S&W 625-3 model of 1989 .45 ACP

CH4 · #51 07-22-2023, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralem

One of my favorite guns…..I shoot it way better than my 1911s

Me too. All three of my 625s are scary accurate. This is from Thursday’s range session with my new 5” -3.

CH4 · #52 07-23-2023, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CecilB

I’m gonna revive this thread with what I hope is a simple question. I have a 625-2 and I am a little confused with it. Let me know if this is right: it’s an N frame with a K frame size round butt? I ask because I want to replace the original Pachs (which say K frame on them) and I tried some K frame round butt from my model 13 but they don’t fit good. I don’t own any other N frame round butt revolvers so I don’t have any grip to try on. I see some of you 625-2 model of 1988 owners have changed grips, just wondering if you bought N or K frame round butt. I believe the Pachmayr finger groove gripper is the factory original and wonder if any of you that have the same gun with original grips know if yours came with a K frame Pach.

CecilB
The Pachs on your gun are OEM and are marked K Frame as you pointed out. I checked my -2 and -3 to verify.

AJ · #53 07-23-2023, 11:09 AM

Bought this from a friend, who has since passed. Are the grips original?

CH4 · #54 07-23-2023, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ

Bought this from a friend, who has since passed. Are the grips original?

Yours looks like a -3 and would have come with Pachmayers like these. Those grips are made by Kim Ahrends, who is now out of business.

AJ · #55 07-23-2023, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

Yours looks like a -3 and would have come with Pachmayers like these. Those grips are made by Kim Ahrends, who is now out of business.

Thanks will look for some. It is a 625-3. The Ahrends grips are very comfortable to shoot with. To bad out of business.

CecilB · #56 07-23-2023, 11:49 AM

Thank you CH4 for answering my question.My research showed that the 625-2 model of 1988 came with Pachmayr Gripper but after reading an article by John Taffin he stated that the 625-2 has a “K frame style” round butt, that wording threw me off a bit. So I’m still not sure if I should be looking for a K or N round butt so I’m hoping that a couple of guys that posted pics of theirs with wood grips will chime in with whether they bought K or N.

S&W Fan · #57 07-23-2023, 12:11 PM

I no longer have mine but I put the Hogue round to square conversion grip on it and loved the fit.

CecilB · #58 07-23-2023, 12:29 PM

Thanks S&W Fan. Do you recall what size you bought? I’m assuming N frame. I had a 625-8 JM a few years ago and put round to square on it and I seem to recall they were Ahrends N frame. I sold it in 2018-19 cause “it was too easy to shoot”. Have you ever heard such a stupid reason? Kicked myself in the rear end a bunch of times for that move.

rockquarry · #59 07-23-2023, 12:40 PM

I think some, maybe many of these guns were slow sellers when they were marketed. I bought a 3" 625-3 in 1992 from CDNN; price was well under $300.00 as I recall. I don't remember if they had other barrel lengths or variations available.

I used to buy guns regularly from CDNN years ago because their guns were almost always closeouts and slow movers at very good prices.

S&W Fan · #60 07-23-2023, 03:52 PM

CecilB, the grip is the N frame round to square conversion, hope that helps!

CecilB · #61 07-23-2023, 05:03 PM

Much appreciated S&W Fan!

jspick · #62 07-23-2023, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

CecilB
The Pachs on your gun are OEM and are marked K Frame as you pointed out. I checked my -2 and -3 to verify.

Very interesting! So I went and looked at my 625-3 and the grips say N-round. So are your grips mis marked or did they make some 625's with K round butt frames?
This is another learning moment about Smith's!

colt_saa · #63 07-23-2023, 07:49 PM

625s (all of them) are N-frames

The confusion comes from the days where there were no round butt N-frames from the Factory. Custom Gunsmiths used to reduce the grip frame so that K-frame round butt grips would fit. After all no one made N-frame round butt grips yet for them to order.

There are a few K-round designs that will look acceptable on an N-frame, these are mostly rubber grips

The nice thing is the Custom round butts were so popular that the Factory adopted the idea

So if you are looking for aftermarket style grips like on my 5" Model of 1988 or Factory style grips like on my 3" Model of 1989 then you want N-frame grips

CH4 · #64 07-23-2023, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CecilB

Thank you CH4 for answering my question.My research showed that the 625-2 model of 1988 came with Pachmayr Gripper but after reading an article by John Taffin he stated that the 625-2 has a “K frame style” round butt, that wording threw me off a bit. So I’m still not sure if I should be looking for a K or N round butt so I’m hoping that a couple of guys that posted pics of theirs with wood grips will chime in with whether they bought K or N.

I recall hearing something about the first few had K grip frames, maybe just a couple prototypes - I think it was the 625-2. I am confident yours has an N grip frame, my -2 does. Both -2 and three Pach grips say “K”.

CecilB · #65 07-24-2023, 08:49 AM

Thanks for all the replies, glad I asked the question. Looks like a few people learned something new today. Not sure what grips I might end up getting but at least I know what size. I’m not new to S&W’s even though the question may have made me sound like a novice. I have J, K and N frames and can totally disassemble/reassemble them, but this being my only round butt N frame and not wanting to buy yet another grip (to add to my already overflowing box of grips) I put my lack of knowledge on this subject out in the open here for answers. Never too old to learn, even in my 70’s.

colt_saa · #66 07-24-2023, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher

I have been finding Brownell's de-mooning tool (screwdriver handle version, new-old stock for $10 at several LGS's for a year and a half, so there must have been a closeout someplace.

Ivan

Myself and buddies made our de-mooning tools for pipe just like others have

However we made our's very long so that as we de-mooned the brass slid down the pipe and right into the brass bucket . . . . very convenient

jspick · #67 10-23-2023, 08:01 PM

I would like to find a 5" barrel for my 625. Any ideas on where to find one. I already checked ebay.

S&WshooterFIN · #68 11-24-2023, 04:06 PM

625 & new 3D printed moon clip pouches

45Wheelgun · #69 11-24-2023, 05:13 PM

The very first gun I owned. Still have it today 34 years later. Started my love affair with 45Wheelguns.

Kolus · #70 11-25-2023, 12:42 PM

I only shoot 45 Auto Rim in mine.

gator59 · #71 11-25-2023, 03:10 PM

45AR is your friend…

N_Frame · #72 11-25-2023, 03:53 PM

I have both a 625-6, .45 ACP, Product Code: 100927 (5" barrel, ".45 CAL MODEL OF 1989") and a 25-7, .45 Colt, Product Code: 100924 (5" barrel, unfluted cylinder, also with a ".45 CAL MODEL OF 1989" imprint on the barrel, and "Midnight Black" finish). I picked these up separately, both with boxes and all paperwork, not realizing they were both called ".45 CAL MODEL OF 1989". The gentleman I purchased the 25-7 from was originally intending to rechamber/rebarrel it to .44 S&W Special. Glad he decided to sell it to me before ruining it like that!

Papa32129 · #73 11-25-2023, 04:32 PM

I got one to post.
Bought it used about 20 yrs ago. No box. 5 full moon clips and two half moon clips.

Papa

I have shot it very little.

bgrafsr · #74 11-25-2023, 04:39 PM

I have a 625-3 and i bought several hundred .45 Auto Rim cases for reloading and shooting. Much easier to use AR cases than .45 ACP with moon clips.

AJ · #75 11-25-2023, 04:41 PM

The only problem that I see with AR cases is that they don't function well in an M1911......

tejano · #76 11-25-2023, 08:29 PM

I have two. Here is one.
IMG_7408.jpg

tejano · #77 11-25-2023, 08:34 PM

And the 2nd.
IMG_8466.jpg

KurtC · #78 11-26-2023, 10:41 PM

All 625's are N frame Round Butt. Before Pachmayr made proper N frame grips, the K frame rubber grips could be made to fit. That's where the myth started.

The 625-2 (Model of 1988) had a floating hand, which we all hated. It was dispensed with for the-3 revision and never reappeared.

I have pretty much owned and qualified with every 625 made prior to the lock. The only one I still have is this 625-4 with Performance Center parts and tuning.

tejano · #79 11-27-2023, 12:29 AM

What was/is the issue with the floating hand on the 1988 model, which I bought new way back when?

KurtC · #80 11-27-2023, 03:05 AM

The floating hand made for a ****** DA trigger pull, particularly in N frames. When qualifying or in competition, all shots are DA.

If you only shoot SA, the floating hand isn't noticeable.

StrawHat · #81 11-27-2023, 09:09 AM

I have only one stainless revolver, a Model 625-6.

So far, I have not needed the heavy lugged barrel for shooting. The tapered barrel is sufficient for my needs.

Kevin

StrawHat · #82 11-27-2023, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&WshooterFIN

DIY tools for moon clips

Great lever for putting the cases into the moon clip! When you get a 9mm revolver, will you use a 9mm magazine?

Kevin

zeke · #83 11-27-2023, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgrafsr

I have a 625-3 and i bought several hundred .45 Auto Rim cases for reloading and shooting. Much easier to use AR cases than .45 ACP with moon clips.

Also have a preference for the AR cases, but am not shooting competition events. They get loaded 1000 at a time