Picked up my 625 JM. First impressions.

[Warpspasm]

After waiting the compulsory eight days, I picked up my new 625 JM today. I won't get a chance to shoot it until tomorrow, but I thought I'd give you guys my first thoughts in short snippets. Some good, some not so good.

The tolerances on the revolver seem very tight.
The gun feels good and sturdy.
The bead blasted finish could be nice, but there are some spots where it looks like it has already gotten a bit smooth. It makes me wonder how it will look a year from now.
The forcing cone looks rough to say the least. Surprising. Dirty too.
The outside diameter of the barrel, at the breach end, appears to never have been smoothed. It's like a rough cut pipe. It reminds me of a brass cartridge that you chamfered on the inside, but not the outside. It can snag a patch and probably cut skin if you slid along the edge. I'm REALLY surprised by this.
The gap between the "rough cut" barrel and the cylinder seems good and small.
The crown looks clean and smooth.
Running the action, the revolver appears to lock up tight.
The balance of the revolver feels good to me.
The grips are interesting and I'll give them a chance, but I already bought some Hogue monogrips, just in case.

First and foremost I'm a shooter, so the range trip will be the most important of all. I'll get back to you guys on that.

 

[tommy F]

Try it, you"ll like it

 

[Bearbait in NM]

Warp,

My new 625PC had the same forcing cone burr. Sounds like your gun and mine had the same final QC ;^) I cleaned mine up with some very fine sandpaper. Narrow strip and a little shoe shine action. One pass on the the back/rear surface after with 1200 grit on a stone to complete without opening my gap. Mine checked at at 0.007 on both sides with all chambers.

If the same person qc'd yours as mine, check your strain screw ;^) And have fun. I am really digging mine.

Craig

 

[rog8732]

As you mention about the grips, they do "feel" a great deal better when shooting, than they look.

Are you familiar with the moon clip revolvers ? They are great for keeping your loaded ammo arranged,...not so much fun to hand loading and unloading the clips.
Lots of selection on "mooners" for loading and unloading the clips.

 

[Warpspasm]

The QC issues are pretty surprising for a gun in this price range, but not too disappointing if it's still a great shooter. Like you said, they're easily remedied. What was the issue with your strain screw?

This will be my first moon clip revolver. I looked at a number of mooning and demooning tools. There's a GREAT looking one that loads or unloads them all at once. BUT, it also costs $80. The Brownell's tool looks like a good one for demooning. In the meantime, I bought some RIMZ to try out. I've read a number of good things about these polymer moon clips, so I'm hoping they're true.

 

[DGT]

If you have not looked at the BMT Mooner Model N45-6, please do so. They are pricey but, if you are going to be shooting a lot, they are worth it.

 

[Warpspasm]

If you have not looked at the BMT Mooner Model N45-6, please do so. They are pricey but, if you are going to be shooting a lot, they are worth it.

The BMT mooner is the $80 I was talking about. It looks fantastic. But, given the cost, I'm going to give the RIMZ a chance first.

 

[Coastie762]

For casual range use the RIMZ clips will work just fine. If you intend to use your 625 for competition, or subject loaded clips to rougher handling then the steel clips are probably a better choice.

I purchased a tool from Deluxe Moon Clip Tool. Cost is 39.95, very well made and makes the task of loading and unloading steel moon clips nearly effort-free.

 

[johngalt]

The forcing cone on my 625 has the same unfinished look around the outside diameter. It is just cosmetic, so I haven't worried about it. I really like the rimz clips, no tools required to load and unload.

 

[at_liberty]

The forcing cone on my 625 has the same unfinished look around the outside diameter. It is just cosmetic, so I haven't worried about it. I really like the rimz clips, no tools required to load and unload.

I had mine ground, because it was too obviously rough and was collecting lead.

 

[Warpspasm]

I had mine ground, because it was too obviously rough and was collecting lead.

Yeah, the inside of mine looks pretty bad too. I'm sure it will pick up lead. I'm hoping it smooths out with some jacketed rounds, but I really want to shoot lead SWC. If it picks up too much lead I'll take it to my smith. The outside diameter is more of a cosmetic thing that I can probably take care of myself. I shouldn't have to worry about any of this stuff though.

Leaving for the range in an hour or so. Can't wait.

 

[halvenut]

Sorry to hear that you're having some issues with your JM. Why not contact the factory? They'll send you a call tag and correct the issues. I'd recommend the Re-Mooner and Super De-Mooner for use on the moon clips. They're available from Brownells and I have used them for years now and it makes using moon clips a lot more enjoyable. On the grips while I liked the looks and I didn't like them for shooting. It seemed that they slipped in my hand while shooting. I replaced them with Pachmyar Decelerator grips and love them. I believe that there are some of the grip manufacturers with offerings in G-10. Like posted earlier try it and you'll like it. Also, I did send mine back to the factory and had them perform the Master Pistol Action Package on it and I'm more than happy with the results.

 

[boykinlp]

I am looking forward to hearing your range results. I hope they are great. BTW, we need some pictures in this thread.

 

[michaelnel]

The breech end of my PC Stealth Hunter's barrel looks like they cut it off with a chain saw. Lots of reports like this, obviously S&W thinks this is OK.

 

[Warpspasm]

RANGE REPORT w pics!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Just got back from the range and I want to report that the 625 JM is definitely a shooter. Very accurate, nice recoil. I could shoot this baby all day long. The targets below were all shot from 15 yards, standing, two handed, unsupported.These were my first rounds from the revolver.

The grips, while not uncomfortable, may have to go. They're just too slippery for me. I have kind of dry hands, so they just want to move around too much. I'm glad I have a Hogue monogrip coming. I'm sure I'll shoot better with them installed.

Here's the Ugly part. The forcing cone is a mess. As you can see from the pictures below, they're loading up with carbon and lead. There's actually a ridge of crud building up on the bottom edge of the forcing cone. I was shooting 230gr jacketed from Precision Delta and also 200gr SWC (.453 dia) from Dardas. I may have to send this revolver back to S&W to get sorted out. This is my first S&W, but I can't believe this is normal for their revolvers.

All in all, this is a keeper, but needs some tweaking for sure.
I couldn't figure out how to embed pics to the post, but here are links.

Very first shots. Jacketed.
https://flic.kr/p/mMZhTE

Second cylinder. LSWC
https://flic.kr/p/mMZigJ

All double action.
https://flic.kr/p/mMXEkv

Wonderfully dirty after the shoot.
https://flic.kr/p/mMXxST

The UGLY
https://flic.kr/p/mMZjcm
https://flic.kr/p/mMXFdn

 

[Guitarmageddon]

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Just got back from the range and I want to report that the 625 JM is definitely a shooter. Very accurate, nice recoil. I could shoot this baby all day long. The targets below were all shot from 15 yards, standing, two handed, unsupported.These were my first rounds from the revolver.

The grips, while not uncomfortable, may have to go. They're just too slippery for me. I have kind of dry hands, so they just want to move around too much. I'm glad I have a Hogue monogrip coming. I'm sure I'll shoot better with them installed.

Here's the Ugly part. The forcing cone is a mess. As you can see from the pictures below, they're loading up with carbon and lead. There's actually a ridge of crud building up on the bottom edge of the forcing cone. I was shooting 230gr jacketed from Precision Delta and also 200gr SWC (.453 dia) from Dardas. I may have to send this revolver back to S&W to get sorted out. This is my first S&W, but I can't believe this is normal for their revolvers.

All in all, this is a keeper, but needs some tweaking for sure.
I couldn't figure out how to embed pics to the post, but here are links.

Very first shots. Jacketed.
https://flic.kr/p/mMZhTE

Second cylinder. LSWC
https://flic.kr/p/mMZigJ

All double action.
https://flic.kr/p/mMXEkv

Wonderfully dirty after the shoot.
https://flic.kr/p/mMXxST

The UGLY
https://flic.kr/p/mMZjcm
https://flic.kr/p/mMXFdn

And you dont consider the forcing cone issue to have to do with the lead youre shooting? Isnt the gap b/w cyllinder and forcing cone larger on these than the PC models? It would be an interesting post-firing comparison.

 

[Bearbait in NM]

My 625PC has a reasonably smooth forcing cone (sans the original burr) and does not lead in any way. I have run 185's, 200's, 230's in acp and 250's and 255's in Super mode. If you get leading in the cylinder or barrel (in front or rear) this can be a sign of just a lead mismatch and possible reloading issue.

Unless the 200 Dardas is dead soft, or the cylinder throat diameter is way out of spec, the forcing cone leading is most likely related to the smoothness of the FC. Pictures of it cleaned up might help diagnose. What you show is not normal.

Craig

 

[at_liberty]

Did the concept of the 625JM include FMJ use. Perhaps then the more expensive EDM rifling would make sense. Bottom line, mine leads quite a bit near the forcing cone, even polished. I am continuing to work through the other known causes of leading. The gun is very accurate, more so than I am. I am headed out shortly to shoot it along with others. First I have to whip up a box of .44 Special, which I let slide and now I'm short.

 

[Warpspasm]

Forcing cone after cleaning.

I didn't realize I left so much lead behind until after I took these macro shots. I used a Lewis Lead Remover tool to clean the forcing cone area. There was very little if any leading in the barrel.

https://flic.kr/p/mN9Kwm
https://flic.kr/p/mN84M2
https://flic.kr/p/mN9JYh
https://flic.kr/p/mN843g

 

[Lou_NC]

Congratulations on your new revolver, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my older 625's.

I would definitely send that back to S&W and have them correct the forcing cone quality control escape. Hold them accountable.

Lou