Four inch vs Five inch 625

[AManWearingAHat]

Hello Smith and Wesson brain trust!

For the 625 owners out there. Do you prefer the four inch or the five inch and why? Ive toyed around with getting one and can't decide between the barrel lengths. It'd primarily be a range gun.

Thanks!

 

[TAROMAN]

Have had several 625s.
For me, they shot the same.
Get whichever pre-IL -3 or -4 you can get the best deal on.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The five points better for me, but that's just me.

 

[Mehutch]

5" barrels are special shooters, it is a fine balanced gun. It will give your ammo a bit better performance, but you have to shoot quality ammo. This can be done through reloading your own.

4" barrels have the edge on different applications, carry, size and excellent balance too. I have many 4" guns in several calibers.

However when I backpack deep into the outback bush I carry a 5" to 7 1.2" barrels (Smith 44 mag or a 7 1.2" inch barrel Ruger 44Mag.

5" inch heavy artillery.



and 4" inch lighter carry, say .357 mags...



to each their own, to each different useage….

 

[jack the toad]

On the pre-lock guns, it seems the 5" is more abundant. Not sure if 4" had less made or less for sale... I have both and if limited to only one, it would be the 4". Not because one shoots better but I think 4" is all-around ideal length.
ETA:
If for primary range use, I may go with the 5" as it shoots phenomenal and typically may be cheaper. Nothing wrong with either.

 

[M29since14]

Jack the toad sums up my opinion very well. I’d not be disappointed with either for range use. For an all-around gun, I’d prefer 4-inch. If you plan to compete in the action games, I believe the 5-inch guns are no longer authorized in certain classes of competition. That doesn’t affect my thinking, but might be important to others.

 

[rockquarry]

I've had a 3" and a 5" for a long time; never had a 4", but doubt you'd see appreciable difference between 4" and 5" versions.

 

[sodacan]

Never owned a 4", but the 5" 625-2 is an extremely nice shooter for me. The other four 45acp revolvers I own are old ones (65 to 101 years old). Shown is the 625-2 with a Colt 1917.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

Thanks for the replies. Do any of you feel any balance shift between the 4" and 5"

As for shooting quality ammo. Thats no problem, I roll my own almost exclusively now.

 

[Jim Watson]

I shoot IDPA and let me tell you, I was P.O.ed when they reduced the revolver barrel length from 5 to 4 inches.
Five inch just seems natural for the N frame.

 

[M29since14]

You will definitely notice the muzzle heavy aspect with the 5-inch gun more than the 4-inch, unless you have arms like a gorilla. If you’re just banging away, it’s not so much of an issue for me, but if you’re doing precision shooting that’s another thing.

 

[bluelund79]

I prefer the 4” due to balance and ease of carry. I could care less of the IL, so I got the PC model. It does everything that I need and more, especially since I put Herrett Jordan Troopers on it, and reloaded some AR brass. It is the only N frame that I can shoot worth a hoot.

 

[series guy]

I have both and like both. My Model of 1988 only shoots well with plated bullets. My 625 JM shoots everything well.

 

[The Norseman]

Length does matter

You bring up a very good question; 4"bbl vs. 5"bbl.

My experience is the 4"bbl is very unforgiving at the Range.
That being said, to be constant, you have to really concentrate
on Front Sight, Trigger control (a very light/smooth, good trigger
helps here), and even grip can change things (that why all my
Serious Revolvers have the S&W Black pliable grips on).

Revolvers with longer Sight Plains, such as the 5" or 6-1/2"bbl
seem to be right there on target at ranges 7yds to 30yds, just
my experience.

I like to shoot, and do a lot of Indoor Range Shooting (we have
the Best Indoor Range/Owners in the State), and practice is the
key to hit the Bullseye.

I'm always on the look out for a S&W 625 45Colt/629 44Rem
Mag SDS with the 5"bbl. Some day I'll find a Safe Queen, one
new in the box.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have the 3" and the 4".......Wish I had the 5" to go with them.

 

[CH4]

FWIW, I have all three. I prefer the 3”625-3 for ccw, 5” 625-2 for range use and the tapered 4” of my 625-6 MG for backpacking, be it a .45 Colt and not .45 acp. If I could only have one, I’d keep the 4” MG.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I have a 3,4,and a 5 inch,they all feel great,and are outstanding shooters.

.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I shoot IDPA and let me tell you, I was P.O.ed when they reduced the revolver barrel length from 5 to 4 inches.
Five inch just seems natural for the N frame.

That’s the reason I bought a 4” version.

 

[robvious]

I have both a 4" & 5"... 5 inch balances better for me at the range and is therefore more accurate, for me... but one thing not covered yet... if you ever want to use a holster you will want to go with the 4"... holsters specifically for 5 inch N frames are difficult to find...

 

[series guy]

This thread prompted me to take my 5" Model of 1988 to the range last night to try some coated bullets that I loaded. I'm pretty happy. Target was at 55' fired S/A two hand hold standing. Ten rounds fired.