I saw a 625-2 with 4" barrel and gold bead front sight.

Is this an original S&W offering or has it been altered.

The barrel's markings are centered and is full under lug.

Grips are not original(look like Altamont) and it doesn't come with anything else.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

The bead sight was an owner modification.

StakeOut, does that revolver have the interchangeable front sights like the 629 Classics or the present day 627 Pro revolvers? Because those guns are dead easy to change out the front sight with the one you want to use by pushing back on the spring loaded front sight and lifting it out. My 629 Classic and my 627 Pro both came with red ramp front sights and I've changed or are in the process of changing both to the gold bead front sight blade as it's easier on my old eyes to see than the red ramp sights nowadays.

OK on the sight but how about the 4" barrel for 625-2 Model of 1988?

I have a 5" 625-2 Model of 1988 but am unaware of a 4"

I thought the 4" was later on the Model of 1989

The front sights have a single knock out pin to remove and change blades

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

You are right, the Model of 1988 was not made originally with the 4" barrel, they were all 5" guns. The Model of 1989 included the 3", 4" and 5" models.

Is the barrel laser etched or roll marked? The Model of 1988 was roll marked, and the Model of 1989 were all laser etched (at least originally)

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.............SmithNut

OK, kind of like my 27-5 then. If you want to change out to a red ramp to get it back to factory specs you can order the correct sight blade and drill the mount hole through it.

Looking in my SCSW, it states first production was 5" barrel and later production had 3 and 4" barrels. And looking in the Engineering and production changes sections shows the 3 and 4" barrel models discontinued in 1992, so some time between initial production and 1992 they started offering your 4" barrel 625. And it shows the 625-3 change starting in 1990.

I was unable to find any posts where someone had a 625-2 Model of 1988 in 4"

I saw various sizes in 625-3 and later but not 625-2

The seller is in the process of sending more photos

Attached Images

	hammer.jpg (54.1 KB, 83 views)
	20160628_113445.jpg (47.2 KB, 90 views)
	625-2 4.jpg (154.3 KB, 108 views)

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I don't remember seeing 4 inch -2s in the Model of 1988 but that looks very nice. I don't think the issue of whether it came from the factory like that or not would get in my way if the price is right. Would love to add a 4 inch (and a 3 for that matter) to my 5 inchers. Had one out to the range this morning; sure like those 625s. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Add me to the group who thinks the 625-2 was only shipped with 5 inch barrels, with the 4 inch not becoming available until the 625-3.

I can't tell, from the photo posted, if the barrel mark is laser or roll-marked. The 625-2 was roll marked while the 625-3 was laser marked, like SmithNut wrote.

Looks to me like the barrel is roll marked, as well as the SN being roll marked in the yoke cut. And in the yoke cut, it is clearly marked 625-2. And going by my SCSW, I would think the serial number shows a general manufacturing date somewhere between Dec 1989 to March 1990.

That 625-2 with a 4" barrel is an altered gun. There are some 625-2s which are laser marked as Model of 1989 but they are all 5" barrels. In the early 2000s there was quite a demand for 4" 625s which people wanted to use for IDPA shooting. S&W had made very few so SDM manufacturing began custom-converting 5" guns to 4" and did a very professional job. The gun you're looking at may well be an SDM job. S&W then realized there was demand and flooded the market with 4" guns. SDM is still in business and they might be able to tell you if they worked on the gun by the serial number.

Four inch 625s are not rare but 4" dash 2s were not made by the factory.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

The information already posted matches my memory but that does not preclude the possibility of a rare factory odd ball 4" Model of 1988. However, it looks like a well used and modified match gun. A lot of 625s have seen a hard life of rapid fire and rapid reloading. That typically shows in the cylinder drag line and stop notch peening which this one has. I'm not saying that I would not buy it but a critical look at its carry up, end play and rotational play at lock up is in order. Its original stocks were ugly, inexpensive, bulky Pachmyrs so they are not a significant loss. I would call its collector value zero then value it as a shooter. In my area there is a strong demand for .45 ACP revolvers for shooters.

4" M625-3 w/ original equipment Pachmayrs
"Ugly" is, I suppose, in the eye of the beholder...

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Regards - GCF

^^^^^^

Are those a little different? I can't recall seeing Pach's with such pronounced finger grooves before. I thought they were Uncle Mike's at first.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

That seller has been trying to sell that particular 625 for several weeks now. I figured that the price would drop enough so that someone would snag it. I would take the chance at 650.

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On the Oak Savannah

A friend of mine sees those Pachmyrs through different eyes. When I get a pair on a used gun I can make him happy with a gift that is other wise worthless to me. Blondes v. redheads v. brunettes. Which ever looks hot to you.

My 5 inch 625-2 and 4 inch 625-3 came with those same Pachmayr Gripper grips. I bought both of them new in March, 1989 and March, 1991.

I find those Pachmayrs very comfortable in my hands and just hate those darn Hogues. I put a pair of Pachs on my new 929 and I shoot it much better.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I saw more photos of the 625-2 and the right side of the barrel is etched Model of 1989.

Attached Images

barrel.jpg (50.0 KB, 34 views)

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

See my post #11 above. Clearly the front sight blade is marked SDM and isn't factory. If you don't care if the gun is altered, go for it and try to get a lower price. Good luck.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Being marked "1989" makes me think even more that the original 5 inch barrel was replaced by the current 4 inch one.