Looking to get a wheel gun in 45acp since I have lots of ammo and need to find a way to burn some of it up Thinking I want a 5" version since plinking will be what it is used for. I don't really care for the JM guns, or a lock version either. I see some models of 1988 and 1989 and am thinking that might be the cats behind, but really don't know much about either one. I have an almost NIB Colt 1911 Trophy Gold Cup that I don't shoot and thought about getting rid of that and getting my hands on a nice 625. A model 25 would also be okay, except I see that they come in 45LC, which I don't want. Please let me hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Todd

I got a tip. It's one of those internet rumors, so I can't swear it's true. Here it is: the very first Model of 1988 guns in .45 ACP had a different type of barrel. It was cut different than the later ones. Some believe those early guns shot better. More accurate.

I do know for a fact that the first Model of 1988 guns had a product code of 100921. Which was used until about August of 1989. The pc for the Model of 1989 was 100927.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Vewry, Vewry intewestring....

I have a 4" 625-3 Model 1989, it has had a action job and is a fantastic shooter, very accurate, I love to use it to make a bowling pin dance down the range

Attached Images

S&W Mod 625-3.JPG (124.6 KB, 132 views)

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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

I HAVE A 4" MODEL OF 1989, WHICH ACTUALLY IS "THE CAT'S BEHIND". THE 4" IS HARD TO FIND. THE 3" AND 5" ARE MORE READILY AVAILABLE. I DON'T CARE FOR THE JM REVOLVERS EITHER. THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THEM. THE STELLAR ATTRIBUTES OF THE .45 ACP CARTRIDGE ARE NOT FULLY REALIZED UNTIL YOU SHOOT IT FROM A REVOLVER…..

I LOOKED FOR A MOUNTAIN GUN IN .45 ACP FOR A LONG TIME, WITHOUT LUCK. (I HAVE THE MG IN 3 OTHER CALIBERS) THIS 4" MODEL OF 1989 CAME UP ON GB. I HAD NEVER SEEN ONE FOR SALE BEFORE, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANOTHER IN THE 3 YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS MORE MONEY THAN I WANTED TO SPEND, BUT I BOUGHT IT AT THE "BUY NOW" PRICE, ANYWAY. I DID NOT WANT TO LOSE OUT ON A 4" VERSION, WHICH IS MY FAVORITE LENGTH OF REVOLVER. IT IS WORTH EVERY CENT THAT I PAID FOR IT, AND THEN SOME. IT IS THE MOST ACCURATE, WITH THE NICEST TRIGGER, OF ALL OF MY REVOLVERS. UNLIKE MY GOLD CUPS, IT DROPS ALL OF THE BRASS IN A NEAT LITTLE PILE, TO BOOT……

IF YOU CAN FIND A CLEAN MODEL OF 1989, IN A BARREL LENGTH THAT YOU LIKE, JUMP ON IT ! ! ! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME "LOOKING FOR A BARGAIN"--ESP A 4". LIFE IS TOO SHORT, TO MERELY BE A SPECTATOR. PEOPLE WHO OWN THEM RARELY SELL THEM FOR CHEAP, IF AT ALL. THEY DON'T LAST LONG, AND IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE. YOU WON'T BE SORRY….

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I'm right there with you.

I can't help but hit what I aim at with mine...

I've got a 5" Model of 1988 and a 4" Model of 1989.

Both are tack drivers. I shoot the 5" gun more mostly because the 4" gun is close to NIB, and the 5"er is not. I do think I prefer the extra 1" barrel too.

The 4" gun was fairly reasonable when I bought it because most people wanted the 5" barrel for competition shooting.

A couple of years later, the 5" gun was a bargain. The guy sold it because of a rules change that no longer allowed a 5" barrel and he had to buy a new 4" gun.

You really can't go wrong with either the 1988 or 1989 in any legth barrel.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

After Tompkins PLC bought S&W in 1988 .45 revolver dash numbers became to confusing for me to remember but prior to that 25 dash 3s and 5s were .45 Colt and 25-2s were .45 ACP.

I did not tie up funds in 1911s or for that matter any other .45 automatics until after I had a S&W .45 ACP revolver. Nothing has changed my priorities. I don't mean to knock 1911s. I just love .45 ACP revolvers.

My recollection, backed up by samples of each vintage, is that the one change in S&W's .45 ACP rifling did not occurr during or around the end of Model 1988 production. Other than barrel lengths there were two differences between Model 1988s and Model 1989s. First, 1988s had black patridge front sights and 1989s had black ramps. Second, most of the lettering changed from roll stampings to laser etching. 1988s continued S&W's traditional use of GI specification rifling with 6 narrow lands in .45 ACP revolvers. That set S&W's .45 ACPs apart from all their other chamberings which used 5 groove rifling with deeper grooves equal in width to the lands. .45 ACP revolver rifling did not change until about 1997 when S&W discontinued broach cutting production revolver bores larger than .22 caliber. .45 ACP bores rifled by eroding away metal with electricity have 5 grooves the same as all the other calibers. These newer barrels vary quite a bit in appearance. They all have rounded corners in the bottoms of the grooves and rounded corners at the top on the lands. Some look more like polygonal rifling than traditional rifling. The change in rifling was accompanied by controversy over whether they are as good for firing lead bullets.

1988s made significantly after the switch to 1989s are news to me. I happen to own a 1996 625 that I had rebarreled with a Model 1988 barrel. Did you see something similar? Maybe S&W did a parts clean up of old barrels?

I recently bought a 1988 model off a different forum. The serial# is bdc4xxx but the seller had no box. The gun is like new with perfect factory rb combats on it. It is accurate & exudes quality workmanship. Its one of those guns you can shoot all day at the range.

There is a model of 1988 on GB with 4 days left in case op might be interested.

Already on my watch list.

And already a couple of hundred dollars higher than it was before that post.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

You have that backwards - the Model of 1988 had a black ramp front sight. The Model of 1989 had a black Patridge front sight.

@regalsc - The original grips on the Model of 1988 were Pachmayr Grippers - you got a bonus with factory combats.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

The "Model of 1988" rollmark was not used beyond 1989 when Smith changed to the laser etched "Model of 1989" - which did continue to be used into the 2000's, just as the "Model of 1955" has been used on Model 25's through the years.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

You think? This is an early Model of '88 exactly as it shipped.



This one is a little later,but also a Model of '88. It did come with Pachs,which I replaced with these,which btw,are some of the most comfortable grips I've ever had.



f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

With my 1988 model the owner told me the rb factory combats were original. I guess that some came with factory combats then.

I ordered my 625-2 in Nov of 1988. The LGS received it in March of 1989. With the exception of the grips, this is how it was received...



My serial number is BDC4597 and the product code is 100921.

A registry would be nice so that we can build a timeline of features on these guns.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

Were you the first owner of your Model of 1988 that is wearing Combats? I ask because this thread is the first I've heard that any of them shipped with Combats. The well funded members at our local range who bought the first .45 ACPs they could find got rubber.

My first 625 was my 1994 Springfield Armory Commemorative. I figured it was smarter to buy one that matched my most fired handgun, a "sporterized" S&W 1917. In order to get it sold the LGS had to knock its price down to match standard 625s and I had to accept the decorations.

I just shake my head when people state that the later 625's have barrel's that won't shoot lead. I have used NOTHING but home cast bullets in both my 5" Model 625-6 (Model of 1989) and my all time favorite revolver, the Model 625-8 JM Special with 4" barrel.

They both shoot well under 1" at 25 yards and around 2" at fifty yards. I replaced the springs with a matched set of Jerry Miculek springs and set teh double action at 9.0 lbs. The single action is a crisp 3.0 lbs. They will be with me until they plant me.




They represent my favorite type of activity - range time with either!

Dale53

I would offer my thoughts but it will cost you a penny.

I only mentioned there has been a controversy over lead bullet accuracy through EDM(?) rifling to imply that might have been the spark that started the rumor Kernel Crittenden wrote about. Whether or not there's any substance to it I think the rumor got shuffled back into the wrong time frame. My EDM rifled 625-8(?) shoots tight groups with bullseye lead SWC loads.

Now the more important thing is:
Without sun light breaking them down a pair of kydex holsters should out last your bones.

ECM = Electrochemical Machining

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NRA Benefactor Member

Mine with factory combats is bdc4786.

Pizza Bob, MY ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH MY MODEL OF 1989 IS THAT IT HAS THE LASER ETCHING, INSTEAD OF THE BEAUTIFUL (IMHO) ROLL MARKING OF THE MODEL OF 1988…..

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

You can't go wrong with a 4 inch 625-3, Model of 1989. Mine is scary accurate. It is one of those guns that I will never trade away!

But like One Eye Joe, I just wish that it had roll markings instead of the laser etching, which will disappear if ever I renew the bead blast finish. That's my only criticism of this gun.

Your right. I was reading my own notes wrong. M9 vs. M8. I have a prescription for reading glasses, but I never wear them. Maybe I should. Actually had a new pair made just a few weeks go. The "blur" usually isn't a problem when I'm just typing on my laptop. Apologies for the confusion.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

MY 4" MODEL OF 1989 HAS A BLACK RAMP FRONT SIGHT, Pizza Bob…..

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Yes sir. I had the box as well showing it marked "CS",but I sold this revolver a number of years ago and have no pics of the label.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

A few years ago, I traded my 625JM in at my LGS for a 625-3 Model of 1989. I really like the feel of the trigger on the 625-3 and the 5" barrel has just the right amount of front weight for my taste.

Earlier this year, I opted to have the 625-3 drilled and tapped for a Weigand mount, and I topped it with a Tru Glo red dot. It shoots much better than I can hold it.

By all means if you want an older 625, go for it. They are excellent guns. But don't knock the 625JM. Despite the lock, it too is an excellent gun, and can hold its own against any of the older 625s. The quick change front sight is also a very nice feature. Though the Gold Bead sight it comes with is quite nice, and allows the shooter to pick up the target quickly.

I recently bought a 625-2 1989 at a gun show. I've never had a 45 acp revolver before. Love it. Shoots much better than I can. Nice weight, well balanced and very accurate. Suggestion, buy some ezmoonclips. They make using moon clips much easier than the metal ones. JN

45 acp is one of my favorite ammos as well. Why would you get rid of your Colt Gold Cup? Nice gun! Loads quicker, holds more and if you don't leave it chambered, it's child proof.

I really like the original wooden grips on the 625 Revolver. They remind me of the grips that came on the first model 627's in stainless which I think are one of the most beautiful handguns in the market place to-day. They are only a 357 but still a very pretty handgun.

Just do it, and then don't look back.

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Ed

Toad, I have a M-625 of 1989 in 5” barrel and I love it. For me a 6” barrel is too long and a 4” is too short. I am ¾ of a century old so my eyes are not great, thus I have a Tru-Glo red dot sight on mine and I shoot the black out of the target at 25 yards. I like mine so much I bought two more for my grandsons. I hand load and use a 200 grain SWC over 3.5 grains of Bullseye. I also have M-25’s, a Model of 1917 and a Target Model of 1955. These are all great guns, as prejudiced as I may be toward them. The .45 ACP is a great round and the M-625 is a great handgun. So someone else happens to like a Colt Python or a S & W auto feeder better. So what? What you like is the important thing.

I like wheel guns better, and I'm getting too fat to want to bend over and pick up brass

The 625 JM is my most shot hand gun. Have changed the grips/ stocks numerous times. Put a HI-VIZ front sight on it. Great for us older guys. So I added a 25-15. My 1st 45 LC revolver. So far so good. Started loading for that too! Prefer no lock guns, but these 2 have it. Oh well! Bob

Nice - That is a sweet little setup, I may have to consider that modification on mine

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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

If I had a nice, close to NIB Colt Gold Cup, it would take some very, very serious arm twisting to part me from it.

I would enjoy that Gold Cup as Samuel Colt himself would have intended.

I traded for this one a while back. Wanted some wood on her so put these nice combat grips on.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Here is my 625 [1989]; with a few upgrades. I swapped-out the grips for a set of Arends from another Smith, and changed the 'patridge' for a 'ramp-type' with a red insert. This one, has the newer 'frame-mounted' firing-pin, over my '88 which saw the 'change-over' from 'spur-type' firing-pins. This one [pictured below] has always been a bona fide 'tack-driver'; a 3" specimen would be interesting. I've run a steady diet 'off and on' of .45 Super through her, with no adverse effects whatsoever.

I think I'm getting the bug . . . almost did this (sic) about a year go and then got distracted by life. A 625 and 629 Stealth Hunter would really make me feel much better about the new summer wardrobe additions now hanging in my closet. Either revolver would make a nice, big hobo purse gun! YMMV

Rachel

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Rachel
Grande Torina

Yeah you hear that all the time. Some unattainable older model shot better etc... It is possible that some of the time that might be true when a manufacturer is forced to change design for some reason but if it were really true then why would they not go back to the original design? They would surely still have the tooling I would think. Most of the guns we buy are more accurate then we are even some of the cheap ones.

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Jason Adams

Here are my reasons for it:

1. I have tons of 45 ammo and autos
2. I like the moon clips better then speed loaders
3. I am tired of chasing my brass all over the place when I shoot autos
4. I already have a 629 and a 686 so this is a logical next
5. My Blackhawk in 45 acp is a single action and it is a PITA to load and unload.
6. And it is a S&W enough said... right?

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Jason Adams

Amen brother!

I have a 625-2 1988 that forum member ikor provided to me in trade some years ago.



This gun makes me look like I am actually a good shooter, and sadly, I don't shoot it as much as I should. It remains loaded with Winchester 230 grain Ranger +P and stays on my nightstand more often than not.

Hopefully, it will soon be adorned with a round-to-square target set from Kurac, also.

I'll join the fun...........

S&W 625-2 45ACP



S&W 625-9 45LC


Aloha, Mark