Model 325 Thrunder Ranch

[Grover]

Members that own, have owned, or have shot a Model 325 Thunder Ranch, please give me your opinion as to the following:
1. The overall fit and finish of the revolver?
2. How well the trigger feels/functions?
3. How the special hammers feels/operates?
4. What type barrel/cylinder gap is present?
5. Is the Performance Center Revolver worth the extra money?

Thanks for any comments.

 

[Grover]

Smith & Wesson Model 325 Thunder Ranch

So no one has opinion/comments on the Smith & Wesson Model 325 Thunder Ranch?

 

[C17]

I have a 625-8 4 inch, and recently shot a 325 Thunder Ranch at the range (rental) The feel, fit, trigger, and everything else was just fine. The only issue I have with it it the weight. It is lightweight and of course that translates to more felt recoil. It recoils pretty good. It is a great gun for carry.

Put it this way. It is a gun that would be carried a lot and shot a little...whereas the 625 would be carried a little and shot a lot.

I would like to get one, just because its cool, and has a rail for a light/laser. I'd research 3 inch 625's if you are looking for a carry gun. Also look into the available holsters for the 325 (there aren't many options.)

 

[Zermat]

I got one a few weeks ago......Love it.can barely see thru the gap hav
Trigger is very nice 3lb I paid full retail and I do NOT regret it

 

[mc5aw]

Members that own, have owned, or have shot a Model 325 Thunder Ranch, please give me your opinion as to the following:
1. The overall fit and finish of the revolver?
2. How well the trigger feels/functions?
3. How the special hammers feels/operates?
4. What type barrel/cylinder gap is present?
5. Is the Performance Center Revolver worth the extra money?

Thanks for any comments.

I purchased one of the first TR 325s to hit the market several years ago. Fit and finish is excellent, as is the trigger pull. I found the open backstrap grip to be a bit snappy with recoil, so I replaced it first with a Pachmayr Deccelerator, then a S&W 500 grip. Both work much better. The gold dot sight is the finest front sight I have ever experienced, and I've owned close to 100 S&Ws over the years. The 325 weighs in at 31 oz unloaded, and carries very nicely for a large frame, without feeling too light. I picked up a vintage Threepersons N-frame rig, and the 325 was an ideal woods/trail gun. It is an outstanding "fighting" revolver, and extremely accurate.

The PC quality is well worth the extra money. You're getting a tuned revolver, that will do whatever you ask of it. I sold my 325 last month in an effort to consolidate calibers, and .45 ACP lost out to .44 Mag/Special. If $ permit in the future, I would not hesitate to purchase another TR 325.

 

[Grover]

My Rant

My Rant:
I had wanted a Smith & Wesson Model 325 Night Guard for several years but I did not feel comfortable with the grip size. I saw a U-Tube post were the grips had been changed to solve this problem.

I bought a Smith & Wesson Model 325 Night Guard from a local gun shop. I can shoot the revolver well with the stock grips, but thinner grips would be an improvement. I really liked the gun, especially the moon clips. It is so easy to do reloads-fast-just fall in place-do not to have to look, just by feel. The fit and finish is excellent and the trigger is very good. I love the hammer.

I buy/order/transfer guns from another Stocking Smith & Wesson dealer. I ask him to get me a Model 325 Thunder Ranch. My dealer said that he could order one but did not know when/if it would be delivered. I said that I would find one on line. I located a new Model 325 Thunder Ranch in Washington State and had it transferred to my dealer. I picked up the revolver and brought it home. Upon inspection I found the following:

•The overall fit and finish of the revolver? The fit and finish is good except where the barrel shroud meets the frame near the crane. My Thunder Ranch has a 0.007" gap at that location. My Model 325 Night Guard has no gap at this location.

•How well the trigger feels/functions? The trigger is very good with no staging/stacking.

•How the special hammers feels/operates? There is drawing of the Cowboy putting up a poster using the butt of his Colt SAA as hammer. He could use the Thunder Ranch hammer as a wood rasp. What was Smith & Wesson thinking when they made the hammer so sharp on your thumb?

•What type barrel/cylinder gap is present? The S & W publications says 0.005", my revolver had a 0.007" gap. I thought that the purpose of the barrel shroud was to allow the gap was to be set at 0.005" inches. My Model 325 Night Guard has B/C gap of 0.005".

•Is the Performance Center Revolver worth the extra money? From the Smith & Wesson website: "From hand cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision, these firearms are top performers. Products from the Performance Center are the ultimate expression of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology."

My Model 325 Night Guard was manufactured in July 2009 and the Thunder Ranch which was manufactured February 2013. I wonder if the current demand is hurting the quality of the product.

I contacted Smith & Wesson with my concerns and was sent a return label.

•Smith & Wesson corrected barrel/cylinder gap to 0.005 on the left side and 0.004 on the right side.

•The barrel shroud/frame gap is now 0.006.

•No action was taken on the hammer. I feel hammer is still unacceptable.

Other comments:

•The sights on the Thunder Ranch are very good-I like the excellent gold bead/ adjustable sight.

•I like the soft cases that came with the Thunder Ranch and Smith and Wesson 38 Special Body Guard; I am not a fan of the cheap plastic case that came with the Model 325 Night Guard.

•I do not like having locks on any guns.

Final comment: I have purchase several USFA firearms in the past and I wonder if my expectations are too high with respect to fit and finish?

 

[mc5aw]

I do not like having locks on any guns.

So then why spend nearly $2,000 on the Night Guard and TR 325?

I have purchase several USFA firearms in the past and I wonder if my expectations are too high with respect to fit and finish?

That is an oranges & apples comparison. USFA produced a VERY limited amount of firearms in a given production cycle, as opposed to S&W, and was regarded as the Gold Standard of SA firearms. PC firearms are fine guns, but not in the same category as USFA's finest creations.

BTW ... Where is USFA now?

 

[Grover]

So then why spend nearly $2,000 on the Night Guard and TR 325?

That is an oranges & apples comparison. USFA produced a VERY limited amount of firearms in a given production cycle, as opposed to S&W, and was regarded as the Gold Standard of SA firearms. PC firearms are fine guns, but not in the same category as USFA's finest creations.

BTW ... Where is USFA now?

I like revolvers. I like light weight revolvers. Since Colt only makes SAA now, and Taurus (with locks) build quality can be inconstant, Smith & Wesson appears to be the only game in town. I guess that Smith & Wesson build quality and Taurus may be similar.

USFA has gone to the dark side and is making "Evil Black (Gray, Blue, & Tan) Zip Guns."

 

[Tim L]

I purchased my 325 TR used. I had two problems with it. the first was light strikes from a firing pin that was slightly too short. The second was the barrel shroud loosened up. S&W solved both problems and it has been perfect since.