S&W 625-10 .45 APC

[mrsig]

I was browsing at my local gun shop ( where I spend way to much time in my retirement days ! ) and my dealer put in front of me a 625-10 "performance center" that he had taken in on trade. Never seen one before but on exam it appears that it was never fired. It is really a neat Smith. Only thing missing was the Hogue grip which I just ordered from S&W for $28 bucks.

Researched the net and found some old posts that said it had some limited problems with some frame cracking problems --?

Also post said it was extremely hard to find as less than 1000 were made and if you could find one they were going for $1000+. I paid far less,maybe a good deal ? Serial # SCC 078X.

Sinced it was manufactured in 2003/2004 .45 APC +P was not around then ( I think ) so anyone see problems with it ?

Just looking for any fellow member comments on anything on this gun if you are familiar with it. Thanks

 

[Don K.]

PICS!!!! I don't know a thing about them except that I really like the idea. It's a shame they had frame problems. I know some members here have/had them. If i had the scratch and one came up I would snag it pronto! Numrich Gun Parts has some of those barrels for sale. They sold out of the ones with sights, and still have some without sights. I'd be lying if I said I haven't seriously thought about an all stainless version in .44 Mag.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Mine has several thousand rounds through it with no frame problems. A few barrels apparently were overtorqued, but that happened on several S&W models, not just the -10. As is typical around here, a couple of instances get blown way out of proportion, and new Urban Legends created on a regular basis. The guns actually are very strong, and will take whatever you feed them.

 

[AzShooter]

Biggest problem with mine was that after firing a few moons you couldn't seat the third one. The cylinders were not reamed enough. Once I reamed them they worked fine.

I saw about 5 that had the same problem. Lent my reamer out and everyone was happy.

 

[moxie]

The .45 ACP +P has been around since the early-mid 90s.

 

[duckloads]

I recently got one; from the sales corner of this forum.

Haven't shot it; I don't think I'm going to. Previous owner hadn't shot it. I'll just admire it and keep it in the safe. From what I hear they're not exactly a range gun.

I've read that the barrels were over torqued, causing stresses in the frame. S&W has run out of frames so they're just swapping the gun for anything out of their catalog. They made about 300 of this verison, another 300 in a pinto two tone version, and 250ish of it in 45 colt, with a beautiful polished cylinder.

This pic turned out pretty good considering it is my camera phone and taken in my car after picking her up from my FFL.

There were 103 examples made in .45 Colt. I've shot one. It was quite snappy. Those beautiful, deep checkered grips will take the hide off your hand.

I had lunch with a cousin in Manchester, Tn a few months back. He hold me of a wierd looking S&W snubbby in .45 Colt at a local shop. Before I left town, I had to go take a look. That "goofy" "supper snubby" was listed at $750. I had no idea what I was looking at. The barrel was so short, the word, "Colt" could not be spelled out.

After I got back home and did my research, I called my cousin and told him that gun was extremely rare. He went back the next day and bought it. I figure he will get bored with looking at it in about 15 years and sell it to me for what he paid for it. That's my plan, anyway.

 

[David Sinko]

How does the cylinder lock up at the front? Is there a ball lock on the crane? I presume you need a short ejector rod too, though a longer one could always be cut down. And maybe a shorter front sight too? This might be tempting if a spare barrel is still available.

Dave Sinko

 

[s&wchad]

Seriously cool snubby!

I think you made a very good purchase. If I could find another 625-10 for "far less" than $1,000, I'd buy it on the spot. I've seen NIB examples sell on GB for well over 1K and it's a fun gun to shoot if you decide to use it. The recoil is really not that bad, nothing like a 340PD with magnums and it's surprisingly accurate.

I had one that I used and loved. I even had Mika make a pocket holster for it! Unfortunately, mine was one of the few that suffered a frame crack. S&W customer service took good care of me and I wouldn't hesitate to own and shoot another one.

 

[NavyFrank]

625-10 .45ACP

These were unlisted from Lew Horton Distributing. I have both and the 625-11 in .45 Colt is rare with only 103 made. Frank Jr.

 

[44 special Dave]

Since I really like my 625-10 I thought I'd chime in.

The comments made so far are right on the money. Frame cracking has pretty much been documented by over torquing the barrel at assembly.

As for production I've heard slightly different numbers. The 625-10 with clear cote frame at 865, the two tone version 250-300, and the 625-11 45 colt version (as quoted already) 103.

It's a joy to shoot with some 200 gr SWC PMCs I have a stash of.

Even so I would really like another in the two tone version. Am even considering to trade for one.

These days I'm into shooting more for self defense than target or receation.

Dave

 

[Smee78]

I love the setups on the guns and wish there were more around. I would get one in a heart beat for the right price.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Mine started out silver. The factory refinished the frame for me. Cost $125, I seem to remember. The black is a much more durable finish.

 

[mrsig]

This is all very interesting. I really like this gun and I guess I was lucky to find it. As a collector I would be interested in one of the 625-11s -45 LC and perhaps one of the two tone 625-10s if anyone has knowledge of sellers. Thanks--

 

[redbeulah]

S&W 625-11

Hello, just wanted to show mine!

 

[haggis]

These things make a pretty good carry gun, with the right OWB holster (I use the one S&W had made for it).

They're also not too difficult to shoot, mainly because the Nill grips are smooth and spread out the recoil over a broad area. The original grips were not much fun. I've shot this configuration at a couple of IDPA matches of about 100 rounds each.

Buck

 

[Bogey41]

Looking to sell a PC 625-10 Snubbie...

Any help on prices? I though about asking 1450, I was told by S&W and an armorer that it was a reasonable price. Its in great, great shape. Anyone got a source to help with pricing. I asked Kevin Cherry but as of yet no response. Any help is appreciated.
EDIT:it is the 45 ACP model.

 

[44 special Dave]

Well, since I have a WTB on the forum for a 625-10. I guess it really would be hard to tell you what to ask for it. I guess $200 would suit me.

JUST kidding. I paid $700 for mine a three/four years ago with the perforamnce center case.

I've kept an eye on prices, looking for another.

Cheapest I saw was $750 but it was drilled/tapped for a scope. NO I'm not joking. A scope??????

Top I've seen was $1195 unfired with case,papers etc.

One caveat, A California fella wanted to sell me one for $1450.

I haven't totaled up the average, but $900-$1100 slightly used is ball park.

There were somewhere around 850-865 made, not real rare.

The 625-11 in 45 colt is much rarer with 103 made.

Prices on those $1500-$2000.

Trying to be straight even though I want another one.

Dave

 

[David Sinko]

Since my first post I have had a 2" barrel installed on my heavily utilized 625-4. All said and done, the original used 625-4, 2" barrel and labor cost me quite a bit less than $1450. So, are you looking for a 625-10 specifically or will "any" old .45 ACP snub suffice?

Dave Sinko

 

[44 special Dave]

Dave,
Thanks for the post. My wife has a 625-2 with a 4" barrel and she loves it.

Your project sounds interesting. Did you remove the rear adjustable sight? I want to stay with the lighter weight frame,but if you could send pics I'd like to see it.

I've often thought of a fitz special 1917 or brazilian with a 3 1/4" barrel.

I've come to be quite interested in 3" or less 45 acp wheelguns.

I also have a 325sc (clear cote version of 325pd) with a 2 3/4" barrel.

Not to ignore the person who asked the $1450 question, I think it's a bit much. Maybe not in California, but for me it is.

Correction, the one I bought for $700 was WITHOUT the original performance center case.

Dave

 

[roundgunner]

Biggest problem with mine was that after firing a few moons you couldn't seat the third one. The cylinders were not reamed enough. Once I reamed them they worked fine.

I saw about 5 that had the same problem. Lent my reamer out and everyone was happy.

My 625-10 was tight too, I sent it back to S&W to ream it out and asked if they would put a taller front site on it if they had one.

It came back right and a tritium (sp) front site at no charge. Thanks S&W!

I shoot it quite a bit and find it much nicer at IDPA matches with the Goodyear grips.

I don't think I would sell it for anything less than $1000, maybe not even then.