The model 625 variations. An informal pictorial essay.

Ahhhhhhh-yes

Pay no attention to the 627-0 in the background--OK--you can if you want--but--the 625-7 in the foreground is one of the same batch the OP's grail came from--total production 636 for Camfour according to the SCS&W. Made a special trip to acquire the .357, and ended up buying the .45 at the same time--totally random occurrence--sometimes things just work out. Time to scratch that pre sale notification to Allen--doesn't need it any longer. :)

 
Last edited:
Amazing collection Allen-frame, and beautiful guns everybody else! I think one of those looks familiar… ;)

I've had a few 625's, but got interested in other guns, and they had to go. I still have one (my first 625), and I think it's kind of neat.

0382.jpg


When I got it, I saw some funny markings. Hmm, I thought to myself, why does my S&W have markings like my Browning Hi Powers?

7007.jpg
6997close.jpg

7009b.jpg


So, I had to get a letter from Roy Jinks;

"... Model 625, Bowling Pin Revolver.

These special revolvers were produced in 1988 with sales to begin in early 1989. The handguns featured a 5" full lug barrel, round butt and Pachmayr stocks. It is also marked "45 Model of 1988". There was a total production of 5,708 of these revolvers in 1988 and into 1989. The beginning serial number of these revolvers was BDC0000.

The popularity of this model was so great that in 1990 Smith & Wesson added this revolver to its line of handguns. In 1990, the Model 625 was offered in 3", 4", and 5" barrel lengths. This line of Model 625 was called ".45 Model of 1989". By September if 1991 the demand for the 3 and 4 inch barrel lengths had dropped to a level that it was no longer feasible to maintain then in production and they were drop from the catalog leaving only the popular five model in production.

We have researched your Smith & Wesson Model 625-2 Model of 1988, caliber .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number BDC4966, was shipped from our factory on September 15, 1989, and delivered to Parker Hale Co., Birmingham, England. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 5 inch barrel, satin finish, Pachmayr grips. …"


And I found out I had picked up a world traveller.

Best of all, it's the best shooting revolver I've ever had, or handled. :)
 
625-10 PC

The only one I have, a 625-10 Performance Center .45ACP. Wow there are some nice guns posted on here!
 

Attachments

  • Smith625-10Performance.jpg
    Smith625-10Performance.jpg
    56.4 KB · Views: 73
Amazing collection Allen-frame, and beautiful guns everybody else! I think one of those looks familiar… ;)

I've had a few 625's, but got interested in other guns, and they had to go. I still have one (my first 625), and I think it's kind of neat.

0382.jpg


When I got it, I saw some funny markings. Hmm, I thought to myself, why does my S&W have markings like my Browning Hi Powers?

7007.jpg
6997close.jpg

7009b.jpg


So, I had to get a letter from Roy Jinks;

"... Model 625, Bowling Pin Revolver.

These special revolvers were produced in 1988 with sales to begin in early 1989. The handguns featured a 5" full lug barrel, round butt and Pachmayr stocks. It is also marked "45 Model of 1988". There was a total production of 5,708 of these revolvers in 1988 and into 1989. The beginning serial number of these revolvers was BDC0000.

The popularity of this model was so great that in 1990 Smith & Wesson added this revolver to its line of handguns. In 1990, the Model 625 was offered in 3", 4", and 5" barrel lengths. This line of Model 625 was called ".45 Model of 1989". By September if 1991 the demand for the 3 and 4 inch barrel lengths had dropped to a level that it was no longer feasible to maintain then in production and they were drop from the catalog leaving only the popular five model in production.

We have researched your Smith & Wesson Model 625-2 Model of 1988, caliber .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number BDC4966, was shipped from our factory on September 15, 1989, and delivered to Parker Hale Co., Birmingham, England. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 5 inch barrel, satin finish, Pachmayr grips. …"


And I found out I had picked up a world traveller.

Best of all, it's the best shooting revolver I've ever had, or handled. :)

Very cool!
 
Amazing collection Allen-frame, and beautiful guns everybody else! I think one of those looks familiar… ;)

I've had a few 625's, but got interested in other guns, and they had to go. I still have one (my first 625), and I think it's kind of neat.

0382.jpg


When I got it, I saw some funny markings. Hmm, I thought to myself, why does my S&W have markings like my Browning Hi Powers?

7007.jpg
6997close.jpg

7009b.jpg


So, I had to get a letter from Roy Jinks;

"... Model 625, Bowling Pin Revolver.

These special revolvers were produced in 1988 with sales to begin in early 1989. The handguns featured a 5" full lug barrel, round butt and Pachmayr stocks. It is also marked "45 Model of 1988". There was a total production of 5,708 of these revolvers in 1988 and into 1989. The beginning serial number of these revolvers was BDC0000.

The popularity of this model was so great that in 1990 Smith & Wesson added this revolver to its line of handguns. In 1990, the Model 625 was offered in 3", 4", and 5" barrel lengths. This line of Model 625 was called ".45 Model of 1989". By September if 1991 the demand for the 3 and 4 inch barrel lengths had dropped to a level that it was no longer feasible to maintain then in production and they were drop from the catalog leaving only the popular five model in production.

We have researched your Smith & Wesson Model 625-2 Model of 1988, caliber .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number BDC4966, was shipped from our factory on September 15, 1989, and delivered to Parker Hale Co., Birmingham, England. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 5 inch barrel, satin finish, Pachmayr grips. …"


And I found out I had picked up a world traveller.

Best of all, it's the best shooting revolver I've ever had, or handled. :)

What an awesome discovery and back story history.
 
Ugly gun

In addition to the -7 I posted earlier and a SDS in .45 Colt, I have a number of the garden variety .45 ACP 625s in 3, 4, and 5." This one's my 625-2 shooter I call the "ugly gun"--a concession to my failing eyesight. A friend (thanks Leonard) sent me the rear sight with red elements. I had the taller red front sight, so I changed the rear elements to green to get some contrast. The combination works very well for me. The gun has great single and double action, an overtravel stop, and it's very accurate. It had the Grippers on it when I got it, and after trying them, saw no reason to change. One of my favorite shooters.



Top view of the sight--replaces the stock blade.



Fuzzy but workable sight alignment.

 
Last edited:
My 625s

Left to right:
625-6 3" .45 ACP Lew Horton, 625-7 3" .45LC Lew Horton, 625-7 3" .45LC NOT Lew Horton

66414a802363460cd3a1274e8cf9a616.jpg


625-4 3" Lew Horton

c48cdfe46acef0cd96c735e545f493f5.jpg


My 625-3 was absent from photos... Pure shooter:)
 
Last edited:
My 625s

Left to right:
625-6 3" .45 ACP Lew Horton, 625-7 3" .45LC Lew Horton, 625-7 3" .45LC NOT Lew Horton

66414a802363460cd3a1274e8cf9a616.jpg


625-4 3" Lew Horton

c48cdfe46acef0cd96c735e545f493f5.jpg


My 625-3 was absent from photos... Pure shooter:)


Dan

We want to see the Shooter too. Why treat it like the red headed step child. She shoots great. I shot it. Post it!!
 
Some fine revolvers here…! Good photos as well...
 
In addition to the -7 I posted earlier and a SDS in .45 Colt, I have a number of the garden variety .45 ACP 625s in 3, 4, and 5." This one's my 625-2 shooter I call the "ugly gun"--a concession to my failing eyesight. A friend (thanks Leonard) sent me the rear sight with red elements. I had the taller red front sight, so I changed the rear elements to green to get some contrast. The combination works very well for me. The gun has great single and double action, an overtravel stop, and it's very accurate. It had the Grippers on it when I got it, and after trying them, saw no reason to change. One of my favorite shooters.



Top view of the sight--replaces the stock blade.



Fuzzy but workable sight alignment.



That sight setup is great.
It would be the cats behind for competition shooting.

Jim, where did you get it ?

Allen
 
There's a 625-4 LH on GB about to be sold just like that one I mean exactly like that one.
 
An avid Smith collector for… Well let’s just say all the way back to the era when a factory letter was FREE! Still mostly an '80 & prior Forums dweller. Yet that somewhat by default since the post Eighty ‘vintage’ was only a twinkle in the engineers eye! Yet I do enjoy excursions to these eighties plus realm. Just the problem of sometimes feeling a bit like I need a tourist visa, guide with yellow umbrella and interpreter! :) :) :)

But to the point... I'd like any available information concerning my newest era Smith, a Model 625-3. My impulse purchase in the early nineties at a 'closeout' sale. Now this Smith, still NIB and never been ‘kissed’ (aka unfired) and ironically perhaps even better economic appreciation for the fact! (It was intriguing and I really did intend to fire it, but something of a procrastinator!) Also with both military and LE retirement careers, never short on shooting opportunities!

Yet too, I've heard there were some problems with these early vintage models. I'd like to get some overall ‘shootability’, collectability and value impression. Pix below – (with factory issue cleaning rod - for this gun long enough to do tonsils at the same time!

Big thanks for any information!
 

Attachments

  • 97 - 8.jpg
    97 - 8.jpg
    104.2 KB · Views: 34
  • 97 - 2.jpg
    97 - 2.jpg
    184.4 KB · Views: 41
  • 97 - 3.jpg
    97 - 3.jpg
    197.1 KB · Views: 44
  • 97 - 9.jpg
    97 - 9.jpg
    133 KB · Views: 44
Back
Top