Best 45 ACP revolver model?

[Emerson]

I'm wanting a 45 ACP revolver.

I'd like a 625 but I can't seem to find one without the stupid lock...........am I looking for a needle in a haystack?

Should I just look for a 25? or a 22?

I want it to shoot but prefer a 5" or shorter barrel as I will probably carry it from time to time.

Which is the best model?

 

[pred]

Love my 6.5" 25-2......
But I havent shot many 45 acp revolvers.
Peter

 

[stevieboy]

I foolishly sold my 625 last year. Yes, it had a lock. No, the lock didn't bother me a bit. It was, and remains, an extraordinary shooter. I know that, because the guy who bought it reminds me every time I see him.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, S&W built M625s without the lock.

I have two. One was shipped with a 5" full lug, which I switched out to a 3" FL barrel.

The other is a Mountain Gun, which I consider the best of the breed. I prefer the 4" tapered barrel, with it's longer sight radius, over the 3" FL barrel. The weight is about the same.

 

[jack the toad]

Yes, S&W built M625s without the lock.

I have two. One was shipped with a 5" full lug, which I switched out to a 3" FL barrel.

The other is a Mountain Gun, which I consider the best of the breed. I prefer the 4" tapered barrel, with it's longer sight radius, over the 3" FL barrel. The weight is about the same.

Sorry for the hijack but those are 2 that I'd really enjoy owning.

 

[toroflow1]

You can find the 625s, just have to look on the auctions. And get a prelock and pre MIM. This 625-3 is just the ticket:

 

[bravastar1]

I would say either this one. Md625-3

or this one-PC md-625-6

 

[NE450No2]

If you find one you like with the lock, just take ALL the lock parts out.

 

[KurtC]

 

[gagunner 2]

My love affair with thr 45ACP revolver started with a 25-2.Shoots great!
About 15 years ago found a 625-3 4" that was just as nice.Recently bought a 625-6 4" mountain gun.2000 issue,MIM parts but NO LOCK!
Was leary about the MIM parts but pleasently supprised how smooth the action was. The old model 1955 is still my go to target gun.The mountain gun seems to be getting the nod for packing.

 

[Revolver King]

The 625 is a very nice revolver. I have both lock & no lock and really don't see any difference in performance. I have put many rounds through my 4" with lock and have never had a problem.

 

[Plottman Pops]

625 Mountain Gun is by far my favorite!!!!!!!

 

[fat tom]

If you find one you like with the lock, just take ALL the lock parts out.

How do you take out a hole?
f.t.

 

[akr]

If you find one you like with the lock, just take ALL the lock parts out.

...and stick gum in the hole.....the Okie way....lol.

 

[Dale53]

I have two 625's - one is a 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special with 4" full underlugged barrel and a lock.

I was so happy with it's performance, that I wanted a companion 5" barrel. I went to the Ohio Gun Collectors Show in Wilmington, Ohio last year looking for one. I found exactly ONE at that show. It was from an estate and apparently had been a safe queen. It showed no signs of having been used. The price was agreeable and it went home with me. You don't see many of these at the shows. It is a 625-6 Model of 1989 and has no lock:

Frankly, all of the lock problems that I have seen have been with very light "j" frame guns (apparently, severe recoil is a factor in lock failures). I wouldn't let a lock put me off. I am equally enthused with both of my 625's. I am on track to put 5000 rounds through the two of them this year.

Dale53

 

[Jim Shugart]

A few years ago I was in the market for a 25. The local gun store had a new 625 with the lock and a used Performance Center 625-7 without the lock for about the same price. I said "Hummmmmmm....can have a few microseconds to decide?"

Sorry, this isn't the best photo:

It's maybe the last handgun I would give up.

- Jim

 

[akr]

It looks great now, but some Mother's Mag polish will make it look better than new.

 

[manny25]

they have a 625 5inch prelock with box on gunbroker with alittle more then two days its at less then $600 now and a prelock 4inch no bids at $675 they or both 625-3

 

[rwschill]

I recently picked up a 625-2 and am very impressed as to how accurate it is. I have been shooting at 25 yards and it makes some very nice groups. Keep looking, they are out there and a lot of them are in very nice shape.

 

[maxx]

There are currently several pre-lock 625s on gunbroker.

I picked up a super clean 625-4 5"er last month for a very decent price.

Sometimes there some listed, other times there are just a couple of overpriced ones mixed in with the 625-8 JMs.