thoughts on my 625 purchase please

[Kid44]

I would offer my thoughts but it will cost you a penny.

 

[k22fan]

I just shake my head when people state that the later 625's have barrel's that won't shoot lead. [...]

I only mentioned there has been a controversy over lead bullet accuracy through EDM(?) rifling to imply that might have been the spark that started the rumor Kernel Crittenden wrote about. Whether or not there's any substance to it I think the rumor got shuffled back into the wrong time frame. My EDM rifled 625-8(?) shoots tight groups with bullseye lead SWC loads.

Now the more important thing is:

They [his 625s] will be with me until they plant me.

Without sun light breaking them down a pair of kydex holsters should out last your bones.

 

[Pizza Bob]

ECM = Electrochemical Machining

 

[regalsc]

I ordered my 625-2 in Nov of 1988. The LGS received it in March of 1989. With the exception of the grips, this is how it was received...

My serial number is BDC4597 and the product code is 100921.

A registry would be nice so that we can build a timeline of features on these guns.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Mine with factory combats is bdc4786.

 

[one eye joe]

The "Model of 1988" rollmark was not used beyond 1989 when Smith changed to the laser etched "Model of 1989" - which did continue to be used into the 2000's, just as the "Model of 1955" has been used on Model 25's through the years.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Pizza Bob, MY ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH MY MODEL OF 1989 IS THAT IT HAS THE LASER ETCHING, INSTEAD OF THE BEAUTIFUL (IMHO) ROLL MARKING OF THE MODEL OF 1988…..

 

[jeffrey]

You can't go wrong with a 4 inch 625-3, Model of 1989. Mine is scary accurate. It is one of those guns that I will never trade away!

But like One Eye Joe, I just wish that it had roll markings instead of the laser etching, which will disappear if ever I renew the bead blast finish. That's my only criticism of this gun.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

1988s made significantly after the switch to 1989s are news to me.

Your right. I was reading my own notes wrong. M9 vs. M8. I have a prescription for reading glasses, but I never wear them. Maybe I should. Actually had a new pair made just a few weeks go. The "blur" usually isn't a problem when I'm just typing on my laptop. Apologies for the confusion.

 

[one eye joe]

You have that backwards - the Model of 1988 had a black ramp front sight. The Model of 1989 had a black Patridge front sight.

@regalsc - The original grips on the Model of 1988 were Pachmayr Grippers - you got a bonus with factory combats.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

MY 4" MODEL OF 1989 HAS A BLACK RAMP FRONT SIGHT, Pizza Bob…..

 

[fat tom]

Were you the first owner of your Model of 1988 that is wearing Combats?

Yes sir. I had the box as well showing it marked "CS",but I sold this revolver a number of years ago and have no pics of the label.
f.t.

 

[Dennis The B]

A few years ago, I traded my 625JM in at my LGS for a 625-3 Model of 1989. I really like the feel of the trigger on the 625-3 and the 5" barrel has just the right amount of front weight for my taste.

Earlier this year, I opted to have the 625-3 drilled and tapped for a Weigand mount, and I topped it with a Tru Glo red dot. It shoots much better than I can hold it.

 

[HarrishMasher]

By all means if you want an older 625, go for it. They are excellent guns. But don't knock the 625JM. Despite the lock, it too is an excellent gun, and can hold its own against any of the older 625s. The quick change front sight is also a very nice feature. Though the Gold Bead sight it comes with is quite nice, and allows the shooter to pick up the target quickly.

 

[jbn43]

S&W 625

I recently bought a 625-2 1989 at a gun show. I've never had a 45 acp revolver before. Love it. Shoots much better than I can. Nice weight, well balanced and very accurate. Suggestion, buy some ezmoonclips. They make using moon clips much easier than the metal ones. JN

 

[Osceola]

45 acp is one of my favorite ammos as well. Why would you get rid of your Colt Gold Cup? Nice gun! Loads quicker, holds more and if you don't leave it chambered, it's child proof.

 

[Barrie]

I really like the original wooden grips on the 625 Revolver. They remind me of the grips that came on the first model 627's in stainless which I think are one of the most beautiful handguns in the market place to-day. They are only a 357 but still a very pretty handgun.

 

[Ed333]

no doubts at all

Looking to get a wheel gun in 45acp since I have lots of ammo and need to find a way to burn some of it up Thinking I want a 5" version since plinking will be what it is used for. I don't really care for the JM guns, or a lock version either. I see some models of 1988 and 1989 and am thinking that might be the cats behind, but really don't know much about either one. I have an almost NIB Colt 1911 Trophy Gold Cup that I don't shoot and thought about getting rid of that and getting my hands on a nice 625. A model 25 would also be okay, except I see that they come in 45LC, which I don't want. Please let me hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Todd

Just do it, and then don't look back.

 

[OM Beatts]

Toad, I have a M-625 of 1989 in 5" barrel and I love it. For me a 6" barrel is too long and a 4" is too short. I am ¾ of a century old so my eyes are not great, thus I have a Tru-Glo red dot sight on mine and I shoot the black out of the target at 25 yards. I like mine so much I bought two more for my grandsons. I hand load and use a 200 grain SWC over 3.5 grains of Bullseye. I also have M-25's, a Model of 1917 and a Target Model of 1955. These are all great guns, as prejudiced as I may be toward them. The .45 ACP is a great round and the M-625 is a great handgun. So someone else happens to like a Colt Python or a S & W auto feeder better. So what? What you like is the important thing.

 

[toad67]

45 acp is one of my favorite ammos as well. Why would you get rid of your Colt Gold Cup? Nice gun! Loads quicker, holds more and if you don't leave it chambered, it's child proof.

I like wheel guns better, and I'm getting too fat to want to bend over and pick up brass

 

[bananaman]

By all means if you want an older 625, go for it. They are excellent guns. But don't knock the 625JM. Despite the lock, it too is an excellent gun, and can hold its own against any of the older 625s. The quick change front sight is also a very nice feature. Though the Gold Bead sight it comes with is quite nice, and allows the shooter to pick up the target quickly.

The 625 JM is my most shot hand gun. Have changed the grips/ stocks numerous times. Put a HI-VIZ front sight on it. Great for us older guys. So I added a 25-15. My 1st 45 LC revolver. So far so good. Started loading for that too! Prefer no lock guns, but these 2 have it. Oh well! Bob

 

[Bigdog357]

A few years ago, I traded my 625JM in at my LGS for a 625-3 Model of 1989. I really like the feel of the trigger on the 625-3 and the 5" barrel has just the right amount of front weight for my taste.

Earlier this year, I opted to have the 625-3 drilled and tapped for a Weigand mount, and I topped it with a Tru Glo red dot. It shoots much better than I can hold it.

Nice - That is a sweet little setup, I may have to consider that modification on mine

 

[Tom_R]

Looking to get a wheel gun in 45acp since I have lots of ammo and need to find a way to burn some of it up Thinking I want a 5" version since plinking will be what it is used for. I don't really care for the JM guns, or a lock version either. I see some models of 1988 and 1989 and am thinking that might be the cats behind, but really don't know much about either one. I have an almost NIB Colt 1911 Trophy Gold Cup that I don't shoot and thought about getting rid of that and getting my hands on a nice 625. A model 25 would also be okay, except I see that they come in 45LC, which I don't want. Please let me hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Todd

If I had a nice, close to NIB Colt Gold Cup, it would take some very, very serious arm twisting to part me from it.

I would enjoy that Gold Cup as Samuel Colt himself would have intended.