pahermit
Member
What is the difference between the 625 in 45acp with model 1988 and the ones with model 1989 on the bbl? Also what is ment by military model of 1988? Saw one on gunbroker that looked the same as my 1989 model.
625 45acp
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Vulcan Bob
Member
The big difference is that the 1988 barrel marking's are stamped into the barrel and the 1989 are laser etched. As far as the military model, I can be of no help.
Dale53
Member
I can't help you with the 1988 but I DO have a Model of 1989. Maybe a list of some items that the 89 has will help you.
My Model of 1989 is a 625-6 with 5" barrel. It has NO lock but has MIM hammer and trigger. It has a pinned on Patridge front sight (black).
My 625-8 is a Jerry Miculek Special with a 4" barrel. It has forged, flash chromed hammer and trigger. It has a lock. The front sight is an interchangeable sight and came with a flat gold bead. It came with JM Special wood grips, monogramed, and also has JM monogram on right side of the revolver.
I prefer Pachmayr Decelerator Grips and have those on both of my revolvers.
Both of these are superb revolvers. I added a Jerry Miculek balanced spring kit to both and tuned the actions to 9.0 lbs double action and 3.0 lbs single action. They handle both Winchester AND Federal Primers with no problems (you can set the action lighter but then will be limited to Federal primers, only).
Hope this helps...
Dale53
My Model of 1989 is a 625-6 with 5" barrel. It has NO lock but has MIM hammer and trigger. It has a pinned on Patridge front sight (black).
My 625-8 is a Jerry Miculek Special with a 4" barrel. It has forged, flash chromed hammer and trigger. It has a lock. The front sight is an interchangeable sight and came with a flat gold bead. It came with JM Special wood grips, monogramed, and also has JM monogram on right side of the revolver.
I prefer Pachmayr Decelerator Grips and have those on both of my revolvers.
Both of these are superb revolvers. I added a Jerry Miculek balanced spring kit to both and tuned the actions to 9.0 lbs double action and 3.0 lbs single action. They handle both Winchester AND Federal Primers with no problems (you can set the action lighter but then will be limited to Federal primers, only).
Hope this helps...
Dale53
+1 for Bob also the model of 1988 has a ramp front sight and the model of 1989 has a patridge front sight. I have not heard of the military model. Here is a picture of my model of 1988.
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45Wheelgun
Member
The Model of '88 was a 625-2, and as stated with roll stamped markings.
The FIRST Model of '89 was the 625-3 and was laser marked as stated, but came with Patridge front site on the 5" guns and ramps on the 3" and 4" guns. The 3"/4" guns were only sold for a year or two. These were traditional triggers and hammers with firing pin.
Both the Model of 88 and the Model of 89 were released in 1989.
As the model progressed forward in time it never seemed to lose the Model of 1989 moniker, but lost the hammer mounted firing pin, and got MIM'd in 1997 with the 625-6 and finally added the lock in 2001 with the 625-8.
I have never heard of a military model.
The FIRST Model of '89 was the 625-3 and was laser marked as stated, but came with Patridge front site on the 5" guns and ramps on the 3" and 4" guns. The 3"/4" guns were only sold for a year or two. These were traditional triggers and hammers with firing pin.
Both the Model of 88 and the Model of 89 were released in 1989.
As the model progressed forward in time it never seemed to lose the Model of 1989 moniker, but lost the hammer mounted firing pin, and got MIM'd in 1997 with the 625-6 and finally added the lock in 2001 with the 625-8.
I have never heard of a military model.
1988 vs. 1989
I think the differences between the two have been covered pretty well; 1988 has a ramp front sight and roll-marked barrel; 1989s up through '-4' are nearly identical except for lazer-engraved markings, patridge front sight, and a couple of engineering changes. MIM hammer and trigger started with '-6'...I have never seen a '-5' in .45 ACP; all I have seen were .45 Colt, but I may be mistaken about that.
There is NO SUCH THING as a "military model" 1988-89; someone is either ignorant, or trying to 'creatively' describe what they have for sale, hoping to get more money for a 'rare' military model.
I think the differences between the two have been covered pretty well; 1988 has a ramp front sight and roll-marked barrel; 1989s up through '-4' are nearly identical except for lazer-engraved markings, patridge front sight, and a couple of engineering changes. MIM hammer and trigger started with '-6'...I have never seen a '-5' in .45 ACP; all I have seen were .45 Colt, but I may be mistaken about that.
There is NO SUCH THING as a "military model" 1988-89; someone is either ignorant, or trying to 'creatively' describe what they have for sale, hoping to get more money for a 'rare' military model.
45Wheelgun
Member
I agree, only .45Colt.
Well said.
There is (according to the SCSW) a 625 produced in 1989 with "Bowling Pin 88" on the barrel. 2500 of them, but I have never seen or heard of one.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
1988 vs. 1989
The differences between the two have been well described above. As always is true with S&W, never say 'never'. I own a 625-2 'Model of 1989' which is correct in all respects except the dash-2. The hammers and triggers on these early models were flash-chromed carbon steel, not stainless or MIM.
Also, as part of the history of the 'Model of 1988' it should be mentioned that this model had a floating hand which has long been dropped and many of the cylinder chambers were out of spec causing sticky extraction and difficult chambering of handloaded ammo.
The differences between the two have been well described above. As always is true with S&W, never say 'never'. I own a 625-2 'Model of 1989' which is correct in all respects except the dash-2. The hammers and triggers on these early models were flash-chromed carbon steel, not stainless or MIM.
Also, as part of the history of the 'Model of 1988' it should be mentioned that this model had a floating hand which has long been dropped and many of the cylinder chambers were out of spec causing sticky extraction and difficult chambering of handloaded ammo.
The 625-3 has longer cylinder locking bolt slots than the 625-2. This was done primarily because of locking slot throw-by or unlocking with heavy loads in Model 629's. It was fixed with longer slots, and the change was applied to all N-frames for simplicity. I don't know of any problems with locking slot throw-by with 625-2's.
As mentioned, the 625-2 has a floating hand. Large numbers of them have been converted to the standard hand, and all future 625's used standard hands, AFAIK.
Some 625-2 chambers were a tad short (but not many), and some chambers were at SAAMI minimums (probably from worn tooling). Dirty chambers, mostly in competitive action shooting, hindered reloads. The problem was less on 625-3's, but not completely eliminated until the -4 models.
625-6's in .45 Colt used standard parts, while 625-6's in .45ACP used MIM parts. Neither had an internal lock. Most 625's, whether using forged, machined, or MIM parts, have very smooth actions, and the guns are superbly accurate.
Buck
As mentioned, the 625-2 has a floating hand. Large numbers of them have been converted to the standard hand, and all future 625's used standard hands, AFAIK.
Some 625-2 chambers were a tad short (but not many), and some chambers were at SAAMI minimums (probably from worn tooling). Dirty chambers, mostly in competitive action shooting, hindered reloads. The problem was less on 625-3's, but not completely eliminated until the -4 models.
625-6's in .45 Colt used standard parts, while 625-6's in .45ACP used MIM parts. Neither had an internal lock. Most 625's, whether using forged, machined, or MIM parts, have very smooth actions, and the guns are superbly accurate.
Buck
This topic seems to be covered pretty good but my 625-3 5" model of 1989 is roll stamped and has a red ramp with regular flash chrome hammer & trigger - non MIM. My 3" 625-3 89 version is also roll stamped with plain ramp and same old style H & T as the 5".
45Wheelgun
Member
Some good details in this thread. Many I had forgotten until being reminded here.
Ken, sounds like a great 625-3 3". My laser etching is almost gone on mine (20,000+ rounds and lots of cleaning), I would have loved to have the roll stamped version.
This thread goes to prove the S&W adage of "Never say Never with S&W".
Ken, sounds like a great 625-3 3". My laser etching is almost gone on mine (20,000+ rounds and lots of cleaning), I would have loved to have the roll stamped version.
This thread goes to prove the S&W adage of "Never say Never with S&W".
Both of my 89's(3"/4") are lazer etched with ramp front sights and short cyl. locking notches. Flash chromed forged hammer/trigger.
I just came across a 625-4 with the 89 markings and a 5" barrel today. Didn't appear to be very heavily used. It's really had me thinking of going back for it. How do those of you with 5" barreled guns like em? I've never really given that length a lot of thought.
Dale53
Member
I was shooting my 5" Model of 1989 this morning. If I could only have one, I suppose it would be the 5". It would NOT be an easy decision as I like my 4" JM Special VERY much, also.
If I carried my revolver on the belt on a daily basis, then I would opt for the 4" (you wouldn't have the revolver sticking you in the short ribs when riding in a car). However, in Ohio we have to have a minimum 5" barrel to hunt deer with the handgun - for me, that has a potential to affect my decision.
FWIW
Dale53
If I carried my revolver on the belt on a daily basis, then I would opt for the 4" (you wouldn't have the revolver sticking you in the short ribs when riding in a car). However, in Ohio we have to have a minimum 5" barrel to hunt deer with the handgun - for me, that has a potential to affect my decision.
FWIW
Dale53
Mine is a 625-3 3" Laser etched Model of 1989 45acp
About the best SA trigger of any Smith I currently own.
I gather that this is the most common of the 1989 versions.
rayb
About the best SA trigger of any Smith I currently own.
I gather that this is the most common of the 1989 versions.
rayb
Cruizer Bill
Member
Model of 1988 has better firing pin!
The 625-2 of 1988 had the hammer mounted firing pin, while the Model of 1989 has the frame mounted firing pin. I shoot my Model of 1989 extensively in my Bullseye Pistol shooting but am afraid to dry fire it without snap caps. Is it safe to dry fire a frame-mounted firing pin gun?
The 625-2 of 1988 had the hammer mounted firing pin, while the Model of 1989 has the frame mounted firing pin. I shoot my Model of 1989 extensively in my Bullseye Pistol shooting but am afraid to dry fire it without snap caps. Is it safe to dry fire a frame-mounted firing pin gun?
jimmyjoe
Member
Cruizer Bill,
Sorry to correct you, but you are NOT correct about that; only '-6' or later 1989s have a frame-mounted firing pin; all earlier 1989s have the firing pin on the hammer. Also, rayb, the most common of the 1989 versions would of course be those with 5" barrels; 3" and 4" are less common.
Sorry to correct you, but you are NOT correct about that; only '-6' or later 1989s have a frame-mounted firing pin; all earlier 1989s have the firing pin on the hammer. Also, rayb, the most common of the 1989 versions would of course be those with 5" barrels; 3" and 4" are less common.
Shooting4life
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Love my 625-4 with 5 inch barrel. Best double pull of all my smiths and it sure is fun to pretend to be Jerry at the range with a few full moon clips.
Black_Sheep
Member
My 625-2 has the 5" barrel with laser etched markings and a Patridge sight...
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