Given a choice between a 625-2, and a 625-6 .45 ACP, both being in 98% condition, which would you choose, and why?

Also, what would be the top $$ for these guns?

Best,
Gary

Given a choice between a 625-2, and a 625-6 .45 ACP, both being in 98% condition, which would you choose, and why?

Also, what would be the top $$ for these guns?

Best,
Gary

Hi, what barrel length? any custom work done to either?? box and paperwork with any of them?

I just paid $700 for a 3 inch 625-4 with custom trigger work....I wanted a snubbie .45acp for carry....

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M.J.Hanna

Pre-lock guns command a premium, so I'd grab both if you can. They're almost guaranteed to go up in value.


Okie John

Since we do not know the barrel length, the fluting of the cylinders, whether the cylinders have been chamfered, the status of the finish and the amount of end play, tightness of the components, the amount of care taken of the guns, the number of rounds fired or the power of the rounds fired, the choice is easy! I'd choose the best one for my needs, 5", the 625-2. I'd do a trigger job, scope it, load it with RIMZ 25's and go competing in ICORE with it.

the one with the 3" barrel

The -2 is more pleasing, esthetically. It has the old style frame with serrated backstrap, forged hammer and trigger, hammer-mounted firing pin and the frame isn't drilled for scope mounts. On the other hand, my experience is that the -6 with MIM and frame-mounted firing pin is remarkably smooth. Both my -6 guns feel like they've had action jobs, though they're unmodified. Same with a -6 MG I owned briefly, but sold. My 5" -2 isn't even in the same ballpark when actions are compared, nor are my other stainless revolvers from the same era. Whatever is most important to you. Seems like the 5" guns go for $650 or so, depending.

John,
I think you have the answer. Besides, I have always liked the idea of "A New York Reload".
Best,
Gary

625-2s typically have two problems: (1) floating hand; and (2) chambers that are out of spec. These are some of the reasons the 625-2 was so quickly supplanted by the 625-3.

For a shooter, the 625-6 is a much better choice. That particular variation has posted top four finishes at each of the past three USPSA National Revolver Championships, and numerous section and area match victories.

I also have the 625-4 with 3" full lug barrel. I agree that it's about the best thing going for a concealed carry revolver. But that hammer spur has got to go.

Does the 625-6 have the frame mounted firing pin? A lot of these guns won't fire individual rounds without moonclips while those with hammer mounted firing pins do. This is unimportant to many, but I believe it's vital to a carry gun.

Dave Sinko

What good is it to have the ability to fire .45 ACP without moonclips if they have to be ejected and reloaded one by one?

May as well have a Colt Model of 1873.

When I am out plinking with my -3s, I don't use moon clips, as ejecting is as simple as holding the gun upside down and rapping the butt on my right palm. That usually makes all the empties fall into my hand. Granted, these are light target loads though!

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ken
SWCA #1959

Good point, but I see two problems with the logic. First, you can swing out the cylinder of a Smith and pick out cases, which reduces the complex manipulation required to unload a SA revolver. Still not optimal, but it helps.

Second, there is a time for reloading individual chambers. These days everyone seems to train to shoot a weapon dry and then drop the empty mag or moon clip to the ground and leave it there. There are times to do this, but this Speed Reload is actually an emergency drill since you should never shoot a weapon dry in a fight unless you have fired your last shot and must finish up with something else.

That’s because everything changes when the first shot is fired. People dive for cover, fall down or run around. A decent shot who is cool-headed can often win a fight in just a few rounds. But after the first exchange of fire there comes a lull during which it’s not immediately clear who has won or that the fight is truly over.

The well-trained fighter knows that things change quickly and that his status is uncertain during this lull. He may have a bad guy (or guys) down with others orbiting. He doesn’t know how many orbiters there are, where they are, or whether reinforcements are on the way. He does knows that if the orbiters or reinforcements haven’t fired yet, their guns are full. The only thing he can safely assume is that he may not be done shooting yet, so he tops off when things slow down. Then he doesn’t have to resume the fight with a weapon holding only one or two shots.

These potentially fatal issues don’t arise in competition. But life is different when you’re crouched behind a shelf full of Hostess pies in a 7-11 at 0200. You could Speed Reload a partially empty gun, but it's stupid to dump live ammo on the floor in a fight since you probably have a limited supply. And you don't want it underfoot where you’ll slip on it.

In the Tactical Reload, you replace a few cartridges in a revolver or swap a partial mag for a full one in a semi-auto. “The Modern Technique of the Pistol” by Gregory Boyce Morrison was Gunsite’s textbook when Cooper ran the show; it explains the drill fully. (Anyone who wears a handgun should spend a lot of time pondering the things in this book and in “The Tactical Pistol” by Gabriel Suarez.) Serious cops who carry revolvers also carry a belt slide AND speedloaders so they can do a Tactical Reload if needed.

The Tactical Reload also makes sense in handgun hunting, especially dangerous game. I shoot until the game falls, usually one or two shots. I keep my eyes on the animal and top off before I move forward. I suspect the Tactical Reload would be tough with full moon clips, but I can’t say from experience. On the other hand, I’ve got a 625 in 45 ACP on the way, so I’ll see what I can learn about the subject and report back by the end of summer.


Okie John

When I carry a reload for my 45acp revolvers, which isn't often, it's 3 2-round clips in a speed strip pouch on my belt. Conceals 100%, and allows partial reloads.

I would get them both