New 625-8 JM Need a little advice

[DanWales]

I picked up a virtually new 625-8 JM.

Previous owner only shot half a box through it. I feel pretty sure this is true.

Three of the 4 moon clips I got with the pistol are bent. Two so badly they will barely fit in the pistol and then they bind so bad they won't move.

This is my first Moon Clip pistol. Are the Wilson Moon clips the way to go ?? How about half moons.

I can make my own little device for loading and unloading the clips should be pretty simple.

I intend to dismantle and lube and do some very fine deburring as the rough machine edges you can feel almost everywhere on the pistol especially the top of the cylinders. I'm thinking of a 180 grit stone between thumb and index finder to just add just a teence more chamfer to the cylinder and extractor just wondering if anyone has done this ?? Or is there a better route to take with this ??

With only one good working clip I only fired 30 rounds through it on my first visit. I think the elder gentleman that had it was frustrated because he bent the clips and they would not go in.

SA trigger is sweet and the pistol is very accurate. DA is still rough maybe after I clean and lube it that will improve I love the pistol so far.

Just looking for any advice from my fellow SW shooters that may make it a little more enjoyable.

First gold bead I have had in a long time I love the front sight.

Appreciate any help.

Dan

 

[Tslepebull]

My 625-3 shoots fine without clips so for the most part I just don't use them. Extraction is as easy as catching the rim with a fingernail or just holding the revolver muzzle up and letting them fall out. That being said, new clips are easy to find (Midway, Numrich, Natches Shooter Supply) and relatively inexpensive, so why mess with bent ones; throw them away. You can also use the old G.I. surplus 1/2 moon clips. Or buy some .45 auto-rim.

I currently own four revolvers that shoot .45 ACP: the 625-3, a surplus Brazilian S&W 1917, a US surplus Colt 1917, and a converted Webley. The Webley is the only one that I have to use clips with.

It has been said before that a full moon clip is the only speed loader you can use while lying on your back; quite an advantage while making a tactical reload behind cover!

 

[stevieboy]

I can't advise you on the deburring.

As for the trigger, I also have a JM and I've noticed that the double action trigger is somewhat heavier than is the case with my other S & W revolvers. Not terribly so, but definitely heavier. I've wondered if S & W does this deliberately to assure reliable ignition. Some people prefer to shoot .45 ACP without moon clips (you can do that although the extractor won't work with the rimless rounds) and doing so would put the primer further away from the firing pin than if one uses clips. I've thought that a heavier trigger might reflect a heavier mainspring and a heavier hammer strike that would assure ignition under those circumstances.

As for moon clips, I have some that I purchased directly from S & W and they're fine. One does have to be careful about bending the clips, if they get misaligned there's a possibility of binding the cylinder. I have one or two that do that and I need to remind myself to throw them away.

One suggestion is to buy some RIMZ clips. They're made out of polycarbonate, not metal, they load and unload without the need of tools, and they work just fine. I have some and I use them interchangeably with my steel clips. RIMZ has its own website, you can order directly from them.

I have a demooning tool that is made for Brownells. It resembles a screwdriver except that the business end is a cylinder that slips over the shell casing and removes it when you twist the tool. It works fine, costs about $20.

 

[deanodog]

My 625-8 will not fire without moon clips without FTF s and neither will my M22-4. I have a M25-2 that will. Go figure.

 

[Stainz]

Ranch Products did supply S&W with moonclips. There price was $35/100 shipped the last time I bought some (last year). The Brownell's nutdriver-style tool works great for demooning - and, at <$20, looks a sight better than a filed piece of water pipe or broken golf-club handle. It also holds six empty .45 ACP's at a time. While you are shopping at Brownells, get a pair of HKS #25 Speedloaders - they fit the thick rimmed .45 Auto Rim ammo which you use without the moonclips. BTW, the UMC 250 round packs of ball ammo at WallyWorld, etc, load easily enough in those R-P 'clips - and, if you reload, new Starline .45 ACP brass is ~$140/1,000 delivered - and loads easiest of all brass in those moonclips.

The 625JM came with an eased ejector star - that's all you need for fast loading 'clipped ball ammo. I wouldn't ease anything on a S&W with 180grit stones! If you feel it is less than perfect, call S&W for a return label - send it back. They will put it in first class shape and return it to you fast - it has a lifetime warranty. 1-800-331-0852 will get you to their customer service guys.

My 625JM was an early one 2/05 - and it came with a modicum of a trigger job. I installed lighter Wolff springs, marrying it to Federal primers - all I use anyway. Decent DA trigger now - not my best, but very good. S&W can do a better job, trigger-wise, in their Master Revolver job from the Performance Center. The slop of the clipped rounds requires a bit more fp energy, thus the harder DA trigger. It's a fun revolver.

Stainz

PS The grooves on the trigger on mine took DNA samples everytime I used it when mine was new. I eased them with a strip of fine emery cloth.

 

[Pilgrim]

I bought half moon clips straight from s&w a cuppla years ago. They might still have them. Check their web site.

The 1/2 moons are easier to load/unload/carry.