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10-05-2010, 04:44 PM
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S&W Model 625 JM
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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10-05-2010, 04:46 PM
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Yes, I would buy one but have a plug enroute also...
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10-05-2010, 05:15 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SE Mich - O/S Detroit
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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.
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10-05-2010, 08:16 PM
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Location: central pa
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Been there bought one. Im really happy with it as it came out of the box, great shooter.
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10-05-2010, 08:35 PM
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Love mine, I did put on a "hi-vis" front sight. Really nice having the quick change front sight. Jim.
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10-06-2010, 12:33 AM
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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
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10-06-2010, 05:13 AM
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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.
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10-06-2010, 08:10 AM
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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
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10-06-2010, 03:03 PM
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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.
Last edited by bronco45; 10-06-2010 at 03:04 PM.
Reason: add data
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10-06-2010, 06:19 PM
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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.
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10-07-2010, 07:15 PM
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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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12-25-2012, 09:13 PM
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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.
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12-26-2012, 10:41 AM
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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.
Last edited by scooter123; 12-27-2012 at 12:43 PM.
Reason: dislexic fingers
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12-26-2012, 12:03 PM
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Absent Comrade
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_rags_ yes i would and after i got it home i would do a happy dance.
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12-26-2012, 12:20 PM
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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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12-26-2012, 03:10 PM
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"I have one I purchased in August 2022 with probably close to 2000 rounds downrange."
scooter123, did you have a time machine?
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12-26-2012, 03:22 PM
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Rags, why are there still no pics???
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Tags
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617, 625jm, 627, bullseye, ejector, hiviz, idpa, model 625, s&w, starline, tactical, weaver |
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