Best self-defense revolver?

PALADIN85020

PALADIN85020

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This 5"-barreled Model of 1988 625 has been modified somewhat to suit my taste. It's equipped with Ahrends round-to-square butt conversion grips. I substituted a red-ramp front sight for the original Patridge design. It's been given an action job by Nelson Ford in Phoenix, and now has the slickest action of any revolver I own, even outclassing a primo Colt Python. It's completely reliable even with GI ammo not loaded into clips. It reloads quickly with full-moon clips, and I use Federal .45 ACP 230-grain Hydra-Shoks. While I'm no double action wizard, I can shoot this one quite accurately and fast in DA mode. If concealment is not an issue (such as for a house gun), I think this would be at the top of the heap for a self-defense gun. How about you?

625-1.jpg
 
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That is very nice, but I like something a little more compact, this 7 shot 242 works for me with Crimson Trace laser grips.
guns038.jpg
 
Nice!!! I think you are right, as long as you said, concealment is not an issue. Why oh why did I ever sell my 625?!
 
It'd work for me Paladin!
I believe brother Erich too runs something rather similar, for his Wife's night stand gun?
 
Paladin,
I am with you on the 625 being one of the best revolvers for self defense. I have a 3" 625 I had night sights installed on them and a custom trigger job done on mine. I also threw on a set of Ahrend round butt finger groove grips. I carry her for a back up gun on duty and as my off duty carry gun...She does me just fine.

Top gun in the picture.
HPIM1459.jpg
 
That is a nice gun, but I'd go another direction personally. I like .357 Magnum over .45 ACP for a man stopper. I'm not looking to start a caliber war. This is just my own personal opinion. Also, for any "close quarters" fight, I like shorter barrels. You don't need the extra velocity or accuracy and if they do manage to get closer than they should, I want them to have less to grab to try to wrestle the gun away from me. Also, I think it is highly unlikely that you would need to reload in a home defense situation. Don't get me wrong. I love the 625. I just wouldn't call it THE BEST self defense revolver. This would be my personal choice...

S&W 686-4 w/ 2.5" barrel

SW686-4.jpg
 
I too would go the 686 2.5-3" in 357 mag. over the big 625. Bent moon clips and rimless 45acp belong in auto,s and the 357 has more proven stopping power.
 
The best is the one you can hit what you're shooting at with. In low light, when you're groggy and confused. And very, very scared. I've read enough accounts of enough shootings to know that caliber matters very little, and ammo choice even less, regardless of how those things are debated constantly on gun forums. Just hit your target and chances are things will work out OK for you.
 
I'll also take the 625, thank you very much. I've owned them in 3" full lug, 4" Mountain Gun, 4" full lug and 5" full lug configurations and I believe the best of the lot is the 4" Mountain Gun. It serves just as well on my belt as it does on the night stand.

I've been carrying a 625 concealed full time for about nine years now and shooting them in practically all the gun games and I have NEVER managed to bend a moonclip. I believe that the .45 ACP is a much better revolver cartridge than a semiauto cartridge. This revolver does everything extraordinarily well.

Dave Sinko
 
+1 pinkymingeo

I won't get into what I'd consider to be the best and why (because honestly, there are too many good options for me).

But that is one mighty fine lookin revolver.:)
 
To answer the question in the title, it would be the one in your hand when you need it. The 625 is a great gun. I really like my 25-2, but if I had it to do over, it would be a 625 mountain gun. Too many suitable SD handguns out there to pick a best. It's what fits you best and isn't home in the safe.
 
For me my four inch 25-5 in .45 Colt gets the nod. Ground the target trigger smooth with a slight radius on the edge's had a new front sight installed to shoot POA (it shot way high with the rear sight the whole way down with the factory front sight) and have a set of smooth Hoag's on it. This one for me, is a comfortable easy to put em where you want em six-gun. Second runner up is a heavy barrelled four inch model ten, not the most powerful one around but is very easy to put em where ya want em in a hurry.
 
Well...

While I agree that either a 19 or 686 with a 2 1/2" barrel is extremely good for both carry and night stand usage. I have come to favor a Lew Horton 3" barrel .44 Mag. I don't own one but it strikes me as a very nice gun. I carry a 2 1/2" 629 and love it, not overly heavy but heavy enough to hit someone with, if need be. It has fixed sights for ease of draw from concealment and smoot wood grips for nice aesthetics.

Thomas
 
I carry a 2 1/2" 629 and love it, not overly heavy but heavy enough to hit someone with, if need be. It has fixed sights for ease of draw from concealment and smoot wood grips for nice aesthetics.
Click to expand...

That's another good choice!

2.5" 629-5

145236207.jpg


145236204.jpg
 
Sir, good choice--it's hard to go wrong with a .45. For years my "nightstand gun" was a 4-inch 25-9 (.45 Colt).

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
 
The 1911 is probably my most favorite handgun.
The 44 Mag, in a S&W revolver is probably my most favorite handgun calibre.

However for several years I carried a S&W Mod 25-2 in 45 ACP for a work gun.

When I first started carring it I used Half Moon clips. Later when Full Moon clips were invented I used them.

The S&W N Frame and the 45 ACP cartridge, IMHO are the best combination of power and controlability, for a defense revolver.

True they are bigger than a K or L frame, but in a Milt Sarks Summer Special, I have no problem carring one.

In fact I am wearing a S&W 325 Night Guard now.

It is light weight and even with full power 45 ACP ammo it is very controlable.

Since I have shot a lot of 44 Mag as well even Plus P 45 ACP, is not painful for me to shoot.

Full moon clips provide ultra fast and fool proof reloads.

I like a big bore, and this 325 Night Guard is the smallest revolver I would consider carrying as a primary.

HOWEVER IF, I was a 357 Mag kind of guy, one of the light weight S&W 8 shot 357's would be worth a hard look.

I shot a buddies and it was pretty slick.

I just prefer the 45 ACP, or a 44 Mag with the proper ammo.
 
Great looking 625 and I love my 25-2 but it has a 6 inch barrel. I carry a model 64 no dash with 2 inch barrel and my night stand gun is 27-2 with 3.5 inch barrel

night stand
Model27-235inchbarrelrightside.jpg

carry
Model64RightSide.jpg
 
First, a little clarification re the op's 625 stocks. They are referred to by the maker as 'Retro Targets', while the older style was known as the 'Square Conversion'. The Retro Targets have a more rounded front and a heel/butt that ends parallel to the barrel. The Square Conversions, usually with finger grooves and OEM on a few somewhat recent S&Ws, are thicker at the front and have a heel/butt upsweep at the rear. The 617 below sports the Retro Targets while the 696 has the Square Conversion grips. I really liked the Square Conversions - but the last two I bought were Retro Targets and went on my 4" 617 and 627 Pro... and may be my present favorites!

IMG_0951.jpg


For me, my favorite self defender, still pocketable in a Mika's pocket holster with the OEM boots in most of my britches' front pockets, is my 296. It looks just like the earlier poster's 242 - just five larger chambers and a larger bore barrel - it's a .44 S&W Special.

IMG_0596.jpg


My favorite for the home or Jeep is a 625MG in .45 Colt. I will relent to the use of my 625JM (.45 ACP) and my 200+ loaded moonclips as my best Zombie defense (Only ball ammo.).

IMG_0594.jpg


Stainz
 
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