Oh, where to begin? Just picked up my new pride and joy today. Did a lot of research prior so I new what to expect. I thought I did a good job inspecting it before I signed on the dotted line. I get home and there's a problem with the grips. Sloppy would be a nice word to describe the fit of the grips. I checked the grip screw. Tight. I removed the grip and everything seemed okay. Reinstalled the grip and still loose. The grip actually moves back and forth. So the question. Would I be better off dealing with dealer or SW? Is there something I'm doing wrong? Kinda frustrated at spending that kinda money and finding something wrong. Had plans for the range tomorrow but not now. That's how bad they move. Sorry for the rant just needed an ear to bend. Thanks in advance.
New 625 JM
- Thread starter JAK1494
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bamabiker
Member
One of our members, Stainz I believe , had a problem with grips that came on one of his guns and if I remember right S&W sent him a replacement pair. I'd call them tomorrow.
scooter123
Member
Your not the first to report issues with this grip. Mine was machined with the opening for the grip frame about 1/64 inch too wide. That left a slight gap between the grip and the grip frame, however I didn't notice any movement. If you want to shoot with these grips as a temporary measure you may want to try snugging the mounting screw a bit tighter. Don't get silly with snugging it down but another 1/2 turn on the mounting screw might firm the grip up enough to shoot. BTW, I tried shooting mine with the JM grip mounted and found it to be too small for my hands, the gun squirmed around under recoil a lot more than I like.
Since I'm not a fan of wood grips it really wasn't an issue to me because I replaced it with the 500 Magnum monogrip. Unfortunately, S&W doesn't make these grips so any replacement you receive will just be more of the same. I would suggest you ask who is actually making these grips and go straight to the source, that may get you a solution.
I'll also warn you to take some gloves to the range with you. Because without them you will find that the serrations on the trigger are sharp enough to draw blood. You may think I'm kidding but you'll find out I'm not. My initial solution was to pull the trigger and Dremel it to knock down the serrations, then later on I replaced both hammer and trigger with blued smooth target trigger and blued service hammer.
Since I'm not a fan of wood grips it really wasn't an issue to me because I replaced it with the 500 Magnum monogrip. Unfortunately, S&W doesn't make these grips so any replacement you receive will just be more of the same. I would suggest you ask who is actually making these grips and go straight to the source, that may get you a solution.
I'll also warn you to take some gloves to the range with you. Because without them you will find that the serrations on the trigger are sharp enough to draw blood. You may think I'm kidding but you'll find out I'm not. My initial solution was to pull the trigger and Dremel it to knock down the serrations, then later on I replaced both hammer and trigger with blued smooth target trigger and blued service hammer.
TSQUARED
Member
Since many people replace the factory grips I believe the factory as a cost saving measure is using inexpensive grips rather than the Hohue grips whih they previously furnished.
Stainz
Member
My early 625JM came with Miculek (Bang!) monogrip - it fits perfectly. I even eventually ordered another grip from Brownell's for my 627 Pro. They aren't recoil absorbers - or great bullseye shooting dedicated hold grips. But - for a fast grab/non-fidgety grab, a la in competition, they are fine. Mistakes do happen - and S&W will replace them. Call them - they'll send you a ground return label to send them back in - and they'll replace them. They are quality grips.
I did have to return 3 sets of grips from my pair of 2 5/8" PC627 UDR (aka 'Blood Work' gun). They had old stock of Eagle boots to use up and the gripframe had a radii change in ~'02 - with the old grips being made to fit the tighter radii of the old gripframe. Modern grips fit either, so they eventually ran out of Eagle boots that wouldn't close up - and I got one nice such pair... and hated them! I put PC Shop walnut grips on my UDRs. S&W will replace those poorly fitted JM grips. They are wood - wood is hygroscopic - some humidity change induced size changes are to be expected - but slop isn't.
My 627 Pro sports some Bang! JM grips - and the also mentioned PC627 with the PC Shop walnut grips, below:
The JM grips are an acquired taste - I didn't 'warm up' to my 625JM's such grips at first. Use bred a taste for them, however, and I did add them to my 627 Pro, above. YMMV. Get some good grips before you write the style off.
Stainz
I did have to return 3 sets of grips from my pair of 2 5/8" PC627 UDR (aka 'Blood Work' gun). They had old stock of Eagle boots to use up and the gripframe had a radii change in ~'02 - with the old grips being made to fit the tighter radii of the old gripframe. Modern grips fit either, so they eventually ran out of Eagle boots that wouldn't close up - and I got one nice such pair... and hated them! I put PC Shop walnut grips on my UDRs. S&W will replace those poorly fitted JM grips. They are wood - wood is hygroscopic - some humidity change induced size changes are to be expected - but slop isn't.
My 627 Pro sports some Bang! JM grips - and the also mentioned PC627 with the PC Shop walnut grips, below:
The JM grips are an acquired taste - I didn't 'warm up' to my 625JM's such grips at first. Use bred a taste for them, however, and I did add them to my 627 Pro, above. YMMV. Get some good grips before you write the style off.
Stainz
Unbelievable. I call CS to tell them my problem. This is the response. And I quote. "So, send them in.". I wait thinking I'm going to be told they would be sending me a shipping label. I wait some more. Silence. Then I get asked, and I quote. "Do you need the address?". Really? Went on-line for the shipping label. Sent an email to SW. Thinking I made a big mistake buying a Smith. Only time will tell.
Stainz
Member
I heard they started e-mailing print it yourself FEDEX Ground pre-paid labels. It does cut a week off the process - if you can print the label. Have a heart - give them a chance. They didn't make the grip. Yeah, it didn't help me much, either, when both of my PC Shop UDRs had poorly fitted grips. But - they also replaced one replacement grip - and the original grip on the second UDR - before they got me a good set. As I said, I never returned the last defective set - I ordered a different grip to better fit my hand. I was aggravated at the time, but really couldn't fault them. I borrowed other N-frame RB grips and shot my new revolvers - they were/are fun. You should do the same.
One suggestion before you shoot that 625JM for the first time... suck on a lemon wedge first. It'll subdue that possum-eatting-poop-out-of-a-hairbrush grin you'll otherwise quickly develop upon shooting it. The 625JM is that much fun. You don't want the shooters in the adjacent lanes at the range thinking you are simple (Me, it doesn't much matter - most know I aint right!). Seriously. You'll love it. No one else makes such a fine and frugal big bore revolver. Enjoy it!
Stainz
One suggestion before you shoot that 625JM for the first time... suck on a lemon wedge first. It'll subdue that possum-eatting-poop-out-of-a-hairbrush grin you'll otherwise quickly develop upon shooting it. The 625JM is that much fun. You don't want the shooters in the adjacent lanes at the range thinking you are simple (Me, it doesn't much matter - most know I aint right!). Seriously. You'll love it. No one else makes such a fine and frugal big bore revolver. Enjoy it!
Stainz
Thanks for letting me rant. I received an email today saying the shipping label will be emailed shortly. I'm sure I was more frustrated at myself for not being more alert before I took possession of it. My fault. However, everything else seems spot on with it. I'm dyin' to get to the range with it.
Didn't want to leave this open. Three weeks, including delivery time, I received the new grip. Put them on and they fit perfect. It was a milling problem on the grip itself. These fit so tight it took me a bit to work them on without using force. I was a little PO'd about the situation at first but SW stood by their product and took care of the situation. Now to get to the range with her.
Jerry N.
Member
Have you waited this whole time to shoot that gun? Man, if so, you have patience that I could never have. I would have bought some rubber grip and shot that gun. Glad to hear that it all worked out. If you haven't shot that gun, get going so we can get a range report. I'm confident you'll love it.
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