Model 625jm

[chiefnpd]

New purchase. Problems with failing to fire.I think the moon clips I purchased, (metal) do not give me the proper headspace. The cylinder spins when loaded.
Will someone tell me what brand of clips they use in their JM?

 

[Hotlead]

I have mostly Ranch Products clips, have a few RIMZ ones too, never had an issue with my JM firing with or without clips. I've heard of some folks putting in a longer firing pin who've had light strike or failure to fire issues with these revolvers.

Do mean that the cylinder spins free when your gun is closed and ready to fire?

 

[Dale53]

I have two 625's. One has a 5" barrel and is a Model 625-6 (Model of 1989) and the other is a 4" 625-8 JM Special.

I use Ranch Product's full moon clips without issue. Also, I successfully use RIMZ full moon clips in both the #25 and their #625 without issue (the #25 is a stiffer clip than the 625 and holds the rounds more securely, but for range use either works well and does NOT require tools to use). I have tools for use with my steel full moon clips. The steel clips require tools (I recommend Brownell's screw driver tool for "de-mooning" and the Moonclip tool for "re-mooning":

Deluxe Moon Clip Tool

I can recommend the Apex extra length firing pin without reservation:

https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid4.html

Replacing your OEM firing pin with the Apex Tactical pin will probably stop your misfiring. If you know how to remove the sideplate on the revolver without damage, then replacing the pin is an easy task.

Dale53

 

[kennyb]

in addition to the above good information....take the grips off and be certain the mainspring under the grips is fully tightened down

 

[scooter123]

I expect that when you remove the grip and check the Strain Screw you'll find that it's loose. Tighten it down good and snug and your misfire issues will be history. Note, the DA trigger pull will also increase to 12-12.5 lbs. but that is typical for a S&W revolver today, to be blunt it's a matter of the corporate lawyers having their say.

If you want a lighter trigger pull it is possible, however it will require changing the firing pin. Apex Tactical offers an XP firing pin with an overall length of 0.500 inch and that should allow reliable ignition with a DA trigger in the 9-9.5 lbs. range. Also Cylinder & Slide offers a 0.510 long extended travel firing pin that I'm using in my 625 JM with 100% reliable ignition with a DA trigger pull set to 8.0 lbs.

As for how to tune the tigger, start by installing a 14 lbs. rebound spring, this will take the single action trigger pull to just a touch over 3 lbs. Next, you can start filing the Strain Screw shorter to reduce the Mainspring tension. BTW, you could also simply unscrew the strain screw slightly just as S&W did with your 625, however as you've found out they don't stay where you set them and you'll have misifres with they work looser. Reduce the length and you can tighten the strain screw fully while reducing the mainspring tension. If you remove 0.020 inch from the tip you should find the DA trigger to be in the range of 9.0-9.5 lbs. Remove 0.030 inch from the tip and you'll get a DA trigger at 8.0 lbs. Obviously when you start filing down strain screws for a lighter trigger it's a good idea to have a spare or two on hand in case you go too far. I've also found that a set of calipers is essential for hitting a dimension exactly.

 

[butaking]

+1 on all of the above input...If you are reloading, use the Federal primers. They're softer than all the others, and will eliminate light primer strikes....I have swapped out my firing pin for an Apex comp and installed a Jerry Mikulek spring kit on my 625-8 JM. Dialed it down to 7 lbs pull with 100% ignition on all my reloads....

 

[Jerry N.]

+1 on all of the above input...If you are reloading, use the Federal primers. They're softer than all the others, and will eliminate light primer strikes....I have swapped out my firing pin for an Apex comp and installed a Jerry Mikulek spring kit on my 625-8 JM. Dialed it down to 7 lbs pull with 100% ignition on all my reloads....

Do you think this combination would work with factory ammo? At a minimum, Federal ammo?

 

[scooter123]

I've never tried taking my trigger down to 7 lbs.. Since I'm only at the point of saving my brass and not reloading I currently have to shoot what I can find so I've tested for function with a variety of ammunitions. At 8 lbs. I've found my 625 to be perfectly reliable with WWB, Federal Champion, American Eagle, Speer Lawman, Speer Gold Dots, and Remington UMC. I've been meaning to try Sellier and Beloit but this particular brand seems to have disappeared from my area in the past 2 years.

BTW, that is with a Cylinder and Slide firing pin and a 14 lbs. rebound spring. As for moon clips, mine are all Ranch Products.

I'll also note that I've checked for ignition with and without moon clips and I specifically tested for ignition using Speer Lawman and Gold Dots when shooting without moon clips.

That is one advantage to the extended travel feature of the Cylinder and Slide firing pin, it allows the firing pin to reach the primer when the cartridge is headspacing in the cylinder.

However, IMO the C&S firing pin should ONLY be used once the trigger pull has been reduced to 9 lbs. or less. I tried one of these firing pins in my 610 when the mainspring was still at factory tension and a full 30% of the primers showed cracks in the dimples and gas blowback through those cracks, which means I was darned close to piercing primers.

 

[Shot gun shell]

Do anyone know where I can find parts for a Dan wesson "lil Dan 38+p"

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

I can tell you right now a stock firing pin(as long as it's not the shorter one) will fire federal primers 100% with a 7.5# DA pull, I haven't had any winchester light strikes either lately that I didn't trace back to the strain screw backing out. Wolf/russian primers work 95% second strike does it. There's a short pointier firing pin that's 0.485" IIRC that was used for CA drop test or something along those lines. Then there are longer factory pins are 0.495", I put one of those in. My hammer is bobbed too fwiw (some say it makes a difference), but only the spur was lopped off up until 2 weeks ago which I hollowed out the internals so it weighs 18.6g versus 34g.

 

[chiefnpd]

chiefnpd

Thanks everyone great information.
Jerry