Hopefully someone technically oriented on this site will know more than I do about the 625-JM. I bought a brand new one this week and have put about 350 rounds through it. The first 100 I had about 10 FTFs. The second 100 I had about 5 FTFs. Today I put another 100++ and had 1 FTF. My friend who has shot a lot of revolvers loaded with moon clips, said it is very important to wipe the cylinder surfaces off periodically, as crud will affect the function of the moon clips and cause misfires. I called Smith and they are mailing me a shipping label to get the gun looked at. However, if what I am experiencing is "normal" and can be solved by keeping the cylinder head cleaner, then well and good. Also, do brand new Performance Center guns like the 625-JM need to "break in" a bit before deciding to send them back? I have shot a lot of 1911s and in that world it is well known that brand new 1911s, especially finely tuned ones, need 500+ rounds minimum through them to break them in properly. I posted another inquiry on the other forum about moon clip use and I am pretty sure that I am loading them properly. So, if someone here has expertise in this area I sure would appreciate input. Oh yes, the strain screw is TIGHT! Thanks for replies!
Brand New 625 Jerry Miculek Questions
- Thread starter Jeepster1
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tomcatt51
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Before I sent it back I'd put a firing pin in it: Apex XP ignition kit - $14.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce
As for moonclips, there's a side with "square" edges and a side with "rounded" edges from forming them. The "square" side goes against the case "rim" towards the recoil shield, "rounded" side towards the bullet.
As for moonclips, there's a side with "square" edges and a side with "rounded" edges from forming them. The "square" side goes against the case "rim" towards the recoil shield, "rounded" side towards the bullet.
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500 Magnum Nut
Member
Use the steel moon clips as you shoot it. Make sure the strain screw is tight. Keep it clean underneth like your friend says. Put a full power main spring in it. (does yours have a ridge running up it's lenght or is it flat?)
Double check your cylinder end shake.
If you check all the above and still have problems, change the firing pin like tom says.
edit to add are you running reloads?
Double check your cylinder end shake.
If you check all the above and still have problems, change the firing pin like tom says.
edit to add are you running reloads?
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i have a 625JM from the performance center...have never had a misfire...with or without moonclips...it fires every time...super accurate...i normally shoot my reloads in it but have fired factory as well...if you are shooting reloads...check for a high primer...this happens a lot
Herb686
Member
Ditto KennyB, I've had my 625-JM for over a year and no problems using reloads (Fed and Win primers) and all manner of used brass. I clean about every 500 rounds. Also haven't noted a problem with square or round side of clip up or down - and I've tried experimenting both ways.
alde
Member
It's a brand new gun? I would not change any parts if it's not working right. Send it back to the factory. They are fast with repairs and pay shipping both ways. On the other hand it may be your primmer seating or moon clips. Are you using plastic or steel.
I foolishly sold my 5" 625-3 because I thought that my 629-3 Classic could do anything the 625 could and more. It was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. When I get another it will be with me till the end.
I foolishly sold my 5" 625-3 because I thought that my 629-3 Classic could do anything the 625 could and more. It was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. When I get another it will be with me till the end.
Herb686
Member
Alde makes a good point - seems if I've read something in the past year about the plastic clips not performing very well. I did have to send my 625-JM back to S&W for cylinder skipping ("throw by") on one particular cylinder (after about 1500 rounds). Any problems with a brand new 625-JM I would definitely let S&W handle it. If it goes thru someone else's smithing working hands and still has to go back to S&W, you might have to pay the bill!
Thanks for the replies! I took it out today and put 180 Rounds (30 moon clips) through it. After every 18 rounds (I shoot IDPA, so each IDPA "stage" is 18 rounds maximum) I wiped it out with a dry rag to prevent crud build up. I had only one "failure to fire"out of 180 rounds, so I am thinking the gun is okay. I am concluding that with moon clip fed guns, you have to keep the crud build up to a minimum. Unless I get feedback to the contrary, I will NOT send it back to Smith. Reactions anybody?
tomcatt51
Member
You should have no misfires. One in a 180 rd match is too many. I clean the chambers, recoil shield, etc ,on mine before every match (USPSA). In between it just gets shot. The guns with the newer .485" "California drop test" firing pins can sometimes be a problem. Most are fine but some will misfire, it may be a tolerance stacking thing. S&W will deny it's a problem. If you're shooting competition with your 625 you definitely want the chambers reamed and chamfered. Your reloads will improve because the rounds will drop in easier.
Herb686
Member
I too use mine for IDPA exclusively. I've also had the trigger lightened to the point I have to use only Federal primers. If I use Win I get FTF about 5 per hundred rounds. Has anyone worked on your trigger pull or have you backed out the mainspring retention screw somewhat??
alde
Member
I cleaned mine every 200 rounds (at the most) and never had a misfire out of several thousand rounds of factory and reloaded ammo. I also had an aftermarket mainspring. There is something wrong with your revolver and S&W will fix it for you and foot the whole bill. Why put up with something thats not right when they will fix it free and fast?
A new gun should fire every time! Period! There should be enough over strength in the action to fire all ammunition with certainty.
Send it back until it does. If reloaded properly, there should be no difference in factory or reloaded ammunition.
Send it back until it does. If reloaded properly, there should be no difference in factory or reloaded ammunition.
If the shipping label comes today, the gun goes back to Smith tomorrow first thing. Thanks for the helpful replies. I'll post an update once i get it back from Smith. I'm thinking they will just put in a longer firing. The main spring is already full strength stock Smith and Wesson. What else could they do other than replace the firing pin?
Herb686
Member
Don't think they will put in a longer firing pin - which to my knowledge is an after market item NOT made or installed by S&W. After my "trigger job" I had FTF on Win primers about 6 per hundred rounds. A longer firing pin only bought that down to 4 or 5 per hundred rounds.
I had sent one revolver back for work without first removing my after market firing pin - needless to say, S&W replaced it with theirs.
I had sent one revolver back for work without first removing my after market firing pin - needless to say, S&W replaced it with theirs.
tomcatt51
Member
There have been longer stock pins, .495"-.498" but the current ones seem to be .485".
duckloads
Member
to the original poster
Jeep'
What ammo are you using?
Jeep'
What ammo are you using?
tomcatt51
Member
They'll put in a longer strain screw. They won't put in an "old style" long firing pin. Too bad you didn't measure any of this so you'd know for sure.
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