S&W 625 help!

[ezee]

I've always been a simi-auto guy. But now I've decided to tip toe into revolvers. I need some advice on what seems to be many variants of the 625. There's the JM, performance center, the mountain version, as well as many " 1 of 500" or whatever # they made.
I want to shoot 45acp since I reload them. I don't have a problem spending enough to get a really nice or special one.
Advice or recommendations???

 

[Sevens]

Hahaha, only dropping this reply because I'm first on the scene. Nobody will share my opinion.

Moon clips just suck. For so many reasons. Folks who love these guns absolutely love them and I respect that for sure. I tried... twice. But the moon clips and everything about them are no fun.

With that said... proceed good sir!

 

[Breakaway500]

"But the moon clips and everything about them are no fun"

EZ moons. Once you try them..45acp makes a LOT of sense for a revolver. Load and unload them easily with just your fingers. I now own several 45acp revolvers just because EZ Moons make it..FUN!

18 rounds fits easily in a "safe" pill container, and they can ride right in a pocket.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Moon clips are the bomb!
I load up a couple hundred rounds watching TV.
Never lose brass.
Super quick reloads.
Have not had to replace one in several years.
It is like having $1 magazines for an auto.

I have a D-Mooning tool and pliers in the range bag.
Pic is a 325 Nightguard with a Simply Rugged holster and moon clip holders.

To the original post, hard to go wrong with any 45 ACP S&W. I have this one and a JM model.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's my 625-2 Model of 1988. I customized it somewhat and treated it to an action job by Nelson Ford. Smoothest DA revolver I own, and a perfect self-defense or trail gun. This .45 ACP wonder is a true joy.

John

 

[sodacan]

IMO, the 625-2 is the first and best version of the 625's. As for moon clips, I wish all revolvers used them. They provide the fastest and most convenient way of loading and unloading a revolver, but don't forget that the 45acp round will headspace in most revolvers, although the ejector won't push them out. Also, 45 auto rim will work with the ejector. For loading and unloading moonclips, I highly recommend the BMT tool. It is pricey, but once you use it, you'll forget about what you paid for it.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I have a "few" and find the moon clip to be one of the better ideas...[fast reloads and no lost brass.
First get the correct tools[they can be made also]
next get a supply of clips [I get mine from " Ranch Products"in bulk 100 at a time]
The original clip [half moon] was a 3 shot but intended for one use.
The 6 shot full moon clip is much stronger [ aka harder to bend]
and can be used "a lot". the rubber ones are for the range.
There is also a 2 shot [1/3 moon] that is great for CCW as they fit in a
drop pouch , a 2x2x2 pouch, some loop loaders, AND are flat in the pocket.[Ranch Products makes]
Your revolver will shoot most any 45acp you make for your auto.
BUT it will also handle any bullet style [even full wad cutters]
and weights up to 250gr[ 45 colt] or more AND heavy stuff like 45 super.
If made using 45 auto rim brass , these "heavy" loads will not be shootable in your autos where they could "stress" things a mite........
If your area allows, the heaver stuff will take deer etc and come close to " mid range 44mag or heaver loaded 44special.
Ps shot loads are around to...[CCI]

 

[tominboise]

I have a pair of 625-3 - one 4 inch and one 5 inch. They shoot fantastic and have led me to divest all of my 45 auto pistols save one. No chasing brass and super accurate. If I was looking, the 4" JM model seems to be a reasonable price compared to the older versions.

 

[CH4]

I am in the moon clip fan club. The Rimz moon clips are as easy to reload as a speed loader. Metal moon clips for the 10mm have a slot between the cartridges, which makes it a breeze to load and unload.

 

[ezee]

The moon clips don't bother me at all.
I may even grow to love them. As I look around I have found several special edition ones, only a small # made. They seem very interesting even thou they are priced quite high. I plan on keeping it so the pain of the high price will fade away after awhile.
What do you guys think of these small batch runs? Also what do you think of the PC ?

 

[m657]

years ago I loaded a bunch of 45 auto rim to get around having to deal with the moon clips.....the experience convinced me of the magnificent advantages of the moon clip;


I've used many of the alternative clip loaders, and favor these to kinds: Rimz, the fiber-something or other, that work well with the fingers alone; or the BMT, which I use on an 8 shot 627 with great advantage over others. Some day I'll get one for the 625. I had 'Vinnie' at the S&W garage tune up my standard 625-8 years ago, and I swear his chamfering of the cylinder resulting in loaded moon clips flying across the room to insert themselves without my guidance. Sure (!)...




Re: Model: whichever falls best to YOUR hand & eye, develop a load that works well with both your O-frame and your 625. If yours isn't a PC, it's worth having an actual 'Smith mechanic do a tune up for yours.

 

[madmikeb]

Add me to the list of moon clip fans.

These days if I buy a revolver that is not cut for moons from the factory, off the cylinder goes to TK Customs to be cut.

I wouldn't cut any of my old classic Smiths but for CCW or competition they can't be beat.

I also don't use any tools for loading the clips, just snap them in with my fingers. I do have an inexpensive lever tool that I think came from Wilson many years ago for unloading though.

 

[16thVACav]

It took me almost half a century to recognize the benefits of moon clips (and half moons). They make a lot of sense for a revolver.

Watch Jerry Miculek put 12 rounds on target in less than 3 seconds, using a S&W 625:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFW8eSzb44&ab_channel=JulieGolob[/ame]

 

[.38SuperMan]

Another fan of the 625 and moon clips. I have my second 625-2, unfortunately sold the first, and will not part with this one. As others have said it's a joy to shoot.

If you have the tools loading the clips is no problem and easier on arthritic thumbs and hands than loading magazines. Another advantage if you compete in IDPA or USPSA it's easy to pickup your brass. Unloading with a simple and cheap tool is a breeze too.

I can't remember replacing any clips. I bought a bunch thirty years ago when they were cheap and don't think I've ever had to throw any away. I recently straightened one by that's it.

A fellow competitor from years ago had a 5" and in my opinion that's the best balanced of the different barrel lengths. Mine is a 4" and it's great but if I found a really clean 5" in a 625-2 ( not sure the -2 was made in a 5" ) or 25 I'd consider grabbing it.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I think most of the hate of moonclips come from those that are inexperienced with moonclips. I have owned a 625 JM for about two years. I like it so much I recently bought a no lock 625-2 for some custom work.

A lot of us have found our speedloader pouches can carry twice as many loaded moonclips. I generally don't have a hard time getting individually loaded 45acp cases out of the cylinder. If gravity doesn't drop them a fingernail or the rim of a new case can pick them out. I have tested a lot of individually placed rounds and all of them have properly spaced on the case mouth.

Moonclips add a lot of versatility because you can often shoot a second caliber like 45Gap, and 45Gap is available right now online. I have a 10mm revolver that I also shoot 40s&w that my agency provides me.

 

[bananaman]

Hahaha, only dropping this reply because I'm first on the scene. Nobody will share my opinion.

Moon clips just suck. For so many reasons. Folks who love these guns absolutely love them and I respect that for sure. I tried... twice. But the moon clips and everything about them are no fun.

With that said... proceed good sir!

Ever try RIMZ Poly moon clips? No tools needed. I use them with my 625JM. Bob

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I keep an ammo can full of loaded clips...No need bother with unloading them in the field. Also I shoot a lot of auto rim with 250 gr cast swc's. I don't a problem with either. One of mine that I've shown before. 625-3 3" barrel.

 

[Golphin]

I have the JM and love it. Moon clips are no big deal and they do not have to be used. You can shake the brass out or poke it out easy enough if there is no moon clip on them. Also you can buy and use 45 auto rim brass since you reload if you don't want to use the moon clips. I bought some 45 auto rim when I got mine but have never loaded it as I use the moon clips or just shoot without and turn the cylinder upside down and dump the ammo when I am shooting here at the house.

 

[pistolpete10]

I have the JM and love it. I do have to use moon clips in mine due to goofy chambers. With out the clip the round id driven too deep in the chambers. S&W quality...............

 

[jcelect]

625

The OP ask about which 625, not moon clips! First you must ask yourself what is the primary purpose of your new 625! S&W has made the 625 since 1988. This was a 5" full under lug gun and shortly after that they introduced the 3" & 4". The only way you will find one of these guns is on the used market. Later they dropped the 5" and made the 4" standard production because of an IDPA rule change. If you don't like the full underlug your only choice is a 45 ACP mountain gun, a 4" thinner barrel non underlug gun. Again you will need to haunt the used market for one. Production today is the JM 4" gun and the PC 4" guns. I would recommend the 5" model of 1989 on the used market and rather easy to find. I own 2 and have the 3" also!
IMHO - Load clips at home - shoot at the range and don't chase brass

jcelect