So as not to push this thread to the top I'll just do an update.
I did buy a 625-4, but for car/motorcycle carry, I doubt that I will ccw it. And I will have some HP's on hand for that purpose.

THANKS for all the input.


I really like the idea of a 45ACP for CCW. But mostly just for car carry. While I like my 1911 I prefer a revolver. I'm not a fan of locked and cocked.

I've been thinking about getting an S&W 625/25 with a 3" or 4" barrel.

What's your thoughts?

Also, would you use 230gr ball ammo for self defense?

I'm asking these questions because I want to keep my "collection" to a minimum of calibers.

OR should I just use my 686 2" bbl for the same reasons?

I'm a fan of the .357, so I would just use the 686, but if I was going to use a 625, I sure wouldn't use ball, but rather any major manufacturer's quality hollowpoint.

For revolver SD, I would look into .45 Super in 185gr.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

I have three 625s, with barrel lengths of 2", 3" and 4". The 2" version sees the vast majority of use, at least for concealed carry. I agree that .45 Super is probably the best load for a 625 but I'd choose a 230 gr. bullet. Heavy handloads are just as good too. Nothing out there beats a 625 with short barrel as far as reliability is concerned.

Dave Sinko

I have a 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. I really like that cartridge but .45 ACP is just as good in that platform. I carry mine in a IWB holster sometimes. I got some wood boot grips for it and use a good, heavy belt. It conceals well for me but I am 6'2" and about 225 lbs. I do have to wear my roomier pants with it. Frankly, I find it rather bulky and heavy for routine CCW carry but you may find differently...I don't carry ball ammo in my .45 acp pistols and revolvers. Lately, I have been loading them with Hornady Critical Defense ammo...Good luck with it.

Ball is better than a sharp pencil and strong language, but there are many better choices. As for not being a fan of cocked and locked, then the 1911 format is off limits. It's designed for that, quite safe unless you are carrying a defective example, and the only way to be prepared for a fight. I carried my 1911 format pistol C&L for years, on and off duty.

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NHI, 10-8.

Is one of my favorite carry guns, carried IWB. Mine is loaded with CorBon DPX.

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the world is round everywhere

Find yourself a 325NG before they are completely gone from the market. Short barrel, lightweight, excellent combat fighting sights. (reminds me to get the trigger smoothed up a bit on mine though)

I suggest you stick with the 686.

I picked a 625pc (performance center) for winter carry. The 4" barrel is no problem with winter clothing. Presently carry 230 gr +P hollow points. The PC model has the smoothest trigger I have ever had the pleasure to pull.

I, too, like carrying a 4" model 25-2 in the wintertime. As others have posted, I would also seriously recommend using some flavor of factory hollowpoints rather than ball ammo... the revolver will feed anything, even the widest-mouthed hollowpoints, so why not take advantage of them?

I have a 625 5" and love it.

Great as a house or truck gun, but bulky, big and heavy for CCW.

Best round is, IMO, .45acp, 230 gr. No need for Super. Most effective 230 right now, for either the 625 or a 1911 is probably the HST, followed by the Speer GD, followed by the Win. SXT, all in non +P flavor. Ball (FMJ) is not the best choice.

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USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

The HST is my favorite load for the ACP. In the photos,the bullets on the right were fired from a 4 inch Kimber Ultra carry,the bullet on the left was fired from a full size 1911.
The standard pressure loads actually gave bettter performance than the plus P. These are from my testing from about 3 1/2 years ago. I don't think you'll see a significant change when fired from a revolver.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

While on the subject of .45 ammo I found something that Doc Roberts has also noted. The Win.Ranger line is excellant ammo and has developed a good rep on the street especially in 9mm.
However,if a batch is turned out while the punches for the HP are dulled,expansion can suffer. Also as evidenced by the below photos you can see one of the reasons why the 5 inch barrel is best for the .45 auto.
In the first shot,you will note,that although expansion was good,the round from the four inch pistol (right) appeared to have hit with a slight keyhole effect.This did not occur with the 5 inch barrel(left).
The second photo is a worst case example of the RA45T keyholing from the 4 inch Kimber. I did not experience this effect with any of the other 16 total brands I tested.
Something to ponder on when choosing carry ammo.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I have a S&W 625-5 with a four inch barrel. I consider it great for home defense, but since I carry a CA 44 Spl Bulldog and a 38 S&W revolver, I normally would not carry it in the vehicle. I am told though that both the 44 Spl and the 45 will penetrate a vehicle door, but that a 38 probably would not.

I think it would be more dependant on the particular load used,more so than the caliber. Of course any round that hits the steel workings inside the door is less likely to get through.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I keep about 12 brand of HP 45's to check every new 45 for POA. Out of 13, 45 auto acp's all but 1 shoot Fed, Hydra shocks to the sights. The 1 is a Springfield Officers sized that shoots 185 STHP by Win to the sights. So with the one exception in my house, any 45 mag is loaded with the same ammo. Also reguardless of brand, all 45's use 1911(usually Wilson) or Sig 220 mags. There are also Marlin camp carbines, from the factory they use 1911 mags, but there are after market conversions to 220 mags.(The factory Marlin 1911 mag is as good as the lesser Wilson mags!) Bact to the OP, my 1917 and 625 both are a little bulkey, but have worked great the few times ccw-ed.

You're not going to carry a 4" n-frame around with any regularity after the first month. If you want the model 25, buy it, but don't kid yourself into thinking you should buy it because you'll carry it.....

I have carried 4-6" N frames off and on for years.
Sounds like the people who tell me that you cant carry ANY full sized hand gun regularly.
I do it every... single... day.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

Having carried for most of my adult life, I think carry is a matter of desire. Carrying a gun, or two as I do, every day, is a matter of willingness to do all of the things necessary to carry daily.

I carry IWB much of the time, so pants have to be a bit larger in the waist. Belts have to carry the load. Reloads have to be carried. Weighed in at the doctors today--166, but when I weighted this morning on a balance beam scale, weight sans clothing was 151. Apparel was shorts, t shirt under a light short sleeved shirt, and lightweight vest. Lightweight slip on shoes.

I carry all of the time I am up, at work, around the house, etc, etc.

It does take time, just setting up a pair of pants, making sure belt loops are right for the holster, etc. Pouches for mags or speed loaders/speed strips.

But most of all it takes desire. Today's primary is a 625-10, but tomorrow may be a 3" 25, or a 629.

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the world is round everywhere

4" Nframe carry is very doable with the right gear, wrong gear makes it impossible, I packed a 4" 629 for years, but now they have something better a 329pd, if you want to carry a 45 sixgun invest some time to find the right leather and you can be " well heeled " and comfortable at the same time.
Right now I'm using a rig from simply rugged and I like it, the gear from el passo is also top notch, there are lots of great holsters made by some of our forum brothers here too, so look around some and you'll find a rig you like, hope this helps

Packing an N frame is fine if you can use a shoulder rig and live somewhere up north where it's always cold and can wear a jacket.

I couldnt imagine wearing one on an IWB holster. Where I live, it's just too hot, and clothing has to be thin and sparse or you sweat to death, it wont be very concealable, so what's the point I say

I carry a 4" 625----it is not a problem--- it is about the same weight as a 1911.
I don't carry ball, but, would not worry about it if I had to.