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  #1  
Old 09-07-2016, 12:33 PM
dgalletti dgalletti is offline
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Hello I'm new to the S&W forum, and looking to purchase my first revolver.

I currrently have a Ruger 22 & 9 .

Looking for guidence on purchasing either::

Model 625 JM (45ACP) or Model 686 SSR (357 Mag)...

Price break is about the same...yes I know the ammo is much more expensive for the 45 ACP..

Just looking at the Pistol aspect only.

Thank you,
dgalletti
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Old 09-07-2016, 12:45 PM
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Standard answer is to buy them both. Both are great revolvers to try your hand at IDPA. The 625 will get you educated about pistol calibers in revolvers and the use of moon clips (if you decide to go that way, PM me and I'll send along an essay that will save you some time and effort).

The SSR was conceived as an IDPA revolver for that division. They could have just made it a .38 Spl, but they would have been depriving themselves a large customer base that wants the duality of .357/.38.

Both are great guns. A .45 in an N-frame is just the ultimate for me - YMMV. If I were facing this decision it would be the .45 ACP, but in the PC version, rather than the JM. Search the forum to discover the differences - the PC is a little more spendy, but worth it.

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Old 09-07-2016, 01:08 PM
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Welcome.
Either gun would be a good choice. As to which one, that'd be your call as both are fine revolvers. I guess it might help to decide if you had any specifics in mind. I haven't checked lately but is .45 ACP ammo that much more than .357 mag?

Last edited by jack the toad; 09-07-2016 at 01:09 PM.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:12 PM
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If I were only going to buy one it would be the 686. Both are fine guns but you get the option of shooting.38 special with the 686. .45 and .357 gets pretty hard on the hand and wallet if you shoot a lot. .38 special you can shoot all day long.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:15 PM
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I don't think 45 acp is more expensive than 357. You can buy 45acp in bulk for some pretty decent prices. At or near the same prices as 38 special. But, then there is an ammo plant right down the road from my brother's place so maybe I am spoiled.

I am also a big bore fan and would go with the 625 myself.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:22 PM
dgalletti dgalletti is offline
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Thank you everyone on your quick responses...the only thing Im toying about is the moon clips...not sure if I want to slow my process down at the range. I hear its a pain to load and unload.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:34 PM
robert1804 robert1804 is offline
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Both are fine revolvers. Sounds like you may not reload, in that case I suggest the 686. Even if ammo cost is not an issue, a 38/357 revolver has lots more choice in ammo, from light target .38's to full .357 mags. Factory .45 ammo tends to have a fairly common "kick" to it since the automatics it's made for have a small pressure and velocity window needed to cycle an automatic.The 625 JM will need a bunch of moon clips and a moon/de-moon tool unless you reload and can use .45 AR (rimmed) brass. The 625JM is more a reloaders gun.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:44 PM
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I have the 686SSR and it is my favorite 357 and I have several. I am not interested in competition shooting so mine is for everyday carry and for that use it is a great fit for my purposes. Since I reload factory ammo costs are a mystery to me.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dgalletti View Post
Thank you everyone on your quick responses...the only thing Im toying about is the moon clips...not sure if I want to slow my process down at the range. I hear its a pain to load and unload.
There are several quality moonclip tools that make the process easy. You may want to buy extra clips so that you go to the range with that sessions ammo pre-loaded into clips.
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Old 09-07-2016, 01:58 PM
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As others have suggested, if you pick the .45 ACP, get a moon clip tool. Makes is easy and you won't bend the clips putting in or taking out. .45 ACP is cheaper than .357 where I shop.
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Old 09-07-2016, 02:39 PM
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Hands down -- Get the 357 , it's versatile will shoot 38spl also and it 's not so big and heavy like the 625. you won't regret it . The cost of 38spl is much cheaper than 45acp . The 357 is a real fine proven cartridge .

Last edited by cowboy4evr; 09-07-2016 at 02:48 PM.
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Old 09-07-2016, 04:17 PM
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Don't sweat the moonclip deal at the range. I have over 50 of them as they are not that expensive. Load them up at the house and take loaded clips to the range. Brass oick up is simple, you get all six pieces in one bend over and grab. Loading the clips isn't hard. I kind of roll the brass in on a piece of hardwood or the like. Pop them out with a tool I made, but a little time with a piece of pipe, tubing, golf club handle and a grinder and you have a handy dandy.
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Old 09-07-2016, 05:10 PM
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Just so you know, with the 625 in 45 ACP, moon clips are good, but you don't totally need them. You can push (with a pencil or some such) or pull (with your fingernails perhaps) the empty 45 ACP cases out of the cyinder.
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Old 09-07-2016, 07:15 PM
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The principal question again is; "what do you plan to do with it?". If just primarily informal paper punching and a SD gun for the house, either one would do well, but the versatility and cost of the ammo for the 686 would probably a better choice. If you plan to get into participation in competition, the 645 might be the better item. Put some thought into what you will be doing with it before spending a lot of money.
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Old 09-07-2016, 07:16 PM
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The 686SSR is a Pro line revolver, set up for service pistol competition - 6 rounds, 4" barrel. I've handled several, and the triggers have all been very smooth and light (< 13 # DA). .357 Magnum is by far the most flexible caliber in a revolver.

The comparable 625 would be the PC, not the JM. The JM has a standard action (not Pro or PC), and a serrated trigger. The trigger will chew up your finger inside of 50 rounds. The full length lug lends a nice amount of forward weight, but I prefer the tapered lug of the PC version.

Another option is the 325 Thunder Ranch, which is a PC graduate with a scandium frame and two-piece barrel. At 31 oz, it is a nice woods carry weight, and only a little snappy with .45 ACP.

The slow velocity and consistent ignition properties of .45 ACP make every round a target round, with an excellent reputation for accuracy. It's not a bad carry piece either.

I looked long and hard between the JM, PC and Thunder Ranch, but decided on the PC. It arrives tomorrow. I have other PC revolvers, so it's not exactly a pig in a poke choice.

Last edited by Neumann; 09-07-2016 at 07:20 PM.
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Old 09-07-2016, 11:31 PM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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To each their own, but I would pick the 686.
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Old 09-07-2016, 11:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK View Post
To each their own, but I would pick the 686.
So would I, for the first revolver anyway. I kind of skipped over that evaluation.

I like the 686 SSR, and there's not much you could do to improve a Pro or PC trigger. It runs about 9.5# DA and 3.5# SA. The SSR is designed for service pistol competition. It is also a very fine revolver for general use. I might have an SSR, but prefer a +7 round 686, and presently own a 4" and 3" model (for carry). I have a 625 Pro, which is an SSR on steroids - N-frame, 4", 8 rounds, tapered lug.

Last edited by Neumann; 09-07-2016 at 11:59 PM.
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dgalletti View Post
Price break is about the same...yes I know the ammo is much more expensive for the 45 ACP

Them days are gone .45 A.C.P. is cheaper than you think and you don't even have to buy reloads.
To your question, I've never cared for the .357 even if it is a very versatile round because you can do carbines and .38 special.

At the same time having now own a revolver that's capable of shooting the A.C.P., had it been the only caliber round I could shoot out of it I would have never bought it.

The only advantage moon-clips have is quicker reloads, that's all. And I hope you understand you can not just put rounds into that gun. You have to use moon-clips.

We had a guy on here a couple of weeks ago who ruin his performance center 9mm revolver because he didn't understand that.

So, to answer your question if you can get by using those stupid moon-clips you'll have a blast shooting .45 A.C.P. out of that 40 + oz. tank.
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Old 09-08-2016, 09:26 AM
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I am the proud owner of a 625-8 in .45 ACP along with two other .45 ACP revolvers. They are great fun at the range and very accurate with standard 230 grain ball ammo. They also make a good protection piece with JHP ammo. For range use, I use the RIMZ brand polymer moon clips. They are super easy to load and fairly inexpensive. They are my choice for any use except self defense or competition where good steel clips are more secure.
Even without the moon clips, the 625 is easy to unload with either a flick of a fingernail or a push with a pencil.
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:24 PM
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QUOTE: "... And I hope you understand you can not just put rounds into that gun. You have to use moon-clips..."

As others have said, you don't have to use moon-clips; you can just poke spent cartridges out with a pencil. Or you can use .45 ACP AutoRim cases.
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:42 PM
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My 686SSR is great. The 357 is way more flexible than the 45, whether you reload or not.
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:45 PM
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Both .45ACP and .357 Mag are too hard on my body these days. With arthritic hands at 78, I finally (recently) sold my guns of those calibers. I still keep a "Saturday nite special .22" (more than 50 years old) and a S&W 986 PC, along with a S&W 929. The 9mm round is a little easier on me. Moonclips are a different story.

I was ready to sell my 986, then discovered the BMT tool. Loading and unloading the moonclip became a non-issue. I was so pleased I bought the 929 and a BMT tool for it.

I began shooting pistols 70+ years ago using revolvers. I now think revolvers send more shock to the body than than do semi-auto's. And, I shoot revolvers very little out of the 25,000+ rounds of 9mm ammo, each year.
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:16 PM
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What do you want to do with it? They are both nice revolvers, I've owned both and currently run a pair of 686SSR's in IDPA.

The N-frame 625 is a well made gun. The JM version has the quick change front sight to boot. Running a .45's in moonclips wasn't a big issue. I would load all my moonclips before I left for the match and I would be set for the day. Made picking up my brass nice and easy....

However, my SSR's are far more enjoyable to shoot. They handle more like a K-frame than an L-frame. They have the quick change front sight and generally come with better fit and finish than a standard production gun. On top of that I enjoy shooting .38 spl more than I do .45. I shoot an indoor PPC leage in the winter and I end up running one gun for pretty much everything.

That said, I think every modern revolver needs to be tuned... Mike Carmoney did my 625 and one SSR was worked on by Clark Custom and the the other tuned by Mojo Customs.

My advice would be to see if you can find a place to try them out and see which one you like shooting more... I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Carmoney tuned Smith & Wesson 625 JM


Clark Custom and Mojo Custom tuned 686SSRs

Last edited by S391; 09-08-2016 at 05:19 PM.
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:16 PM
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Having a bunch of 45 acp Smiths my favorite, by far, is the SS Mountain Gun. Not knowing much when I started out I stocked up on boatload of 45AR (auto rim) as I did not want the hassle of moon clips. I reload for both with reduced loads but find I shoot at least ten times more acp.

As some have pointed out moon clips are cheap and you can bring your entire range day already loaded in clips. They reload even faster than a speedloader and once you learn how they are a breeze to moon and demoon with the proper tools.

Last year I picked up a blue mountain gun in 45 Colt that either the factory or some talented soul bored out the cylinder so it will accept 45 acp in moon clips or 45 Colt. It will not accept 45AR. Versatile but no match for my stainless favorite
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:17 PM
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Quote:
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I shoot revolvers very little out of the 25,000+ rounds of 9mm ammo, each year.
Holy Mollie !
(I'm hoping to even still be on feet in two years and I'm only 60)
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Old 09-08-2016, 06:14 PM
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Default Get the 686.

If it's a "one or the other" situation, go with the 686 and start a savings fund for whatever you want next. Others have already posted about practicing with .38 SPCL, so I won't belabor that point. You can use a mix of .38 and .357 on the range to accustom yourself to the bigger bang and kick and to be sure it's not making you flinch. For daily carry, if a .357 doesn't stop your adversary and you don't have an elephant gun handy, run like hell. As for the qualities of the 686, I filled mine with snap caps and worked the action every chance I got. After a week or so of this, that revolver now has the smoothest action of ANY revolver I've ever owned or fired.
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Old 09-08-2016, 06:34 PM
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If the 686 is not what you want look at the model 627 by Smith. Its more money but a truly beautiful gun. Its a 8 shot 357/38spl revolver made by smiths best craftsmen. A real target pistol.
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:18 PM
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I have versions of both. When I qualify for my carry permit, I always use the .45. I have always found the recoil on it notably less intense than the .357. First, the ft-pounds for .45 range from about 350 to 500 while .357 range from about 500 to 800. And as the .45 revolver is usually heavier than the .357, the felt recoil is less. Generally, the grips are wider on the .45 and that also spreads the recoil over a larger area, further decreasing the recoil impact. I always shoot better with my .45 revolver than with my 45 autos. My testers for my carry permit are always surprised by that, but the gun runs so smoothly it isn't surprising to me. The moon clip thing seems like a problem at first, but it is so quick to load and unload you will learn to love it. No more bulky than speed loaders, but much faster. Putting the round into the clips and removing the empties are sort of like a little Zen exercise for me. I find it very relaxing and calming (really!!). AS other have said, cost is not really a big difference. You can usually find on line sales which will bring the prices close together. If you have to buy only one, get the .45.
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Old 09-09-2016, 06:43 AM
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What do you plan on doing with them? It sounds like you want to shoot competition with them maybe?

I shoot both. I lean more toward the 625 for several reasons. I have a lot of moon clips so I load them all up before even heading out to the range. And it is easy to get all my brass back. Where as if I shoot my 686 it seems like I always have to bend over several more times to pick up the brass. Moon clips are cheap.

But then I also reload my own ammo, and my .45acp loads are right at the 165 power factor, while most of the factory ammo is at 170+.
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Old 09-09-2016, 01:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dgalletti View Post
Thank you everyone on your quick responses...the only thing Im toying about is the moon clips...not sure if I want to slow my process down at the range. I hear its a pain to load and unload.
Load in bulk before going to the range, refill the full moon clips at your leisure. Full moon clips come out as six and in as six in 45 ACP N frames. If you ever get a case stuck under the extractor, or are trying to reload under time stress, you'll have a whole new appreciation for the full moon clips. I keep a couple of speed strips and load with auto rim if I plan on firing just a couple of rounds, while hunting.
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Old 09-09-2016, 02:53 PM
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BMT Equipped, Inc.

Greatest tool, ever!! Makes loading and unloading a snap.
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Old 09-09-2016, 08:29 PM
kilroy2721 kilroy2721 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S391 View Post
BMT Equipped, Inc.

Greatest tool, ever!! Makes loading and unloading a snap.
+1 on the BMT loader. Very easy and quick to use. It will both load and unload the moon clips.
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Old 09-10-2016, 06:17 PM
Dave686 Dave686 is offline
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Since you say it’s your first revolver I will make some assumptions. I will assume this is a range toy or a target handgun; not a carry gun.

I carried revolvers on duty and shot them in competition many years ago. Never cared for the N frames; their extra size didn’t offer me anything over a K or L frame but weight. They aren’t any more accurate.

I would recommend a 686 as a range or competition gun. It will shoot the heaviest .357 Mags or cream puff .38’s. The SSR looks nice, but is only offered in 4”. The price I see for it is $783. A new 6” 686 would make a better target gun and it is $683. A pre-lock 6” 686 would be my choice if you could find a deal on one in excellent condition.

But that’s just the opinion of someone that has owned and shot S&W's for over 40 years and its worth exactly what you paid for it.
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Old 09-13-2016, 08:43 PM
woohoo woohoo is offline
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i have many revolvers and my 686ssr is my favorite new production revolver.i like it so much i bought one for my son.go with the 686
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