S&W 325 Thunder Ranch vs 625

[KJS]

What do you think about the relative advantages/negatives of the two?

The most obvious negative of the 325 would be $300 additional cost, though it's a very cool looking revolver. And it's 10 ounces lighter. I assume it's an aluminum alloy? How durable is that vs the stainless steel of the 625?

Thanks,
Karl

 

[629shooter]

The 325 are scandium/alloy framed revolvers. The TRRs and, Night Guards have stainless steal cylinders. I cant speak for the durability between the 325 and the 625, I don't own either one yet.

 

[KJS]

scandium alloy is the polite way of saying mostly aluminum, isn't it?

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Did you have a particular use for it?

One piece bbl vs. two piece, alloy vs stainless steel, light weight vs normal, shiney vs black. Either one would be fine. It just depends on what you want/need & how much you want to spend.

As far as the Sc/Al frames, I've not heard of any issues with them. They've been used on the Nightguards, almost all of which are magnums cartridges. I have several, one of which is a 325NG & I shoot 45 Super in it without issue.

.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

scandium alloy is the polite way of saying mostly aluminum, isn't it?

Sc strenghtens Al when added to it. It's very expensive, is of limited quantity & only a very small (2%?) amount is needed. It's science, not politeness.

.

 

[BobR1]

An Instructor buddy of mine has/had a 325 Thunder Rance. I was not all that impressed. I have a 625 I bought 20 years ago, and really like it.
I also did have a 310 Night Guard, and still have a 315 Night Guard. I like the Night Guards much better than the Thunder Ranch.

Just My 2 Cents

Bob

 

[KJS]

The 325 are scandium/alloy framed revolvers. The TRRs and, Night Guards have stainless steal cylinders. I cant speak for the durability between the 325 and the 625, I don't own either one yet.

The "yet" suggests you want to own them. Why don't you own them yet? Still saving up for them?

 

[b_san]

IMO, they're guns for different purposes as the 325 TR is a 4" tactical gun with a bottom rail and the 625s are more of a range or competition gun (other than the snubs). Decide why you want the gun and you'll know which to buy. The barrel on the 325 TR is very accurate and I've had no issues with the gun. I've posted it before but this is how mine is set up for home defense...

 

[629shooter]

The "yet" suggests you want to own them. Why don't you own them yet? Still saving up for them?

A 325 Night Guard and, A 625 without the IL are on my "list."

But, I don't "check" firearms off of my list in any particular order. Since they are revolvers that I don't really "need" and, I haven't seen either one for sale for a decent price, neither one have been bought yet.

 

[KJS]

A 325 Night Guard and, A 625 without the IL are on my "list."

But, I don't "check" firearms off of my list in any particular order. Since they are revolvers that I don't really "need" and, I haven't seen either one for sale for a decent price, neither one have been bought yet.

What's an IL?

 

[KJS]

IMO, they're guns for different purposes as the 325 TR is a 4" tactical gun with a bottom rail and the 625s are more of a range or competition gun (other than the snubs). Decide why you want the gun and you'll know which to buy. The barrel on the 325 TR is very accurate and I've had no issues with the gun. I've posted it before but this is how mine is set up for home defense...

I don't want this to come across as a stupid question, but how did you select a .45 revolver when you could have had a 1911 with a rail instead and had a few more rounds of on board? Or my polymer pistol that holds 13+1 rounds of .45 and has an empty weight of 32 ounces (vs 31 ounces for this revolver),+ my pistol has a rail. All for hundreds less & is highly accurate, so why a revolver?

That's not an insult, but an honest inquiry from someone who happens to very much like revolvers, but doesn't like the price tag of $1,100.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

That's not an insult, but an honest inquiry from someone who happens to very much like revolvers, but doesn't like the price tag of $1,100.

It sounds like you have your answer.

.

 

[Macinaw]

I don't want this to come across as a stupid question, but how did you select a .45 revolver when you could have had a 1911 with a rail instead and had a few more rounds of on board? Or my polymer pistol that holds 13+1 rounds of .45 and has an empty weight of 32 ounces (vs 31 ounces for this revolver),+ my pistol has a rail. All for hundreds less & is highly accurate, so why a revolver?

That's not an insult, but an honest inquiry from someone who happens to very much like revolvers, but doesn't like the price tag of $1,100.

There are "Revolver" guys and then there are "Bottom Feeder" guys!

 

[theoneff]

What does "tactical" mean anyways. Never really liked the way its used. A rail makes a 625 Tactical.

 

[haris1]

325 and 625

I am a shooter and I EDC. My criteria is that if I cant control it in rapid fire, I wont carry it. I am not recoil sensitive as I can shoot 44 mag without flinching. That brings me to making the statement that since I cannot control the 325 in rapid fire, I wouldnt own one. Its for the person who will carry it daily and probably never shoot it for real or in practice

 

[b_san]

I don't want this to come across as a stupid question, but how did you select a .45 revolver when you could have had a 1911 with a rail instead and had a few more rounds of on board? Or my polymer pistol that holds 13+1 rounds of .45 and has an empty weight of 32 ounces (vs 31 ounces for this revolver),+ my pistol has a rail. All for hundreds less & is highly accurate, so why a revolver?

That's not an insult, but an honest inquiry from someone who happens to very much like revolvers, but doesn't like the price tag of $1,100.

Who says I don't have the above also?

But your thread was about the 325TR vs 625 not 1911... I've got a nice 3" 625 now as well thanks to Jim but I'm comfortable with the TR and a few loaded moonclips in the drawer if I need it in the middle of the night. I shoot it well and it functions as it should.

 

[KJS]

Who says I don't have the above also?

But your thread was about the 325TR vs 625 not 1911... I've got a nice 3" 625 now as well thanks to Jim but I'm comfortable with the TR and a few loaded moonclips in the drawer if I need it in the middle of the night. I shoot it well and it functions as it should.

I have no idea what this thread has to do with 1911s, but I have a Dan Wesson Specialist myself too!

 

[KJS]

There are "Revolver" guys and then there are "Bottom Feeder" guys!

After trigger job my .45 pistol will end up with a total cost of around $975, which is more than most revolvers cost, so I'm not sure "bottom feeder" is quite appropriate. While far from the world's most expensive pistol, certainly higher priced than average.