[Evyl Robot]

Well, my wife's .357x8 came back from S&W. They replaced the defective frame, with the explanation that they replaced it on an enclosed note. Upon calling them, they explained to my wife that it was "a manufacturing flaw." We may have to send an email to someone high up in S&W to get a real explanation. I dunno.

The gun shoots so well that I have a real hard time believing it. I literally thought that I had unrealistically built it up in my head, and it didn't actually perform so well... but shooting it again dispelled any of those thoughts.

In fact, I like this one so much that I may have to get another one for myself so she won't have to share it. :) With the recent price of .44, it might pay for itself in ammo! :what:

[GrandmasterB]

Thanks for the follow-up. Glad they took care of you. These 627's are very nice, super fun and exremely addictive!

[Technosavant]

How long was the turnaround time?

I'm currently waiting on them to get my 327 TRR8 so it goes bang every time the hammer falls on a live round, and I'd be interested in knowing what the going time frame is.

[Katty]

I gotta tell you I had mine and put 600 rounds through it in a month and I sold it. It in no way had the feel of the older much less exspensive priced Smiths out there. I also purchased a brand new just came out 686 Pro Series revolver. I knew out of the box it was anoather piece of junk just by the feel of the thing. Put 500 rounds through it and sold it as well. Now take the word junk lightly, I mean way less quality then they should be for the money.
Long story short, the high dollar crap they are putting out is no where near the quality as the guns from yester year. I can give opinion because it's a now educated one.
Thank god I got most of my money back on both these revolvers!

Don't mean to disrespect here for a moment just telling it like it is IMHO.
If in the 60's Smith would have released guns like todays guns they would have went out of business. They sure are not like they used to be.

[Evyl Robot]

GMB,

I'm finding that to be true. I am pretty sure that my next personal firearm is going to be a 627. It will either be the Pro Series 4" or yet another PC 5". I was also looking at the 2"-327, but I really think that I want to stick with SS. It's really a shame that they don't do the 627PC in the Clint Eastwood 2.65" anymore. That's the one that I would want for CCW.


TechSav,

The turn around time felt like years, but I know that in reality it was probably all of five or six days from pickup here to delivery again here. Of course, it helps that they sent it UPS Next Day Air both directions, but the time it was at the factory had to be way less than a week. You need to let us know how yours turns out as well.


Katty,

To each his own, right? I don't take it as disrespect. I am a young guy, with little experience with these things. This gun seems really nice to me. I did recently have the opportunity to fire a WWII-era S&W M&P .38-Spl. It had the crappy parkerized finish, integrated notch sight in the back and pinned half-moon in the front. That particular gun shot nearly as well as this 627PC. I have to admit that its quality took something away from the new one. Still, the look and feel of this particular revolver is really nice. I'm sorry to hear that it didn't do well for you. Anyway, at the rate of inflation, if they charged that for guns in the 60's, that would amount to some - what, $7,500.00/gun?

[mc_coy]

Evyl robot,
I ordered a 627-PC 5" like yours and am (unpatiently) waiting for it.

What rounds have you shot so far (in .38 special)? Are you handloading and found a good combination for the gun?

[Technosavant]

The turn around time felt like years, but I know that in reality it was probably all of five or six days from pickup here to delivery again here. Of course, it helps that they sent it UPS Next Day Air both directions, but the time it was at the factory had to be way less than a week. You need to let us know how yours turns out as well.



Thanks. I received a letter today from S&W stating they received the gun for service and that things usually take 2-3 weeks, so the clock is ticking. Hopefully it will be on the shorter end, but it will be at least another week until I get out to the range again.

[GrandmasterB]

What rounds have you shot so far (in .38 special)? Are you handloading and found a good combination for the gun?

I handload almost exclusively and have found that 158gr plated round nose coupled with Titegroup powder makes a very nice target load that is super accurate.

[mc_coy]

I handload almost exclusively and have found that 158gr plated round nose coupled with Titegroup powder makes a very nice target load that is super accurate.

Mmmm.., fast burning hodgon powder, I may be able to order some in my place, do you use a light, moderate or heavy load as per specs (I'd figure light to moderate)?

I may have some probs in plated RN availability, I'll have to fall back on hard-cast SWC's in the immediate.
Also, the price of copper-plated bullets may be a concern for extensive target use.

I'm looking forward to the arrival of my 627. I'm lucky I can keep my mind busy in the meanwhile with reloading
issues... :)

[Evyl Robot]

I've actually done no reloading yet. With the rapidly rising prices of ammo, I've been thinking of taking up the habit. My wife has been hoarding away all of her spent .357 and .38 brass, and I've been saving all of my spent .44 Magnum shells. I have not noticed that the 627 PC has much of an opinion between cheap or expensive ammo in either load, but is always happy to punch holes in the middle of the paper.

[mc_coy]

I have not noticed that the 627 PC has much of an opinion between cheap or expensive ammo in either load, but is always happy to punch holes in the middle of the paper.

I've an impression that I'm going to like that gun !

[ClemY]

I got one of the 627-8PC last year. I like N frame Smiths and I like stainless and I like 5" barrels with quick change front sights. Mine is super accurate and has the best out of the box trigger I have seen.

[Evyl Robot]

Mc_Coy,

Let me know what you think of it when your 627 comes in. I'm starting to think that when I'll get one for myself, I'll probably wind up getting the Pro Series rather than another PC. The website (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=67983&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y) says almost nothing about it. If you have a hard copy of the 2008 catalog, it's on page 49. Since the PC belongs to my wife, I don't really want to get grabby with it, but it doesn't make sense for each of us to have one of the same exact gun. Funny enough, it looks like the only differences between the PC and the Pro are 4-in vs 5-in, gold bead sight, trigger stop, and you don't get the wood grips with the Pro. I think I would actually prefer the 4-inch barrel on this gun, and even as much as I like the other options, I don't think that's a deal breaker for me. Anyway, until the Pro is actually available on the market, I suppose it's a moot point.

[Master Blaster]

I called and asked about the pro, you also dont get the PC action job ($100), or the ball detent crane lock up and it only comes in the 4" version.
I was told by S&W it is scheduled for production mid april, and for sale mid may to june 1.

[mc_coy]

Evil robot,
it makes perfect sense to have two slightly different models rather than two identical within the household. After all, the 4-incher would be a littel better suited to carry.

I'll sure let the board know about my first impressions.

about the 627 pro, I read some extensive comments on it, it was probably in the Smith & Wesson forum, someone as I recall may already have gotten some early releases.

I do not remember much though, other than what you and Master blaster are hinting about: a few things less = a lot of $$$ less...

[Evyl Robot]

MB,

In this 2008 catalog, on the Pro, the points that they brag about are:
*Chamfered Charge Holes
*Custom Barrel with Recessed Precision Crown
*Bossed Mainspring
*Tuned Action
I took that to mean that it does indeed have the PC action job. Am I misunderstanding that? BTW - I'm really asking, not trying to be a smarta... I think you are right on the ball detent lockup, but I honestly don't know what that is. :uhoh:

McCoy,

That's exactly what I'm thinking. If I get the Pro, and can carry it, I will. I'm a short and slender guy, and carrying an N-frame will pose it's own challanges, for certain. I suppose it will largely come down to jackets and baggy clothing, huh?

[rbmcmjr]

I called and asked about the pro, you also dont get the PC action job ($100), or the ball detent crane lock up and it only comes in the 4" version.

When did they add the ball detent? My first generation 627 PC doesn't have such a thing.

I think you are right on the ball detent lockup, but I honestly don't know what that is.

It looks like this (aftermarket) one on my 629-4 Backpacker:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/rbmcmjr/44candsballdetent.jpg

[Master Blaster]

Actually the Ball detent lockup on the PC doesnt look like that at all. It looks more like a Ruger, there is no barrel underlug mounted spring and plunger for the ejector rod to lock into.

Yesterday I took delivery on a 627PC from my club FFL. The ball detent is on the front of the cylinder crane under the ejector rod and locks into a v shapped slot in the back end of the barrel underlug. Its a very tight fit with no end play at all.

My FFL said he thinks its like the old triple lock, and needed some careful fitting.

Hopefully today I will take it out and shoot it.

Evyl Robot, I can only tell you what the S&W tech I talked to told me, The Pro also has an MIM hammer and trigger, like standard Smith revolvers. The PC model I have clearly has a machined hammer and trigger not an MIM model.

[Evyl Robot]

MB,

See, that's something that bugs me about Smith. I love their guns, but their information tends to be a little less than congruent. The information on the website may be slightly different than what's in the catalog, and different again from what the rep will tell you on the phone. I've found a bunch of typos in the 2008 catalog, anyway. Rest assured, prior to purchasing my next handgun, I will make sure I know what I'm getting.

Now that you have brought the action to my attention, I'll make sure to ask the right questions on that when the time comes. Thanks for the heads-up at any rate!

I really wish they still made the 627PC 2.65". That's the one I would get, so I could conceal it. I know that I could get a 327, but I like steel. I suppose I could sweep the shows and see if I can spot a decent deal on a used one...

[sargenv]

It's funny.. Initially I thought my 627 PC was inaccurate.. it turns out that the gun can be very accurate but it took some getting used to. I had been shooting a 6.5" 610 classic for competition and the extra weight and barrel length was an advantage. Now that I've put about 6000 rounds through my 5" 627 PC I'm finding out that the gun is just as accurate as the 610. I made up some heavy bullet loads the other day (180 gr bullets, 3.8 gr Solo 1000) that printed 4" at 50 yards off hand. My standard load for ICORE (ipsc for revolvers) is 4.2 gr of Solo 1000 with a moly coated 158 gr RN made by bear creek and sized .358". That load will hold approx 5" at 50 yards if I do my part.

I've had some work done to my 627.. Bobbed the hammer, lighter mainspring (reduced power mainspring by Wolff), polished the insides up and reduced the spring on the ball detent for faster opening in the heat of competition. I don't shoot magnums out of it so there is little chance for something happening. I also installed the extended firing pin made by Cylinder and slide. Even with the reduced mainspring it still lights off Winchester primers about 99.5% of the time. I switch to Federal primers for when it counts.. I use only Federal Nickel plated brass (fits the moon clips better). In fact I just sent a check to purchase another one of these as a backup gun. I will likely do the same to it so if something happens to the primary, I have an identical backup.

I know there are those out there that say they should be good from the factory, but IMO it takes more than a few thousand rounds to break these things in. My 610 had probably 20,000 rounds through it before I even had any work done to it. Everyone I've talked to who's handled it lately tell me I have one sweet firing gun. A few hundred rounds on these things is barely enough to break them in and smooth out the rough spots. I fired 15,000 rounds a year in my 610 for the last couple years (with reloading, I was paying $80/k, now with prices rising on 40 cal bullets, I pay $110/k). It still has a much better trigger than my 627.. but then the 627 in comparison is still very new. My Current price for loading the 38's for competition is about $80/k. Partly why I switched to the 627 from the 610, cheaper bullet cost.

The main reason I'm shooting the 627 lately is that anyone who is anyone who shoots the IRC (International Revolver championship) shoots a 627 variant.. I did ok with my 610 the last few years finishing 28th (2 years ago) and then 24th (last year) in limited against the 8 shooters.. but I wanted to see how much more a difference the extra 2 rounds might make for me. Sorry about being long winded.. and I've heard of a few 627's not shooting straight.. but I think they still make a very nice firearm overall. Maybe I'll make some more comments when I pick up the one coming..