numbers. Mine is the smoothest revolver I own.

[QUOTE=pinkymingeo;136026045]Thanks for the correction and picture. That's one I had not seen.

The 625s never seem to follow any format. First 89 I've seen with an old frame.

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NRA Benefactor Member

I love the combat grips on your 3"!

Here is mine, I changed out the front sight.

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Rolan Kraps
Gainesville, Ga

Yes, the 625 has been available in various configurations in both .45 ACP and .45 Colt. .45 ACP is more common.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

The "-3" and subsequent 625's have longer and deeper cylinder stop notches than the 625-2's. This change was made because of an unlocking problem on 629's at the time, and the deeper, longer notches fixed that problem. While no similar problem was ever seen on 625-2's, all N-frames were changed to the longer, deeper notches so that the design was common to all guns.

Also, some 625-2's had shorter and/or tighter chambers that made recharging a dirty gun problematic. The main cause was overuse of used chambering tooling. The problem was mostly fixed on the -3's and effectively eliminated on the -4's and subsequent models. They also lengthened the chambers so that powder fouling would not cause chambering problems. The downside of chamber lengthening was that those models were more difficult, if not impossible, to fire without moon clips.

Buck

Here is my model of 1988 that is roll stamped with a ramp front sight

Here are my two 625, one a -3 the other a -4. Would like to find a 4 inch to complete the set.

Love the 625. Here's my 3.

Attached Images

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	IMG_0532.jpg (33.4 KB, 110 views)
	IMG_0521.jpg (50.4 KB, 115 views)

I am amazed that no one has mentioned the biggest difference between the Model of 88 and all later versions - the dreaded floating hand. I have an 88 model with the floating hand and mine has not been a problem but I heard "experts" talk for years about how anyone with one needed to change it out immediately. Some people will also claim that the first production models were one of the most accurate N frames ever produced. Mine definitely is. I have had the gun in a Ransom Rest and watched it print six rounds in one ragged hole at 25 yards. It has helped win a number of matches and will shoot far better than I can hold it on a target. I'm keeping this sucker.

My 625-2 model of 1988 has S&W Hogue type grips and they appear to be factory/stock. It is my most accurate revolver and is a pleasure to shoot. Recoil is quite mild in my opinion.

I just placed a deposit on a 5" model at my LGS.
I'll post pics when I pick it up.

You should just start a new thread...this one is over 2½ years old.

.....start a new post and leave us hanging without explaining the dreaded floating hand? I must protest.