625: 5" bbl to 4" bbl?

Mike-4 · #1 02-12-2017, 03:26 PM

Hi Folks - I have a 625-6, 45 Cal Model of 1989 with a 5" bbl, pre-lock, frame mounted firing pin. I've been wanting a 625 in a 4" bbl for the longest time but they are a bit pricey for me. After waiting for quite some time, I finally located a brand new factory 4" bbl for the 625. My question is, should I go ahead and have the barrel changed out to the 4" with will run me about $150 - 200 or sell both my 5" 625 and 4" bbl and get a factory 4" 625? I am surprised that it appears the 4" 625s are the least common bbl length.

I'm just a little concerned that if I change out the bbl, it may affect the value of the 625 since the replacement 4" bbl does not have the "45 Cal Model of 1989" etched on it.

Regards

vigil617 · #2 02-12-2017, 07:04 PM

One other option would be to have the 4" barrel installed, and keep the 5" barrel that's marked Model of 1989 in case you ever decide to sell the gun.

That's what I'm doing with mine, though with a difference: mine's a 625-2 originally in a 5" Model of 1988 barrel. The owner wanted a 4" gun, so he found a 5" Model of 1989 barrel and had a gunsmith shorten it and machine a partial extractor shroud on it. When he offered it for sale here on the Forum, it was exactly what I had been looking for -- a 4" barrel in 45ACP with the partial shroud. I snapped it up, and it's a keeper!

I just couldn't ever, in good conscience, separate the original roll-marked Model of 1988 barrel from the frame, even though I'm sure I could sell it. I don't plan to ever transfer the gun to anyone, so the package stays together. I've also been told that the 5" 625 is one of the sweetest-shooting guns ever produced by S&W, and I just might decide to find out if it's true someday. In the meantime, though, I love the look and shootability of the 4" customized barrel.

bravastar1 · #3 02-12-2017, 08:44 PM

My opinion is to buy another 625 with a 4 inch barrel and leave you gun alone. If you keep looking you will find a nice original 4 inch on GB for around $800-$875.

shinbone · #4 02-12-2017, 08:55 PM

Seems like a lot of gyrations just to lose an inch of barrel length.

tops · #5 02-12-2017, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinbone

Seems like a lot of gyrations just to lose an inch of barrel length.

When you are sitting down and that extra inch is jammed in the seat it causes a lot of gyrations.

Larry

moralem · #6 02-12-2017, 10:02 PM

Keep looking don't mess with your gun. It will take time but they are out there.

Here is mine......

Wee Hooker · #7 02-12-2017, 10:10 PM

Don't mess with it. The 5" flavor is harder to find /will be more desirable to a collector down the road.
That said, unless there is a reason you need the 4" over the 5", I'd just live with it. Personally, I think 5" is perfect on any range revolver.

Mike-4 · #8 02-13-2017, 01:25 AM

A lot of great advice. I think I'm going to keep it as is and patiently wait for a pre-lock 4" to pop up.

Regards

mod29 · #9 02-13-2017, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-4

A lot of great advice. I think I'm going to keep it as is and patiently wait for a pre-lock 4" to pop up.

Regards

Good call! That would be my suggestion, too.

Muley Gil · #10 02-13-2017, 10:48 AM

Back in my cop days, my 1911 started to have feeding problems and I didn't have the time or money to fix it. I had a 5" M625 in .45 ACP and started carrying that as my duty gun. It shot great but it was heavy. I wanted to install a 4" Mountain Gun, but the factory had none in stock. This was looong before searching on the 'Net was practical. Brownells did have a 3" full lug barrel, so I bought one of those and installed it.

It shot fine, but I really wanted that 4" barrel sight radius. I did find out that by using full moon clips, I could reload as fast or faster than most of my fellow officers that were using those new fangled bootom feeders.

A few years later, after I had retired from my PD, I found and bought a M625 .45 ACP Mountain Gun. I carry it on occasion and it is my bedside companion. I feel it is the finest combat revolver ever built.

bananaman · #11 02-13-2017, 11:11 AM

I know that it may be newer than you want, but I like the JM. Although mine is modified slightly, enjoy shooting it. Around me they come up for sale for $800-ish. The only drawback is they (mine anyway) lead badly without coated or plated bullets. I can live with that. Bob

Dale53 · #12 02-13-2017, 03:00 PM

Neither my S&W Model of 1989 5" 625-6 nor my 625-8 JM Special lead a bit with my home cast bullets. They both have .452" cylinder throats. I have over ten thousand rounds thru both of mine. My bullets are cast of WW's + 2% tin, lubed with Carnauba Red, and sized to .452". I have three friends who have JM Specials and they work fine with cast bullets, too.

Dale53

kaaskop49 · #13 02-14-2017, 03:03 PM

Barrel swapping or cutting always seems like a good idea. I've done it (had it done) twice and been disappointed both times. After testing, never fired those guns again. Respectfully, look before you leap.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103