Rate your S&W Performance Center 625 4" (The model with Red/White/Blue grips!)

[pctech]

Rate your S&W Performance Center 625 4" (The model with Red/White/Blue grips!)

Hello All,

I am considering purchasing a S&W Performance Center 625 revolver from an online dealer.

It's the current model, the one with a 4" barrel and the unusual 'red/white/blue' wood grips. (Love 'em or hate 'em!)

For those of you who own this gun, how do you like it? How is the overall build quality? Any obvious tooling marks or issues with a poorly cut barrel crown?

I guess what I'm trying to gauge is whether or not this PC model is better built and has more addition to detail than the 625JM. I purchased one of those last year and it exhibited the worst craftsmanship I have seen from S&W. It had the worst barrel crown I've seen on any brand of revolver, period. S&W eventually ended up buying that gun back from me.

Would appreciate any feedback on this model, as well as pictures of your guns if possible.

Thanks!
James

 

[pctech]

Wow, no one has one of these revolvers?

 

[deanodog]

I don't own one but I shot one that was super accurate. The only thing I noticed wrong with it was it came from the factory with the strain screw was backed out almost two turns and would not fire in double action every time. After tightening it problem solved. The owner quickly ditched the factory grips.I liked the barrel better than the full underlug.

 

[Iowahunter]

I have one but, mine has more of a camo look grip.. same gun just different grip colors. Hate them!! As far as shooting and overall fit and finish I'm very satisfied with it. Its abit lighter with out the full lug.I have 3 625-8's the plain one, JM and the PC and my only complaint on any of them is the JM style grips. They just don't work for me.
I thought I had a pic on here of it but, I can't find it.
I bought it used here on the forum back last Oct/Nov so a search should have a pic of it from that thread... Found it....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/155524-mod-625-8-trade.html

 

[5Wire]

I have a 625-8, 4-inch Bbl, Hogue grips, not a special edition of any kind, vanilla. It is one of my most accurate revolvers.

 

[pctech]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still on the fence about one of these. Guess I need to think on it for a while.

 

[pctech]

Iowahunter,

Is there a significant difference between the barrel crown job on your 625JM and your 625PC? Also, can you tell any difference in the rifling? (I plan to use lead bullets almost exclusively)

Thanks!
James

 

[mtnbikerx]

On a scale of one to ten I feel it's a ten. Very accurate, so much so that my buddy, who has a real difficult time getting consistant target center shots from 15 yds, tried mine and bought one for himself. Significantly tightened up his groups. No quality problems (except for the clown grips)

pay no attention to the SP101

 

[pctech]

mtnbikerx,
thanks for the reply. how is the barrel crown on yours? do you shoot any lead bullets with it?

Thanks,
James

 

[mtnbikerx]

This should answer both of your questions

 

[Dale53]

I have a 625-6 Model of 1989 (5") and a 625-8 JM Special (4") and they are two of the most accurate revolvers I own. They seem particularly user friendly (I have shot some VERY nice targets with these). Both of mine have been fitted with Simmons Red Dot sights and both have Pachmayr Decelerator Grips (I can't use the issue grips - not the JM's nor the issue ones that came with the 625-6).

Both of mine are shot exclusively with my own cast bullets. I mostly use H&G #68 clones from a MiHec mould. I also run a few heavy loads through mine Lyman 454424 clone from an NOE mould (250 gr Keith at 900+fps) for hunting use and general woods use.

Dale53

 

[Iowahunter]

All I have shot in mine so far is lead bullets..... As I said my only complaint is the grips...

 

[IkenI]

mine

Not the greatest pic but mine is my favorite Smith. It has good workmanship and a great trigger. I have only fired commercial ammo but it's very accurate with ball and 230gr GDHP. It compares in feel to an old 629 Mountain Gun that I gave to Andy Cannon, years ago, with several $$ to make it work. I even have carried it in the same Sparks holster that I used then. A friend has a 625JM and this one has a better trigger. I plugged it and added some Ahrends Retro Cmbt stocks. I'm retired army and consider myself patriotic but I couldn't stand the original grips.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I bought this pistol last year and it is unbelievably accurate. One of the nicest double action trigger pulls right out of the box I have ever felt, especially for an N frame. I love shooting this pistol, but didn't care for the grips, so replaced them with some S&W American Pride round to square butt grips. I also reload for 45 Auto Rim and use only jacketed bullets, usually of the 230 grain round nose type. Here is a picture.

I have never shot a JM model so I can't compare it to the PC one. I do remember that the price difference between the two wasn't that much, I want to say less then $100.

I hope this helps you decide.

 

[Bodyguard]

I was checking these out on the S&W website and noticed that they actually weigh more than the JM model with the full lug. Just doesn't look it. Anyone out there who has booth and which one feels lighter?