M625 Dilemma !

[OldLawman]

I have in my hands a relatively clean, used 5" M625, Model of 1988.
Original version, early production. No box/papers. Used, I am at least the third owner.
Seen some wear externally.

I also have a very clean .45 Mountain Gun barrel. You can see where this is going...

I am very tempted to send to S&W to have them install the 4" MG barrel, set the cylinder gap properly, do an action job (needs it), and bead blast it. It would make a nice companion to my lugged barrel 4" M625.

Why shouldn't I do this ?

 

[Gordylew]

I had the same exact gun a month ago in .45 ACP. I wanted a Mountain gun also "or a 25-5" in .45LC.
I posted it on here wanting to trade. One of our fine members had a MG. We worked out a trade and now we are both happy

 

[Muley Gil]

What are you waiting for? Send that sucker, and that barrel, to S&W. Also, have them put a blackpowder bevel on the cylinder and then you'll have you a Mountain Gun.

IMHO, the .45 ACP Mountain Gun is the best fightin' revolver around.

 

[Poohgyrr]

For us to do our best, pictures would really help.

 

[OldLawman]

625 Dilemma

Trust me - I can't take pictures that well, and this is no beauty queen.
No collectors value here (plus, short of NIB with box and papers, I could care less. I'm a user, not collector.)

 

[David Sinko]

I would do it. The 5" full lug barrel is great for match use but a bit long and heavy for most everything else. As mentioned above, don't forget about the black powder chamfer on the front of the cylinder.

Would S&W return your 5" barrel or do they keep them? If you get it back, you shouldn't have any trouble selling it to offset some of the cost. I know some outfits will keep the barrel that they remove but my local gunsmith returns them to me. The first 625-4 I ever bought is now on its fourth barrel configuration. I still have the first three barrels that I swapped out - 5" full lug, 4" full lug and 4" carry comp. Here it is in its latest configuration, and I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping it this way.

Dave Sinko

 

[OldLawman]

625

I'm sure they will send back the removed barrel. They did the last time I had it done (to another 625, as it turns out).

I've owned every barrel length in the 625, but the 4" is the most practical for my usage.

 

[k22fan]

[...] Why shouldn't I do this ?

1. It will cost money.
2. Unless you retain the 1988 barrel and reinstall it before trying to sell your 625, it will be called a parts and pieces shooter when you try to sell it. Besides, considering that S&W surplused the barrels only because they couldn't sell .45 ACP Mountain Guns, you may find the market for them is very small when you try to sell.
3. It's very likely that the person you sell it to will try to swindle someone claiming it to be a rare revolver.
4. As a Mountain Gun it will kick more and loose sight radius which will make it less competitive in those matches that still allow 5" barrels.
5. Presuming your barrel is a left over from the 2000 production run of .45 ACP Mountain Guns, its grooves were created by corroding away metal with electricity (EDM) rather than traditional broaching. Some people suspect that EDM barrels won't shoot accurately with lead bullets, lead worse than broach cut barrels, or are having difficulty shooting loads they've developed over the years in their broach cut barrels.

Now if you'd asked "why should I change barrels", I'd have answered "Get her done, I love my 625 Mountain Gun, and they're hard to find." I like personalized revolvers and I'm a better target shooter than collector. I don't have experience with reloading magnum lead loads for EDM barrels yet, but I've gotten great groups with target velosity lead loads out of EDM .45 ACP barrels. If you keep guns for a long time like me, so long as they are not valuable collectors' items, you may as well modify them to make them just what you want. Besides, you already bought the Mountain Gun barrel.

 

[stumper]

I have both, the 5" 1988 and also a very early Mountain gun (actually a Springfield Commerative overrun). Also a number of 6 and 6 1/2" Model 25s, and my favorite shooter is by far the 4" Mt. Gun. It has the perfect feel and balance for a 45 acp revolver for me. I would go for the change!

 

[bronco45]

I wouldn't be typing your post unless Fed Ex had already left with the bundle.

The 625 45ACP Mountian Gun why won't Smith wake up and build another production run.

 

[Joe in SC]

I wouldn't change the barrel. If I did I would find a mnt. gun to shoot before I made the change. My 5 inch model of 1988 is probably the best shooting S&W that I own for double action shooting. I had a mnt. gun in 45 and it wasn't even in the same class as a shooter. Lighter yeah, more accurate in hand... not by a long shot.

 

[AKtinman]

No reason I can think of why you shouldn't do the switch.

I bought a new MG barrel from S&W back in 2005 when I was still living in SE Alaska. After moving to North Texas later that year, I had the barrel swapped with the 5" full lug on my 625-6. A now-retired gunsmith did the work, so I didn't have to ship the gun off out of state.

The MG barrel had "Mountain Gun" laser etched on the right side and ".45 ACP" stamped on the left side. My intent was to end up with a practical "using" gun rather than trying to copy or imitate a genuine 625-6 Mountain Gun. No black powder bevel on the cylinder. The barrel did not have the bead blast finish the rest of the gun had, so I have used Mother's to even the finish up. Still have a ways to go, but in no rush.

Works good, shoots good, and I'm happy with the results. It has been my daily carry gun when working out in the country.

Last year I saw a 625-4 in a local shop and bought it. Now have the best of both worlds.

 

[haggis]

I still have the first three barrels that I swapped out - 5" full lug, 4" full lug and 4" carry comp. Here it is in its latest configuration, and I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping it this way.

Dave Sinko

Yeah, Dave, unless they come up with a 1" barrel.

Buck

 

[sandspur6]

I have an original 5" 1988 625 that I wouldn't change for the world. It shoots really, really sweet. I also have a 4" model 22 TR Special that also shoots very well. But, for a carry gun, the winner is my 325 Night Guard. I had to change the grips to get it to feel right, but it shoots surprisingly well for a snubbie. Kicks a mite though.

 

[GCF]

I am very tempted to send to S&W to have them install the 4" MG barrel, set the cylinder gap properly, do an action job (needs it), and bead blast it.

Out of curiousity, have you contacted S&W for a price quote - & projected turn around time? Thanks in advance.

 

[OldLawman]

625 Dilemma

I have not. In my experience, with several other guns, S&W is very, very reasonable in their charges for work, however.
Their turnaround is also very reasonable.

 

[LOBO]

Any updates? Did the barrel swap happen?

 

[OldLawman]

Nope. I friend talked me out of the 5" gun (no way the 4" is leaving my possession). So the spare MG barrel is tucked away for the future.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I'd do it. Love the .45 ACP round. HAD a MG in .41 mag without the lock. Got rid of it like an idiot. Was great for packing and accurate, but did have some real recoil to it. Easy fix to the recoil with the old Rock Chucker and some Unique powder for cream puff loads. The Pacs full coverage grips helped to.

I'm also a true believer in the round for SD and to this day think it's the best round and the old 1911 platform for protection going if you learn to properly handle and shoot it. Been packing a 1911 with 2 spare mags for years and never feel or have felt undergunned. Low recoil, heavy bullet (230 gr. Speer GD hollow points) and you have one fine weapon that will do it's job if you do yours. Can also load it with some hard cast bullets for deer hunting if you like venison. Great penetration and will easily take down a large deer.

I was going to have my no dash, deer neutralizing 6.5" model 57 barrel swapped to a 4 inch or cut down to 3.5" (model 27 length that I love) by S&W a couple years ago. Two tours in Alaska did a number on the finish and sent it back twice to S&W from shooting it out of time. They did a great job BTW! I asked about the barrel being returned and the spokesperson said they would return it but no guarantees on it's condition if it was tweaked when being removed.

A 4" revolver is the perfect do all length S&W ever made IMO with a 3" right behind it. Easy to pack in the outdoors and also easy to conceal with the right holster, belt and outergarmet. I'm not a big guy but sometimes will strap on my 3" 657 in the winter and don't know it's there with a Lobo Avenger holster, belt and 2 speed loaders. Your MG would make a great SD weapon in a great caliber and can do the same if you have the right set up. If you're into reloading it can be loaded for plinking, matches and hunting, making it a very versatile revolver!

 

[LOBO]

Nope. I friend talked me out of the 5" gun (no way the 4" is leaving my possession). So the spare MG barrel is tucked away for the future.

Thanks for the info!