School me on a 625 please

[Jerry N.]

I really like the idea of a .45 revolver. I want it for home defense and target shooting. I like the idea that the round is readily available in target and self defense rounds. I like the idea of a revolver because I like to save my brass and what better way than with a revolver. I want a metal gun. I'm getting rid of my G30 (been a good gun, just don't want it). I like the thought of a .45 acp because I would think it would shoot very much like my 629 with .44 special (a tack driver).

I have no issues with an internal lock and while it's not that money is no object, I have no problem affording the gun. I'm trying to decide used or new, stainless or other.

I'd appreciate any input on my comments above and some help (direction) on the purchase.

I've been looking at the S&W site (new guns) and am disappointed, I don't really like the new guns. I don't really like the JM version. I would like one like that if it were more classic and didn't have the JM stuff all over it. I was looking at stainless but the alloy gun looked pretty good. I just don't know how durable alloy gun would be. I want a tank that will hold up through a lot of shooting.

If I buy used, I have no idea how to accomplish that. Can I just go to my local gun store and ask the owner to acquire the gun for me? I'd need someone to "certify" it as I don't have the skill to know if the gun is solid and I'd be ripe to get "taken". I wouldn't mind paying more for a good gun and the help in finding it, but if gun buying is anything like construction, everyone says they're there to help you as they're picking your pocket.

Also, in terms of self defense, can you mount a light on a revolver?

I know I kind of rambled, but I'm in need of some help. Blast away.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

In the last 6 months I have purchased, all from forum members, three 45 cal revolvers. They all have been a 625-3---one with a three inch barrel, a four inch barrel and a five inch brrel. These were all of the "Model of 1989".

They all shoot great. Just shot the 3 incher on the 10th of January and it is an excellent shooter.

In terms of buying, look in the classifides section--first the WTS/WTT and see if anyone has one for sale, and/or you can post in the WTB section what you are looking for.

You can also look at the auction sites.

You might also be able to find one at a gun show (though I have not found any there).

If you purchase one from out of state, they will have to ship it to a FFL of your choice who will then complete the required paperwork when you pick it up.

The blued models are the 25 and the stainless steels are the 625 model.

They made about 8 versions (or dashes) of the 625.

I think the 45 ACP revolver is an excellent weapon, and as soon as I get a holster , mine will become a CCW piece.

Sure others will chime in also.

 

[bamabiker]

M625

I have a 3" and a 5" M625 and really like them both.
If you do a search on here you should find several threads about them and most are very positive. About the only negative I can recall is some guys don't like using moon clips. They don't bother me and in fact I kind of like them. Get a bunch and load them up and take them to the range and your set.
I have read many post where guys talk about how accurate their's are and like you mentioned 45 ACP is readily available. And easy to reload if you are into that.
A little eye candy.

 

[DHOLLA]

you can mount a light on the 325 thunder ranch

 

[jblack58]

In addition to the 25 and 625 models, S&W also made a 45 caliber model 325 in there night guard series. It was made with a 2.5 inch barrel and a light weight alloy (scandium) frame.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Had my 3" 625 out to the range during lunch today. Sweet little shooter! Buy one, you can't go wrong!

 

[one eye joe]

In the last 6 months I have purchased, all from forum members, three 45 cal revolvers. They all have been a 625-3---one with a three inch barrel, a four inch barrel and a five inch brrel. These were all of the "Model of 1989".

They all shoot great. Just shot the 3 incher on the 10th of January and it is an excellent shooter.

In terms of buying, look in the classifides section--first the WTS/WTT and see if anyone has one for sale, and/or you can post in the WTB section what you are looking for.

You can also look at the auction sites.

You might also be able to find one at a gun show (though I have not found any there).

If you purchase one from out of state, they will have to ship it to a FFL of your choice who will then complete the required paperwork when you pick it up.

The blued models are the 25 and the stainless steels are the 625 model.

They made about 8 versions (or dashes) of the 625.

I think the 45 ACP revolver is an excellent weapon, and as soon as I get a holster , mine will become a CCW piece.

Sure others will chime in also.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ALL THAT IS SAID ABOVE. I HAVE A 4 INCH MODEL OF 1989, WHICH IS MY MOST ACCURATE AND MOST VERSATILE BIG BORE REVOLVER. I TARGET SHOOT WITH IT AND CARRY IT FOR PROTECTION IN A SIMPLY RUGGED SOURDOUGH PANCAKE HOLSTER. THE 4 INCH VERSION IS HARDER TO FIND THAN THE 3 0R THE 5, BECAUSE OF IT'S POPULARITY IN IPSC COMPETITION. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP, BUT ARE WORTH EVERY CENT. BTW---NO LOCK ! ! !

 

[kennyb]

i recently had my 625 JM model from the performance center out..it has the 5.5"barrel and is a tack driver....very fun and high quality

 

[Shooting4life]

I would go pre lock. Their are enough of them on the used market and price is simalure to new offerings (besides the 3 inch). Here are my two

 

[Jerry N.]

you can mount a light on the 325 thunder ranch

That, and it has a 4" barrel. So I am considering the 325 new or a 625 pre-lock with a 4" barrel. With the 325 my only concern is the alloy, but I've been reading and I'm warming up to the alloy vs stainless.

Thanks a lot for the feedback! Very helpful.

 

[Big_T]

my new toy; a 625 Performance Center. I've changed the grips ant can't wait to get it to the range this weekend for its first shoot. This will be my competition gun this season.

 

[Stainless44]

I have a 3 inch 625, Model of 1989, 45 ACP and I wanted to sell it. I picked it up with some others as part of a package deal and the thought of a 45 ACP revolver was so foreign to me that I figured I'd hate it...especially with the moon clips.

BUT...after taking it to the range the first time...and seeing how accurate it is...I'm thinking of keeping it. And moon clips and a revolver sure beat flinging my reloading brass all over the place with a semi-auto.

I'm starting to like it...not saying I still won't sell it...but I like it a whole lot more than I thought I would at this point.

 

[ghitch75]

i really like my JM.....get it you'll like it!!!....

 

[MTKTM]

View attachment 63469 my new toy; a 625 Performance Center. I've changed the grips ant can't wait to get it to the range this weekend for its first shoot. This will be my competition gun this season.

I've had the 625PC for a couple of years, great gun for target shooting and would make a fine night-stand/HD gun as well. No provision for mounting a light, however, but I like the heft of a full steel gun better than the alloy jobs, just feels more sturdy/solid. Very accurate, easy to shoot. I personally like the wild OEM grips and have kept them on my gun, but they are easily switched out for anyone who doesn't care for the look or feel of the originals.

My gun:

 

[brucev]

Well I'm feeling pretty good. I've moved on to my second "big" mug of coffee, I've had breakfast (three vanilla waffers w/ peanut butter) and I've got a hour before I head out to the office. I've read the OP and all the comments so I just can't resist responding. So... here goes!

I like the .45 ACP round. My first handgun was a COLT Combat Commander in, you guessed it, .45 ACP. I've been shooting it for 30 years. Only recently did I buy a revolver in that caliber. What a revelation. I've had 1911's and Sig 220's that were very accurate... some would punch out little 1.25 inch groups at 25 yds. With one I could reliably hit 6 inch steel plates at 50 long steps. But the 625-2 I bought outclasses them all. With plain 230 gr. FMJ ball loads it will hit a harrow blade time after time at 70 yds. At 100 yds. I've occasionally had 6/6 hits, but getting hits firing off-hand at that distance is really hard. Inside 25 yds., this revolver is rediculiously easy to shoot. Yesterday I had a little over half of a 100 rd. box of Winchester ammo that I shot at the local range after a making a visit with a church member. The first six shots fired double-action went into one ragged hole at 7 yds. At 15 yds., another six fired the same way simply opened the hole up to slightly under 2.0 inches. At 25 yds., the group was still less than 4 inches. Then I stepped off 30 long steps and put another 6 shots into the same group. I had six rounds left which I fired from 40 long steps. At that range I hit the 6 inch center 3/6 shots. The other 3 shots were right on the edge of the 6 inch center, but they did not actually hit. I saw what was left of a concrete block down at the end of the rifle range. I lobbed 6 rounds at it. The first shot was short. The second was over. The third was right at the bottom of the block. The last three were nice dusty hits.

If you are thinking about buying a .45 ACP revolver, stop thinking and buy one. It is a very good caliber for just about anything you will ever want to do with a handgun, HD or whatever. My 625-2 is more accurate than just about any other .45 ACP handgun I've ever fired. It is equal to several COLT Goldcup's I've owned/fired. It will fire with ease any factory load on the planet. Some pistols choke on ammunition with JHP's as big as ash trays. The 625-2 just keeps on keeping on! Love it!

As to which S&W to buy, keep your eyes open on the used gun market. When I was looking, I was unsure if I really wanted to buy a 625. I listened to what folks at this site said, bought the gun and could not be more pleased. If you don't like the grips, take them off and put on what floats your boat!

As to buying used, I've mostly bought used guns in local shops. As to on-line, be careful to note with whom you are dealing. I would be comfortable dealing with folks at this site. There are other good places to look and read.

Now, as to lights and SD, there probably is a way to mount a light on a revolver such as the 625, especially given the nice lug under the barrel. But I'd suggest simply learning to use a flashlight and revolver together the way police used such equipment in the days before rails and such were put on revolvers/pistols. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Jack Flash]

... My 625-2 is more accurate than just about any other .45 ACP handgun I've ever fired. ... It will fire with ease any factory load on the planet. Some pistols choke on ammunition with JHP's as big as ash trays. The 625-2 just keeps on keeping on! Love it!
...

Let me expand on the point underlined above.

The profile of a bullet means nothing to a revolver. Neither does the power level, assuming it is high enough to get the bullet out of the barrel and low enough not to turn the gun into a grenade. You can alternate cream-puff loads with full-power maximum loads. FMJ, HP, SP, LSWC, ... the revolver just doesn't care! Try that with a jam-o-matic!

Not to mention the brass is not scattered all over creation, as you have already noted.

I prefer the 5" M625, but the shorter barrels may suit your purposes better.

Years ago, the heft and size of the N-Frame seemed seemed just a little too much for me. Dirty Harry was right: "You get used to it." Handling and shooting N-Frames has made K-Frames seem downright dainty to me.

 

[Jerry N.]

Would you believe that in the area I live (Detroit region), there is not one gun shop that has a 625, 625JM, or a 325 TR to actually hold. I was hoping to shop today and was willing to go to three places if I had to touch all three but no dice. Not one. What a bummer. I called 10 ranges, some of which I knew to be local big boys and nothing. I guess I'll flip a coin because apparently, I'm not going to be able to hold one of these without commiting to buy. If someone had all three, I'd guarentee I'd buy one of them, but again, I can't even find someone with one. Is that the norm? I guess I'll have to order one to hold one.

 

[Jack Flash]

I never see them either. You are more likely to see an M1917 than an M625, at least in my experience.

One limitation I place on myself is that I don't look at models with the lock. So to a certain extent I have the blinders on.

 

[Coelho]

Hey guys:

I just bought one of these as well and I should take delivery next week. I need to buy a case of ammo for my son and I. Any suggestions on where to buy and what to avoid? I've seen posts about some ammo leading up the barrel?

Thanks.

 

[2hawk]

Welcome to the Forum!

I haven't shot any factory loads in .45 for a long time, but I did just receive a notification from Cope's Distributing

"Remington UMC 45 ACP 230Gr MC Nickel Plated 500rd LN45AP4
...
Description: Nickel Plated
Caliber: 45 ACP
Grain Weight: 230Gr
Type: MC
Units per Box: 50
Units per Case: 500

$161.99

Shipping is only $9.95 per Order. Order as many cases as you want and it all ships for $9.95...."

Didn't seem to onerous, but then again, I haven't been looking for any lately.

Welcome to the forum, and enjoy your new 625!