wanting to get shooting 45... don't care much for my autos... 625 the answer ???

M

Magnum Wheel Man

New member
I have several 1000 rounds of 45 acp brass & bullets in my reloading stuff, but have never really gotten into shooting 45 acp ( I have both Colt & Ruger semi's )... been thinking alot about getting a 625...

I've read a few articals that authors actually don't like the 625JM model... mix of MIM & forged parts, & interactions between them, the chromed MIM hammer ( done so to match the forged trigger ), & flaking chrome from the sears, people actualy not liking the serrated trigger, etc... most of those claim one of the only benifits is the grip, & the changble front sight... I'd probably change out the grips anyway... & the S&W websight lists the standard stainless 625 as having changable front sights...

so I'm a bit corn fused...

you guys that have 45 acp revolvers like them ??? ( I know, it's a stupid question ), but the cost of new revolvers has me down... I really don't like shooting my autos as much anymore ( old man chasing brass around on the ground, vrs tapping out a moon clip ) has me thinking the revolver just might be "my" best format to shoot the cartridge in... ( I shoot revolvers better / more naturally, than autos anyway )

any comments about those 45 acp revolvers would be great...

this is the link for the revolver I'm looking at...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=65454&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

edit... looked at it again, & it says the "gold bead" is interchangable... maybe not the front sight ??? does anyone know if they make a tritium sight for that gun, that doesn't require gunsmith install ???
 
MWM - I've been thinking about this too. Not too seriously, since I have a Redhawk and it does just great with light reloads. The problem is that I have about 1000 bullets just sitting there, laughing at me for not shooting them before selling my trusty P90.

The S&Ws cost enough new that I would probably consider an older model myself. The complaint about a serrated trigger is a valid one for a gun designed to be shot DA. I had the serrated trigger on my 29, and I didn't care for it. It doesn't make SA that much easier, and it makes DA a lot more difficult. I'd probably look for a nice used one chambered in 45 ACP. The kind they used in WWI.

Brass, I consider free. If your range situation is like mine, you know what I mean. Don't let brass be a deciding factor.

I bet you will get tired of messing around with moon clips pretty quick. The best bet would be to spend a few bucks on 45 Auto Rim brass for the revolver. You can always go back to (free) 45 ACP brass when and if you shoot your pistols again. Or keep moon clips loaded with 45 ACP for self defense purposes. (fast reloads)

Here are two options I would prefer to the 625:

1) The Model 22:
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2) The Model 22 of 1917
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The latter ones are pretty numerous in the used market with holster wear but very little action wear. You don't have to pay S&W nearly $1k for a new one. The 4" barreled version will probably be harder to find.

They don't have adjustable sights, but you may be able to have some added by a gunsmith and still come in under $1k.

I assume by your screen name that you have a 44 Magnum revolver or two already. 45 ACP is slightly bigger bore, but other than that, 44 Magnum can do all that the 45 ACP can, and a lot more. Especially in the hands of a reloader.

I don't know what I'm going to do yet with all my extra bullets. Maybe I'll sell them to you at a good price if you end up going with a 45 ACP revolver. It just isn't worth it for me to spend $400+ just to be able to use $80 worth of bullets and $30 worth of dies.

Maybe you should consider doing the same thing here on the reloading or classified forum. ;)
 
...on the other hand

...the more I look at the pic of that 22 of 1917, the more I like it. Great proportions, perfect power level cartridge, accurate cartridge, easy & cheap to reload...

We gun guys are not always making our decisions based on sound logic, hehehe.
 
I got a 22, in preference to Smith's other .45 revolvers, because I was smitten with the classic appearance and finish. With a set of Eagle Heritage "coke bottle" grips, it looks just perfect. I don't use a lot of different .45 loads, so adjustable sights weren't a necessity (though I think I'd still like a patridge front sight, in preference to the "half a nickel" sight that's on there, now). The sight is pinned to the barrel, so changing it would be no huge trouble.
I have both Auto Rim brass and HKS speedloaders for it, but have not even loaded a round, as I find moonclips to be the greastest invention since sliced bread, if not bottled beer. Almost all of my shooting is competition, and it is so handy to load up 100 rounds in clips before leaving the house, and then not having to deal with loose brass. It IS something of a hassle to moon and de-moon, but I can be hassled in the comfort of my home, rather than messing with it on a cold, or wet, or hot, etc. range.
 
I, too, am a bit enamored with the model 22 there. My local gunshop has one in stock now, a beauty with nickel finish. I'd consider buying it, but I don't want to spend the $1100 on it, not yet anyway.
 
I used to have a 625, loved it, and foolishly sold it to raise money to make another purchase. It was as much fun to shoot as any gun I've fired and was really accurate. For me, the cost of ammo was the biggest problem with owning it since I'm not a reloader. But, if you reload, then by all means go for it or for some other Smith .45 ACP revolver. You won't regret it.
 
Try looking at some of the "gently" used older model 25s. I have a model 25-2 from 1979 and love it. It is super accurate and feels like I'm shooting 22s (OK, maybe 38 specials :) ) And no stupid internal lock!

25-2.jpg
 
Don't judge the (6)25's by the JM model. There JM isn't necessarily the best example of the 25 line.
 
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Look for a 25-2. They aren't particularly easy to find, and somewhat pricey for a used gun, but still a lot less than the new S&W's. I have had mine since about 1980. Moon clips are cheap, and a tool to de-moon empties can be made in five minutes with a piece of half-inch PVC and a hacksaw...it's just a tube with a 1/8" lip around a third of the circumference.
My 25-2 is a big handful of revolver, but Pachmayr grips take it down a peg for small hands.
Accuracy is fantastic. Darn few accurized 1911's will shoot better. I got mine for NRA silhouette shooting. I have one practice target showing a single elongated hole for four shots and one 'flyer'. Group size was four into 1-1/8" with the fifth enlarging it to 1-3/4". Load was a 200gr Speer and 6 gr. Unique. Range 50 meters. Shooting Times had just published (1982) an article in which the 25 was down-rated for NRA Hunter Pistol. I sent them a fax of the target and a jeering note. Never got a reply.
I think I know why 25-2's are scarce. Mine sure isn't for sale!
 
Also, once you buy the 25-2, you may want a 25-5 in .45 Colt--I know you already shoot the caliber. :)

I recently purchased my second 25-5 and they are a hoot. I am looking for either a pre-lock 625 or a 4" 25-2...
 
all I can say is I like the 625's I own, and this isn't all of them

top one is .45acp the bottom one is .45colt
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I just picked up my 25-2, but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Regardless of how it does, I'm keeping it! I love S&W guns, especially blued and no lock. 25-5, 25-7, etc.....::D

Any of you guys that have 45 auto rim brass that is new and needs a home, let me know. I have moon clips as well, so I'm good to go either way.
 
thanks for all the comments... ( & pics )... just so you don't think I can't appriciate a "classic Smith" I'll include this pic...

however... my hands sweat abnormally, so I tend to favor stainless gun for the ones i really "use" & with all the barss & bullets I have for the 45 acp cartridge, I think I want a revolver I can use daily... honestly, a few of those blued & wood guns are IMO, too sweet to shoot daily... not that I like to see safe queens laying around gathering dust, but I guess I need something that can be a weekly / every other week range gun, not something I'd pull out & shoot every couple months

this old 357 has family history, as well as being "too sweet" to shoot daily, buy I'm posting it, because it's an awesome gun... don't want you to think I can't appreciate that type of gun... I'm just looking for something a bit more utilitarian for the 45 acp...;)

premarked Combat...

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More utilitarian... Did they make 25s in nickel finish?

It is a shame to go for an inferior gun for more money just because of the finish. I'm sure the bluing will hold up fine if you just do a little maintenance. Like a coat of wax on the outside surfaces.

Good luck, whatever you end up with.
 
I bought a 625 JM last month and returned it a couple days later to the dealer I got it from and got my money back. I was disapointed about the finish and fitting on this expensive gun and take it that S & W are getting careless about final inspection . My .455 MK VI Webley has a much better parts fitting overall , especially on the cylinder extractor, you can't even see where the parts match, and that was without CNC machining. I'm not saying that is what you should get MWM, The other S & W may be a lot better, but I recommend that you inspect the gun carefully before you take it home from the shop. Other good guns I'd go for is the Ruger Redhawk .45 colt and have TK custom .com shave the cylinder for .45 ACP moonclip so you can shoot your reloads and .45 colt heavy stuff.
I might go that way too as I reload .45 ACP and the same set of dies will work for the auto rim, the .45 S&W ( Schofield )and the .45 Colt and the .45 Winchester Magnum and I think the.45 GAP. Dan
 
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