Harrison
US Veteran
Has anyone had any experience with recent PC 625s in 45acp? Is workmanship and function etc. good?
Performance Center 625
- Thread starter Harrison
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robert1804
Member
I bought a new one two years ago. It's a great gun. Best fit and finish of any of my newer Smith's. Barrel/cylinder gap is .002", the headspacing is just right so it shoots acp with moons or AR brass with a light main spring. I have not touched the action, it's very smooth. Accuracy with ball ammo isn't the best. This gun is a reloaders dream, though, and very accurate with the right ammo. Plus, if I have ammo that doesn't do well in my autoloaders, I just moon it up and run it through the 625 PC.
series guy
Member
I bought one in the fall, pre-owned but un fired on GB. I replaced rebound spring, slicked it up and it is one of my favorites. Grips were terrible, high edges on mine. Other than that, fit and finish are good, no problems. I load 200 gr LSWC over 3.5 gr of bullseye. Great shooter.
I have a JM model, didn't like the narrow grooved trigger so I replaced it and am very happy with it now. Also have older 5" and 3" models of 1989 and all shoot equally well.
Walkingwolf
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Mine was almost flawless, only flaw was those stupid clown grips.
Willyboy
Member
625
I had a 625-8 and foolishly sold it to get an older 25-2. The 625 was tighter and shot just as well. Willyboy
I had a 625-8 and foolishly sold it to get an older 25-2. The 625 was tighter and shot just as well. Willyboy
I obtained a 625-8 Performance Center a few months ago. From the start it was a great revolver with the only detraction being the grips. The tri-color laminate grips contacted my medium size hand in a way that caused pain at the junction of my hand and thumb. Replacing the grips with the Hogue Monogrip round to square butt conversion solved the painful grip problem.
I liked the 625-8 PC model well enough to invest in a Raptor Engineering reflex sight mount and a Burris Fast Fire 3 reflex sight and the time to reload about 1500 rounds of ammo for it.
Compared to a lot of other S&W's of all decades going back to the 1940's I'd rate this 625-8 as one of my favorites. Great trigger both single and double action, good balance, and very accurate making me look like I know how to shoot, make this a very enjoyed revolver. I have zero issues with the quality and workmanship. All gaps, finish, and alignment are excellent.
I liked the 625-8 PC model well enough to invest in a Raptor Engineering reflex sight mount and a Burris Fast Fire 3 reflex sight and the time to reload about 1500 rounds of ammo for it.
Compared to a lot of other S&W's of all decades going back to the 1940's I'd rate this 625-8 as one of my favorites. Great trigger both single and double action, good balance, and very accurate making me look like I know how to shoot, make this a very enjoyed revolver. I have zero issues with the quality and workmanship. All gaps, finish, and alignment are excellent.
I’ll let you know in a week. I’m currently awaiting the arrival of my new 625-7 Performance Center .45acp (pre-lock 5.25” barrel). 
Dougdug
US Veteran
I picked one up about 6 months ago and have had zero issues with it besides the horrible stock grips. Went with Culina combats and they fit my hand like a glove and the gun shoots like a dream! Could not be happier with the 625PC and Culina grips... worth every penny.
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USS Hepburn FF-1055
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USS Hepburn FF-1055
625-8 PC
As you know, just because it was made in the Performance Center doesn't guarantee anything. As with the standard production models you get some good ones & some not as good. You pay your money & roll the dice.
My brand new 625-8 PC had a barrel constriction, at the frame, right out of the box. A .443" pin gage, the largest that can be inserted in the muzzle, falls smoothly thru the barrel until it gets to where the barrel threads into the frame & is firmly stopped there. A .442" pin gage would pass the constriction. I hand lapped the constriction out.
The barrel is canted (more than was obvious when I bought it) & the rear sight has to be adjusted fully to the right to to hit POA.
It also had light strikes right out of the box. A longer firing pin fixed that.
The barrel had a poorly finished muzzle. Chamfering improved it's grouping & look.
The trigger had a typical S&W 4# SA trigger pull. A little polishing & rebound spring work got it to 2.5#.
The barrel-cylinder gap is .007".
The charge holes were not chamfered.
Replaced the .250" front sight with a .300" SDM F/O & changed the rear blade from a .126" to a .146" for a better sight picture.
That said, it's a wonderful shooter now & I enjoy shooting my 45AR handloads in it a lot.
Now, if it only had a 5" barrel...
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625-8 PC, with Badger grips
(-001c)
.
As you know, just because it was made in the Performance Center doesn't guarantee anything. As with the standard production models you get some good ones & some not as good. You pay your money & roll the dice.
My brand new 625-8 PC had a barrel constriction, at the frame, right out of the box. A .443" pin gage, the largest that can be inserted in the muzzle, falls smoothly thru the barrel until it gets to where the barrel threads into the frame & is firmly stopped there. A .442" pin gage would pass the constriction. I hand lapped the constriction out.
The barrel is canted (more than was obvious when I bought it) & the rear sight has to be adjusted fully to the right to to hit POA.
It also had light strikes right out of the box. A longer firing pin fixed that.
The barrel had a poorly finished muzzle. Chamfering improved it's grouping & look.
The trigger had a typical S&W 4# SA trigger pull. A little polishing & rebound spring work got it to 2.5#.
The barrel-cylinder gap is .007".
The charge holes were not chamfered.
Replaced the .250" front sight with a .300" SDM F/O & changed the rear blade from a .126" to a .146" for a better sight picture.
That said, it's a wonderful shooter now & I enjoy shooting my 45AR handloads in it a lot.
Now, if it only had a 5" barrel...
.
625-8 PC, with Badger grips
(-001c)
.
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I've been planning to get a 625, but can't decide between the PC and standard JM. I love PCs and have two already, but the hideous grips are a serious downside to the PC (and frankly make the gun cost even more because I will have to replace them), and I don't love the barrel profile.
Do the chamfered cylinders really make much of a difference when reloading? They seem to be the main advantage in the PC version.
EDIT: After seeing the post above, that's assuming S&W actually chamfers the cylinder like they are supposed to.
Do the chamfered cylinders really make much of a difference when reloading? They seem to be the main advantage in the PC version.
EDIT: After seeing the post above, that's assuming S&W actually chamfers the cylinder like they are supposed to.
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photoman
Member
I recently bought a 2016 vintage 625PC and it does have a chamfered cylinder. The gun is really nice, but honestly, I think you might be better off buying the JM and having someone do a good $150 action job. Just depends on what price you can get the PC for. I got a real blow-out clearance price on my PC so I'm happy. Except for those grips... I love Altamont grips but boy howdy did they drop the ball on these red, white and blue nightmares. Absolute junk!
Dale53
Member
As many here, have read before >), I have a 625-8 that is one of my most favored revolvers. I have shot thousands of rounds of my home cast bullets. It NEVER fails to please. Some of my most memorable targets have come from this piece.
I replaced the springs with a matched set from Jerry Miculek (Bang, Inc.) and tuned the trigger to 9.0 lbs. double action and 3.0 lbs. single action. I replaced the grips with my favorites (Pachmayr Grippers). I also added a Red Dot sight. This combination shoots under an inch at 25 yards off a rest.
I cannot imagine a better set up for .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim...
FWIW
Dale53
>), I have a 625-8 that is one of my most favored revolvers. I have shot thousands of rounds of my home cast bullets. It NEVER fails to please. Some of my most memorable targets have come from this piece.I replaced the springs with a matched set from Jerry Miculek (Bang, Inc.) and tuned the trigger to 9.0 lbs. double action and 3.0 lbs. single action. I replaced the grips with my favorites (Pachmayr Grippers). I also added a Red Dot sight. This combination shoots under an inch at 25 yards off a rest.
I cannot imagine a better set up for .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim...
FWIW
Dale53
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Spokes
Member
I looked at one the other day. Very interested in buying one...
I see Kentucky guns have them at a good price. A lot better than my LGS
I see Kentucky guns have them at a good price. A lot better than my LGS
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