625 JM first impressions

[tgd31968]

I finally found an LGS with an JM revolver in stock. I have lusted after one for some time, but no one had one in the showcase.

First impressions are that I would hate the grips. That can be solved with some other grips, but my question is would any other N frame grips fit? I like the squareish shaped wood grips with checkering as seen on many model 29's and 27's, but I don't know the right name for them.

Secondly, the gun had 799 on it. For that price, I was not impressed with the fit of the stocks to the gun. The profile of the wood did not appear to be sanded properly to match the profile of the back strap. Where the back strap ended, the wood was something like 1/8" proud.

There were two kids behind the counter, and when I handed the gun back and commented on the fit of the grips, one said that the grips sucked, and people would put aftermarkets on anyway. Then they dry fired it DA a couple of times and complained to each other about the lousy trigger pull. Had me chuckling to myself. Candidates for salesmanship 101.

 

[Warren Sear]

I have a Model 629 with a 3 inch barrel. It came with wooden finger grooved grips with "fish scale" checkering. They looked good, but were very uncomfortable (understatement) for me when firing. I got a set of JM grips and I like them very much. I did have to fit them somewhat to my particular gun.

If you buy the gun, I suggest you try the JM grips. You might just end up liking them, after fitting them (as they should have been from the factory).

 

[scooter123]

That area where the grip stands "proud" of the backstrap is intentional. These are sort of a round to square conversion grip and trying to follow the backtrap up further in that area would result in the wood being feather thin and likely result in the wood splintering.

Personally, I don't like shooting with wood so my 625 JM now wears the 500 Magnum monogrip, which fits both my hand and the grip frame pefectly. BTW, it's also a "coke bottle" grip in profile.

As for that "lousy" trigger pull, a heavy trigger is standard today from S&W and easy to correct. Not really a surprize that a semi auto prima donna would describe it as lousy and most gun store clerks today favor semi's. BTW, I've seen a few of them shoot and was NOT impressed, trigger kits do not a good shooter make.

As for the price, have you priced a 686 recently? 800 bucks for an N frame aint a bad price.

 

[Rolan_Kraps]

I didn't like the JM grips either. I replaced them with some Altamont Round to Square Butt Conversion grips. When I sold the gun I put them on my 610.

 

[Greyson]

JM generally likes a heavier-pull since it resets faster. That is what I have been told. Not that I would know for sure.

As for his grips, I was convinced I would dump mine as well. But the smooth grips allow me to slide my hand faster over the grip. And since his grips don't have any groves or what-not, consider this....

Grip a JM where you are used to holding, or think you would hold, on a revolver. Now see if you can "choke-up" higher on the grip?

If so, which I can with the JM's, I think his grip style allows for a higher hold which get's you closer to the bore-axis and reduces muzzle flip.

I don't know "S" about revolvers as I am a 1911 guy. But I have been playing with my 625JM quite a bit. Shooting and lots of dry-firing. Lots. Me thinks there is more to this revolver "think" than I first thought.

In short, the JM is a game / action gun. Think about it in terms of starting with empty-hands, gun in holster as oppsoed to starting fully extended casting it like a fishing pole.

But again...I am a 1911 guy.


Regards,
Greyson

 

[stevieboy]

I started a thread recently about JM grips. It's pretty obvious that there's a division of opinion on this forum. Personally, I like them because, as others have said, they enable one to get a really high hold on the grip frame. That lowers the bore axis and, at least for me, allows me to shoot more accurately.

They do take a bit of getting used to, however. When I first tried them, I found them to be a bit slippery and I had the impression that the gun was squirming in my hand when I fired it. I also had to fire the gun quite a bit before gripping it in the same place every time became automatic. But, practice makes perfect, and I really love those grips now.

As for other grips on the gun, I've tried it with Hogue rubbers and with a very nice round-square coke grip made by Forum member Kurac. Both worked well for me but, I gradually came around to really liking the JMs, so that's what it's wearing today.

I've owned a 625JM for about two years. Is the trigger "heavy?" Well, actually, no, I don't think so. It's certainly equivalent to the trigger on my other Ns, a 27-3 made back in '88, and a Highway Patrolman made in '72, which is to say, its pretty darn good. On the other hand, it's somewhat heavier than the trigger on my several K frames. I think the explanation for that is pretty obvious, on an N you're moving a lot more metal with each pull of the trigger than you are on a K. More mass to move means more force is required to overcome that mass' inertia. Hence, the N trigger will appear to be heavier than on other, lighter, Smith revolvers.

I've attached a picture of mine for what it's worth. Btw, my favorite feature on the gun is not the grips but the replaceable front sight. I've put a red Hi-Viz fiber optic on mine that I bought from Smith. Changing the sights was a snap, literally, it took about 30 seconds to do. That interchangeable front sight is a wonderful feature!!

 

[kennyb]

i have the 625 jm with the 5.5"barrel from the performance center...it sports the jm grips as well...as others have mentioned,give them a fair shake...i love mine!

 

[VaRecon]

The JM's were a bit too smooth to my liking, especially for sweaty palms on a hot day at the range.
They do add a certain look of class to the gun but the dual JM logos seemed a tad flashy.
And that "lousy" trigger pull was probably more crisp then the kid's Glock.
Don't hold all of us younger guys to the same standard as the guys you dealt with, it's a shame to let a few fools reflect badly on those of us that did our homework.

 

[Stainz]

Six and a half years ago, I ordered a newly listed 625-8 - the 625JM. Two days later - it was in. My local pusher offered it to me for $10 less than his in stock 4" & 5" 625's - $589 - I was happy - until I got home... that JM grip 'had' to go. My other N-frames weren't in a sharing mood, grip-wise, so I elected to try the JM's. To be blunt... they grow on you! As said, that tool-less front sight change is great. Not so good - the grooves on the trigger took DNA samples with every trigger pull. A piece of emery cloth eased that. The ground/tapered strain screw intruded into the full-power Wolff hammer spring's hump, lowering the pre-load, DA pull, and primer strike. A call to S&W secured a standard strain screw gratis - problem solved. Sure, I get a ftf every two or three moonclips full of UMC 250 pack ammo - none with Federal-primed homebrews - great trigger, too. Here it is with the 627 Pro I bought 5/08 and gripped with some new and pretty Ahrends retro targets - and, thanks to it's similar front sight, another HiViz. I thought I was happy.

I thought my 8-shot 627 Pro would be a better choice for the local SPC events - but I often needed 9 shots, where with the 625JM, I couldn't miss - my times were better with the 625! The 627 had a better trigger - and slick stocks, no fg's to fidget for. I ordered another set of JM grips from Brownell's for my 5" JM PC627 V-comp... had to try them on my 627 Pro - where they remain to this day. You really do get accustomed to them. I'd try the 625JM with it's included JM grips - you can always spend more money later - just give them a try. The 625JM is a keeper - a frugal big bore ammo user - and just plain fun.

Stainz

 

[scooter123]

I tried the JM grips for 100 rounds while waiting for the 500 Magnum grips to come in and I can see how they could "grow" on some users. My problem with them is I have long skinny hands and tend to shoot with my strong hand slightly "relaxed" in a supported hold and use the support hand to provide the "squeeze". Because of this the grip was squirming in my hand and I just don't like shooting with a grip that shifts in my hand. By changing to the 500 Magnum monogrip I can get more of the support hand on the grip and the additional traction means that the gun doesn't shift at all during a string. I also don't have any problem at all getting a good high hold with the monogrip.

As for the serrated trigger, I have to agree it's an excellent DNA sampling device. If Jerry actually shoots with this trigger without any modification he has to have calouses on his fingertip at least 1/8 inch thick. I checked the trigger pull on my 625JM as soon as I got it home and my Lyman Digital had it at 11.5 lbs. At that weight it didn't take 5 minutes of dry firing to have me pulling the trigger to smooth it down.

 

[Moonman]

You can install custom grips, or rubber after market. Jerry Miculek sells a spring package for it, but you'll probably have to reload as it is light and kind of requires Federal Primers per his recommendation.

 

[Warren Sear]

...They do add a certain look of class to the gun but the dual JM logos seemed a tad flashy...

The JM grips I got from Dillon do not have the "JM" logo. I definitely like them better without the logo.