Greetings gents,

I get confused with the Model 25s and 625s trying to figure out what is 45 LC and what is 45 ACP. I am looking at a 3" Model 625-3 (RB) that says 45 Cal Model of 1989 on the barrel.
According to Wikipedia, that should be a 45 LC but seller says it is a 45 ACP.
Thought I read somewhere that the -odd numbers are 45LC, but evidently not always...…

Thanks for any pointers on this,

Tim

If it says Model of 1989 or 1990, it's a .45 ACP.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

I have both a 625-6 LH 3” in .45ACP, and the 625-7 LH 3” in .45 Colt.

I also own a 625-4 3” in .45ACP.

The .45 ACP generally will say .45 CAL, whereas the .45LC or .45Colt will always have .45 COLT spelt out on the Barrel.

As stated above, if it says Model of 1988 or Model of 1989 it will always be in .45acp and should say .45acp on the opposite side of the barrel

Well, my 25-7 , 5-inch says 45 Cal of 1989 on the barrel and that's a 45 LC, so evidently not always.....hence my confusion.

Tim

Well, when we are talking about 3” models, what I’ve said applies.

Aha....so different rules for 3" guns as opposed to longer barreled guns. That's very helpful, thanks.

Tim

I am speaking as to what I’ve noticed on my 3” Smiths. As I’m sure you are aware, Smith doesn’t always follow a set guideline or “rules”, you will always find irregularities.

Not sure if you are intentionally being sarcastic, but probably not the best way to get answers out of fellow Smith Enthusiasts.

I bought a 625-3 .45 ACP 3" new in 1992. It has ".45 CAL. MODEL OF 1989" on right of side of barrel and "SMITH & WESSON" on left side of barrel. There is no .45 ACP marking on the gun.

Not sure where you are reading any sarcasm into my responses, but certainly none intended. I am pretty new to the S&W collecting hobby, and what I have learned thus far is as soon as someone tells you there is a hard and fast rule, you can find exceptions to it.

But it is helpful to know that the 3" guns go by a different set of markings than longer barreled guns, was not aware of that.


FWIW, the 625-3 I have been looking at does not say 45 ACP on either side.

Tim

When it comes to S&W, "rules" can be more accurately described as "guidelines."

Somebody has also said "never say never."

If you are new Smith & Wesson enthusiast, realize that there is a substantial learning curve to knowing the ins and outs of model numbers, and model numbering variations. Working from my limited experience, I can remember when there were only 25-2s in .45ACP and only in a 6 1/2 inch barrel. If there were many .45 Colt made guns, they were few and I never saw or read of any. When the .45 Colt guns were introduced, they were called 25-5s and initially made in only 4 inch barrel. You could rely on the fact that a 25-5 was a .45 Colt and a 25-2 was a .45 ACP!
Barrel length had noting to do with the model designations, and I don't believe they ever have.
Now we have several configurations of 625 in both calibers and the 627 has a lot of variations and even one in .38 Super caliber. The dash numbers represent engineering changes in lockwork and frame changes more than anything else.

The bottom line is, that you just have to memorize the model numbers, caliber etc.

Now given that, there is some consistency in the model numbering and frame material. Plain two digit numbers starting with 1 or 2 are usually carbon steel, stainless model numbers begin with a 6, and alloy frame guns with a 3. Beginning in 1980, with the introduction of the L frame, the 586 was carbon steel and the 686 was stainless.

All this can be confusing to new owners and I may even confused myself here!! And I am sure there are some exceptions to the generalities I have tried to cover.

So don't be shy, go ahead and ask questions to learn the Smith way. And get the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" to learn even more. :-)

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Fishslayer got it almost right------------the only hard and fast rule applicable to S&W is: "Never say never, and never say always."

Ralph Tremaine

Richard, thanks very much for the guidance, much appreciated. It has been quite a bit of fun learning about the different variations, and I keep seeing new models/variations popping up for sale.

I have to say I am surprised to see in these times of gratuitous litigation that a gun manufacturer puts out a product without a clear cartridge designation, case in point the 625-3 that is only marked 45 Cal. And Wikipedia shows that model as only being chambered in 45 Colt, which is clearly incorrect.

I have purchased the SC of S&W as a reference work, that is very useful.

Thanks again,

Tim

Unfortunately you'll find the SCS&W isn't perfect either.

.

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Waiting for the break of day