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?

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

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

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).

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

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

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.

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David Wilson

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: [img] [/img]

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.

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"I also cook."

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 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

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!!!!

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?

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I grew up with the S&W name. I don't have the collection that most on here have. I just have a couple of older guns that are quite well built. That is what originally made me want to buy this 625. I had read that current quality wasn't as good as "the old days." That is why I went to a Performance Center gun and spent the extra bucks. After reading the posts on here and examining my purchase, I have to say, I will have to rethink my future dollars.

I am looking at buying the P C 625 myself, planned on deep 6ing the grips anyway, but i am sorry to hear tha action isn't tuned. Thought the P C guns got action jobs. Anybody remember Jim Fish?

Smolts is what he called them. Caution, high jack thread alert.

I'm not fan of newer Smiths, in fact, the opposite. I have to chime in though, and say that my wifes new 642 as well as my new M&P360 are both very nice.

The single action on my M&P360 is the best of any of my revolvers, and the double action on box stages and breaks very nice for a new gun.

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M66, M&P 360, 642, M85 UL/Ti

Just got a note from Bud's that my 625PC was shipped today.
Have to give it a good going over before I accept it.
I too expected the extra PC cost was a sure thing.

Yep the quality is slipping and no one is catching it!! Send your brand new gun back with a very specific note explaining what you want repaired.

Overall, Rugers quality kicks Smith to the curb the last few years. It's embarrassing to hear of all the PC shop guns being sent back for very basic quality issues.

I'm confident they will make it right for you but it just ain't right.

S&W sent these to me and did not ask for the laminates ones back. I figured I would buy larger target grips anyway so a set of small grips would be nice to have as well. Gunsmith has my pistol for a few weeks.

I got my gun back to day. The gunsmith fixed it but I think he did some work on the trigger pull and it feels a lot smoother. I read a post that the action can be improved significantly just by cleaning and oiling the works and that may be all the gunsmith did, but this is how it should have been from the factory. I can tell there has been some polishing and grinding done, but at least now everything looks lined up properly and it feels smooth. I can't wait to shoot it.

Double post. removed.

Picked mine up today.
Grips look like they fit just about like yours. Protrude out at the web of the hand. Grip screw was good. Going to replace grips anyway.
Rear sight blade is kinda bent and scratched, almost like someone dropped it on it.
Action seems good and metal fit looks okay.
Have to shoot it some now.

Just got my 625PC back! From the day Smith recievedit, I got it back in 9 days. I did what someone suggested, in that I sent the same letter I placed inside the case, and emailed it also to S&W CS.

To see what problems I was complaining about, see my previous posted reply in this thread. In the letter after highlighting the problems and asking how this revolver went though QC and left the plant, I asked that one of their better smith's work on it and that it be QC'ed agiain from top to bottom. I requested that the revolver come back to me how the smith that worked on it would be proud to own, and more importantly be proud to put have his/her name associated with this gun!

It looks as it should have come from the factory the 1st time. Will have to shoot it, hopefully later this week, for the final test.

This is what they did:

1. Replaced locking bolt
2. Replaced bolt
3. Replaced Thumbpiece nut
4. Replaced Thumbpiece
5. Replaced barrel
6. Cut forcing cone

If everything works ok when I shoot it, it will restore my faith in S&W some, as they made it right, but it shouldn't have taken this to get proper firearm from the factory.

But it's not just S&W having QC problems. I just saw a post on a Ruger forum where an owner sent a pistol back for a lot of problems. Got it back where they had almost sent him a whole new gun, replacing barrel, slide, etc. He was all happy until he broke it down to give it a quick cleaning and found the inside of the barrel as smooth as a baby's butt.......absolutely no rifling. NOW that's bad QC!!!!

Rick

[COLOR="Black"][B][COLOR="Red"]This is what they did:

1. Replaced locking bolt
2. Replaced bolt
3. Replaced Thumbpiece nut
4. Replaced Thumbpiece
5. Replaced barrel
6. Cut forcing cone

So apparently if you complain and send your pistol back to S&W, they make it right. Otherwise.......they send it to you with these defects?

I checked the cylinder throats and they are undersize. Do you want me to ream them to the proper size?
Thanks,

This is from my Pistolsmith regarding a NEW PERFORMANCE CENTER 625 from S&W. Should this bother S&W or is it just me?

we should all call smith and say i was interested in you PC guns. but i heard that there leaving your doors with alot of defects. i bet if they get flooded with 50 calls all in one day they'll be taking about it around the cooler in the lunch room so to speak.

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THERES NO PLACE LIKE 1ST PLACE

I put JM laminated grips on my 625-8..... look exactly the same, others have similar results. Boogered screw is no bueno though.

I bought a 627PC and hated the grips. My paws don't fit the finger grooves. Replaced the grips and I love this firearm. I am looking to purchase a 625 JM in the future. Hope I'm not disappointed.

Last week I picked up a new 625 PC. The grips on mine are the same as yours. I got a big laugh out of the fit and so did everyone at the gun shop. My thoughts were there must be a coupon inside that gets S&W to send you the proper fit grips. Unfortunately I could not find one. I wasn't attracted by the grips and figured on replacing them but they are a sick joke. Expensive joke for me and I ain't laughing anymore.

I bought a 625 PC tonight. The grips were a lot better than the set pictured here. They didn't make it out of the shop. I traded straight accross for a better set of grips IMO. It loads a lot faster than my 627 PC.

I bought a 625 PC last year and it was perfect ---- other than the ugly grips which I had planned on replacing anyway. Great smooth trigger pull. No failures to fire, etc. Very accurate. Very nice gun. I understand the grips are made by Hogue. I have had no problems with it whatsoever.

Sent the "Smith & Wesson Performance Center" pistol off to Fletcher Custom. They turned it into the gun that Smith should have delivered to me in the first place. Two different pistols. The pistol now is not only a looker, but a smooth shooting machine. Kudos to Fletcher Custom. As far as the "Performance Center" goes...not so much. Completely underwhelmed with their work. I now believe it is just a name to stamp on pistols to increase the cost. Not even as good as pistols they used to build when the Smith & Wesson name meant something. I really like this pistol now and will keep it as an heirloom but the Smith & Wesson factory had nothing to do with it. They sent me an overpriced unfinished product that I had corrected.