Would you buy a S&W Model 625JM if the price was right? I really don't want to go the IL route, BUT. Are they as tweaked as they claim to be? Are they nice quality pieces?

I don't know all that much about them, but this would be the place to ask!

Your thoughts...

rags

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RIP Shipmate

Yes, I would buy one but have a plug enroute also...

I've owned one since last November. It's a great revolver, and I haven't had a plug installed. It has a great trigger, and the gold-dot sight really works great.

Been there bought one. Im really happy with it as it came out of the box, great shooter.

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Stay safe people!

Love mine, I did put on a "hi-vis" front sight. Really nice having the quick change front sight. Jim.

I LOVE my 625-8 JM Special. I did install a set of JM Springs, however. It was fine before the spring change, now it is WONDERFUL. I also put an extra length firing pin in it (Apex Tactical).

625's are the BEST!



Dale53

I like the 5 incher better but the JM sure is a nice piece. Handles well and shoots like a dream. If you are going to shoot coompetition with it it is great for USPSA and IDPA.

IDPA has a restriction of 4 inches on the barrel. That's why the JM model came out.

Don't buy the 625JM. For that matter, steer clear of the 627 Pro... and the x10 617, too. These current production S&W's are pure evil - they will hog your range bag space - and stay dirty/nasty from use - all of the time! Sucking on a lemon is the only way to get that 'possum eatting poop out of a hairbrush' smile off of your face, otherwise folks will think you are 'simple'. In my case, it started with that early production 625JM I bought 2/05...

Seriously, it's more than the sum of it's parts. It will need a full length strain screw (S&W sent me one gratis.) if you put a Wolff full power hammer spring in it. The shortened strain screw, and that's most of the included trigger job, intrudes into hollow rib of the Wolff spring, lessening the pre-load - and ability to pop primers. You likely won't need a longer fp. I like Ranch Product blued steel moonclips, the same as S&W includes,. They were $35/100 delivered from R P. The Brownell's, etc, nutdriver-style demooner is all you need. Starline .45 ACP brass loads into those 'clips by hand - and, new, is <$140/1,000 delivered. The HiViz front sight is .250" tall - and of the Classic/DX style - spring-loaded. The 627 Pro shares the same size front sights.

Re the IL - do what you want, but I've not had a problem and my first so-equipped is eight years old now. In nine plus years of producing revolvers with them, S&W has yet to see a lawsuit over their failure. Unsightly - sure.

When you clean the 625JM - check under the ejector star for carbon, a brass brush bristle, or even a cotton swipe thread - any of which can give you ftf's. Most of all - enjoy your 625JM - a frugal to feed bib-bore!

Stainz

I bought a 625JM that was used. (Previous owners wife gave him the ultimatum of sell some guns and buy a new washer and dryer or I'[m out of here)

The previous owner was a Bullseye shooter and had sent the gun back to Smith for an action tune.

It's an amazingly accurate 45 revolver. I hole five shot groups at 50 ft, standing in a Weaver stance, are frequent occurances, for me.

Life is good with a 625JM.

Stainz,

You're right, that is a evil threesome, but dang it, they are the three favorites of my two-year, seven Smith collection. i have the 627 PC, but I really think the 625JM is my real favorite, it is truly a fine revolver and .45 at that. Great grips, good sight and smooth action.

Thanks for all the input! Now I'll have to wait until the deal unfolds. Still in the works. I'll keep you posted.

rags

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RIP Shipmate

Always, always check that the strain screw on the front strap is screwed in tightly. I have a 686SSR that would not fire hard-primer imported ammo until I found that the strain screw had been backed out (presumably at the factory) a full turn. No ignition problems since. Also, toss the JM wood grips and install something comfy.

I have one I purchased in August 2011 with probably close to 2000 rounds downrange.

Having pull mine down brand new out of the box for a complete trigger tuning I can tell you the ONLY tweak done by the factory was to leave the strain screw 1/2 turn loose. From what I've seen in posts concerning misfires this is how the Performance Center "tweaks" the trigger on every one of their "trigger jobs". To put it mildly, I am NOT impressed.

As for my tweaks, they are a bit more extensive.

First because the barrel was cocked far enough that the rear sight had to be set full left to zero the sights I removed the barrel, lapped the forcing cone, put an 18 degree crown in the barrel and lapped the crown to "perfect" the edges of the rifling. I then re-installed the barrel while paying particular attention to getting it installed straight up. BTW, as a result the rear sight has to be set about 0.02 inch right of center so a slight over rotation of the barrel on the frame would be required to get the rear sight perfectly centered. Not going to bother doing that.

Next I removed the forged, serrated, trigger and MIM flash chromed hammer and installed a .400 smooth MIM trigger and 0.375 hammer in blue. That trigger is so sharply serrated that it would have almost anyone bleeding with just 50 rounds and I do not understand what Jerry Miculek is thinking having them install a trigger with serrations this sharp. I also like the look of a blued hammer and trigger and don't have any problems using MIM parts.

Finally I installed a Cylinder and Slide extended travel extended length firing pin and reset the mainspring tension using hand made shims under the head of the strain screw. Initially I had the DA trigger set to 8 lbs. even but when Federal Champion dried up at the local Walmarts the Remington UMC bulk ammo that could be found was misfiring. As a result I've removed 0.012 inch of shim and the DA weight is now 9 lbs. 4 ounces.

Lastly, I installed the 500 Magnum monogrip on the 625 as a replacement for the wood grip it came with. My hands run a bit larger and I found the wood grip to be too small and I like the tack that rubber provides.

_rags_ yes i would and after i got it home i would do a happy dance.

My brother has an Original JM 625. The Original was a 5" before IDPA started messing with the Revolver Rules.

The Rule Changes also sunk the L Frame 40 S&W. Another BIG Loss in my opinion.

You will really love a JM 625. Great gun, and loads of fun to shoot. Not as cheap to feed as an EVIL 617 however.

I agree the JM Grips are not for me either. I would probably look at Ahrends and Altamont for grips. I have a set of S&W Combats on my 3" 625, and like them just fine. I have Ahrends Round to Square Finger Groove Tacticals on my 610, and I like them also. Rubber Hogues are not a bad choice either. I still have Rubber Hogues on my 64 SSR Gun. I am running S&W Combats on its replacement at the moment a Power Custom Combat 686. I will probably put the Ahrends Tacticals on it when Kim gets them to me.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

"I have one I purchased in August 2022 with probably close to 2000 rounds downrange."

scooter123, did you have a time machine?

Rags, why are there still no pics???