Author Topic: S&W 625 or 686 (Read 3379 times)

Elwood · « **on:** August 05, 2009, 05:43:37 AM »

Hello Friends
I need help deciding between a 625 in 45LC and a 686 357Mag. I like the gracefull lines and smooth action of the Smith and Wesson handguns. I will be using it as a gun to keep on my hip as we hike and hunt around the hills and boondocks. I have wanted a 686 for years and am ready to buy now but, I saw a used 625 in a shop and I now dont know which would be best. The prices of each piece is about the same. What do you think and why.
Thanks
Elwood

Bullseye · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2009, 06:46:14 AM »

I have a 625 Mountaiin Gun for that purpose. I have never been a fan of the 357 and I have owned a few. I do not like the blast and flash from the 357 (just personal opinion). The 625 is a bigger heavier frame to carry but I do not find it bothersome. Mine also shoots very good.

Skunk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2009, 06:58:34 AM »

If it were my choice, I'd get the 625 JM. I like the full length underlug on the JM, plus, it comes with many of the options that I'd probably update on the regular 625 anyway, especially the grips and sights.

S&W 625 JM
Miculek Style .265" Wide Grooved Speed Trigger
Special Wooden "Jerry Miculek" Grip Designed by Jerry Miculek
Complete with Five Full Moon Clips for Ultra-Fast Jerry Miculek Style Reloads
Gold Bead Patridge Front Sight on an Interchangeable Front Sight Base
Low Reflection Bead Blast Finish

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2009, 09:53:25 AM »

I have a M686-3 that came out of the custom shop.
It is a silohuette model and the trigger is smooth and crisp. Neat model that allows you to dial the front sight in for 4 seperate ranges. I have mine set for 158 grain JHP by Federal and the ranges are 50, 75, 100, and 200 yards. Dial my gun to #4 and you are hitting the 20" gong at 200 and it takes a second to get there but it will ring the gong.
I also own two N frames.
A M29-3 and a M28-2
The triggers on either of the N frames are smoother than the M686 and the M29 is better with the wide target trigger and hammer.
I say get the M625. the few extra ounces of weight will not bother you.
45 colt will do most of what you want a handgun for, with the S&W's you can load the 45 colt into the 44mag range as well as use cowboy loads. (personally if you have SAA guns I would keep loads to those guns levels, also if you reload i would look for a powder that fills the case at least 1/2 way. One of my friends was using a charge for target and he was distracted at the bench and could not see the charge in the case and double charged it, the SAA clone gun came apart in his hand.)

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2009, 12:06:41 AM »

i too am not a 357 fan and would chose the 625 hands down. Only advantage i can see to the 686 is it probably will be a tad lighter.

bluecow · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2009, 03:11:35 AM »

ya can get 357 ammo anywhere something to think about. i can remember when 45lc 44-40 even 44spl was like finding hens teeth. its hard to beat a 3-4inc 357. still id buy the 625.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2009, 11:54:14 PM »

ill tell you even a better choise. Pick up a 625 in 45 acp. acp ammo is cheap to buy and readily available and I really like moon clip guns. You also have the option of shooting auto rim brass without clips but for the most part thats hard to find and a handloaders option. If you handload you can run 45acp or auto rim right up to the power level of factory 45 colt ammo and use your gun for deer bear and pigs. 900 fps with a 250 swc is definately doable in them. there one of the nicest and most versitile guns smith ever made.

Autorim · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2009, 04:08:33 PM »

I agree on the choice of the 625 in .45 ACP. I like the 4 inch. I have the 586,686,25 and 625. The 625 gets shot more than the others. You can load the .45AR case with 250 SWC bullets to have plenty of oomph to do nearly anything that trail walking will reasonably require - or you can load easy shooting loads in the .45ACP case and shoot them with moon clips for speedy charging of the cylinder. Either way, those big bullets are fun to shoot and you don't have the sharp muzzle blast of the heavier .357 loads.

I prefer to shoot the .45 Colt cartridges in the Ruger Bisleys - heavier and IMHO handle heavier better than the Smith.

Tom C. · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2009, 04:49:22 AM »

For myself, I don’t see much point in .45 Colt in a S&W N frame. My .45 Colts are Ruger NMBH and a Redhawk. On the other hand, I love the .45 ACP/AR in the N frame. I mostly shoot .45 AR in my 625JM, up to 250 SWC bullets.

I also have a number of .357s from Ruger and S&W. My 686 is a 686SSR. Great gun, but I like my 627PC even more. I guess I just like N frame Smiths.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2009, 06:43:50 AM »

The 625-9 45 Colt will be lighter than the 625 JM because of the light tapered barrel. The JM has the heavy underlug to the end of barrel.
The 625 JM would be milder to shoot because of that heavy underlug but I love my 625-9 45 Colt and carry it all day as my CCW rig.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2009, 08:10:01 AM »

686.......ammo availability better and co$t$ and diversity [38]
686.......if its a 7 shooter
625......if an acp and moon clips
45 lc....if its a ruger
629.....not mentioned 44mag
686 lightest

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2009, 02:42:40 PM »

Elwood,
As much as I like big bore revolvers, I believe I would pick the 686, mostly because you say you've wanted one for years, and because I believe it is adequate for any need I could anticipate in your home territory of Arizona. It's perhaps very slightly more compact, ammo and components are everywhere, even now, and it's probably slightly more versatile. Nothing wrong with 625's- I've owned 3 in .45 ACP myself- nothing wrong with the .45 Colt- I own several- but my vote goes for the 686. You know you still want one. Scratch that itch. Worry about the others later.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2009, 08:14:03 AM »

686.......I carry the small 5 shot 357 daily
....when i travel i also carry my 619 [anotherl frame]

tho my 629 is my favorite
with 357 only one type of ammo to carry

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2009, 08:39:51 AM »

the 45 colt is tried and true , the 357 mag is also but half as experinced as the 45 colt . the 357 is lighter and the ammo is much lighter . The 45 might be a better choice for big game and the 357 better for protection . Cost of shooting , hum lead bullets for the 45 and jhp for the 357 ( the 357 need high preformace ammo to work to fullest ). might be a wash or close .
you could opt foa a 7 shot 357 or 8 now ? both are almost as good as a Ruger .
Guess if you always wanted the 357 now is the time to get it then start saving for the 45 ( and get it in Ruger and power it up to 44 mag levels if you like that sort of thing )

SonnyDaze · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2009, 01:55:09 AM »

I would suggest the 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. You can buy or reload this cartridge in any power level up to 260 gr @ 1200 fps. You can carry cowboy loads if you want light stuff. Nothing else is as versatile, and the .45 ACP and .45 AutoRim don't have the power potential of the .45 Colt. All good calibers; depends on what you find in the woods.
SonnyDaze

Old Griz · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:01:10 PM »

Elwood;

I have both, and love them both. With the S&W you are limited with the .45 Colt loads you can use. No +Ps. None the less, there are still good hunting loads you can use. Check out Reed's Ammo. The .45 ammo is kinda expensive. Again, Reed's has pretty good prices (if you can call any price good these days).

However, the 686 would be a more versatile gun. You can use .38 loads for small game, and magnum loads for deer sized critters. And again, the price of .38/.357 ammo is a bit easier to bear than big bore.

You're right about S&W handguns. They are a lot of fun! Let us know which one you pick.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2009, 04:58:47 AM »

You can shoot the .260 Grn at 1200 fps out of a Mountain Gun; but not only will it not be comfurtable to your hands, but a steady diet will shoot the gun loose. People do not realize that isn't needed . A .255 Grn bullet at 900 fps will go through most game from side to side (with hard cast bullets). With the Winchester .225 Grn Silvertips it makes an excelent defence gun with mild recoil.

rockbilly · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2009, 05:19:11 AM »

If you have a safe full of handguns then go for the 45LC. If this is a one pistol deal then I would go with the .357. The .357 offers a much larger choice of ammo, in addition ammo for the .357 is generally cheaper. If you hand load you can load some fairly hot stuff for the .357 that will handle most everything you encounter, except maybe a grizzly. You can also download and enjoy plinking for just a fraction of what it would cost for the ./45LC ammo.

Go with the .357 so you can enjoy shooting it with getting approval from the bank loan officer.

casper_zip · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2009, 06:47:29 AM »

Hello All:

Well, here goes my 2 cents. Get the 45 ACP/AR and you will be one happy fellow. I own 44 mags, and I can personally tell you the 45/AR will come pretty close to the 44. I have shot one for years. I used to just use 45 ACP cases, but over the years have accumulated 45 AR cases. You need a special shell holder on account of the thicker rim, but you can use the 45 ACP dies.

I am telling you, this gun is deadly on anything you shoot, and extremely accurate. I love mine.( I also love my other guns.) I have plenty of hot loads thru the years from Shooting Times, Handloader Digests, and Handloader mag. Try it, you'll like it.

I also have a 45 "Long Colt" I don't even shoot any more. That's not to say it's not good, it is; but the 45 AR is a pore boy's mag, cheap brass, and you can use cast bullets, too.

When I done said at least a dimes worth; not 2 cents, so I'm closing.

All the best,

Casper_zip

Cayoot · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2009, 03:50:31 AM »

Hey Casper zip, can you help me in finding some of that load data? Recently, due to certain needs, I have had to sell off almost all of my firearms. One of the few handguns that I kept is a S&W 625 (Performance Center). I have a small supply of AR brass. I was hoping to find some load data that would allow me to shoot cast bullets of sufficient weight and velocity as to allow for a woods walking gun and for deer (and hopefully) black bear hunting gun.

I'm thinking that a 255 or 265 grn SWC at about 1,000 would do the job.

Any opinions? I don't want to hijack this thread, so if you don't mind, send the data to my email:

bcote14221@charter.net

Thanks much!

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:28:30 PM »

Easy vote, I'd opt for the .45 Colt!
Steve

Dale53 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2009, 08:17:31 PM »

I have a safe full of fine revolvers. All of my deer have been taken with .44 magnums. However, my two favorite revolvers are my two 625's (625-6 5" and a 625-8 JM Special 4"). I have Red Dot sights on both (Smith's are now drilled and tapped for scopes/red dot sights). Here is Elmer Keith's loading data for the various revolvers he used - note the Auto Rim data:

Click on the attachment below for an image you can read.

I have a new custom mould coming for a copy of the original Keith Lyman 454424 mould and will work up some loads for my 625's in case I run into some charging deer or something. I guarantee a 260 gr Keith at 900-1000 fps will get the job done.

Dale53

Spector · « **Reply #22 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:47:09 AM »

My wife bought me 625 Mountain Gun some years back. It was accurate and I did like the fact I could go double action with it. Unfortunately in those days I wanted big power I thought. I called S&W and asked if I could hot rod it. I was actually told to buy a Ruger if that's what I wanted to do. So I traded the 625 and bought a Ruger Bisley.

That said, I found the 625 to be a little large for my hands. Not terrible, but not quite comfortable either. I realize now that I did not need to excessively hot rod 45 LC for deer hunting.

If your hands are large enough that the 625 just naturally fits then I would probably pick it. If your hands are a little smaller like mine then the 357 may be your choice. Normally I prefer larger diameter bullets and less pressure in a revolver.

I carry a Glock 21/30 and love it. The modified grip fits me well. Indiana will not permit deer hunting with a 45 ACP even though I've run mine with a Lee 260 grain cast bullet as high as 980 fps. So those who are recommending 45 ACP or AR revolver know they have adequate loads for defense and many game animals too.

I wouldn't want a 357 Mag for bear or a 45 ACP either. I personally wouldn't hunt white tailed deer with a 357 either, but there are those who do so successfully. Given the right shot though I wouldn't be afraid to take a shot that was handed to me unexpectedly or though stalking.

If man is the most dangerous animal you expect to encounter in AZ then I would not be afraid of the 357 mag. Handle the S&W revolvers in diferent frame sizes and see what fits you most naturally. If the 45 calibers fit you then I would go with one of those......Mike

rawhidekid · « **Reply #23 on:** September 23, 2009, 03:43:59 AM »

Mike, I do not have large hands eather. They make different grips that you can get to fit any S&W handgun. You just need to find what fits you. The houge grips fit my hands and give enough recoil absorbtion to let me comfortably shoot the 625-9 45 Colt Mountain Gun with 255 Grn bullets no problem. The 200 Grn bullets are quite comfortable to shoot and for personal defence, most of the manufacturers have 200-225 Grn cary ammo.