Model of 1989

[KLYDE]

Every Wednesday me and a buddy go to the range. He shoots trap. Depending on the mood, I'll bring a rifle or handgun. This weeks trip the 625-4 5" got the call.

I had a box of 50 auto rim loaded with 5.3 W231 and an Xtreme 200 gr SWC. Set a combat target at 30 feet and enjoyed an easy stress free day of shooting. No timer, just enjoying the day. Only person on the range.

Xtreme offers a PDF loading manual for their bullets. Good thing is that it gives you some hard data on OAL and load. Bad thing is that they only offer one powder choice. OK if you happen to have that particular powder. If not, the PDF is useless.

I loaded up 9 spare auto cases with the 6.5 Power Pistol load and the 200 gr SWC they had listed. Have plenty of Power Pistol. Loaded them in a a couple of moon clips. Full six and the odd three.

At the end of the range session I set a target at 50 feet to test the accuracy of that load. Put a block of wood and a sandbag on the bench for a rest. The only stool there was way high. I was all crunched down and couldn't get a good sight picture. First three shots.....high and wild.....What the heck. I stood up and tossed the sandbag. Loaded the 6 round moon clip and fired it two handed off hand. See attached pic. Yes...it was accurate but a little dirty. I'll stick to the Bullseye or W231.

No matter what load I have put through this 625, it shoots. Auto Rim or standard brass, it shoots. One of the most accurate revolvers I own.

Regards Klyde

 

[cmj8591]

I have the same gun and use just about the same load. I go back and forth between plated and cast and, once in a while, swaged. The gun dosen't care. It just shoots. I bought some auto rim brass a couple of years ago and threw my moon clips in the junk draw.

 

[KLYDE]

I bought it about 5 or 6 years ago. No box. The trigger pull was ridiculously low. Reset was as slow as a turtle and weak. I was hemming and hawing. Screws weren't buggered, which was a plus and no push off so I rolled the dice.

Brought it home and tore it down. Installed stock S&W main and rebound springs. Trigger pull was returned to factory. Trigger on it is fantastic. Lockup is bank vault tight. A good solid shooter.

It sits in the safe for spells. I often forget how much fun it is to shoot. Every time I take it puts a smile on my face.

Klyde

 

[series guy]

I think all the 625s are good shooters. Nice shooting there. I shot these D/A standing with the target at 15 yards.

 

[StakeOut]

Mine is a 625 Model of 1988 with the Pachmayr grips
It's the most accurate revolver I own.
200gr LSWC over 3.8gr of BE in R-P 45AR case Fed GM Match Primer.

Have you seen the asking prices for 45AR cases these days.

 

[rockquarry]

Mine is a 625 Model of 1988 with the Pachmayr grips
It's the most accurate revolver I own.
200gr LSWC over 3.8gr of BE in R-P 45AR case Fed GM Match Primer.

Have you seen the asking prices for 45AR cases these days.

You may have to backorder it, but Starline has it priced only a few dollars more than .45 ACP per 500.

 

[StakeOut]

A trader I met with yesterday had sealded boxes of 100 R-P .45AR brass with an ask of $50/box
Back Order could mean quite a while or tomorrow.

 

[75Vette]

What a great way to spend a Wednesday. I love walking into an empty range bay. Zen time! Talking about your 625 spending too much safe time reminds me it's time to load up some 44 spl and get a few of my 624s and 24s out. There's a special 3" 624 that especially needs some attention. Great shootin'!

 

[jcelect]

AR Brass

AR brass is expensive and 45 Auto brass is cheap for once fired range brass! Possibly your distain for moon clips comes from the fact of not having enough to make a range trip fun!

16 full moon clips is 96 rds! That is really close to 2 boxes of ammo. Is that enough for one range session for you? It isn't enough for me!

I load and unload moon clips at home in my easy chair watching TV. When at the range all I do is shoot and dump the fired rds, in the clips, into my range bag. ALL the unloading tools pictured above were homemade! Way back when I bought moon clips (30+ yrs ago) I purchased them in batches of 100 for my 625 and 610! I have a box of store bought 45AR that I have never shot! I think it is easier to chase one moon clip in my range bag, with 6 rds, rather than 6 rds of loose AR brass!
To each their own! IMHO jcelect

 

[StakeOut]

One of those that you want to kick yourself for selling was my 3" 625-2 model of 1989.It was so nice to enjoy at the range and only saw target loads in .45AR brass cases fed into the tight cylinder.
I didn't have the box,papers and tools but the revolver didn't need them to be fun to shoot.

 

[ladder13]

I have a 5 inch 625-2 box, papers, but no pics, need to dig it out. Five inch is perfect.

Do have pics of my 3 inch. Box, papers, etc.





Beautiful gun Mike!

 

[KLYDE]

Like Stakeout.....my 3" dash 2 went down the road a few years back during that spell of insanity.

I'll never be able to get many of them back.

Klyde

 

[jimbo728]

That 5" 1989 is my qrail gun. It is sweet.
Thanks for sharing!
Jim

 

[KLYDE]

What a great way to spend a Wednesday. I love walking into an empty range bay. Zen time! Talking about your 625 spending too much safe time reminds me it's time to load up some 44 spl and get a few of my 624s and 24s out. There's a special 3" 624 that especially needs some attention. Great shootin'!

Wednesday is a big trap and skeet day at the club. The paking lot is about full. I don't think I've ever seen more than one or two people on either the rifle or pistol range while I'm there.

The advantages of retirement.

Klyde

 

[rockquarry]

I bought a new 3" 625-3 thirty years ago. I shoot it fairly often with cast bullets. I've never found it a useful gun for any purpose other than shooting paper targets, but that's what I enjoy. Same for the 625-6 5". These are large, heavy guns but great shooters. I'd probably never part with mine.

 

[Muley Gil]

I bought a new 3" 625-3 thirty years ago. I shoot it fairly often with cast bullets. I've never found it a useful gun for any purpose other than shooting paper targets, but that's what I enjoy. Same for the 625-6 5". These are large, heavy guns but great shooters. I'd probably never part with mine.

I carried a 3" M625 in .45 ACP for about 2 years as a patrol officer. I could shoot and reload as fast or faster than most of my fellow officers who carried semi-autos.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Love mine but did go to a hi-viz front a few years ago.

 

[StrawHat]

I enjoy my ACP revolvers but have to admit, I have never tried a Model 1988 or Model 1989. Don't see the need for the underlug for the ACP round. Heck, a couple of mine don't even have the shrouded ejector rod! Maybe I need to get on of the heavy ones to see what the fuss is about.

Kevin

 

[tominboise]

I have a 4" and 5" 625 Model of 1989. It's hard to describe how much fun they are to shoot. Also, they seem to be the most accurate revolvers I own, along with my FA Model 83.

 

[AR_Black]

I picked up this 625-2 "Model of 1989" a few years ago. Replaced the front sight with a green fiber optic.

.45 ACP - 200 grain plated TC reloads (use moon clips)
.45 Auto Rim - 250-grain lead Keith flat nose reloads w/Unique

Shot a deer at 75 yards using my 45 Auto Rim loads, one shot, dropped on the spot.
November 2016:

 

[rockquarry]

I enjoy my ACP revolvers but have to admit, I have never tried a Model 1988 or Model 1989. Don't see the need for the underlug for the ACP round. Heck, a couple of mine don't even have the shrouded ejector rod! Maybe I need to get on of the heavy ones to see what the fuss is about.

Kevin

The added weight of the heavy barrel and full lug helps steady the gun. I almost always shoot paper targets at 25 (sometimes 50) yards in a bullseye, one handed stance using single-action. A Model 22 .45 ACP / Auto Rim, by comparison, has the lighter partial shroud only and the lighter barrel. Its shoots well and is probably as accurate as the 625s, but I find it more difficult to steady when shooting bullseye style.

Firing double-action using two hands, one would likely notice a difference in "shootability" between the heavier and lighter guns, but it may not be significant, depending on the shooter and skill level.

 

[StrawHat]

The added weight of the heavy barrel and full lug helps steady the gun. I almost always shoot paper targets at 25 (sometimes 50) yards in a bullseye, one handed stance using single-action. A Model 22 .45 ACP / Auto Rim, by comparison, has the lighter partial shroud only and the lighter barrel. Its shoots well and is probably as accurate as the 625s, but I find it more difficult to steady when shooting bullseye style.

Firing double-action using two hands, one would likely notice a difference in "shootability" between the heavier and lighter guns, but it may not be significant, depending on the shooter and skill level.

Thank you.

My PPC revolver was a Davis built one with the slab sided barrel and matching underlug. I found it heavy for the cartridge but a joy to compete with.

I may have to find one of the full lugged ACP and try it.

Kevin

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I've used mine in zombie [ZSA] matches numerous times. Great revolver and you get your brass back.

 

[ladder13]

As promised 625-2 Model of 1988 Ignore the Bridgestones.

 

[bananaman]

I really like my newer 625-8 JM. Use Rimz poly moon clips for range. No tools needed! {do have tools and metal clips also} It is a good shooter in my book Bob

 

[PALADIN85020]

This is my 625-2 5" model of 1988. I've modified it slightly to my tastes and it's received a Nelson Ford action job. It's the smoothest DA revolver I own, and extremely accurate. Great field and defense gun, for sure.

John

 

[ladder13]

I think I'm going fiber optic on mine. So easy on the eyes.

 

[sodacan]

As long as we're sharing 45acp revolvers, here are three of my five. I also have 1917 guns in both Colt and S&W flavors. The BMT moon clip tool is something I wouldn't be without.

 

[StrawHat]

As long as we're sharing 45acp revolvers, here are three of my five. I also have 1917 guns in both Colt and S&W flavors. The BMT moon clip tool is something I wouldn't be without.

sodacan,

In the photograph of the two blued revolvers, one is a Model 1950 and the other is a Model 1955, I believe.

I tried enlarging the photo to read the barrel stamping on the bottom revolver. It blurred, what does it say please? Is it off center?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[sodacan]

1955 on top. 1950 on bottom. Everything is exactly where it should be.
Says "45 CAL MODEL 1950". The 1950 is a rare all target version, all original.