Hi,
I lack any expertise on the 625 models and was wondering what the different changes in the 625 models are by the dash numbers? Also, I heard some 625's could shoot the 45acp's without moon clips, was that just a few models or all of them? And last but not least is the 625-2 models worth any more than a 625-8 model non jm version? I am currently looking at buying a 625-8 model the non JM version and was wondering what some hardcore 625 guys thought about that model? Any info is greatly appreciated.
Eric

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson Third Edition Book by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas

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Science plus Art

I am not looking for a book.
Eric

Eric, without being flippant, I would say you should just buy the 625-8 you are looking at and get to know the gun and enjoy shooting it.

You have asked a lot of questions, and maybe some of the "experts" will come along and answer them. I don't have the answers to the questions you have asked.

But, I do have a 625-4 5" and 625-6 converted from 5" to a Mountain Gun style with the 4" barrel. Both very accurate and lots of fun to shoot.

I use either the full moon clips or the "plastic" ones (can't remember the brand name) or I use Auto Rims. Never had a need or desire to use ACP ammo without the clips.

My take on the 625 question is that just one isn't enough.

I think you will like the gun enough that you will want more.

Have fun in your quest.

Per the above listed book you aren't "looking for":
625-1: Production not found or known.
625-2 (1989): Marked "Model of 1988," introduced in .45 ACP only.
1989: Marked Model of 1989.
1989: Marked "Bowling Pin 88," 5" full-lug; 2500 manufactured.
625-3 (1990): Longer stop notch in the cylinder.
625-3 (1990): .45 Colt caliber.
625 (1991): 625 Classic in .45 Long Colt, 5" barrel; 1500 manufactured.
1992: Discontinue 3" and 4" barrel.
625-4 (1993):Change rear sight leaf, drill and tap, change extractor, Hogue grips, .45 ACP.
625-5 (1993): Stocking dealer special in .45 Colt.
1995-96: Delete square butt.
1996: Begin shipments in blue plastic cases.
1997: Change thumbpiece; ship Master trigger locks.
625-6 (1997): Change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud; eliminate serrated tangs; change to MIM trigger; change internal lockwork to .45 ACP caliber.
625-7 (1998): New frame design as above for .45 Colt.
625-8 (2001): Internal key lock system for .45 ACP.
625-9 (2001): Internal key lock system for .45 Colt.
625-10 (2003): Scandium frame with 2" barrel; introduced at SHOT Show.
625-11 (2005): .45 Colt Scandium by Performance Center.

You're a patient man, 47D; mighty kind of you to take the time.

Eric - I have a 4" 625-8, non-JM, that shoots 45acp either with, or w/ out clips. It has a longer (a bit too long IMHO) firing pin installed - by someone else, which may explain why it shoots "non-clipped" rounds OK. I have both a factory FP, & an Apex Tactical Specialties pin enroute for evaluation - so we'll see.

It has the smoothest action of any (lock or pre-lock) S&W revolver that I have owned. Shortly after purchase, I installed a reduced power spring kit - which resulted in a lighter, but not smoother action.

Timing, B/C gap, & head space, are all very good - & it is an absolute blast to shoot.

Only gripe is that it has a pinned front sight, as opposed to a quick change sight - ala the JM, & Performance Center 625's. I want a gold dot, which will require a bit of precision drilling on the new blade...

If I had a solid line on a JM (which I don't), I'd offer to sell you my -8. You'd like it.

I would expect to have to pay a premium for a -2, over the -8. The -2 is pre-lock, has forged parts, & as such is highly desirable in the eyes of many. Is it a better shooter? I'd say no, but the lock / pre-lock debate is on going, & well documented. I think the pre-lock guys are winning...

One thing I'd say for sure (well, at least in my opinion), the highly coveted, pre-lock guns are (well..., MAY be) getting too valuble to shoot the snot out of - with out worry. Some parts, even on the last pre-lock model guns, are getting hard to find.

For the sake of full disclosure (& so no one thinks I'm suffering from pre-lock gun envy induced bias), I'll tell you that I own (& shoot) a pre-lock, all forged, 625-6 Mountain Gun - in .45 Colt, as well. I shoot full power handloads (Keith 265SWC-PB / 8.5 Unique) in it, but as it would break my heart to see worn out, it doesn't get near the range time of my 625-8.

My suggestion? Buy (& enjoy) both!

Gary

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Regards - GCF

I've got 2, a Model of 1988 and a 3 inch dash something or other pre-lock. They are a blast to shoot, and as accurate as anything. I changed out the black ramp on the 1988 for a patridge. The 3 inch, which was bought used, came with a yellow insert front sight which I really don't like.

Buy 100 full moon clips from Ranch Products and you're set for life. De-mooning tools are so simple and easy you can buy one for a few bucks or make one yourself. The best loading tool for moon clips (never used one when I was younger) is here: Deluxe Moon Clip Tool

/c

You for got an "r" in your screen name.

Bees with honey....flies with ****.

Any 625 will be fine, I prefer the prelocks.

My 25-2 will shoot 45 ACP's with out the moon clips, at least all the different brands I have tried over the years.
When I carried it as a duty gun I also carried a Colt LW Commander as a backup. I carried half moon clips, and then later full moon clips for the refolver, and 2 extra magazines for the Commander.

Also I practiced reloading the 25-2 using the 1911 magazines, worked fine.

However my 325 NG will shoot RP ball and RP Golden Saber 230gr HP's but so far all the others I have tried will not fire without the clips.

Also I will say, that I think that a S&W 45 ACP revolver is one of the best revolvers a person can have.

The "book" mentioned above is a bit confusing. I have a 5" -3 marked "Model of 1989." This is not reflected in the list.

Whatever, I love the gun. It will shoot .45ACP, with or without moonclips, and .45AR.

I have heard and read that some of the 625 and 325 models made in the last couple of years will not work with .45ACP without moonclips due to the chambers not being bored correctly. Apparently some high percentage of these guns have chambers in which the "shelf" or "shoulder" is bored too deeply. The round then headspaces too deeply in the chamber, making a solid hammer strike difficult or impossible. If this feature is important to you, try each chamber of the gun in question before you buy it.

My 625-8 five inch is superbly accurate with just about any 230 grain I've fed it so far. It shoots without the moonclips just fine.
One of the best Smiths I own (MIM and LOCK-who cares!!)

I prefer to use the plastic clips from Rimz. They are fantastic.

Just wish 45ACP was cheaper to shoot. Great fun out of a revolver or automatic.

I'm not an expert on the 625....far from it. I did recently buy a 625-8 PC recently. When I first got it, it wouldn't group tighter than 12"-14" at 25 yards, but S&W took it into their service department and reworked the forcing cone and resolved that little problem.

The 625 is mild shooting and a lot of fun to shoot. Mine has a reasonably smooth action, seems to be very well made, and a lot of fun to shoot.

I have studied the Standard Catalog of S&W, and my considered opinion is S&W has made more variations of Model 25/625 than Carter has little pills. My best guess is probably any of them are good. Just get the one that you can get a good deal on that feels good in your hand.

Here's a shot of mine after I got it back from S&W and changed the grips.

Rawhyde

625_Group_crop_text_webpic.jpg

Thanks alot everyone for the good info and time to post all that information, I appreciate it and that's what makes this forum truely awesome. I made up my mind and did add that 625-8 to my arsenal today.
Eric

I have the JM (.45acp with moon clips) and a 625 Mountain Gun (.45 Colt), a 325 Night Guard (.45acp) and a Governor (.45acp, .45Colt, .410). None of the 625s I've seen can chamber .45acps without moon clips (any of the acp versions - except the Governor - will chamber and shoot .45AutoRims without moon clips, and I shoot a lot of those - but these really are only for hand loaders as they are rare). Any of the .45 Colt versions can have their cylinders cut to allow chambering both Colt and, with moon clips, acp. Checking on the internet the price for this seems to be in the $125 range (they mill down the back face of the cylinder to make space for the moon clip, but leave the outter edge at the original elevation to support part of the rim of the Colt). A cylinder cut this way cannot chamber the .45AutoRim (that's why the Governor can't). You can also mill down the face flush and then take both acps and AutoRims, but not Colts (in which case you should by the acp version instead).

The 625 is a great series and both the Colt and acp are great calibers. You'll love whichever one you buy. You'll find the acp cheaper to shoot if you don't reload, and a lot more ammo options in retail stores. The Colt is, in my opinion, a much more versatile cartridge but must less common. Versatile because the Colt can be loaded to energies in excess of a .44Mag for hunting or kept at very manageable range loads for practice and self defense).

I'm looking at pg 253 - the Model of 1989 is both the subtitle of the intro to the 625 and pictured on the right side of the page. It's also listed on the next page. This is often cited as the introduction of the 625, but that's in accurate. There's a model of 1988 (the -2). There was not a -1 or 'no dash' produced in the 625. Since the 1988 was the -2, that means the 1989 is the -3. And the earliest productions where, I think, all 5". The 4" versions came later (best known in the Mountain Gun series).

They don't design the chamber of the acp versions to work without moon clips by design, not by poor boring. The acp ctg isn't well suited to headspace (it's possible, just not completely reliable, unlike the 10mm which headspaces brilliantly).

I have two 625-5 both with 5" barrels in 45 colt.
I bought both of them about four years ago.
I have many S&W revolvers, but these are the two that I would never sell.
All the other revolvers I have can be replaced fairly easily, but there were only 1500 of these made.
The balance is great, they are accurate and fun to shoot.

Stu

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Look again at page 254 under "Engineering and Production Changes." A no dash 625 was introduced (out of order) in 1991 as the 625 Classic in .45 Colt.

I don't think that is correct. I'm pretty sure there are -2 models marked Model of 1989.

I shoot tons of lead bullets out of my 625-8 for less than $3 per box