MODEL OF 1989 QUESTION

one eye joe

one eye joe

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I AM A FAN OF 4" S&W REVOLVERS. IMHO, THEY BALANCE PERFECTLY, BOTH VISUALLY, AND IN THE HAND......

I AM ALSO A HUGE FAN OF THE .45 ACP CARTRIDGE. MY EDC WAS A COLT GOLD CUP, FOR 3 DECADES. PHYSICAL DISABILITIES HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO RELIABLY, AND SAFELY HANDLE SEMIAUTO PISTOLS, SO I AM EXCLUSIVELY A REVOLVER SHOOTER.......

I DID SOME RESEARCH, AND DISCOVERED THE M625, MODEL OF 1989. I LEARNED THAT THEY WERE OFFERED IN BARREL LENGTHS OF 3", 4" AND 5". OF COURSE THE 4" MODEL WAS MY CHOICE. I SEARCHED FOR OVER A YEAR IN VAIN, FINDING 3" AND 5" VERSIONS FOR SALE WERE PLENTIFUL. FINALLY, I FOUND A PRE-IL, 4" ON GUN BROKER. I PAID MORE THAN I WANTED TO, BUT I WAS DETERMINED TO MAKE IT MINE. THIS WAS CLOSE TO 4 YEARS AGO, IIRC, AND I HAVE YET TO COME ACROSS ANOTHER 4" VERSION FOR SALE.....

MY QUESTION IS, JUST HOW SCARCE OR RARE IS THE 4" VERSION ? ? ? WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT, I BELIEVE MY GUN IS A M625-3. WHAT % OF THE TOTAL PRODUCTION WAS THE 4" BARREL VARIANT ? ? ?

I'M IN LOVE WITH THE REVOLVER, AND I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SELLING IT---I'M JUST CURIOUS. IT HAS THE NICEST STOCK TRIGGER, AND IS PROBABLY THE MOST ACCURATE, OF ALL OF MY S&W REVOLVERS WITH IRON SIGHTS. IMHO, THE POTENTIAL OF THE .45ACP CARTRIDGE CAN'T BE FULLY APPRECIATED, UNTIL IT IS FIRED FROM A REVOLVER........
 
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Joe, The "Big Book" SC of SW wasn't a lot of help. The authors even admitted that the quantity produced was uncertain. The Model of 1989 began as the 625-2 full lug 5" barrel. The 3 & 4" barrels followed but were discontinued in 1992 with the exception of the Mountain Guns.
Sounds to me you have yourself a keeper. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will chime in.
 
I've mentioned this on here before, but I bought my 3" from CDNN in Abilene,Tx. Some of you are probably familiar with them. They handle a lot of closeout items at very good prices. The items are generally discontinued and/or stuff that proved to be unpopular with buyers.

At the time I bought mine, I believe CDNN had only the 3" version. Other barrel lengths were likely more popular and may not have been sold through CDNN at closeout prices.
 
75Vette said:
Joe, The "Big Book" SC of SW wasn't a lot of help. The authors even admitted that the quantity produced was uncertain. The Model of 1989 began as the 625-2 full lug 5" barrel. The 3 & 4" barrels followed but were discontinued in 1992 with the exception of the Mountain Guns.
Sounds to me you have yourself a keeper. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will chime in.
Click to expand...

THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN MY BEHALF, 75Vette. I APPRECIATE IT.....
 
I think there were a lot of Model of 1989s made, I've seen quite a few and owned a couple. I think they are scarce because those that have them don't want to let go of them. They are a very fine revolver.
 
My first 625 was a Model of 1989 625-3 with a 4" barrel. I bought it about 15 years ago and still have it. I was actually looking for a 5" gun, but they were in high demand with the competition shooters, so I settled for an almost new 4" gun in the box.

A couple of years later the rules changed and 5" barrel guns were no longer allowed, so a bunch of 5" 625s hit the used market. I picked up a 5" 625-2 Model of 1988 with a Millett rear site at a very reasonable price.

Wouldn't sell either of them but the 5"er gets more use.
 
I have come across a few. Had all 3 bbl lengths at one time. But really liked the 3" and 4". Sold the 3" here on the forum a while ago. still have the 25-3 4 inch with 'model of 1989' etched on the barrel. Actually tried to sell it on the forums too but no takers.

Nice shooter and very accurate.
 
625-?

The 4" 625s you are looking for were the early 4" model of 1989 guns made from 1989-1992. During this time period 3198 3" guns & 2980 4" guns, with the -2 & -3 change, were made! The 5" 625 was the first SS gun, post war, that used the full moon clips. The IDPA and bowling pin shooters loved them for fast reloads. IDPA changed the rules from max of 5" to 4" barrels. S&W dropped the 5" barrel from the catalog and went to a 4" barrel. That's were the "dash" numbers went crazy! Along with the normal engineering changes associated with the "dash" numbers there were special run guns;
-5 is the 625 5" but in Long Colt
-6 is the 625 4" Mountain Gun 45ACP
-7 is the 625 3" Long Colt made for Lew Horton
-7 is also a 625 4" Mountain Gun in Long Colt
I quit! ! ! After that there is JM guns with ugly colored grips and what ever else they could think of to sell guns!
jcelect
 
I've owned two of them over the years. I would be shocked if there were actual productions numbers available. I can say, as you have, that they are not common at all. I sure wish I had kept both!
 
jcelect said:
The 4" 625s you are looking for were the early 4" model of 1989 guns made from 1989-1992. During this time period 3198 3" guns & 2980 4" guns, with the -2 & -3 change, were made! The 5" 625 was the first SS gun, post war, that used the full moon clips. The IDPA and bowling pin shooters loved them for fast reloads. IDPA changed the rules from max of 5" to 4" barrels. S&W dropped the 5" barrel from the catalog and went to a 4" barrel. That's were the "dash" numbers went crazy! Along with the normal engineering changes associated with the "dash" numbers there were special run guns;
-5 is the 625 5" but in Long Colt
-6 is the 625 4" Mountain Gun 45ACP
-7 is the 625 3" Long Colt made for Lew Horton
-7 is also a 625 4" Mountain Gun in Long Colt
I quit! ! ! After that there is JM guns with ugly colored grips and what ever else they could think of to sell guns!
jcelect
Click to expand...

THANK YOU SO MUCH, FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION, IN RESPONSE TO MY QUERY, jcelect. I TRULY APPRECIATE IT ! ! !
 
Photoman44 said:
I've owned two of them over the years. I would be shocked if there were actual productions numbers available. I can say, as you have, that they are not common at all. I sure wish I had kept both!
Click to expand...

WOW, Photoman44, YOU WERE A FORTUNATE GUY. YOU PROBABLY HAD GOOD REASONS TO SELL, WHEN YOU DID. OF COURSE HINDSIGHT IS 20/2O.......
 
625

Joe, I recently purchases a 4" barreled Model 625. no dash, .45acp, by sheer accident. When I bought it sight unseen it was advertised as a Model 625. ,45 and I erroneously assumed .45 lc. It is a beautiful revolver I have yet to shoot but if it does as well as my 625 Mountain Gun in .45acp I will be a happy camper
 
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All in on these.
Liked first one, I purchased another:
625s.jpg

Then added a 5" -4 for good measure:
625-5.jpg
 
shottist said:
Joe, I recently purchases a 4" barreled Model 625. no dash, .45acp, by sheer accident. When I bought it sight unseen it was advertised as a Model 625. ,45 and I erroneously assumed .45 lc. It is a beautiful revolver I have yet to shoot but if it does as well as my 625 Mountain Gun in .45acp I will be a happy camper
Click to expand...

This quite a find!!! I have been buying and shooting 625s since they were first introduced. To my extensive knowledge no one but you has ever found a 625 no dash. Even Nahas and Supica mention this in their Standard Catalog.
 
shottist said:
Joe, I recently purchases a 4" barreled Model 625. no dash, .45acp, by sheer accident. When I bought it sight unseen it was advertised as a Model 625. ,45 and I erroneously assumed .45 lc. It is a beautiful revolver I have yet to shoot but if it does as well as my 625 Mountain Gun in .45acp I will be a happy camper
Click to expand...

CONGRATULATIONS, shootist. WHAT A STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE ! ! !

I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL BE PLEASED. MINE HAS THE VERY BEST FACTORY TRIGGER, OF ALL OF MY MANY S&W REVOLVERS. IT IS ALSO THE MOST ACCURATE OF MY REVOLVERS, THAT RELY ON FACTORY IRON SIGHTS---NO OPTICS.......

I AM ENVIOUS. I SEARCHED FOR A LONG TIME, FOR A MOUNTAIN GUN IN .45 ACP. I WANTED TO ADD IT TO MY MODEST LINE UP OF MGs, IN .357 MAG, 44 MAG, AND .45 COLT (SHOWN BELOW, L to R). BEING UNABLE TO SCRATCH THAT ITCH, I JUMPED ON THE 4" MODEL OF 1989, AS SOON AS I SAW IT. YOU OWN BOTH OF THEM ! ! !

AS YOU MUST BE ALREADY AWARE---IMHO, THE SUPERB PERFORMANCE OF THE .45ACP CARTRIDGE, CAN ONLY BE FULLY REALIZED, WHEN ITS FIRED FROM A REVOLVER......
 

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FAVORITE Revolver

I have a 5-inch in .45 ACP. By far my FAVORITE Revolver to shoot.


General ammo info at this thread What are you shooting in your 625?


---------------

Picked up this 625-2 "Model of 1989" a few years ago. That was a very good year for me, and I always wanted one of these. Replaced the front sight with a green fiber optic.

.45 ACP - 200 grain plated Ranier TC reloads, full moon clips, very mild. 3.8 grains Bullseye. Target load, drops 5-inches @ 25-yards. I could adjust the rear sight, but the pistol zeroed for my hunting load....

.45 Auto Rim - 250-grain lead Keith flat nose reloads with 7.0 grains Unique. Stout. I can hit the six-inch plate @ 100 yards at the club consistently with this one, holding over one bead.

Shot a deer at 75 yards (2016) using my 45 Auto Rim loads, one shot, dropped on the spot. I carved a notch in the grip.

ar_black-albums-model-625-2-model-of-1989-a-picture16982-1.jpg


ar_black-albums-model-625-2-model-of-1989-a-picture16984-2016-deer-stand.jpg


ar_black-albums-model-625-2-model-of-1989-a-picture16985-2016-deer-stand.jpg


ar_black-albums-model-625-2-model-of-1989-a-picture16983-2016-deer-harvest.jpg
 
625

For the record on my 625 no dash? Here is the info from the original Box end label:
SerialNumber: BEN5530
Model Number: 625
Product Code: 100925
Spec. Ord. 9332
There is also a Pinkish stick on label with the number 65918.
Since I do have the original box I can probably post a Pic if I
can figure out the way to do that. Perhaps the good Col Crittendon (SP)? if he sees this can shed some light on the situation?
 
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shottist said:
For the record on my 625 no dash? Here is the info from the original Box end label:
SerialNumber: BEN5530
Model Number: 625
Product Code: 100925
Spec. Ord. 9332
There is also a Pinkish stick on label with the number 65918.
Since I do have the original box a I can probably post a Pic if I
can figure out the way to do that. Perhaps the good Col Crittendon (SP)? if he sees this can shed some light on the situation?
Click to expand...
Copy him on this post. If he has any information on it at all he will post it forthwith.
 
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