Smith & Wesson Model 625

The Smith & Wesson (S & W) Model 625, is a six round single and double action revolver chambered for the .45 ACP (also known as .45 Auto) cartridge and .45 Auto Rim. The 625 in .45 ACP will headspace the cartridge in the chambers without use of moon clips, but since the extractor cannot engage the rimless cartridge, moon clips are needed to facilitate ejection. Based on S&W's stainless steel N (large) revolver frame, the Model 625, was introduced as the .45 CAL MODEL OF 1988, in 1988 as a limited edition model intended as an International Practical Shooting Confederation (ISPC) commemorative. It was equipped with a 5 inch (127 mm) barrel with a full-length underlug.

The regular production model of the Model 625 was introduced in 1989. In 1991–1992, it was also made with 3-inch and 4-inch barrels. Standard offerings now only include the 4" and 5" barrel.

The S&W Model 625 Mountain Gun is a light weight version of the 625, with a shortened underlug and tapered barrel, and "Mountain Gun" etched on one side of the barrel. The standard Model 625 Mountain Gun fires .45 Colt through a 4 inch (102 mm) barrel. In 2001, a limited edition was also built by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center that uses .45 ACP ammunition. Both of these revolvers have adjustable rear sights and Hogue rubber grips.

The Model 625-10 is the newest version of this revolver from the Smith & Wesson Performance Center, introduced in 2004. It is a snub-nosed version of the 625. The S&W Model 625-10 is a stainless steel update of the Model 25, popular before World War 2 as a starting gun for conversion to a "Fitz Special" (a concealed, contact-distance defensive gun).

Another recent Performance Center version, the S&W Model 625 JM, was introduced in 2005. The "JM" stands for Jerry Miculek, a renowned revolver speed shooter, and is his personal design. The Model 625 JM uses a 4 inch (102 mm) barrel with rear adjustable sights and a front gold bead black patridge sight. The Model 625 JM is finished in matte bead-blasted stainless steel. The grips are Miculek's design.

The latest .45 ACP revolver from Smith & Wesson is the Model 325 Night Guard. It is similar to the 625-10 in that the frame is an aluminum-scandium blend. It has a similar grooved rear sight as the 625-10, but the front sight of the 325 Night Guard is a tritium night sight. The model 325 has a matte black finish.

Variants of the 625

 * S&W Model 625 (.45 Target Stainless)
 * S&W Model 625 Mountain Gun (Model of 1989 .45 Light Weight 39.5 oz (1.1 kg))
 * S&W Model 625-6 & -9 Mountain Gun (.45 Colt)
 * S&W Model 625-10 (.45 Target Stainless)
 * S&W Model 625 JM (Jerry Miculek design)