S&W JM 625-8

ifithitu · April 13, 2018, 03:01 PM

I brought a S&W JM 625-8,a couple months ago,getting ready to go to the range tomorrow to see how much I like the revolver.

disseminator · April 13, 2018, 10:11 PM

I have the same revolver, I predict you will like it.

I mostly shoot 45 Auto Rim hand loads in mine. The moon clips work great, but are a pain to load and unload IMO.

Have fun!

ifithitu · April 13, 2018, 11:12 PM

Here's a pic of my S&W JM 625-8

PoiDog · April 14, 2018, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disseminator

I have the same revolver, I predict you will like it.

I mostly shoot 45 Auto Rim hand loads in mine. The moon clips work great, but are a pain to load and unload IMO.

Have fun!

I have one as well. Dillon sells a mooning/demooning tool that takes the pain out of the process. It's on their web site, or in the Blue Press if you get those.

It works great. I have some arthritis in my hands, and this thing makes it go pretty quick so my hands don't have time to stiffen up.

Oh, and the gun shoots great!

muzzleblast... · April 15, 2018, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifithitu

I brought a S&W JM 625-8,a couple months ago,getting ready to go to the range tomorrow to see how much I like the revolver.

I'll bet you will soon be looking for a 625-2 Model of 1988, a 625-3 Model of 1989, a 625 Mountain Gun and a 25-2.

disseminator · April 15, 2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

I have one as well. Dillon sells a mooning/demooning tool that takes the pain out of the process. It's on their web site, or in the Blue Press if you get those.

It works great. I have some arthritis in my hands, and this thing makes it go pretty quick so my hands don't have time to stiffen up.

Oh, and the gun shoots great!

Yeah, I have a few of those tools. I still like the 45 Auto Rim brass better and you can load 45 Colt bullets in there and roll crimp them so no jumping crimp.

Enjoy!

Don P · April 16, 2018, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Yeah, I have a few of those tools. I still like the 45 Auto Rim brass better and you can load 45 Colt bullets in there and roll crimp them so no jumping crimp.

Right tools for the job and life is easy. I have yet to have bullet jump shooting my 625. Proper crimp eliminates the bullet jump

jwise · April 16, 2018, 10:17 PM

I like mine well enough, but I was surprised by how much .45acp recoils in an N frame revolver. I expected a lighter shooting handgun.

I switched the JM grips for a square-butt conversion.

disseminator · April 17, 2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

I like mine well enough, but I was surprised by how much .45acp recoils in an N frame revolver. I expected a lighter shooting handgun.

Yep, 45 Auto is about the same as a 45 Colt due to the difference in pressure, it's actually a really great round in a revolver. Probably why it's lasted so long.

Quote:

I switched the JM grips for a square-butt conversion.

Well, it's your gun, but the JM grips are my all time favorite.

jfruser · April 18, 2018, 04:03 PM

jwise wrote:
"I like mine well enough, but I was surprised by how much .45acp recoils in an N frame revolver. I expected a lighter shooting handgun. "

You and me both, but I was shooting my new-to-me SW1917.

Jayhawkhuntclub · April 18, 2018, 04:11 PM

I bought a 625-8, non-JM, version as I don't like the JM grips or serrated trigger.
But it is a sweet piece. I haven't heard too many people buy 625 and regret it.
And I also agree about the recoil. It's far from punishing, but considerably more than I expected in a gun that size.

libiglou · April 18, 2018, 05:20 PM

I'm seriously considering one of these ,but the Performance center model. The JM version looks like my 686 and 617. My collection is starting to look boring. Wish one of these was offered in blue. I kinda like the ruger 45acp/45lc as well but have heard of less than stellar accuracy from 45acp loads. Time to fondle both and do more research.

Drm50 · April 18, 2018, 07:27 PM

I've had 2-625s never shot them and traded them off. I've got 2- 25-2s both 6"
and 2-25-5s, one 6" and a 83/8". The 625s just don't have the smooth feel of
25s. I am using 45ar brass, I hate moons too. I've had a 1917 Colt for 50 some
years that taught me dislike for moons. I'm looking for a bullseye bullet for the
25-2s. Am looking at a full WC, not a 1911 type. One 6" 25-5 I have set up for
250 gr RnFp for hunting, the 6" set up for 242gr WC. The 600 series S&W seem
heavy to me.

smee78 · April 18, 2018, 07:36 PM

I have a 625 and it is my favorite revolver, I hate chasing around for brass and found this is the perfect balance with a 4" barrel and Ahrends grips on mine. My favorite DA revolver period. Mine is a smooth shooter and haven't any complaints about recoil, hope you like your new addition.

Viper225 · April 19, 2018, 12:17 AM

My brother has one of the Original JM 625's that came out with a 5" barrel. I am not sure how many were made in 5", but the number must be pretty low. His came in an Aluminum PC Case. As soon as IDPA changed the Rules to 4" S&W went to 4" on the JM625's.

You will really like yours. The Quick Change front sight is a nice addition also.

Bob

Master Blaster · April 19, 2018, 10:44 AM

Quote:

I'm looking for a bullseye bullet for the
25-2s. Am looking at a full WC, not a 1911 type. One 6" 25-5 I have set up for
250 gr RnFp for hunting, the 6" set up for 242gr WC. The 600 series S&W seem
heavy to me.

Take the semi-wadcutters you have now and flip them over seat them flush and now you have a match wadcutter.

For the folks who think .45 acp recoils too much, if you reload you can use 3.8 grains of bullseye behind a 200 grain SWC and the recoil will be tamed. If not Federal makes a match load but it is expensive.

USSR · April 19, 2018, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Take the semi-wadcutters you have now and flip them over seat them flush and now you have a match wadcutter.

Oh yeah, all the top shooters are doing this.

Don

Jayhawkhuntclub · April 20, 2018, 07:48 AM

The 5" is the most common 625. But in the 625 JMs it's fairly uncommon.

As for recoil, I don't think anyone is complaining about it. It's just surprising that a gun that weight would recoil like it does in 45 acp.

jwise · April 21, 2018, 02:20 PM

I think the recoil is on par with my 4" 29 loaded with .44 Russian.

If I'm going to shoot a hundred or more rounds in a session, I have to shoot it with gloves, as the recoil is enough to rip my hand up a bit. I switched grips to see if it was just the smooth JM grips, but it's not.

Master Blaster · April 24, 2018, 01:07 PM

Thanks USSR that was sure a big help to me and to the original poster.

Here is a link to PENN bullet Co. they make very good quality bullets and will custom size if you call them. Here is there full 225 grain .45 wadcutter:

https://www.pennbullets.com/45/45225wcbb.html

USSR · April 24, 2018, 06:15 PM

You're welcome Master_Blaster. There's a reason they don't make boattail handgun bullets, and that is pretty much what you would have if you reverse a SWC bullet.

Drm50,

PM me with your address and I'll send you some .45 wadcutters.

Don

tallball · April 24, 2018, 06:33 PM

I really enjoy my 625-2. It's a 5". The recoil doesn't bother me. It might be my large hands. The N frame gives me plenty to hang onto. If you don't like moon clips, they aren't all that necessary. The brass comes out easily enough. Sometimes I have to poke one or two out with a pencil.

April 13, 2018, 03:01 PM	#1
ifithitu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2016 Location: Derby City KY. Posts: 243	S&W JM 625-8 I brought a S&W JM 625-8,a couple months ago,getting ready to go to the range tomorrow to see how much I like the revolver. __________________ USMC Vietnam Veteran,0311 Grunt. 6/68 to 7/69 Semper Fi

April 13, 2018, 11:12 PM	#3
ifithitu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2016 Location: Derby City KY. Posts: 243	Here's a pic of my S&W JM 625-8 __________________ USMC Vietnam Veteran,0311 Grunt. 6/68 to 7/69 Semper Fi

April 18, 2018, 04:03 PM	#10
jfruser Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 350	jwise wrote: "I like mine well enough, but I was surprised by how much .45acp recoils in an N frame revolver. I expected a lighter shooting handgun. " You and me both, but I was shooting my new-to-me SW1917. __________________ Regards, jfruser "Books and bullets have their own destinies."----Bob Ross

April 18, 2018, 07:36 PM	#14
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I have a 625 and it is my favorite revolver, I hate chasing around for brass and found this is the perfect balance with a 4" barrel and Ahrends grips on mine. My favorite DA revolver period. Mine is a smooth shooter and haven't any complaints about recoil, hope you like your new addition. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

April 24, 2018, 06:15 PM	#21
USSR Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2017 Location: Finger Lakes Region of NY Posts: 1,442	You're welcome Master_Blaster. There's a reason they don't make boattail handgun bullets, and that is pretty much what you would have if you reverse a SWC bullet. Drm50, PM me with your address and I'll send you some .45 wadcutters. Don __________________ NRA Life Member NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

April 13, 2018, 10:11 PM	#2
disseminator Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Location: Minnesota Posts: 960	I have the same revolver, I predict you will like it. I mostly shoot 45 Auto Rim hand loads in mine. The moon clips work great, but are a pain to load and unload IMO. Have fun!

April 16, 2018, 10:17 PM	#8
jwise Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 677	I like mine well enough, but I was surprised by how much .45acp recoils in an N frame revolver. I expected a lighter shooting handgun. I switched the JM grips for a square-butt conversion.

April 18, 2018, 04:11 PM	#11
Jayhawkhuntclub Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2007 Posts: 581	I bought a 625-8, non-JM, version as I don't like the JM grips or serrated trigger. But it is a sweet piece. I haven't heard too many people buy 625 and regret it. And I also agree about the recoil. It's far from punishing, but considerably more than I expected in a gun that size.

April 18, 2018, 05:20 PM	#12
libiglou Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2017 Posts: 184	I'm seriously considering one of these ,but the Performance center model. The JM version looks like my 686 and 617. My collection is starting to look boring. Wish one of these was offered in blue. I kinda like the ruger 45acp/45lc as well but have heard of less than stellar accuracy from 45acp loads. Time to fondle both and do more research.

April 18, 2018, 07:27 PM	#13
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,378	I've had 2-625s never shot them and traded them off. I've got 2- 25-2s both 6" and 2-25-5s, one 6" and a 83/8". The 625s just don't have the smooth feel of 25s. I am using 45ar brass, I hate moons too. I've had a 1917 Colt for 50 some years that taught me dislike for moons. I'm looking for a bullseye bullet for the 25-2s. Am looking at a full WC, not a 1911 type. One 6" 25-5 I have set up for 250 gr RnFp for hunting, the 6" set up for 242gr WC. The 600 series S&W seem heavy to me.

April 19, 2018, 12:17 AM	#15
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	My brother has one of the Original JM 625's that came out with a 5" barrel. I am not sure how many were made in 5", but the number must be pretty low. His came in an Aluminum PC Case. As soon as IDPA changed the Rules to 4" S&W went to 4" on the JM625's. You will really like yours. The Quick Change front sight is a nice addition also. Bob

April 20, 2018, 07:48 AM	#18
Jayhawkhuntclub Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2007 Posts: 581	The 5" is the most common 625. But in the 625 JMs it's fairly uncommon. As for recoil, I don't think anyone is complaining about it. It's just surprising that a gun that weight would recoil like it does in 45 acp.

April 21, 2018, 02:20 PM	#19
jwise Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 677	I think the recoil is on par with my 4" 29 loaded with .44 Russian. If I'm going to shoot a hundred or more rounds in a session, I have to shoot it with gloves, as the recoil is enough to rip my hand up a bit. I switched grips to see if it was just the smooth JM grips, but it's not.

April 24, 2018, 01:07 PM	#20
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	Thanks USSR that was sure a big help to me and to the original poster. Here is a link to PENN bullet Co. they make very good quality bullets and will custom size if you call them. Here is there full 225 grain .45 wadcutter: https://www.pennbullets.com/45/45225wcbb.html

April 24, 2018, 06:33 PM	#22
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I really enjoy my 625-2. It's a 5". The recoil doesn't bother me. It might be my large hands. The N frame gives me plenty to hang onto. If you don't like moon clips, they aren't all that necessary. The brass comes out easily enough. Sometimes I have to poke one or two out with a pencil.