Need advice on S&W 627 PC 8-shot

[Rawah]

I need some advice on the S&W Performance Center 627 8-shot model. I posted earlier asking about the relative advantages/disadvantages of a 4" versus a 6" versus a 8" barrel. I like the 8-shot PC 627 but I can only find them w/5" tubes. So, my questions are:

1. Will that 5" tube serve me well for shots on deer out to a max of 50 yds(but no more) assuming, of course, that I place the bullet in the vitals?

2. How do folks here like the PC 627 8-shot generally?

Thanks much, in advance, for your commerts/advice.

Rawah

 

[Evyl Robot]

Rawah,

I cannot say enough nice things about this gun. As you may have seen in earlier threads, my wife got one. I am currently having a love affair with my wife's gun, cheating on my M29. I'm going to have to get my own 627 so she can have hers back!

--Michael

 

[Master Blaster]

OK folks here is some news on the 627 pro.

I was just in Target Master, and they had one in the case!!!! A gun that according to the CSrep at S&W they ain't making till mid April. The gun has the mim hammer and trigger like a standard smith. It has normal cylinder locking with the ejector rod locking on the barrel underlug mounted plunger and spring.

It has the interchangeable front sight roll pin capture version The barrel was same contour as the PC model but its a 4" instead of 5".

The price was $790 otd. Like my PC 627 the trigger was very stiff, but somewhat smooth. EvylRobot, was the spring on your wife's gun stiff and in need of some adjustment??

 

[Evyl Robot]

MB,

EvylRobot, was the spring on your wife's gun stiff and in need of some adjustment??

No way, Jose. It was a little stiff, but without adjustment, all it took was about 75 rounds to go from slightly stiff to velvety smooth and sweet. As a matter of fact, it took a little getting used to, because it pulls so light! I may have to call my local place and see if they've gotten theirs in yet...

 

[Black_Talon]

I'm a pretty hard-core 1911 guy, but the 627PC really flips my switch as a defensive handgun. 8 shots, moonclipped, super-nice PC-tuned DA, accurate as all get-out:

 

[Evyl Robot]

BT,

Seductive, isn't it?

 

[Elvishead]

.357?

Deer hunting?

5" barrel?

You need 8 shots?

Hmmm?

 

[ClemY]

I live in Maryland and they specify a minimum 6" barrel for deer. My 627PCs would be fine otherwise.

 

[9mmepiphany]

here's a picture of the "production (non-PC)" 627 from the SHOT show. i think they went to the 4" barrel for IDPA.



i had one all lined up to go to my FFL until i checked the CA DOJ approved list and found it wasn't there yet.

the MIM hammer and trigger don't bother me as they'll like get thrown away, along with the cylinder, when i have it tuned by Apex Tactical

 

[Black_Talon]

get thrown away, along with the cylinder

Huh?

 

[Evyl Robot]

Huh?

I know!

 

[ravencon]

357?

Deer hunting?

5" barrel?

You need 8 shots?

Hmmm?

Nothing in the original post said anything about him needing 8 shots. You do understand that some people do hunt with revolvers? I think your sardonic comment is inappropriate and baseless.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Huh?

to run a 627 at speed, you need to replace the cylinder with a Ti one...the stainless one is too soft and the locking notches will star to deform.

the Ti cylinder, besides being lighter...for improved DA trigger stroke...is also coated to make it still harder

 

[AStone]

In this post, Stainz raised my interest in SW 627.

I looked at SW site, found little info on the series (627 4" + 5", 627 Pro) than sticker shock.

So, I searched the forums and found this thread, both here on a related site.

After reading a bit here, but mostly seeing the photo posted above by black talon, I decided to revive this one instead of starting a new thread.

I'd like to read opinions about why this gun is worth $1000 (mas o menos).

I don't doubt that it is. I just want to understand what makes it so different from, say, a 686.

Nem

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I like my 627-PC 8-shot .357. However the barrel length on mine falls on the short side of your desires.

 

[Bill B.]

The 626 PC is the best all around handgun I own! If they all had to go it stays. I would see no advantage to a longer barrel out to 50 yards on a deer sized target. Only revolver I have ever shot that compared to a buddy's Colt Python and it's in a class by it's self as a handgun that I shoot well.

 

[Hawk]

My 627PC is my favorite revolver for shooting - no doubt due to the agreeable trigger and general comfort level of the thing. I'm actually warming up to the compensator on the thing - average factory .357s are quite comfy for extended periods so flinching never rears its ugly head.

It's not my favorite revolver for looking at. That title would go to one of the pre-02 S&Ws but at the tasks assigned to working revolvers, i.e. placing the maximum number of lead pellets into the smallest area at POA in the least amount of time, it kicks all my older S&Ws to the curb - without breaking a sweat.

Lest I be called out as a philistine (probably inevitable in any event) I should note that, with one exception, none of my older S&Ws can lay claim to having been made before WWII. The sole and only long action in my possession was heavily molested, sometimes mistreated and needs a good soaking in a rust removal compound. It's not like I'm comparing the 627 to a well preserved long action. I do know that, in a couple dozen tries, Bangor Punta never made anything that shot as well as that '08 627 specifically to include 27s, 29s 57s, 629s, 686s and the occasional 66. Not even when they were pinning and recessing up a storm.

I'm not sold on full moon clips for 357s though - they flop about. They could've kept the moon clip machining and I'd be just as happy. Fortunately, their use is optional.

Cheers!
Phil S. Teen
Heretic in Training

 

[pps]

You will be pleased with the 627. As far as work on deer, if you do your part it will do it's part. I took a 200# sow at 50 yards a couple years ago.

If you want moonclips that don't flop, get the TK moonclips

 

[kv501]

I can speak from experience on both points...

Hello Rawah,

I have owned a 627 for two and a half years now, and I can't say enough good things about it. I reload, and have put +or- 4,500 rounds through it. There are 3 different loads I use mainly, and several I have tried.

With heavier loads this thing has served me well in bowling pins, and with the N-frame plinking is a hoot. Accuracy is top notch (I can hold it just under an inch off of bags at 25 yds with 14.2 grains of 2400 and a 158 grain Hornady XTP). here are the 3 loads I use which have done me very well in the accuracy dept: (As a precaution while these loads do not exceed published maximums, I do not take any responsibility for either the use of this info or any typographical errors on my part. Use loading manuals)

14.2 gr 2400, CCI 550, 158 gr Hornady XTP, 1.575 COAL.

13.5 gr WW296, CCI 550, 180gr Hornady XTP, 1.575 COAL.
(I'll come back to this one in a sec...)

4.2 gr IMR Trail Boss, CCI 550, 158 gr Dardas LSWC, 1.595 COAL

The Trail Boss load is the most pleasant thing to shoot in the world. I realy love this powder, and I almost shoot these light loads exclusively now. I guess I have grown out of my hellfire stage a little. I can shoot a ragged hole at combat distance all day long and never feel it after.

Now back to the deer stuff... The 180 Grain XTP load listed above took 2 large and 1 average doe last year in Northeast Iowa. A friend of mine's father in law has gotten 80 deprivation tags for his two pieces of land the last couple of years (Fayette county), and I filled the three I bought with my 627PC. The shots were not overly long, 40 yds was the longest, but they were all taken cleanly, so even though you see people here telling you to stay away from a 5 inch .357 it can be done without trouble. The only thing different I will do this year is add a red/green dot on weaver mounts. If you have any other questions feel free to speak away

Kv501

 

[Stainz]

Let's peruse the S&W '09 Catalog for medium frame 4" .357 Magnums... the least expensive is the 620 (SKU #164401), at MSRP $893. It's like a 686+, just with a partially lugged barrel. Same 7-shooter and Hogue monogrip, just cheaper, as the 4" 686+ (SKU #164194) has an MSRP of $932. Now, look at the production 4" 627 (SKU #163357) with it's partial lug and MSRP of $1,003. It isn't machined for moonclips and it's front sight is pinned, a la the regular 686/686+. Finally, the 627 Pro (SKU #178014), whose MSRP is $1,059, the same as the 686SSR and 625JM. It has a slab-sided and tapered barrel frame with a target crowned liner, spring-loaded front sight for fast tool-less changes, chamfered charge holes, comes machined for moonclips, and has a modicum of a trigger job. A fair dealer can sell any of these at 15% off. A well stocked S&W dealer can go to 75% of MSRP. At that, the 620/627 Pro prices should run - $670/$820. That's a range of $150 - and, yes, the 620 is a fine revolver. I like the 627 Pro better.

I went to my local pusher's 5/08 with the ill-gotten proceeds of my 'Goodbye to Rugers' sale... fully intent on coming home with the 620 (I had only 5" & 6" .357's.). For only $80 more then, it was a no-brainer - the 627 Pro came home with me. In retrospect, it was a steal - well worth a larger difference. Below you'll see it with my only 686 - a 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' 5" h-l 686+ that came equipped, in '04, with the grips and sight shown, as well as a v-notch rear sight. It was $489 then - $10 less than the 4' 686 in the case near it - bargain! Oops - I digress - my classes always liked that. Mentally remove an inch of barrel, replace that front sight with an orange ramp, and put some Hogue rubber monogrips on it - voila, a 620. The 627 Pro sports aftermarket Ahrends 'retro targets'. It's worth the difference.

How do you fund a $1k revolver? You do without a few things, if you are like me and retired. I also decided to go with fewer revolvers - but all S&W - most with the IL & MIM parts. I sold my Rugers. I have what I wanted - I am happier, too.



I had traded some years back for another 627 - an '01 JM PC627 V-Comp. Unreal trigger - great revolver - still like new. The sight, black/black, slurps. Still, what a keeper. The new 4" 627 Pro takes the range trips much more often. I bought 50 more moonclips ($50 shipped from Ranch Products.) and 1k easier to load in moonclips .357M brass cases from Starline (<$120 delivered). Nope, they don't load like the .45 ACPs in a 625 - but they beat handloading. I am so fortunate to have both 627s:



Good grief, how times change... once upon a time, pre-9/03, I had never touched a .38/.357M - only .44/.45/.454s. Early that month, I got a 2" 10 and 6" 66 - both new closeouts. I still have the 'loudenboomers' - but I spend a lot more time with .38s - even in .357M cases. My last S&W purchase was a new 617 - a .22 (Said goodbye to my MKII, etc.). I am retrograde personified! It's all fun.

Stainz