Model 625 demise?

[biku324]

I can state unequivocally that the metal ones are not fun.

 

[StrawHat]

I can state unequivocally that the metal ones are not fun.

They sell a couple of different devices that make loading and unloading the full moon clips easier on the hands. I built one that was a post and lever, the clip fit over the post and the lever pushed the round into the clip. I was loading clips one day and Pop came by. Said he would help. Told him I only built one lever. He went to the tool chest and brought back a large pair of water pump pliers. Next thing I know he is squeezing two rounds into place at a time. I still use the water pump pliers.

Kevin

 

[Arizona5906]

This is an old thread but I want to add my 625 JM. This was one of the last of the 625s offered and was a replica of one Jerry Miculek used in competition. Jerry liked a serrated trigger and I found it to be a torture device. I replaced the trigger with a nice smooth wide case hardened S&W part 228700000. I did a bad job refitting the hand and so had to replace that too. Now it's nice to shoot and no sore finger. I also removed the lock with a kit from TK Custom, and then added one of their spring kits. Great company to work with. The green dot sight sits on a mount from John Allchin. Of all my revolvers this is probably the most fun to shoot. I'm not quite as fast as Jerry though.

 

[Arizona5906]

They sell a couple of different devices that make loading and unloading the full moon clips easier on the hands. I built one that was a post and lever, the clip fit over the post and the lever pushed the round into the clip. I was loading clips one day and Pop came by. Said he would help. Told him I only built one lever. He went to the tool chest and brought back a large pair of water pump pliers. Next thing I know he is squeezing two rounds into place at a time. I still use the water pump pliers.

Kevin

I use a nice tool from BMT Mooner. It's pricy at $105 but make loading and unloading moon clips easy.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

If Smith would put out Lew Horton Style with 3" one piece, full-under-lugged barreled versions with Goncalo Alves "Combats" (sans hole's always) they would sell like 5gallon buckets of water in hell... 4" barreled full under-lugged versions too.

They did...........

 

[SLT223]

I’d be surprised if there isn’t a 625 Mountain Gun in, at least, 45 Colt in next 12 months. Might even see .45 ACP.

 

[zeke]

Won't be the first time they stopped making 45 acp 625's, and likely not the last. Slimmer possibility they resurrect the blued 3 incher.

 

[Aemsl69]

I guess I’ll be keeping my .45 ACP Revolvers!

 

[StrawHat]

I use a nice tool from BMT Mooner. It's pricy at $105 but make loading and unloading moon clips easy.

I have seen the video and it truly looks amazing. However, several generations ago, a Scottish man or woman was imported into my Irish family. The result was a severely thrifty bloodline emerged in a previously mildly thrifty branch of the family. So…I will stick to the tried and true and put the $100 toward powder and primers.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

I guess I’ll be keeping my .45 ACP Revolvers!

Me too!




The only non ACP revolver is the nickel plated Model 10-6, upper left. The rest are all ACP. And there are more since this image was made.

Kevin

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I just picked up a 325 Thunder Ranch. Primarily because I couldn't find a Model 21 or 22 locally. I wonder how the value is going to weigh against the 625 in the coming years?

I think they'll hold their value, just like the others.

My 325TR is presently my favorite .45 play toy using the converted cylinder for 45WSM.

It's a neat way to be able to shoot heavier bullets (>250grs) in a 45ACP revolver.

.



.
.



.
.



.
.
.

Thread 'When .45ACP In Your S&W 625 Isn’t Quite Enough… Step Up to the 45 WSM'

Aug 10, 2021

We all enjoy our 1917 style 45ACP revolvers, whether it’s a model 25, 325, or 625, for their versatility & big-bore thump. Many of us like them even more when they’re flavored in 45 Colt. Unfortunately it seems S&W doesn’t like stamping 4-letter words on its revolver barrels so they’ve been far & few between, by comparison.

Sadly, just reaming out a 45ACP cylinder to accept the longer 45 Colt cartridge won’t work. Converting a 45ACP (rimless) revolver to shoot 45 Colt (rimmed) is involved, mainly stemming from the gross headspace needed for the moon-clipped rounds as well as the 45ACP’s...

• BLUEDOT37
• Replies: 32
• Forum: S&W-Smithing

• 

.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I’d be surprised if there isn’t a 625 Mountain Gun in, at least, 45 Colt in next 12 months. Might even see .45 ACP.

I have both from the first run in the 80's-90's.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Me too!

View attachment 778249


The only non ACP revolver is the nickel plated Model 10-6, upper left. The rest are all ACP. And there are more since this image was made.

Kevin

NOW ya talkin!!!!!!!!

 

[steelslaver]

While you can't just ream a 45 acp to 45 colt because the colt rim it thinner than a acp in moon clip there is a way to make it work especially with the new style ratchets. Take an ACP cylinder and install a 45 colt ratchet then ream it to 45 colt. Now the colt rims will headspace on the ratchet AND if you mill some off the ends of the ratchet arms it will fire ACPs, 45 WM (down loaded), or Bluedots WSM using the old 1/2 moon clips
A 325 snub with a setup cylinder
notice the step in the arms

45 colt and acp in same cylinder. The ACPS in 1/2 moon

notice the colt rims are held off the cylinder face to head space correctly by the high portion of the ratchets center

 

[686 shooter]

These are what I use for moon clip revolvers. Work great.
http://www.bmtequipped.com/purchase.php

 

[StrawHat]

While you can't just ream a 45 acp to 45 colt because the colt rim it thinner than a acp in moon clip there is a way to make it work especially with the new style ratchets. Take an ACP cylinder and install a 45 colt ratchet then ream it to 45 colt. Now the colt rims will headspace on the ratchet AND if you mill some off the ends of the ratchet arms it will fire ACPs, 45 WM (down loaded), or Bluedots WSM using the old 1/2 moon clips
A 325 snub with a setup cylinder
notice the step in the arms…

45 colt and acp in same cylinder. The ACPS in 1/2 moon…

notice the colt rims are held off the cylinder face to head space correctly by the high portion of the ratchets center

That is an interesting conversion. If I liked the long Colt cartridge, I might consider it. As it is, there is nothing the 45 long Colt can do that can not be duplicated with the 45 ACP, in the same revolver.

Kevin

 

[bananaman]

45 is my favorite caliber whether revolver oe pistol. It helps the fact that loading makes them more affordable. Have a 625-8 (JM) in ACP, and a 25-15 in Colt. Bob

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

That is an interesting conversion. If I liked the long Colt cartridge, I might consider it. As it is, there is nothing the 45 long Colt can do that can not be duplicated with the 45 ACP, in the same revolver.

Kevin

I disagree........The 45LC can function well with 250 to 350 gr. SWC's............Even with AR brass the big slugs are too much for the acp.

 

[StrawHat]

I disagree........The 45LC can function well with 250 to 350 gr. SWC's............Even with AR brass the big slugs are too much for the acp.

I have used 250 and 270 grain SWC in ACP brass. You are correct, the 270s were less fast than when used in the long Colt.

But, since I can shoot stem to stern on an Ohio white tailed deer, I do not recall see the need for heavier bullets. Nor more speed. Complete penetration is my goal and the 235 grain bullets over hardball doses of powder provide that.

Kevin

 

[Riposte1]

I have used 250 and 270 grain SWC in ACP brass. You are correct, the 270s were less fast than when used in the long Colt.

But, since I can shoot stem to stern on an Ohio white tailed deer, I do not recall see the need for heavier bullets. Nor more speed. Complete penetration is my goal and the 235 grain bullets over hardball doses of powder provide that.

Kevin

I have several 25-2s so I took one and rechambered it for .45 Win Mag - I didn't intend to shoot full winmag loads in it but it was meant to shoot heavy bullets to about 1000 fs - I have a C&H Swage and used 300 gr. bullets swaged to .452 - using 296 or H-110 I got it to 1000 fps withn no pressure signs (6.5" barrel), it will still shot .45 Auto Rim and .45 Auto in moon clips but not without the clips.

I had to fashion a new front sight since with 300 gr bullets it shot 6" high at 25 yards with the sight cranked all the way down.

I did "prove it" by firing some Winchester 230 factory loads - no problems but I'm not going to stress it that much.

Riposte