Looking at the JM 625 and wondering.

[33jayman]

I was in the LGS last weekend checking on if these out and thought it looked pretty nice. I reload .45acp and thought this might be a good shooter for me.

Was wondering what you guys might have to say about it, what the pros and cons might be.

Thanks for any insight you might have.

Jay

 

[Cal44]

I'm in the process of getting one also. Can't wait to give it a try.

 

[kaaskop49]

Funny how multiple threads on one particular gun pop up at the same time... Right now it's the 625 and the 637PC. I own both...

My 625 is magnificent. I changed out the grips since I have scar tissue in the web of my shooting hand. The large N-frame eats up the mild-pressure .45ACP and .45 Auto Rim. Can't comment much on fine accuracy, since I shoot at 1/2 sheets of typing paper at 5-7 yards, but I have no trouble with double taps on multiple targets. I call it 'shooting MOPP (Minute of Pie Plate).'

I use the moon clips with ACP and recommend getting one of the de- and -mooning tools for convenience. I find it harder to load the clips than unload them. The original style half-moon and 1/3 moon clips (clipping 2 rounds) are out there, but less handy. The 625 can use ACP without the clips in an emergency, but you have to punch them out with a pencil. Sometimes they fall out under gravity alone.

Another thought, I also have the modern mfg 1917 Model 22. One chamber is bored a smidge more deeply, so an ACP round therein may not ignite. The clips override this. Have already sent this one back because the sideplate was not fully seated. Can't make this stuff up!

Other posters will have more to say about reloaded ammo and pure accuracy. Hope I've helped a little.

 

[jrs70]

I have one and like it. The 625-8 from the PC is the next one on my list.

 

[M29since14]

I have had a three 625s over the years and have been reasonably pleased with all of them. I have looked at the JM model but never owned or fired one.

My experience with 625s has been good - much better than with the earlier Model 25-2s. I usually shoot mine without clips of any kind. I dislike fooling with the clips and I have not seen any substantial difference in accuracy one way or the other. It's usually no trouble to lift the empties out with your fingernail. Auto Rim brass works nicely too, if you can accumulate enough of it.

I wouldn't be afraid of a 625JM. One of our members here has one with an optical sight mounted and he has said it is one of the better shooting S&Ws he owns, or something like that. Judging by the looks of his ammunition and the targets he posts, I would bet he knows what he is talking about.

 

[chipking]

Just my opinion based on experience with a couple of ECM machined 45 acp barrels but I believe that plated or jacketed are much better suited to them than cast or swaged. My 22-4 would actually tumble swaged 250s and both it and my 625-8 4" would lead full length in about 50 rounds of cast. Tried several brands and hardness's of cast from 200gr up with pretty much the same results. Both guns were supremely accurate with Berrys and Ranier plated of just about any weight and Nosler 185 Hp's. Compared to my Springfield Bi-cenntenial 625 which will shoot anything with no issues the rifleing in the other 2 looks about half as deep.
Again just one mans opinion and it would not stop me from getting one it would just effect what I shot in it.
Chip King

 

[M29since14]

That's a good point. I didn't know JMs had ECM barrels. Do they all have them?

I would certainly take a good look at the barrel and if you are a cast bullet shooter, I agree with the comments above and would be leery of any revolver with an ECM barrel. My 329PD has what appears to be an ECM barrel. Almost makes you ill to look at it. It looks like a barrelmaker's nightmare.

 

[Redlegvzv]

My 625JM is one of my favorite firearms. The moon clips are lots of fun. I like the polymer ones for the range; for HD I have a big bunch of the metal ones. The .45ACP round is very good with moon clips. The polymer clips can be de-loaded and re-loaded in seconds with no tool. I have shot for an hour at the range just using one or two of them.

The trigger on the 625JM is excellent. I replaced the "JM" grip with the Hogue finger groove grip, and I replaced the bead front sight with a FO sight, which helps a lot at the range.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I really like my JM although the stock grips are a learning curve it turns out I like them. As the ECM barrels are concerned mine shoots my Lyman #452424 250 gr SWC COWW alloy bullets lubed with SPG just fine. However results from gun to gun does vary!

 

[ejeli]

Knowing I was going to change the grips anyway I went with the PC625, mainly for the smooth trigger. Seem to handle it better than the groved as that is what I'm used to.
e.

 

[33jayman]

Thanks for the replys guys!

I was hoping to shoot cast bullets with one of these. I run them in my SA 1911s without leading issues. I load 4.5 grains of Titegroup with a 200 grain lead round nose. At that the velocity that I am shooting leading hasn't been an issue but those are different guns.

Hum....not so sure I want a 625 now...

Jay

 

[qrachel]

Go for it . . . shooting a 45 acp is always a blast.

Rachel

 

[M3Stuart]

My 625 is magnificent. I changed out the grips since I have scar tissue in the web of my shooting hand. The large N-frame eats up the mild-pressure .45ACP and .45 Auto Rim. Can't comment much on fine accuracy, since I shoot at 1/2 sheets of typing paper at 5-7 yards, but I have no trouble with double taps on multiple targets. I call it 'shooting MOPP (Minute of Pie Plate).'

I absolutely LOVE that MOPP spec!

I shoot at paper plates, so that is just perfect; 'Minute of Paper Plate'!

 

[M3Stuart]

Question: what's a "ECM machined barrel"?

Thanks.

 

[M29since14]

Electro-chemical machining.

 

[qrachel]

Electro-chemical machining . . . Huh?

Electro-chemical machining.

Hi: Don't want to hijack the thread, but didn't know there was such a thing (I'm a shooting Tyro). Hmmm, I'm also not a metallurgist or chemical engineer, but chemical etching, cutting, etc. just wouldn't ever enter my mind as a suitable machining/cutting process for something as exacting and demanding as barrel grooving. But like a fellow Smithie said, "What do I know?"

Note to Self: Well, remember you do now know shinnola and Jack for sure based on several sorry a__ed experiences.

Learn something new every day to forget tomorrow! Of course, I can say I'm always learning though.

Take care all,

Rachel

 

[mc5aw]

I recently sold my TR 325, and am considering a JM as a down-the-road purchase. The thing about S&W's .45 ACP revolvers is that there simply aren't the choices as with other calibers. If you like .45 ACP in a wheel gun, then there's not much to go with on the NIB rack, so the JM is as good as it gets.

 

[bronco45]

I have had a JM and a PC 4" 625. The JM outshoots the PC with lead bullets and jacketed. The PC is nicer to carry. Both are very accurate. Ammo dimensions are critical, reloads that will feed and shoot in my Kimbers won't in either of the 625s. I use RCBS dies and I had to buy a Hornady seating die to get the rounds to chamber in the wheel guns. Different lots and brands of brass, set this problem up. Tight chambers as long as to spec make the revolvers shoot tighter.

 

[Bello]

Love my 625JM at first broke it in with lead and omg it leaded all the way down the barrel now I just shoot PD pills out of it, leave the lead to my 1911. Very accurate gun fun to shoot

 

[kaaskop49]

Polymer moon clips?

Who makes/carries polymer moon clips? Somewhere on this planet, preferably. Thanks.

Kaaskop49