Just brought this baby home. It seems that somebody polished the stainless steel and the original grips are missing. Action is perfect, and I put the Altamonts on it. It came with generic wooden grips. Will try some ACPs thru it this weekend.

Any current feedback on this model? The last threads I saw were from 2015.

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Feedback is that is an awesome gun, so congrats. I always take mine to the range and enjoy shooting it. The 45 wadcutters make nice holes in the paper! And it's more accurate than I am. I don't like when people mess with the original finish though and hate the way polishing makes for finish look and I also think it makes the metal more succeptible to corrosion, so I am a fan of the standard glass beaded finish on this model. Enjoy!

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I have owned one for a while. Great range gun & so accurate. Such little recoil you can shoot it for a long time. If you don't already have moonclips & the tool to moon & demoon it can be shot without them you just have to pull the empties with your fingernail. I'm guessing your serial # begins BDC.

I believe that the .45ACP/,45 Auto Rim revolvers are some of the most practical revolvers out there. I have a 625-6 (5") and a 625-8 JM Special (4"). I have shot mine a LOT!

My standard target load is 4.0 grs. Bullseye or equivalent behind a .452" home cast Mihec true copy of the H&G #68 flat base (actually a #69). These days, I mostly use Starline Auto Rim cases, but also have several thousand ACP cases. If you need a quick reload, there is NO revolver that is faster than a proper bullet (for speed loading I use the Lee 230 gr TC) in steel full moon clips.

I have a full length article in The Fouling Shot on the .45 ACP revolvers ("On the Range and in the Field with the .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim Revolvers). It might prove helpful for you. It is in issue #246 (March-April 2017). They have digital copies available and might be induced to sending you a sample copy. If you cast bullets and reload, an Association Membership can be VERY helpful (both rifles and pistols) and is inexpensive.

Cast Bullet Association:
Cast Bullet Association

Dale53

Liked mine so much that I bought another:

And another:

And they see a lot of use:

Used this one to win a match last Saturday.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Those 2 statements right there are so very true.

45 acp revolver gives you a big heavy slug, that puts a big hole in paper or beast, plus fast reloads AND easy brass clean up. Love those 45s and there bigger brother the 45 colt guns. My 44 mags just lay in a drawer.

In competition a cut scrore line gets you the higer point or X. with a 45 that is and almost an .05 advantage. Not much, but it adds up.

I believe that is a 625-2 which were only available a short period of time before an engineering change took us to 625-3s. The most visual difference is that the barrel nomenclature is stamped into the metal, on the "-3" it is lazer etched and vigorous cleaning can remove the etching.

Although it is only cosmetic I would much rather have a 625-2 for that reason.

Watch out, as others have said they are addicting. I chose my username because of the 625-3 it was my very first firearm in 1989-90. Still have that sucker - I have put at least 10,000 rounds through it. No issues ever.

Oh and your gun came with Pachmayr rubber grips - the correct type had 3 grooves for your fingers molded in. You can find them used at almost any gun show for $10. They will not look as good as the grips you have, but they may actually feel better when you shoot it.

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Dave

OP, from those pics your pistol almost looks like it's blued! Nice piece though! I got my 625-8 back in early June and it has 600+ rounds thru it already. It's already my favorite pistol to shoot out of a handful of revolvers, my beloved Commander 1911, and 3 CZ's... It does almost everything I want it too except conceal like one of my "J" frames. But with an Azula holster, a Beltman made "Bull-hide" belt with the internal stiffener, and a long T-shirt or Polo and the "N" frame is very doable to wear concealed. I'm on the hunt for a 3" barreled version but I have a feeling it's going to be almost as hard to find as the Model 25 I looked over a year for, unfortunately.

Nice pistol OP, let us know how she shoots! The Smith Model 25's and 625's are my favorite revolvers ever!

This is so true! I've found out recently that reloading the 625 with full moons and a hard cast "Keith Bullet" is just as fast... maybe faster than reloading my 1911. This style bullet/cartridge combo just seems to align their-selves and drop right in the cylinder. And ejection is quick and an absolute positive... even shooting steel cased ammo.

Our range partitions are laminated bullet resistant glass so you can see exactly what the lane shooters to the left and right of you are doing. Other shooters were commenting on how fast I was able to get the revolver back on target, reload after reload. I don't think many members are used to seeing Moon Clip equipped revolvers and how fast they really are. My brother and my friend's father are both seeking 625's on GB right now after shooting mine!

Congratulations!

Regalsc, yes the S/N starts with BDC.

Thanx for all the feedback. I appreciate it.

The non-factory high polish (distasteful to me but others may differ) is more than made up for by the fact that there is no IL and the firing pin is on the hammer, where it should be. (smile)

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Congrats on adopting a very nice revolver.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I have a Model 625-2 I got new a while ago. The action on the revolver was horrible, and I also disliked the matte finish. I contacted the factory about a finish change and a getting a Performance Center action job, and updating the plain sights to a RR and W/O. Well 9 months and a little over $400 later I got the revolver I wanted. I like this -2 version as the factory markings are roll stamped not laser etched. I also finished off the revolver with some fancy GA factory combat stocks for show, using the original rubber grips for shooting. This is a fun and very accurate revolver to shoot.

As someone else stated these revolvers are addicting. Sort of like Mountain Guns. I have had a model 1988 for a number of years and it is far more accurate than I am. It is factory stock with the ramp sight that my old eyes have trouble seeing. A small dab of white Kwik Site helps a little.
My LGS recently had a model 1989 at an attractive price so it accompanied me home. This one had a Patridge front sight that did not seem to work any better than the ramp. This being a much more common gun I mounted a SGM red front insert. It is now much easier to see on our indoor range. Possibly I will swap it out for green as those get high marks as well

I'm a huge fan of 45acp revolvers, but I resisted getting my 625-2 because l love the older guns (Colt and S&W 1917's, model 1950, model 1955). I found the 625 at a really nice price, and bought it knowing I could sell it easily if I didn't like it. Long story short, it is a very nice shooter. Enjoy yours.

I would prefer N-frame -3 over -2 any time. It has endurance package, parts are made on modern CNC machines, making them more uniform, and that usually transfers in more accurate revolver. On top of that, crane and some other parts are made from harder steel, making revolver much more durable. That is the reason why you never had any issue with your 625-3, even after more than 10 000 rounds. They are so well made.

Contrary to that, I had once in my hands 27-2 that had seen nothing but 38 Special target loads. I had never seen so loose revolver.

I ordered one of these via the local gunshop when they were first announced. It arrived and they called me. I went to do the paperwork and get it. The cylinder flutes were machined off center to the six charge holes. So it went back to S&W before I ever got it. Wish I had a picture. Got it back and was introduced to the infamous "floating hand". Got a trigger and replaced that. Had a good double action then.

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S&WCA 1729

Bought one in 1988.Used it and loved it.Smooth action both double and single.Very accurate.But I kinda suffer a rare disease,probably some air bubbles through my brains and I sold it.You don't need to line up to kick me for this...I've already done that myself quite a few times already!
Qc

I have a older 25-2 which has larger throats and is picky about the loads it likes. I figured it out now with 0.454 dardas 200 gr and that was a long search. It does not even like AC but only auto rim.

Yours I hear is absolutely excellent, they made correct 451 or 452 throats and it will be great with standard factory ammo is what I have been reading. I would eventually need one too. Or a 25-7 which is good too apparently. Enjoy, it should be a blast to shoot some winchester ball through this. Moon clips prepared at home are cool too. No need to fiddle with loading, just drop in.

Last thing, since the round rests on the case, not on the rim, any slight debris building up or even the smallest little spec of unburnt powder will leave too little space and make the cylinder jam at least on mine. I always brings brush for the extractor star (clean underneath) and a brush for the throats since I do to want any jamming messing up the ratchets but undue force turning the cylinder. At least what I food shooting mine. Enjoy!

Nice, I know you'll love it! .45 acp revolvers are really fun to shoot.

I just scored my 2nd 625 in as many weeks; a -2 1988 like yours, and a 625-6 MG in .45 Colt that I picked up at a recent gun show.
I had 2 of the 1989 models, but don't remember why I sold/traded them. Guess I was young and capricious...now I am old and capricious.

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Great guns. Dr.Lou, I have the exact same pair. Obviously one had just seen use.

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

Great minds think alike!

Fwiw, it's easy enough to bead blast that 625 back to original. I had to do one with a homemade blasting cabinet.

What media and pressure did you use?
Thanks
Lou