625 model of 1989 more confused than ever

[potentpoefie]

Hi guys

I've been searching this site and doing a bit of google-fu but now I'm even more confused than when I started. Seeing their is so much knowledge about Smiths going around here maybe you guys can help me out.

Are all 625's from the -3 onwards "Model of 1989" or is their something special about the "Model of 1989"?
Or is that just a series of gun's name, like the "mountain gun" series?
Did their production run stop?

 

[DCWilson]

In my mind, "Model of 1989" is a secondary factory designation. The real model ID is 625-3, and the other phrase is just something they wrote on the barrel. The interesting thing is that they did that with their target revolvers in .45 ACP in the 1950s as well -- Model of1950 and Model of 1955. Technically speaking all N-frame guns were "Model of 1950" revolvers because that's when they introduced some serious engineering changes dealing with lockwork design and speed, but the actual words only appear on the .45 ACP revolvers.

I wouldn't call a gun a "Model of 1989" unless it had that phrase on the barrel, and even then I would have it in mind that its model number and dash designation were its primary identification. I don't know when the phrase was last stamped on a 625.

 

[Stevie]

They had a 'Model of 1988' 625 too...then the 'Model of 1989' 625...I had originaly thought these were limited production runs..but now I don't think the 1989 versions were..and that maybe the 1988 marked guns were.

I too believe that the model names were something similiar to the old designations for the revolvers..such as 'Combat Magnum'...and 'Distinguished Combat Magnum'..'Combat masterpiece'...'Target Masterpiece'..etc.

Basicaly just a name for the model that actually got etched on the barrel..

 

[potentpoefie]

Of course I knew the model number 625-<insert number> is the main thing but I was wondering if the "model of 1989" was a special run. From your responses it seems it was not. Pretty much what I thought.

Thanks. That's all I needed to know.

 

[Beans]

I have one of each. The model 1988 has a five inch barrel and the model of 1989 has a 4 inch barrel.
It is my understanding, which may not be correct, is the model of 1988, 5 inch barrel was produced to compete in the IDPA revolver class and when IDPA changed the rules to disallow revolvers with a 5 inch barrel, S&W then came out with the model 1989 with a four inch barrel to comform to the rule change.

 

[Dale53]

Beans;
I would like to respectfully correct you.

I have a 625-6 Model of 1989 with 5" barrel:

Dale53

 

[MINI SSS]

Ditto here. I have a 5" Model of 1989.

 

[potentpoefie]

My model of 1989 is also a 5 inch barrel beauty.

But I mean it wasn't like they just produced these model only in 1989?Sorry if the question sound stupid but so I learn.

 

[xopher88x]

My model of 1989 is also a 5 inch barrel beauty.

But I mean it wasn't like they just produced these model only in 1989?Sorry if the question sound stupid but so I learn.

I don't get it either, so maybe we're both stupid. But I do love the 625. That's for sure.

 

[Engine49guy]

As I recall one has laser etching and the other has rollstamps,
Allen Frame should be back Sunday and he has one of each 45 model to compare .

 

[nawilson]

As I recall one has laser etching and the other has rollstamps,
Allen Frame should be back Sunday and he has one of each 45 model to compare .

I think he has one of every 45 model...

 

[tg_26101]

as i recall, the 1988 model had the "floating hand" and some other manufacturing issues that were corrected in the 625-3 model of 1989. the standard barrel length was 5" for the model of 1989 also, with a limited run of 4" and 3" built that didn't sell well at the time, but have since become desirable.

IDPA didn't exist in 1989, the 4" barrel had nothing to do with IDPA in the 625-3 series.

 

[buckspen]

In 1988, I bought a five inch 625 Model of 1988 for use in bowling pin shooting which was very popular at the time (for instance, the Second Chance match in Michigan). The durn thing would not accept hardball 45 ACP rounds in moon clips. You may imagine how disappointed I was!
I took it to a friend who is a S&W trained gunsmith (he was Cincinnati PD armorer for some years) and he said some of the charge holes were not fully reamed out. He reamed them correctly and it worked fine after that. He also replaced the ramp style front sight with a Patridge sight which I liked a lot better.
I also have a 625-6 with 5 inch barrel which was made in 1998 and marked Model of 1989 on the barrel. Good guns and very effective on pins with the right loads.

- - - - Buckspen