S&W 625JM

[ns3v3n]

Hey guys, been toying the idea of getting the S&W 625JM, I have a 1911 and am very fond of it, but I am getting tired of picking up brass after shooting it at the range. So now I'm looking to get a revolver that shoots the same caliber. Anyone have the 625 that can give an input? Anyone in the Bay that has it that doesn't mind letting me handle it?? The only other time I handled it was at Target master and the person behind the counter basically don't want me to touch the darn thing since it's "new". Thanks.

[DArBad]

I also toyed with the idea of getting one a few years ago. What turned me off was the necessity of using moonclips to feed it. Being the lazy bum that I am, I prefer to use either a true speed loader or be able to manually load each ammo directly. But that's just me.

That gun looks very, very nice though.

[redcliff]

Moonclips are great, very fast reloads and they're so cheap you can have a ton of them loaded up before ever hitting the range. You can use steel full moon clips or the newer rimz plastic clips.

Of the four S&W .45acp revolvers I have, 3 are 25-2 in blued finish and one is the 625 model of 1989(pre-mim, pre-lock, hammer mounted firing pin).

I like the blued revolvers from an aesthetic standpoint the best, although the 625 is a great shooter and the equal to the others in accuracy. It's unfortunate that the 625JM has all the features I don't like on new Smiths'.

[ns3v3n]

Yeah I don't think moonclips will bother me, I'm more worry about how it will perform and shoots, especially how it shoots in my hands. The internal lock doesn't bother me either. And the finish looks nice to me. Anyone got one I can handle??

[Gryff]

Krauswerk in San Mateo had one on consignment a couple of weeks ago.

[Paradiddle]

The 625 is THE revolver for competitive shooting. The USPSA/IPSC guys like the 5" barrel versions, which are rare, while if you are going to shoot IPDA the JM is the one to get as a starter because IPDA has a 4" limit on revos (which is lame because you can shoot a 1911 in IPDA).

If you are serious about shooting it you'll need a trigger/action job where the lock can be "adjusted" so as not to cause any issues and you should have the charging holes chamfered so reloads are quicker. Plasic moonclips are for the range only - use metal ones in competition.

Great guns, but know that there really isn't anything special with the JM model - it is not a tuned competition ready revolver, but it is a great platform. I also do like the bead blasted finish. I handled one at a local shop (in so cal) - they are big but feel good and have a nice balance - like most N frames.

Jeff

[3006mv]

this is a great revolver, no prob w/ moon clips, just get a good loader / remover tool. accurate, smooth just kinda spendy. don't regret buying mine. put Hogue grips on it though, fit me better. wood was too nice to mess up. other option is to reload .45 autorim
I also have the snub nose airframe model too. sorry photobucket is really slow, will try to post pics later

[ns3v3n]

Good to see good reviews of the revolver, main reason I want it is so I don't have to pick up my range brass after shooting haha. It gets real old real fast, plus I've always been a revolver guy, so I am most likely selling my 1911 and buying this, wish there is a range that can rent this to try out.

[Paradiddle]

you may want to hunt around for a model 25-2 - a very classy 45 acp revo (pre lock of course) without the full underlug. A very gentlemanly gun that is more akin to the class of a nice 1911.

[ns3v3n]

Found a place online that sells them for $770, hmm seriously tempted to get it. Too bad now we gotta pay tax when firearm shipped outside of CA.

[bwiese]

I own the standard S&W 625-8 - the 2005 vintage, in 4". I've dry fired a 625-JM, and the lockwork doesn't feel much (if at all smoother) and I don't like the JM's grips. Nevertheless it - in fact ANY 625 - is a fine gun.

My 625 easily one of the most accurate guns I own - when shooting with good ammo (or even bulk Magtech 230gr) - it's a "ragged hole in target" gun. It does have the internal lock system but I have no worries.

Action is very smooth, and trigger breaks on a proverbial glass rod. I will be getting Ahrends full wood grips for it as it came with neoprene Hogues.

Buy a whole load of moon clips and a moon clip tool.

[jben]

I have a 625JM and I agree with everyone else. It's a great gun.
I like the finish. I like the sights. I like the trigger. I like how well it shoots. And unlike Bill above...I like the grips

[cindynles]

I've been looking at the Performance Center version of the 625 for awhile now. I like the looks of the partial under lug. I'd have to replace those Wonder Woman grips though (who thought that was a good idea?).

[ns3v3n]

I like the full under lug, LOL wonder woman grips, they are quite fancy.

[Gryff]

The 625 is THE revolver for competitive shooting. The USPSA/IPSC guys like the 5" barrel versions, which are rare, while if you are going to shoot IPDA the JM is the one to get as a starter because IPDA has a 4" limit on revos (which is lame because you can shoot a 1911 in IPDA).

The 4" 625 and Government model 1911 are about the same total length for the gun.