19Dec
Shoot The Full Moon
Cliff Walsh
Cliff Walsh is one of the world’s top practical revolver shooters. Here Cliff puts his S&W 625 wheely gun to good effect in Serbia at the EHC 2010, were he finished in second place in Revolver Division. The Smith & Wesson ( S&W ) Model 625 is a six shot double action revolver chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. The 625 will headspace the .45 ACP cartridge in the chambers without use of full moon clips, but since the extractor star cannot engage the rimless cartridge, full moon clips are needed to facilitate ejection.
Model 625
Based on S & W's N (large) revolver frame, the Model 625, was introduced as the .45 CAL MODEL OF 1988. It was a limited edition model intended as an IPSC commemorative. It was equipped with a 5 inch barrel with a full length underlug. Still in production, this revolver has been continously updated and is used by the world’s best IPSC competitors such as Jerry Miculek and Cliff Walsh; thus it is the most popular revolver in used in IPSC competition.There are several modifications that you can easily make make to the 625, without having to resort to the skills of a gunsmith and specalist tools. Taking a stock 625 wheel gun I made several simple modifications that will enhance the performance to your revolver and improve its suitabiloity for use in IPSC competition. Most of us who compete in IPSC events have a range of hand and power tools and these will be all you need to make these modifications.
Extra Length Firing Pin
Click the image below for a great deal on the Extra Length Firing Pin The extra length firing pin improves firing pin strike on new model S&W revolvers with the frame mounted firing pin. The extra length firing pin is 015" longer than the factory version and also has a blunter tip. The extra length pin also lets you adjust the mainspring weight and still achieve consistent and reliable ignition. It is an easy drop in fit.
Remove the grip, three slide plate screws and the cylinder and yoke. Hold onto the barrel and tap the side the grip with a rubber mallet or small length of wood. The side plate will slowly rise up and pop out of place.The factory firing pin is held in place with a pin. Remove this with a small pair of tweezers. Remove the firing pin and spring. Insert the oversized firing pin and spring and replace the securing pin. Reassemble the other parts in the reverse order.
I installed this on the 625 to prevent the occurrence of light strikes. I wondered if it might cause punctured primers due to the added length. Testing it with several different brands of factory ammunition and reloads with different brands of primer, I found no occurance of this. At 0.15” longer, with a more blunt tip the extra length and increased surface area make a good dent that ignites large pistol primers.
Evolution Gun Works Front Sight
This Evolution Gun Works ( EGW ) front sight will fit all S&W K, L and N frame revolvers with the pinned front blade. The EGW sight has a steel body, black matte finish at 19mm long, 7.5mm high and holds a 1.5mm diameter optic rod.
Interchangeable, red and green rods let you choose the colour that best suits your own eyes. Punch out the securing pin in the existing front and remove it. The pin is 1.35mm diameter so you will need a drill bit the same size. Insert the new sight and using the drill bit, inserted through the existing cross pin hole in the front sight and mark the new front sight were you need to drill the hole. Remove the new front sight and drill a hole through the mark or indent you made. Reinsert the sight and replace the cross pin.
The 1.5 mm daimeter fibre optic in the EGW’s front sight enables you to pick up the sight picture rapidly
The Hogue
Hogue Oversize Cylinder Release Latch
The Hogue oversized extended cylinder release latch allows you to unlock the cylinder, without having to reposition your grip, by simply using your thumb. This will ensure a faster reload for an extra edge in competition. The extended latch’s geometry maximises the leverage and allows you to bring substantially greater force to bear, with less movement than needed to operate the standard factory latch. Oversized thumb pad has a deeply grooved face that offers a solid, non slip contact and is angled to further improve leverage.
The Hogue oversized extended cylinder release latch allows you to unlock the cylinder, without having to reposition your grip, by simply using your thumb
To fit it remove the screw cap that secures the standard factory latch and lift it off. Clean the screw cap and the threaded rod that protrudes through the frame with a solvent to remove any trace of oil. Set the oversized cylinder release latch on the frame and replace the screw cap. Use a drop of Loctite thread locking retainer on both the screw cap and threaded rod and tighten. If you do not use the thread locking compound, such as Loctite, the screw cap will come loose during a shooting secession.
The extended latch’s geometry maximises the leverage and allows you to bring substantially greater force to bear, with less movement than needed to operate the standard factory latch
The Moon Clip Stripper
The final item we will look at is not a modification to your 625, but is a tool to assist you de-mooning the .45 ACP cases from your full moon clips. With a fired full moon clip, insert the case into the hollow end of the tool. Holding onto the clip with your other hand, engage the step on the outside of the case and twist. Repeat for the other five empty cases. You can also de-moon loaded moon clips as well.The hollow steel tube holds all the empty cases you’re stripping from your revolver’s moon clip. The Brownells screwdriver handle makes the tool easy and comfortable to use. A version is also available for 10 mm / .40 calibre revolvers ( Part No. 352-197-100 ). This tool is simple to use and it stores easily in your range bag or gun toolbox.
These modifications to your S&W 625 revolver allow you to shoot the moon at a faster pace. Wheel Gunners – Real Gunners!
