Everyone who shoots it wants one . . .

[Erich]

Thanks, guys! I'm happy with my inexpensive Nikon camera - amazing how tech can make a lay person look good nowadays.

Beaver, I use a lot of Unique loads. For range blasting, I have some mild ones with Unique and Bullseye - and I intend to try some 7625 soon in this role. For home defense I have a 200-gr LSWC that does 1050 fps from the 3" barrel, and for the trails I have a 250-gr hardcast RNFP that moves out at 950 fps (the same performance, essentially, that was made famous in the 7.5" Colt SAA in the 1800s). I load these last two loadings in .45 AR brass so that I don't inadvertantly stick them into a 1911 - plus, I like look of the fat little rounds.

The high-powered loadings are above maximums that are presently published.

L to R: 200-gr LSWC in ACP brass, 250-gr RNL in AR, 225-gr WC in ACP brass.

 

[SWAT Lt.]

The 3 inch 625s are really neat guns. They're rare too. After not seeing any for years at local gun shows, I spotted no less than three of them at the last show. Funny how you never see any of the rarer guns for a while then at the next show there are several.

 

[Dale53]

amazing how tech can make a lay person look good nowadays. Smiler

You still have to know how to use it - it is obvious that you do!

I've used a good bit of 7625 in my 625's with 200 gr SWC (H&G #68, H&G #103, and Saeco #68) at target velocities (750 fps or so). It works decently, but has a little more velocity spread than I like. However, it shoots VERY well. The main criticism I have is that it is pretty dern dirty. When I finish shooting my hands are soiled a good bit-enough that I carry handy-wipes to clean them before depositing the greasy dirt all over my steering wheel.

My 625's are not my defense guns so I mostly load target loads (200 gr SWC at 725-775, depending on powder). I am currently using up several pounds of 5066 (long obsolete Dupont Powder - 4.5 grs. is an old standard 1911 recipe that shoots extremely well and is considerably cleaner than Bullseye, 7625, or Unique). I know this information is not going to be useful to most as 5066 is no longer available.

My next target load will be built using Hodgdon's Clays (I am getting rid of powder I have around - Clays looks like a good candidate for target loads). I'm also going to eventually try Titegroup - it comes highly recommended for this purpose.

In all fairness to 7625, when I was active in IPSC, I shot about 50,000 rounds loaded with 7625 and a 200 gr SWC bullet at a Power Factor of 180 (that's what it used to be before they lowered it to accommodate sissy loads

. 7625 burned a bit cleaner and the velocity swing was less at this pressure level. It worked very well in that mode and measures well.

Incidentally, Erich, what WC bullet are you using in the picture? I probably will not be changing bullets (I have an H&G #130 cast bullet 4 cavity mould that casts SO well and shoots SO well that I'll stick with it

) However, from an academic standpoint, I would still like to know..

Dale53

 

[Erich]

Hi Dale,

I'm not a caster so I can't reference a mold number - it's a 225-gr full WC that I got from Bob Palermo at Penn.

I've also noted that 7625 (like many powders) likes a little more pressure to get it performing well. My latest playing with it resulted in a great mild loading for my .41 Mag (about 1015 fps from a 4" tube with a 215-gr LSWC).

cheers, erich

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Erich, back in the day I was carrying N frame revolvers, yours would have been perfect!
You see, guys want one like that, on-line too.

I'm always 1-2 years behind the curve...

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'm a believer! Erich's S&W .45 ACP revolver is positively magical. He gave me an opportunity to shoot it last summer. It's everything it's cracked up to be.

 

[Beaver]

Erich: How Much Powder??? beaver

 

[Erich]

Beaver, email me.

 

[Landpimp]

damn....forgot a pic of my 635-3(I think) snubbie...love that gun, more so than my 5"

 

[johnnywitt]

Originally posted by pinkymingeo:
I got my -6 about a month ago, and it's already replaced my 15-3 (w/factory action job) as my favorite shooter. It's pictured here with it's -6 45Colt sibling just because I wanted to make the point that these two prelock, MIM guns are the smoothest revolvers I've ever shot.

Pinky, I like those black grips. Are they factory? I shoot the square style better, at least on my J-frames.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Originally posted by Wayne02:
Sigh... this forum costs me so much money.....

Yup, absolutely. But at least it's for a good cause and worth it.

Thanks for the great pics and info and everything guys. There are worse ways to spend time and money.........

 

[pinkymingeo]

Those are Spegel boot grips. First set I ever owned, and they fit me better than any other grips I've tried.

 

[WFR]

Draggin up an oldie but goodie!

Erich, what holster do you tote that fine revolver around in?
I have a 625-4 3" and need a good holster for it.
Thanks!
WFR

 

[dghuppert]

WFR- thanks for bumping a great thread.
It's making me anxious to get my 3" 625-3 back from the Performance Center where it's getting the combat revolver package done to it. Hopefully I'll have it back in the next few weeks.

 

[tom turner]

Here's another photo of mine, a composite of each side.

Everyone wants it too!!! However, it is absolutely the last handgun I'd ever sell. The gun is an amazing handling and shooting revolver!

T.

 

[WFR]

Originally posted by dghuppert:
WFR- thanks for bumping a great thread.
It's making me anxious to get my 3" 625-3 back from the Performance Center where it's getting the combat revolver package done to it. Hopefully I'll have it back in the next few weeks.

I'll look forward to a range report!

 

[DHart]

Erich.... that is such a fine pistol! I understand your appreciation for it. Interestingly, I just saw one like yours that recently sold for $1700+. WOW... they've sure gone up in value.

I'm a big fan of guns with .45" bores.... they're just so wonderful to shoot. My 625 is in .45 Colt (I just love that caliber... so incredibly versatile). Mine has seen much less use than yours, though, and this thread motivates me to warm it up a bit! Here it is...

Darnell... I look forward to seeing your custom 625 when you get it back!

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Eric. I got one like yours and it is a short
hammer.
Just need to find the correct holster
for it. [ us full figured fellas you know]