I have a 625 JM, been very happy with and as such, considering another.

Am seeking feedback from those who have/had 625-8 PC. What do you like, dislike, for those who have both JM & PC what do you prefer over the JM version, prefer the JM version over the PC?

Don’t care about feedback on grips, since both are essentially the same and feel grips are like shoes- what fits me, may not fit you.

Purpose is as a range gun and IDPA use.

Thanks in advance

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

I give the 625-8 PC two thumbs up. Having not owned or shot the JM version I cannot comment on a comparison.

I us mine as a range gun and I like the balance, out-of-the box good trigger, and it's plenty accurate.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Owned both. Both very accurate, the 625 PC a bit faster to swing.

I don't have a 625JM but I have a 625PC.

Here's some of the differences, unique features & specs I can relay:
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625-8 PC, #170161: - introduced in 2010

- first off, the S&W website's weight (42oz.) is incorrect; it's 39oz. with the funky wooden red/white/blue grips on (but promptly removed & hidden).

- it's satin stainless steel finish is moderately shiny.

- it's barrel does have the broached (6) groove rifling vs (5) groove EDM/ECM rifling of the JM. It's bore measures .443". It's supposed to be "deep cut" but since the bore measures essentially the same as my other 45's I don't see how it can have deeper grooves, just squarer/sharper.). It's groove measures essentially the same as the throats, .452".

- barrel-cylinder gaps measures a fairly uniform, but generous, .007" (PC quality?)

- it's cylinder's edge (face) is chamfered.

- it's cylinder diameter is the same (1.710"), as are all N-frames cylinders . The cylinder stop notches on the PC are the same size (width) as pre-endurance models (.245") while the JM's are the same width as endurance models (.365").

- it's barrel extension (into the cylinder window) is longer at .355" vs .237" for the JM.

- the PC's cylinder length is ~1/8" shorter than the JM's/325/625 (1.425" vs. 1.540") & it weighs .45 oz. less.

- it does not have a ball detent lock-up on the yoke, often found on many PC models.

- it's cylinder throats are right at .4520"

- it's charge holes are supposed to be chamfered, however, mine are not.

- it's cylinder notches (depth) are a smidge shallower resulting in slightly thicker supporting metal under them (.030" vs .026")

- it's chambers do have a ledge cut in them for the case to headspace on & it shoots 45ACP without moon clips reliably (as does my 325NG)

- it has a DX style/interchangeable .250" tall gold bead front sight (looks more like brass bead) & a .125" tall black adjustable rear sight blade.

- it's black tear drop hammer is .400" wide (don't care for the tear drop shape)

- it's black smooth trigger is .300" wide & has a trigger stop installed.

- it's "PC tuned action" has a SA trigger pull that's clean & crisp but 4-1/4#. (DA pull unmeasured but it doesn't feel any different from standard production S&W revolvers I have.)

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625PC with black Badger Round Butt Conversion Grips with taller SDM front sight (.300") & taller rear blade (.146")
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The factory crown was not impressive nor centered.
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I chamfered mine
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Waiting for the break of day

All thanks for the replies.

Bluedot- great feedback on the differences. Thanks for the pics- like your grips.

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

Tanner’s Owner-I have the JM. Love the way it shoots. I kind of feel like if it is good enough for Jerry Miculek, it’s good enough for me. If I put the two side by side and shot them, I’m probably not talented enough to find subjective differences. But my holes in the target would appear at roughly the same place on the target. By the way, I have a 325NG that is an interesting carry gun. I love those moon clip guns.

I salute you on your precise, thorough description of the 625PC. Wow. I guess from now on you will be the go-to guy when mention of this gun arises.

BTW, those grips make your gun look absolutely stunning. Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

The ONLY thing I don't like about is my JM, is that the barrel leads badly with cast bullets. Solved that with coated & plated rounds.
If I had it to do over again, I would be into the performance center 625, based on my experience with my 686-6, 5" Pro Series. Bob

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I have the 625-8 PC..
Had to send it back to Smith twice.
Second time they sent it back it was perfect.
Do not have the JM but had an early five inch 625. forgot the dash number.
I prefer the balance and handling on my 625-8..

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NRA Benefactor

I did not like the grips on my JM, preferred an earlier 5" 625 overall.

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Ed

Shoot mine anytime!

Interesting that no replies had a opinion on the JM trigger. Interesting to me, at least, because I HATE that trigger. Square with sharp ridges everywhere, it is the exact opposite of what like in a large bore gun.

Trigger or hammer? All the triggers are smooth on everything I've purchased in the last several years.

My 625PC's tear drop hammer had a horroribly sharp texture to it that required me to smooth it out. My 627PC had the same trouble. All my other recent revolvers have had fine hammers.

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Waiting for the break of day

I had to put a slightly longer strain screw in to get 100% ignition with any and all ammo. Because of the increase in the mainspring curve some grip screw holes line up on the spring and can't be used. I CCW it in a Summer Special copy. It is easy to shoot well.

Ihocking means the trigger itself. Remember that the trigger is different than the PC model.
Wide trigger With deep serrations. (TT?)

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

The JM model's trigger has extremely sharp serrations and is wide.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Bludot,

Good rundown. Thanks!
Taj

The next purchase for my 625 collection is a PC model. I don't particularly care for the advertising on the JM plus I already have a 4" so I'm just going to skip it.

The horrid red white and blue grips gotta go though before going in my safe.

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Funny, I was thinking just the opposite. I have a 625PC but was thinking maybe I should add a JM ( or older 5" model) to the safe to compliment it. That said, I keep thinking that another 625 isn't going to run any better than what I have. Once I replaced the grips, I fell in love with the gun.

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Dave

Wow, I didn't think they still used that style trigger anymore. None of my modern S&W's (in the last 15yrs.) have one.

My 29-2 does & it IS rough on your finger. SA not too bad; DA, bad.

Thanks for clarifying.

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Waiting for the break of day

IIRC, that is the preferred style of trigger of Jerry Miculek, hence the inclusion on the JM variant.

BTW, I own both types and still haven't decided which is better after several years.

I cannot compare the two as I have only owned and shot the 625-8PC; I also once owned a 5" 625 (Model of 1989, I believe) which I eventually gave to my son who still owns and loves it. I felt that the -8 handled a little better.

Mine is an early example, I bought it in 2010. I had to send it back to S&W soon thereafter because the hammer strike would only fire 2-3 rounds per cylinder, with at least 50% being FTFs. They installed a slightly longer firing pin and the gun has worked great ever since.

I have the 625-8 JM,don't know anything about the 625-8 PC.

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Life is short,live it fully.