Smith and Wesson's Model 625 45 Automatic... Revolver

Accepting that the speed of my shooting, while accurate, was on par with that of a South American tree sloth… assuming a tree sloth could draw and fire a double action revolver, I invested in a copy of Ed McGivern’s “Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting”. Applying some of the book’s techniques and drills to my training regimen, and shooting up copious amounts of ammunition, I advanced to “slightly improved” but, in the adapted words of Paul Simon, “I am leaving, I am leaving, but the tree sloth still remains”.

Eventually, I ran across an Internet video of Jerry Miculek putting 12 shots in a target the size of a playing card in less than 3 seconds and decided to retire from the speed game. What does Ed McGivern, tree sloths and Jerry Miculek have to do with the article that follows?. Not a thing… other than this particular M625 configuration came about as a collaboration between S&W and Jerry Miculek and bears his initials on grip and frame.

The S&W Model 625 in context…

Smith and Wesson Model 625JM
Company	American Outdoor Brands
SKU #	160936
Manufacture	Springfield, MA
Type Action	Double/Single Action
Slide	Stainless Steel
Finish – Barrel/Side	Low Glare
Frame – Cylinder	Stainless Steel
Caliber	45 Auto
Capacity	6
Barrel Length	4.13“
Twist	1:15″
Weight – Empty	40.5 oz
Overall Length	9.4″
Overall Height	6.25″
Sights – Rear	Adj W/E
Sight – Front	Gold Bead Patridge
Sight Radius	5.6“
Trigger Pull SA/DA Lbs	4.4 / 11.6
MSRP	$979
Includes: Hard case, lock, manual, and 5 moon clips

The Model 625 was introduced in 1989, available in discrete 45 Colt and 45 Auto versions, initially with a 5″ full underlug barrel, later with 3″ and 4″ barrels. Based on the round butt N Target frame the front sight was ramped, the rear sight micrometer click adjustable, the hammer was a 0.400″ semi-target type, and the smooth combat trigger was 0.312″ wide 1).

The first S&W Model 625 45 Auto associated with Jerry Miculek was a Performance Center distributor special introduced in 2001. The Model 625-6 Jerry Miculek Design for 2001 features were: 5 1/4″ barrel, gold bead Patridge from sight, reduced cylinder freebore, chamfered charge holes, deep cut broached rifling, hand honed bore, adjustable rear sight, and packaged in an aluminum hard case. This revolver is not currently in production.

The subject Model 625JM – Champion Series Jerry Miculek, was introduced in 2005 as a production firearm, designed in collaboration with Jerry Miculek. It differs from the standard Model 625 with a 0.265″ wide grooved speed trigger, a specially shaped wood grip, a gold bead Patridge front sight on an interchangeable base, and a low reflection bead blast finish.

There is a more refined, aesthetically different version of the Model 625 – 45 Auto offered through the S&W Performance Center under SKU 170161 which adds: deep cut broached rifling, chamfered charge holes, Performance Center tear drop hammer, Performance Center trigger and stop, and Performance Center tuned action – MSRP $1,079.

If the Model 625 is to be used for self defense and recreational target shooting, the Model 625JM, our subject revolver, is more than enough revolver. for anyone who appreciates finessed fit and function or plans on some level of competition, the Performance Center Model 625 offers substantial enhancements for an additional $100.

Basic revolver levitation…

Top side, the Model 625JM is an aesthetically clean revolver from brass beaded Patridge front sight to the adjustable rear sight and semi-target type hammer. The barrel rib is serrated to kill reflection and the brass bead stands out against most target backdrops. For me, rifle and handgun, brass bead is second only to light pipe fiber optics for quickness on target.

N frames are made for strength, not for being tucked away and the cylinder follows that same theme. The revolver’s cylinder measures 1.710″ in diameter, 1.545″ in length and a very tight 0.004″ cylinder gap.

Single action trigger pull was not bad at 4.4 lbs, double action… the only way I shoot double action revolvers double action, checked a hefty 11.8 lbs. Not so bad in use, but my trigger finger now has the beginnings of a bicep and the finger tip pad has a callus from working over the trigger’s serrations. With a high grip, trigger reach is a comfortable 3″.

The S&W Model 625JM has a one piece barrel with full underlug. The muzzle shape is flat, perpendicular to the bore, rather than recessed. Works as well from an accuracy standpoint and, if not being used to hammer nails, it needs no further protection.

The S&W Model 625’s cylinder is secured at three locations: cylinder latch, center pin in the breech face and with a spring loaded detent ball recessed in the barrel underlug at the end of the ejector rod. Lock up is tight to the extent that a range rod drops from bore to breech face without inappropriate interactions with the cylinder.

Six shots, but they all don’t have to be the same

Shot from a sandbag supported position, accuracy was very good. As a conversion factor, they are the equivalent of social media imaginary one hole groups at 25 yards.

The Smith and Wesson’s shooting personality… or personality while shooting

 

The S&W Model 625 JM is a big revolver, or so it seems, but it weighs within a couple of tenths of a pound the same as a 5″ barrel 1911 type and the revolver is a quarter inch shorter. Perhaps it is the slab sides of a 1911 versus the 0.7″ wider at the cylinder Model 625 that leaves the “big revolver” impressions. The Model 625 is a little muzzle heavy, which contributes its steadiness on target and, without the assistance of a slide to bound and rebound with every shot, the M625 generates a minimal amount of recoil.

The moon clips are easy to preload and they do pop out easy when dumping empties, but I also shot the S&W without moon clips and a tipped up muzzle with the assistance of gravity did as well with clean cylinders.

Nothing shot loose, no failures to fire, my hand and wrist barely remembered shooting time at the bench. A solid revolver that can endure a lot of range and competitive shooting hammering, and it comes with a life time warranty.

1) Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson – Supica & Nahas

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