A gunshop was closing and the owner was liquidating his own personal collection. I was able to buy the Performance Center 625-7 and best I can tell it was never shot except at the factory. There is the tell-tale fouling on every other cylinder. The case still has the factory plastic holding the lock at 0-0-0.

The only blemish is a light scratch below the Performance Center logo on the side. It is about a 1/2" long.

I bought it to shoot, but I hate to shoot a 14 year old NIB gun. What do you guys think? Is this a desirable gun?

Chris

What would bring you more enjoyment ? Shooting it or just staring at it in the box ? You might die tomorrow . Get out there today and shoot it like it was made for .

Since I cannot afford a collection, I say......

Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more!!

I'd be keepin' that one, therefore I'd be shoootin' it! Nice firearm!

Stay safe, John

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Luke 23:34

It is shootable art. Go forth and enjoy that one!

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On the Oak Savannah

I just ordered one of the 625JM's last week. I say shoot it.

Although it's a nice revolver, I would either shoot it or sell it and get something I would shoot.

Sort of like a new pair of shoes: leaving them in the box and not wearing them keeps them nice and shiny but doesn't make them special.

This is the problem, you can't order this one anymore. It is prelock and has a 5.25" barrel.

I was thinking about selling it and buying the more common 4" model.

Chris

Chris,

It is stainless steel. The finish can be brought back to the original condition quite easily....if you don't shoot it and enjoy it, someone else down the road will. It is not J Edgar's Reg Mag #1.

Shoot it, carry it, ENJOY it

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On the Oak Savannah

*chris*, All of the above posters show great judgment because they know about .45ACP revolvers. rpg and SAFireman happen to say it in the best ways possible. Perhaps Hoover's Registered Magnum was made to look at, but ACP revolvers are made to shoot, and shoot some more.

.45ACP factory is the least expensive big bore factory ammo out there. Comes in 100 rd packs at Walmart for a reasonable price. Time to make empty cases! The handloaders will love you. And you will love your gun. BTW, I've never seen that gun with a 5" bbl; can only imagine how much fun it will be to shoot it!

Oh, and if ever S&W makes a gun registered to, or in some way, commemorating me (that's a laugh!), I insist that it be shot. Enjoy your gun!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I would either shoot it or sell it. In answer to your original question it is DEFINITELY a desirable gun. I don't know how many in that configuration were made, but not many. It is a beauty!

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Brad

Nice-looking PC. Shoot it if for no other reason than to make sure it's 100%, then keep shooting it just to be sure.

Way to go! To me, a NIB isn't a gun until I "clear its throat" with a cylinderful of ammo, SA if possible, to help the parts settle in. A PC gun!? Dang right shoot it!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

If you don't want to shoot it, sell it to me and I will shoot it, a lot!!!

It sounds to me that you would rather have the $.

Sell it.

Get on line, pal!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Shoot it! Or trade it to me

Yes and no, I bought it to shoot, paid a price that I don't mind shooting it, it is just really unfired which has to be pretty rare. I have owned both 4" and 5" 625s and don't see a huge advantage of either.

Any idea what its value is in its current condition?

Thanks everyone for the input.

Chris

Exactly why you should shoot it.

I'm not a wine person, but how can a "great vintage" be great if you never drink it? Hanging on to it is a waste and selling to buy a 4" is like trading for a bottle of Ripple.

Look at who you are asking. The case may be unused, to a true collector the gun may not be. SO if it's been fired by the owner, & who would order a Pc gun to NOT SHOOT IT, more shooting & reasonable care won't devalue it beyond the pleasure it will bring IMO. Unless you happen to have a few more of them laying around. Go bust some caps!

My advice is to shoot the heck out of it. I have been reminded too much of late how short and ephemeral life really is. Either shoot it or trade it for something to shoot and enjoy sooner rather than later.

Do you want to shoot it or make money with it.
That's a question for yourself,not us.

1) You already own a very nice gun. A current gun will not be any better.
2) It is pre-IL.
3) It is MIM and all current parts fit it.
4) It will always be desirable to others even if you shoot it. Shooting it will not depreciate it for a shooter. It already has a scratch.
5) More money will always come along. More of these guns coming along is not as likely.

Best Regards,
ADP3

I was going to say if you don't shoot it, you would be missing out on a great revolver. But you have owned and shot them before so you know how great they are.
Just a thought but as nice as it is, I would shoot it and I would be turning it into a BBQ gun. Get a really nice holster for it with what ever you want and enjoy it. That is a very nice revolver!

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2 Timothy 1:7

I'll take it

Prelock & NIB? ---> S-E-L-L

Take the proceeds and buy the IL Miculek and some ammo.

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I'm with the banned ...

I had not seen that one before, I would have to shoot it. Looks great.

I lost a fellow collector friend this week. He had a lot of special guns, and loaded and shot them all. I going to buy/ shoot what I like while I can.
PS I would like to own that one, have most ACP Saws, not that one

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Tommy

If I bought it, I would shoot it. I don't buy safe queens. Last year I bought a Model 17-6 4" (not full underlug) that was Old Stock, NIB. Once I found some .22 LR ammo...no longer unfired.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Tell you what, in the spirit of being helpful, I'll shoot it for you so you won't feel bad about shooting a gun that may be unfired!

Seriously, I'd shoot it. Lots of great advice here...

I have a 629 no dash 8 3/8 bbl that appears unfired. After a lot of thought I plan to shoot it as soon as the temp gets above 0. If I don't fire mine and you don't fire yours we will never know will we. Let's shoot them.

I'm in a similar spot.....just got a 686-3 that is 22 yrs. old and unfired. Had to think a little, but I'm going to shoot it and clean it...and shoot it some more!

OP, I do understand your dilemma. Over the years I've stumbled into a few guns that were either ASIB or appeared unfired. Some sat in the same condition for awhile but ultimately all went to the range. They were built to shoot and as others have said life is too short.

That is a beautiful gun! I love .45 ACP revolvers and if it was mine it would not be unfired for very long. That being said, if you decide otherwise, unless you are in dire need of money I'd say to hang on to it. It doesn't cost anything to store, doesn't take up too much room and will only continue to increase in value.

Another vote for shoot it or replace it with something you will shoot. It's what they're made for, and an ACP revolver is bunches of fun!

Larry