625JM - use without moonclips & vs 627

[bsms]

I've been looking at buying an N-frame...haven't owned one in nearly 30 years, since I sold a Model 28. Most of my shooting is done plinking in the desert, & I don't want to carry a bunch of moon clips.

How awkward is a 625 for use without moon clips? I know it CAN be done, but it it a pain in the rear?

Also - any thoughts on how it compares with the 627 Pro? I admit the use of 45 acp seems like a better round than the 357 for use against 2-legged types, but the 357 is no slouch (I've got a Model 60LS & 686+) and I could carry the same ammo while practicing that I use in them.

Any comments would be appreciated - I'll probably decide within the next couple of days...

 

[OKFC05]

How awkward is a 625 for use without moon clips? I know it CAN be done, but it it a pain in the rear?

Some work, some don't due to the chamber being too deep. The guns headspace off the clip holding the rimless cartridges.
Then if it does fire, you can't use the ejector and have to push out each empty with a pencil or whatever.........oh, heck, who are we kidding, routinely using a 625 without the clips is just pointlessly dumb PIA.....

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

If you dont want to use moonclips in the 625, just use 45 auto rim instead of 45ACP its pretty much a regular 45 auto with a rim to headspace off of and it will eject fine.

 

[bsms]

^^ I don't reload and the 45 Auto Rim costs more than twice as much as 45 ACP...

 

[Bobmar]

If you can find some of the older style 3 bullet moon clips they will cary easily in a pocket or pouch. 625 is something special and addicting. Bob

 

[Shooting4life]

If you don't reload then I would get a 627. 357 mag and 45 acp run about the same price. I would get the 627pc though instead of the pro so you have the option of using moon clips though you don't need to.

 

[johngalt]

My 625 fires just fine without the moonclips, but I have to poke the empties out with a dowel rod. I just recently got some of the RIMZ (plastic) moon clips. They work really well, easy to load and unload without tools.

They hold the rounds securely - I tried dropping a loaded on clip on the floor several times, the rounds didn't pop out.

For range use, the RIMZ clips are much more convenient than the steel clips.

 

[scooter123]

I have a new 625 JM that was test fired August 10, 2011. When I recieved it the cylinder was so totally free of any trace of machining marks that I suspect that S&W may now be using the ECM process to machine the chambers in the cylinder. I've also installed a Cylinder & Slide firing pin that features an extended travel capability and have tuned the trigger pull to 8 lbs. in double action, something I consider critical when using the C&S firing pin. Because I believe that using this particular firing pin with the mainspring at full power could lead to a pierced primer with the firing pin stuck in that primer.

I've shot it quite a bit without moon clips and the fired casings will fall out with a brisk shake. BTW, the reason I've shot it without clips started as a matter of curiosity and I ran 50 rounds of Speer Lawman through it on it's first outing without clips. Since then it gets shot for about 50 rounds without clips simply because I only have 2 of the American Eagle 45ACP boxes at this point, which are perfectly size to carry 8 clips. As soon as my local ranges gets in more of that American Eagle I'll probably start taking 24 clips to the range, however right now I just run a box downrange without the clips and it's not a problem. Any one that does hang up because I was a bit lazy with that shake can be snagged out with a fingernail with very little effort. Based on my sample, I don't think there is any problem at all shooting without clips, however I did do a bit of tuning and installed a firing pin with a lot more travel than the factory firing pin. It also features a cylinder that was so well machined it has the appearance of a computer generated CAD model.

BTW, I took the time to measure the headspacing with and without clips using Federal brass and the difference is 0.018 inch. IMO that might be problematic in regards to misfires with the factory firing pin, however the first thing I do to a new gun is tune it up and I've had good results with the C&S firing pins.

As for the decision between the 625 and 627, I don't reload and cost of ammunition was a factor in my choice. Currently 45 ACP is 18.97 at Walmart for the Federal Champion and American Eagle 157 gn. SJSP is 29.95 at the one local range that stocks it. I also wanted a 6 shooter for use in IDPA. Finally, it regards to recoil, I find the 625 to be "just right" and expect that the 627 would have a bit more snap when shooting 357 Magnums, about 50% more snap. Sum it up and the 625 was a better choice for me, it's cheaper to shoot and won't have the tendancy to build a flinch like the 627 would if shot with 357 Magnums.

 

[Shooting4life]

You need to start buying your ammo on line scooter. I buy the bulk pack 38 special from georgia arms and it runs like $210 for 1k rounds. Great range/blasting ammo. All most half the price of 45 acp, then you can buy 357 mag from them around $20 per 50.

 

[Poohgyrr]

For what it's worth, ammo compatibility is one reason I bought a moonclipped 8X357. It runs fine with or without moonclips. And the right grips can make a big difference in recoil - the only difficult part is finding which grips work for each of us.

Both guns are good and I wish I could justify more.

 

[Raimundo]

buy a 625 and let us know if you like it..

 

[Greyson]

I suggest half-moon clips, full-moon clips, no clips and some 45AR tossed in. I think you will find a happy medium in there somewhere.

I do suggest loading 45AR. Buying it is just dumb. Loading it is super cheap.

Regards,
Greyson

 

[Bodyguard]

I currently own a 625 JM and a 627 Pro. Both are very good weapons. The 627 PC and the 627 Pro both have the ability to use moonclips, not just the PC. As was stated in an earlier post the 625 is very easy to load and unload using the RIMZ polymer clips. The one thing I would suggest is find a dealer with both and see which one feels better in your hands. Also start reloading. I recently started reloading, and I save a ton of money. Good luck, I don't think you could go wrong.

 

[bsms]

I've seen a lot of references to a 'demooning tool'. Would it work to simply toss a few moonclips in my pocket or ammo pouch and load/unload them as I go - fingers only?

With N frame S&Ws, I suspect this is a good summary: "I don't think you could go wrong."

 

[gumpys]

If you are going to buy a 45acp revolver, why would you not want to use moonclips, just buy moonclip tool and its east mooning and demooning and saves time at the range just being able to pop a moon clip in instead of loading 6 rounds.
Eric

 

[stevieboy]

RIMZ clips take all of the headaches out of using moonclips. You can easily load and unload them by hand, they're secure, and there's no discernible difference in accuracy between using them vs. steel clips. I use RIMZ clips exclusively with my JM. They're not just range clips as far as I'm concerned, I'd feel confident with them in any situation.

My advice: get a JM, get some RIMZ clips, and enjoy!

 

[617X10]

.45 ACP, .45GAP, and .45 Auto Rim vs. .38 Special, .38 Special +P, .38 Special +P+, or .357 Magnum. I had a Brazilian contract 1917, and disliked the moonclips enough to sell it to someone who thought he had to have it. I have nothing against the gun because it got a lot of looks at the range and was fun to shoot, but if I'm going to shoot .45 Auto I want a 1911 to run them through. I guess if you wanted ammo interchangability among most of the firearms you own choosing a 9mm, .40S&W, or .45Auto revolver makes sense. But I like expanding my horizons.

 

[kennyb]

You need to start buying your ammo on line scooter. I buy the bulk pack 38 special from georgia arms and it runs like $210 for 1k rounds. Great range/blasting ammo. All most half the price of 45 acp, then you can buy 357 mag from them around $20 per 50.

why not reload?you get what you want,when you want..38special,range wadcutters about a hundread bucks per thousand...if you cast you can cut that figure WAY down....

 

[desto]

I've been looking at buying an N-frame...haven't owned one in nearly 30 years, since I sold a Model 28. Most of my shooting is done plinking in the desert, & I don't want to carry a bunch of moon clips.

How awkward is a 625 for use without moon clips? I know it CAN be done, but it it a pain in the rear?

Also - any thoughts on how it compares with the 627 Pro? I admit the use of 45 acp seems like a better round than the 357 for use against 2-legged types, but the 357 is no slouch (I've got a Model 60LS & 686+) and I could carry the same ammo while practicing that I use in them.

Any comments would be appreciated - I'll probably decide within the next couple of days...

Alot of this I guess is a matter of preferance. I think .357 can not be beat for two legged critters. I have a 627 pro 4" and I love the gun. A bit large for concelled carry; however, for hiking ect, eight rounds of .357 is just a handfull of mean. I also have a 686+, and is another fine revolver. Lighter forsure, easier to carry than an N frame IMO. I still carry the 627 alot though, and the 686 spends alot of safe time these days. I do think the .357 is a better self defense round (again in my opinion), and when I carry .45ACP I prefer a 1911....just me...rimless in a revolver is like rimed in an auto, just asking for problems. 5 star makes good speed loaders so you are not stuck with moon clips.

 

[ikor]

In your shoes I would grab the 627 and never look back, but then like someone else said, I prefer my .45's to be fired from a 1911.