New 625 PC

[Jerry N.]

New 625 bought today. The first pics are of the gun and to show the grips. The red, white and blue grips all look different depending on how they were sanded. This set doesn't look too bad, but I have a new Hogue grip coming. The last two pics show something I'm pretty disappointed about. Look at the buggered up screw in the grip. Also, look at the frame in the trigger well. It looks like the trigger hit the frame. I'm thinking a gunsmith can smooth that out but it shouldn't be there. Anyway, I'm happy and can't wait to shoot it.

 

[Pote]

nice one. don't ya hate it when a little thing like the screw was messed with because they weren't careful installing? what's strange to me is the metal is turned OUT at the hammer well. one would think if the hammer struck the frame there it would be dented IN, not peened outward. I'm sure that can be brought back to normal no problem at all. But I hear ya, always want the gun pristine when you first take hold...I'm anxiously awaiting my new gun delivery tomorrow....with same concerns and hopes that its perfect in the box. Have fun shooting, its a beauty regardless.

 

[halco46]

Congrats!!.

Still a Very Nice Looking weapon!!.

 

[Dale53]

I do not have the 625 PC but I do have two 625's (a 5" 625-6 Model of 1989 and a 4" JM Special 625-8).

They are my most shot revolvers. Superb in any way. I did do a bit of tuning - JM spring kit for both with the dbl action set to 9.0 lbs and single action to 3.0 lbs.

I cast my own bullets and reload and these are both VERY forgiving. Nearly everything I run in mine shoots extremely well.

I use both .45 ACP cases and .45 Auto Rim cases. My preference for general use is the .45 Auto Rim. However, if you are interested in quick action shooting, then there is nothing faster than full moon clips with the .45 ACP cases.

I predict a very happy outcome with your new revolver.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Jerry N.]

Thanks. My next question will be how to find a good gunsmith for a trigger job and clean up. I want a good job but don't want to have to wait for months to get my gun back. Anyone know of a good smith in the Detroit area?

 

[kennyb]

why not take it back to the gun dealer where it came from?if thats not the case S&W will in most all cases fix it for free

 

[David Sinko]

Yes, the carelessness and lack of attention to detail are aggravating. You have the right to return it and demand better. If it were mine and the gun is otherwise sound and a keeper that I really like, I would just file away the burr and obtain a replacement screw.

Regarding the trigger job, most of the later MIM guns have decent triggers and simply need a slight reduction in spring tension. This is something you can do yourself if you are comfortable with disassembling the gun, slightly bending the mainspring and cutting a coil or so from the rebound spring. No aftermarket parts are necessary.

If you don't like the original grips, I have a new and unused set of Hogue laminated Monogrip that I'll trade, if you're interested. I won them at an ICORE match and never used them, since the fingergrooves don't fit me. Send me a PM if interested.

Dave Sinko

 

[MTKTM]

I got a 625PC about 2 years ago. Right off the bat I began experiencing a bunch of FTF malfunctions, two or three per cylinder full. Drove me crazy. I contacted S&W, they had me return the gun, and sent it back with a note saying that the firing-pin had been replaced. It has worked flawlessly since. I love the gun, it's one of my most frequently shot handguns if not at the very top of that heap. I do find it a little aggravating, however, to pay a premium price for a new gun from the S&W Performance Center (ala Custom Shop) and have it malfunction right out of the box. It causes one to wonder whether they test-fire them before they send them out.

In any case, congratulations and, once you get any small issues resolved I suspect you'll find that this gun is one of your favorites in the years ahead.

 

[skinnygun]

I had my 625 JM fitted with an extra cylinder that I sent to Clark Custom Guns for a .460 Rowland conversion .

The 460 Rowland cylinder can shoot .45 acp .45 auto rim .45 super & 460 Rowland (power of a .44 magnum without the recoil)

Makes a good black bear gun when walking the dog late at night.

 

[Jerry N.]

why not take it back to the gun dealer where it came from?if thats not the case S&W will in most all cases fix it for free

The only problem I have with taking it back to the dealer is that I'm afraid he will want to send it to S&W and the wait to get it back will be excruciating. I would really like to find a good local smith. That's on my to do list.

 

[Jerry N.]

Dave,
I'm going to do just what you say - fire away. I'm going to the range this weekend. As for the grips, while it is true that I don't like them, I would never separate original grips from a gun. They may be ugly to me, but some day, even if not worth a lot financially, it will be cool to slap the original grips on. Thanks for the offer on the grip, I'd make you an offer but I just installed a new grip. I'm ready to go to the range!!!

 

[scooter123]

Jerry, Double Action on Dequindre has an in house gunsmith that can probably tune up your trigger. There is also Wessels on 9 Mile a bit west of Ryan who have trigger jobs listed at 65 dollars.

However, I cannot speak to how good they are because I do my own tuning. My experience with my 610-3, 620, and 625 JM indicate that on a modern S&W's of recent vintage about the only thing required is simply a change of the rebound spring to a 14 lbs. weight and a bit of reduction of the mainspring tension. If you want to go down to an 8 lbs. or lighter DA trigger then you'll also need to replace the firing pin with the longer extended travel firing pin offered by Cylinder and Slide. However, I'll caution you that it's essential to lighten the mainspring enough to produce an 8.5 lbs. or less DA trigger with this firing pin or you run the risk of a pierced primer or stuck firing pin. It's also a good idea to keep some firing pin return springs on hand when using the C&S firing pin because that extended travel capability can lead to a wadded up return spring. However, on a positive note my 625 JM has an 8 lbs. DA trigger with 100% reliability both with and without moon clips using every brand of ammo I've been able to find.

If you want to take a more conservative approach I would recomend starting with a firing pin from Apex Tactical. They have a great reputation on this forum and don't have the issues that I've seen personally and also seen reported with the Cylinder & Slide firing pins. Apex currently offers 2 different firing pins, a 0.495 inch and a 0.500 inch XP. IMO the .495 pin will work well with the DA trigger in the 9 to 9.5 lbs. range and the longer XP kit should allow you to run the trigger down to 8 lbs. provided you shoot with moon clips. However, when I purchased my 625 Apex Tactical was out of stock on the .495 inch firing pin so I'm simply relaying what been posted by others.

 

[tenntucker]

I have 2 625's. I shoot Revo in USPSA. I also shoot at Double Action every Wed. evening.

Both of my 625's were set up for competition by Gary Cuttitta. He's a IDPA GM and a USPSA M. My triggers are set at 4-1/2 lbs double action. Gary has also set up my ICORE guns. He's done my 627 PC, 686, 629 and 66.

He's in MI, up by Bay City.

 

[robctwo]

Ahrends retro combat are nice on my 625JM. I have smallish hands.