Anyone shot / carried S&W 625-10 45ACP

[AZGrunt]

I guess I’m one of the lucky 850 or so who owns one of these revolvers. I really love it! I’m a 1911 fan and my 625-10 makes a great back-up to my up custom workhorse.

Finding a holster for it was a bit tricky. I eventually located a Bianchi #5 “Black Widow” holster which works very nicely. I also found a matching 44mag speed loader pouch, that with a slight modification, I made to hold up to 4 full moon clips very securely.

Fooling around with different ways to carry the gun I found that the short barrel and wide N frame cylinder makes it fit perfectly in the back pocket of a pair of jeans; a more secure fit then some expensive holsters! This makes it a very quick and handy gun for going outside to see what the dogs are barking at.

As far a shooting, it is plenty accurate even with such a short barrel. My “proof” standard for a handgun is that I should be able to get off two fairly quick A zone head shots at 25 yards. The 625-10 meets that standard.
The gun came with two sets of grips; the short wood pair shown in the photo, and a full size set of Pachmyers. Now I like big calibers (45ACP, 44mag, 30-06, 45-70) and am not one to flinch at heavy recoil, but one cylinder of 230 grain ball was enough for me to pull those little wood grips off and put the Pachmyers on. With the Pachmyers even +P rounds are comfortable enough for me.

The Mrs. has shot the gun. While she found the 230’s a bit much for her, she found 185 grain bullets to be more comfortable. I noted that the gun does seem to hold tighter groups and has a noticeably less muzzle flash with 185’s.

With 185 semi-wad cutters I have groups that rival some of my match guns. That’s not surprising if you understand the mechanics of how the chamber and cylinder are different on a revolver that headspace off the mouth of an automatic cartridge versus the rim of a typical revolver cartridge; one reason there are so many accurized 625’s out there.

My 625-10 has been getting a lot of carry time lately. I do a lot of hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and horseback riding. Recently there have been a few shootings in the remote areas I frequent as more and more marijuana fields and smuggler camps are found. My 625 has been a great option when weight has been an issue and I have wanted to go lighter then my 1911, especially as a back up to a long gun.

I really like this gun, and highly recommend it to anyone that likes wheel guns and/or bullet calibers that start with a “4”!

[Eirerogue]

I read a revuew on the 625-10 by Mas Ayoob about a year or so ago and remember that he was not impressed. In fact, he really put down the 625-10 for lack of accuracy.

It's just too nutty for me. Short barrel for concealability on an N frame. That's crazy. There are too many other great revolvers out there that cover all the bases.

[Dutchman]

Originally Posted by Eirerogue

I read a revuew on the 625-10 by Mas Ayoob about a year or so ago and remember that he was not impressed. In fact, he really put down the 625-10 for lack of accuracy.

It's just too nutty for me. Short barrel for concealability on an N frame. That's crazy. There are too many other great revolvers out there that cover all the bases.

I looked at that revolver, but opted for the 340pd, and Khar PM9 for my wife (her choice not mine) The fatness of the 625 and the 327 made it a bit uncomfortable for me in terms of carry, so I passed on those.

I did opt for the 8 shot 627 .357mag v-comp for handgun hunting and just plain fun at the range. I do ccw the v-comp with a shoulder rig in the winter, and it is occasionally with me in the summer in my briefcase. But I agree, concealment and N frame don't go well together.

[BonoVox]

Did anyone ask this....what are they selling it for?

[ironpete]

I've seen them used for $900 and NIB for $1400 off of GunBroker. There are two of them on GunBroker right now...

[OCRancher]

Originally Posted by Glock32

325PH ha, what a nice looking revolver.
I hope you will buy one soon. Can't wait to fiddle with it. May want to check if it's on the approved list for sale in Ca.

Edit: Good news.
325PD / Alloy, Titanium and Stainless Steel Revolver 2.75" .45 ACP 8/10/2007

Glock 32, "8/10/07"? Aren't we in 2008?

[OCRancher]

Originally Posted by More Cowbell

That 325PD might be interesting, especially with a bobbed hammer. Commonality among ammo in carry guns would be very nice. Hmmmm......

Check out the Model 22, of 1917.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by Glock32

A .45 revolvr can not be built on a J-frame. There are people who own 5 sot K-frame .45 auto revolvers. They are very rare as far as I can tell.
I have seen one in Switzerland about 20 years ago. The cylinder was made by a competent gunsmith. The extractor, same thing. Price, but nice.

The 345 is built on the N-frame. To my knowledge the only attempt S&W ever made to build a five shot big bore was their 44 Spl. on the L-frame platform.The thing did not sell so they dropped it. I wish I would have bought one.

Good news comrades in arms...

Product: Model 325 Night Guard - .45ACP

Product: Model 396 Night Guard - .44SP

Let there be much rejoicing, singing, dancing in the streets accompanied by druaghts of your favorite beverage!

[AZGrunt]

Originally Posted by Eirerogue

I read a revuew on the 625-10 by Mas Ayoob about a year or so ago and remember that he was not impressed. In fact, he really put down the 625-10 for lack of accuracy.

It's just too nutty for me. Short barrel for concealability on an N frame. That's crazy. There are too many other great revolvers out there that cover all the bases.

There is a great line in the movie Ronin where Robert Deniro's character talks about a gun being a tool, and you put in the tool box the tools you need. For me my 625-10 fights nicely in my tool box.

I shot against Mas Ayoob in the 1995 National Tactical Invitational at Gunsight. It was my first time EVER shooting a tactical match. It was his fifth time shooting that match alone. I finished a few places ahead him. I wasn’t much impressed with his accuracy. I’m more impressed with the accuracy of the 625-10 considering its short barrel. But thats just me.

[inboost]

Great info AZGrunt! I appreciate your take on the 625-10 and enjoyed reading about it. I just recently acquired a 625-8 V-comp which I can't wait to go shoot. It's quite a chunk of steel so it would never be a permit gun for me. I am still very enamored with the 625-10 and wouldn't be surprised if it 'ended up' in my inventory one of these days.

[Yellowfin]

Big bore, low pressure for low recoil, and moon clips. Mmm...daddy likes!

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by inboost

Great info AZGrunt! I appreciate your take on the 625-10 and enjoyed reading about it. I just recently acquired a 625-8 V-comp which I can't wait to go shoot. It's quite a chunk of steel so it would never be a permit gun for me. I am still very enamored with the 625-10 and wouldn't be surprised if it 'ended up' in my inventory one of these days.

I have had a 625 w/4" barrel for about 12 years. I shot it in local IPSC events... reloads were a bear with the moon clips vs. mags of semi-auto guys, but I still made C class. I am no Mikulic(sp?), but I got pretty good with the moons.

It works wonders on bowling pins, but recoil is pretty stout. The thickness is something that would definitely keep me from CCW'ing it. I have a 19-4 357 that I would probably list to carry before the 625. That big cylinder would be hard to keep from printing and it also feels like you have a boulder(small rock) sticking in your side. Moon clips are also too large to carry as extra ammo.

I like the gun, but wuold not consider carrying it, even though that appears to be the reason for S&W making it ... why not just buy a .45 auto CDP etc ...... YMMV

[Quiet]

I just bought a used S&W Model 325PD with 5 moonclips at Dave's in San Bernardino.
I was doing a PPT there (selling my CZ-97B) when I saw it in the display case.
It was priced at $350 and I get to pick it up in 2 days.

[Glock32]

Originally Posted by Quiet

I just bought a used S&W Model 325PD with 5 moonclips at Dave's in San Bernardino.
I was doing a PPT there (selling my CZ-97B) when I saw it in the display case.
It was priced at $350 and I get to pick it up in 2 days.

what a steal!

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by Quiet

I just bought a used S&W Model 325PD with 5 moonclips at Dave's in San Bernardino.
I was doing a PPT there (selling my CZ-97B) when I saw it in the display case.
It was priced at $350 and I get to pick it up in 2 days.

I would be inclined to swear and call you names, but this is a family site ... you should be brought up on charges soon since you stole that one!