625 JM grips

[stevieboy]

I've just acquired a 625 JM. I used to own a 625, but not a JM, and, stupidly, sold it a while back, so I'm really excited about my new purchase. I'll be taking it to the range tomorrow (weather permitting and it doesn't look good at the moment) and, in the meantime, I've dryfired it a lot. My one question mark about the gun is the grips. The JM grips look very cool but I find them to be a tad slippery. And, although they're thin and I find that to be an asset, I'm a bit concerned that they won't be all that comfortable when fired.

So, those of you who own the JM model, what's your experience with these grips? Do you keep them on your gun or do you replace them? I have a set of Hogue N-Frame round butt rubbers that belonged my old 625 and worked splendidly with it. Should I swap out the JM grips for the rubbers, sacrificing coolness for comfort?

 

[KMB]

Bring both sets of grips to the range and try both out. See which ones are more controllable/comfortable to you. If rubber grips work better for you, you can still keep JMs for looks/display.

Another option (one I've considered personally) is to pay someone to stiple the JM grips if you really like them.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

The JM grips felt a bit weird to me at first, but after a bit of shooting they are just fine. Use a firm grip and they dont wiggle around while fireing but are smooth enough that if you did not have a proper grip on the draw you can readjust your grip dureing presentation to the the target. With a rubber grip this is much harder to do as they a bit sticky.

 

[shadowrider]

I couldn't stand the JM grips on mine. Slippery and I didn't like the "gap" in the backstrap area, it bit into my palm while firing. I found a nice set of Hogue finger groove target stocks and never looked back.

I just sold that gun to help finance a new USPSA limited gun.

 

[NVBob]

I keep putting the JM grips back on because I like their looks, and then I keep taking them off because I don't like their feel--too slippery and the recoil bites. Hogue rubber grips work best for me.

 

[ranger7]

I've just acquired a 625 JM. I used to own a 625, but not a JM, and, stupidly, sold it a while back, so I'm really excited about my new purchase. I'll be taking it to the range tomorrow (weather permitting and it doesn't look good at the moment) and, in the meantime, I've dryfired it a lot. My one question mark about the gun is the grips. The JM grips look very cool but I find them to be a tad slippery. And, although they're thin and I find that to be an asset, I'm a bit concerned that they won't be all that comfortable when fired.

So, those of you who own the JM model, what's your experience with these grips? Do you keep them on your gun or do you replace them? I have a set of Hogue N-Frame round butt rubbers that belonged my old 625 and worked splendidly with it. Should I swap out the JM grips for the rubbers, sacrificing coolness for comfort?

I had a JM and now have a Performance Ctr 625 which came with laminated grips, the same shape as the JM grips. I tried the JM style grips and didn't like them for shooting at all. (They do look cool though.)

I put Hogue rubber grips on my 625s and then went even a step further and bought the Hogue Tamer grips sold by S&W for the X-frame 500 magnum. These cover the back strap and are a little bigger than the regular Hogue rubber grips. I do have long fingers and prefer bigger grips on all my non-carry guns.

 

[Tom C]

As you can see from the responses, grips are a very personal thing. I have an old 25-2 and a 625JM. I tried the JM grips but I couldn't stand them. I also didn't care for the gold bead front sight, so mine have Pachmayr Presentation grips and a black serrated ramp front sight.

 

[Stainz]

I wasn't sure about that JM grip when I bought my early production 625JM nearly five years ago. It replaced another 4" 625-8 .45 ACP I had bought new 9/02 and stupidly sold 6/04. I went nearly eight months without a .45 ACP revolver - almost unbearable. That original 625 sported Hogue wood monoblocks, S&W Dymondwood rounded combats, and even Ahrends square conversions. The 625JM sported an assortment - briefly - then I settled on what is the best - for me - the OEM JM's. I even bought a pair of them for another N-frame (627). They are fine for the normal ball ammo I launch with my 625JM.

Now, something that was a problem with all of the early 625JMs I've seen - the sharp edged grooves on that trigger - are a pain - bring some bandaids! Better yet, a strip of fine crocus/emery cloth can soften tose edges. My only complaint - else, what a bargain. My pusher ordered mine for $10 less for me than his in stock 4"-er. Love that spring-loaded front sight. It - and my 05/08 627 Pro - are my favorite centerfire revolvers. Sadly, another 4"-er - a 617 x10 - is rapidly winning my heart as my favorite plinker. That 625JM is up there, too - frugal big bore - ammo available everywhere - how could you not love it? Yeah, and those JM grips are perfect, even if I didn't think so initially.

Stainz

PS Ranch Products had the blued moonclips for $35/100 delivered - same as the examples supplied with the 625JM. Brownells nutdriver-styled demooner and you're good to go.

 

[stevieboy]

Much food for thought. I'm going to the range. I'll give a report later.

I've sort of become a grip snob in recent years. Several of my revolvers are presently outfitted with Nills Coke reproductions. They're beautiful and fit my hand well. However, I sometimes wonder if I'm sacrificing function for form. I occasionally switch back to Hogue or Pachmyr rubbers and usually remark to myself how comfortable they are when I do.

 

[Tom C]

I have found that I kind of like the grooved trigger on the 625JM, but the edges of the serrations were pretty sharp. In the process of smoothing the internals, I also hit the trigger face with crocus cloth to take the sharp edge off the serrations. It is now very comfortable to shoot and I love .45 ACP revos.

 

[David Sinko]

Just what do you intend to do with this revolver? If you intend to shoot major USPSA matches with it at 165 PF (where you WILL find a chrono, unlike the IDPA matches), then you need to go to the range and fire some 200 rounds through it in one session to see what it feels like. You might find that it works well for you, or you might find that your hand becomes a bloody mess. It depends on a lot of things, and no two hands are alike. But you need to shoot a lot of rounds at one time and not cheat yourself on the recoil.

I carry the red, white and blue laminated JM grips on my 625 SAC Mountain Gun and I find that they are the absolute best for making the fastest and most accurate hits. They work well for a few cylinders full at 230 PF but after that it gets uncomfortable real fast. My 4" full lug 625 will sometimes make me bleed with my other JM grips at 165 PF during local matches. But I have skinny, bony hands and fingers. You will need to judge comfort vs. practicality.

Dave Sinko

 

[Dennis The B]

I bought one...

...in November, and have put several hundred rounds through it.

Using the original JM stocks, I put two hundred rounds through the revolver, but never developed a liking for them. I put a pair of Hogue neoprenes on it just like the rest of my N frames. They are the ugliest, but most comfortable stocks I've ever put on a revolver. I use them for my Colts, Rugers, and S&W's.

Just a personal preference.

 

[stevieboy]

Just back from the range. Put about 100 rounds through it. The jury's still out on the JM grips. I didn't like the feel of those grips at all through the first four or five groups. But, then, I adjusted to them and they seemed to work better and better for me as the session wore on. By the end of the session I was starting to like them. What I really need to do is put the rubber Hogues on and go back to the range for another session and then, decide which works best. But, man, those Hogues are ugly!

I found the trigger to be slightly heavier than ideal. Not so much that I'm planning to work on it, but maybe, a pound more in da than what I would consider to be perfect.

The grooved trigger didn't bother me at all. I prefer smooth triggers to grooved, but most of my revolvers actually have grooved triggers and I've learned to work with them.

Btw, the gun is a tack driver, and, with the possible exception of my Model 27, it's probably the most accurate 4" revolver that I own. That shouldn't come as a surprise to me but, at 10 yards, shooting strictly da, I put 18 rounds in a hole the size of a silver dollar. At 25 yards my groups spread out for me (no surprise there, I'm no bullseye shooter). But, and to my delight, there was not much horizontal spread, just mostly vertical, and nearly all of my shots ranged from dead center to about 2 1/2" above and 2 1/2" below dead center. That's a keeper for me and my aging eyes and shaky hands.

 

[Dale53]

I have a 4" JM Special 625-8 (.45 ACP) and a 5" 625-6 Model of 1989. I have vision problems so installed Simmons Red Dot sights on both. I run 5000-7500 rounds per year through my two revolvers. They are BOTH a couple of "shooting machines".

Grips - I have always had recoil problems with wood grips. The JM's are no different. My TOTAL solution is Pachmayr decelerator grips. I LOVE those dern things. I really don't care much how they look, I am interested in PERFORMANCE! Here is a picture of the 5" Model of 1989:

Here is a typical target, 25 yards standing:

These two 625's are the most "user friendly" revolvers I own (and I own a house full) - it is SO easy to shoot good scores with them. I had a couple of good days this past fall and shot a 96 and several 95's slow fire. I am 74 years old and that is good enough to get my heart pumping full steam ahead with glee>)).

FWIW
Dale53