Performance Center 625 just arrived

[Phatdog]

New 625 from the Performance Center in the house!
Yes, I know the grips are ugly but at least they should fit. Also notice the knarled up grip screw. What's up with that?

The wood comes up past the metal not just in one place but for the entire run from mid grip up. Doesn't even follow the curve of the grip. I can SEE the inside portion of the grips.

The grips do not join behind the trigger guard. There is about 1/16 inch gap.

I have two other Smiths. A model 36 built in 1963 and a model 66 built in the 80's. Both have better triggers and smoother actions than this Performance Center pistol. The trigger on this gun is awful compared the the 66. Is this a lemon or is this the best S&W is putting out right now?

 

[kennyb]

they certainly aren't the best grips LOL! i have the 5.5" performance center JM 45...great shooter...love it!

 

[Ashlander]

Dog: The last new revolver I bought was a 3" GP100. Don't get me wrong, if I see a nice used S&W at a decent price, I'll jump on it -- but the new ones just don't seem to be worth the money they're charging. And I'm not one of these anti-lock and MIM fanatics -- I just don't think the new S&W guns are worth the bucks -- but the used ones can be (they might be knicked up and rough around the edges, but hey, they shoot straight).

 

[roundgunner]

No offense but I have a couple older tried and true guns I would trade for that. You can keep the grips though. ;-)

 

[DCWilson]

I got two performance center 627s last year and both have excellent triggers. The stocks that came with them are excellently fitted; I wonder if there is a problem fitting the laminated style. Give them a call and explain the peculiar trigger feel. I bet they'll invite you to return it for inspection and adjustment. Maybe they'll work on the stocks, too.

 

[Phatdog]

Thanks

I probably will call them.

Also, how do you display the pic and not just the link?

 

[s&wchad]

I probably will call them.

Also, how do you display the pic and not just the link?

I fixed it for you.
You use the image code to display photos. It brackets the photo address with the following:

If you'd like to see what what it actually looks like, click edit on your original post and click the A/A button in the upper right corner of the window (change editor mode). When you're done looking, click cancel.

 

[Defilade]

I purchased a 625 PC last August and found that my grips were just as bad. I actually had to sand down the top of the grip because it had points and would dig into my hand when I shot. I ended up staining the grips ebony after I made them fit better and they are ok, but I will be replacing them with some JM grips pretty soon.

I was disappointed in how the grips were not even fitted to the gun. I thought the PC guns were supposed to be the best they had.

I have also had problems with FTF unless I only use federal primers. I even tried to use a Cylinder and Slide firing pin but still had FTF's I have emailed Smith & Wesson several times but they will not get back with me. I guess I will have to call them.

 

[NavyFrank]

Campfour 625 4 inch barrel

I have had mine for a couple of years. Grips came off and a set of Grippers came on. Replaced the cylinder release latch with the old style release in black. Qualified with it with the perfect score of 100. They kept asking me if I ready the next course of fire and the full moon clips load sooo fast with the chamfered out chambers. My respond was I've been ready. Had over 100 rounds loaded in clips. I reloaded and reholstered before most of the bottom feeders did and had no jams.

Frank Ruple
SWCA # 2087

 

[thndrchiken]

For what they charge for PC guns, I'd be sending it back, that is just unsat. And yes those stocks are GOD AWFUL UGLY!!!!

 

[MTKTM]

I purchased a 625 PC last August and found that my grips were just as bad. I actually had to sand down the top of the grip because it had points and would dig into my hand when I shot. I ended up staining the grips ebony after I made them fit better and they are ok, but I will be replacing them with some JM grips pretty soon.

I was disappointed in how the grips were not even fitted to the gun. I thought the PC guns were supposed to be the best they had.

I have also had problems with FTF unless I only use federal primers. I even tried to use a Cylinder and Slide firing pin but still had FTF's I have emailed Smith & Wesson several times but they will not get back with me. I guess I will have to call them.

I got the 625PC about 2 years ago. I immediately began experiencing FTF malfunctions, often several in each cylinder. I was shooting 10 year old 45ACP handloads left over from my IPSC and IDPA days, so wondered if it were the ammo.....but didn't think so since it still worked fine in my 1911s. I bought some factory 45ACP, hadn't bought tailor-made in ages, and it didn't work either, so the gun went back to S&W and was returned a week later and has worked great ever since. The invoice said that they'd replaced the firing pin. I examined it carefully both before and after sending it in, but couldn't see much difference. I can only surmise that the new pin is a little longer?

 

[Phatdog]

Shot it on Saturday

It cut me on Saturday after 18 shots. I called them, they said send the "defective grips" back for a swap. Trigger was not as bad as I thought. I could like this gun if it wouldn't bite me. Shot about 180 rounds without issue. Groups got tighter and tighter. Hand got worse and worse.

 

[rbert0005]

I tell you what. Send that overpriced piece. Of steel to me.
Within a half hour I will have a trigger to die for.

Bob

 

[Dale53]

My 625's are not Performance Center guns. Just a 625-6 (5" barrel) and a 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special (4" barrel).

They had standard (for Smith) triggers which is to say just a bit heavy. I replaced the springs with Jerry Miculek spring matched sets, set the double action to 9.0 lbs and single action to 3.0 lbs. They fire everything reliably and are actually a pair of "dream machines".

My Performance Center 629 Light Hunter was purchased used (original selling dealer stated the guy had only shot one box of ammo - looked that way but who knows). At any rate, the action was wonderfully smooth and light but was NOT reliable - something I cannot abide. I replaced the springs, again, with a JM matched spring set to my preferences and now all is well.

I put Pachmayrs on just about all of my guns from personal preference.

Dale53

 

[6pack]

My two Performance Center guns have the sweetest triggers I've ever felt on a handgun.

That being said, I'd send that one back to S&W in a heartbeat. Unacceptable condition IMHO.

That is too nice of a gun to accept that poor fit & finish.

Good luck.

 

[bucifan]

I got a new 625PC from CTD a week ago. Have put 9 moon clips through it, but it is now on its way back to S&W. The barrel to cylinder clearance didn't look right, but talked to Smith and said to try it and if needed they would tighten it up.

After shooting those rounds at only 25ft, the gun didn't seem very accurate. I'm no bullseye shooter, but can hold my own, but the placements were all over the place, not consistant at all. Comparing mine to one in store at the range it was obvious how much tighter the b/c clearance was.

After coming home and cleaning the 625, I can see now that the clearance is tighter on the right side of the cylinder, and larger than the .010" they say on the left. Also on the left of the cylinder end of the barrel, it looks like the barrel was cut to size with a bandsaw and never deburred. If I press my finger hard against it, I could slice my finger on the jagged edges. Also, after examining the inside of the barrel, there seems to copper buildup on different areas, as if the bullets were hitting against the sides of the barrel.

This is not what I expected for a PC revolver. Not that it matters at all, but the gun was test-fired on 01/19/12.

I have purchased 2 other Smith's in the last month, a $250 22A, and a M&P .22. Both of these seemed to be perfectly ok in fit, finish, and accuracy. To me, it seems that the production guns seem to have better assembly and qc than the higher end guns. I understand not everyone has these problems, and that S&W will make good and repair or replace the defective units, but you should not have to send brand new guns back to the factory, when a cursory visual qc should have sent this gun back to repair before it was shipped!

To the OP, my grips fit perfectly, no gaps, seams, etc. Actually I had to gently pry to get the grips to serarate, to see what the new grips I bought look like. The holes that the 2 roll pins go into were tight, and had to squeeze the 2 halves to push them together to reassemble. Perhaps we should all meet somewhere, and mix and match parts until all of us get a revolver we're happy with!!

Rick

ps: I have been thinking ordering a new S&W Model 41, but I think I'll wait and see how this is handled.

 

[Phatdog]

sent it in but not to Smith & Wesson

I called and emailed S&W. They are sending me another set of grips to replace the laminate ones. The email I received from them said "every set of laminate grips for that pistol will be the same. So, just pick a different set." I did. I also decided I wanted a better trigger than S&W can provide and sent the gun to a reputable triggersmith for an overhaul. I really like the .45 moonclip platform and if I could do it again, I would have bought the plain jane 625 and had it delivered to a revolver gunsmith to start with.

 

[deanodog]

I shot a PC model just like it and it came from the factory with the strain screw turned out 2 turns and it had light strikes until I took the grips off and tightned the stain screw. The gun was very accurate but the owner hated the grips. He gave me the grips and I sold them online and sent him the 50.00 they brought. I would like to have one like it. Enjoy yours.

 

[MTKTM]

For some reason, these do seem a little trouble-prone, not what you'd expect from the S&W Performance Center. It causes me to wonder a little. I've owned a lot of S&Ws and this is the first one I've ever had to send back, and it seems I am not alone. I like the gun fine now, but they ought to be damned near perfect right out of the box, period.

 

[Jerry N.]

I agree. My gun had the buggered up grip screw and the hammer had hit the frame. I rode it out and had about 5 light strikes in 300 rounds. Come to understand that the hammer was actually contacting the frame. Gave it back to my LGS owner who is having his gun smith fix it. I called today and he said he was waiting on parts from S&W. This is a shame for a PC gun from S&W. I expected it to be top notch and it was certainly less than that.