first revolver

I just got my first revolver, a 3 inch 686+ that I really like. I like the weight of it because it soaks up a lot of the recoil. My son who is recoil sensitive really likes it with .38s. I like the look of the shrouded ejecter rod. I like the traditional look for a revolver. I don’t like when they looked all tricked out and modern with rails and other things that you see on semi autos. It was $611.99 with the S&W rebate.

my first revolver, and first privately owned gun, was a gently used taurus model 85, steel, 38sp, 2”, 5 shot, in the mid 1980s, for $200. i swapped the wood for pachmayr grips and got a couple of speedloaders. it would be my first choice again today.

The M627 is an N frame revolver, it's larger and heavier than the L frame M686. If that's OK with you then the M627 Pro would be a great choice. The R8 and M327 are much lighter because they are aluminum alloy construction. The M 627 V-Comp us very expensive but probably the top of the N line right now. If you are going to use the revolver for bullseye competition that is the one to buy IMO.

With that budget you could find a nice pre lock 27 ( N frame ) , 686 ( L frame ) , 66 ( K frame ) if you are looking for a revolver in .357 or a nice bullseye .38 caliber pre lock model 14 ( 6" ) , 15 ( 4" ) in a blued revolver . Any of them would be my pick over a new S&W with your budget . My favorite revolver that I own is my 686 with a 6" barrel . You should be able to find one in like new condition for under $800 . I would like to get a 66 one day , but I am not getting any younger and I need another revolver like another hole in my head . A 27 will be harder to find probably close to $1200 dollars .

I like the new 686 and 686 Performance Center models with the ribbed barrels......I'm also a big fan of unfluted cylinders too.


Features
• Performance Center® Speed Release Thumbpiece
• Vented, Ribbed Barrel
• Interchangeable Front Sight - Orange Front Sight Included
• Unfluted Cylinder
• PC Tuned Action
• Chromed Trigger with Trigger Stop
• Chromed Custom Teardrop Hammer
• Cylinder Cut for Moon Clips

My first revolver was a Taurus 617. Great gun but a steady diet of hot .357s and it was out of time after a couple years. Sent it back to Taurus and they fixed it right and had it back to me quickly. These days it doesn't make it to the range nearly as often and when it does, it gets fed mostly. 38s.


I've purchased a lot of revolvers since then but I've always had my eye on the S&W PC 627...
I finally decided I wanted it bad enough to spend the dough and bought one a couple years ago.


It was everything I thought it would be, and more. You can't go wrong with this one! 8 rounds of .357 in an N frame with a 5" barrel! (My favorite length for a wheel gun barrel!)
My only complaint, of course is the internal lock. That's an easy fix though and I plan on putting in a plug someday soon.

Those performance centers are real nice, but I just can't get over the tapered lug. Otherwise they would be beautiful guns. I have to agree with Shooting fun on 5" barrels. Ideal length imo.

Now the 327 trr8 is handsome

Are you looking for a revolver for competition? Your post would indicate so but the responses seem more generalized. But I'll chime in on the general responses. My 1st revolver was a Ruger Blackhawk I bought in Germany in 1977. My last revolver was handed down to me, a S&W 27 (no dash) with a 3.5" barrel. It was my father-in-law's. I don't know anything about competition revolvers but you can't go wrong with just about any Ruger or S&W.

Those are all big guns that the OP mentioned, so personal defense carry isn't a requirement, I presume. Even so, I find N frames a little on the bulky side. I guess that's why I only have one in my collection. I personally would look at something like a 686, but that's just me. Haven't owned a GP100 Ruger, but I'm guessing it's a pretty good option, too, and you can now get them in .44 Special, too. I guess my philosophy is that, even when you have a lot of money in your budget, spending a lot of money on your first venture into anything might not be the best approach, mostly for this reason: if you buy a revolver, you're going to know much more about what you like and don't like a couple of years from now than you do now. It's really great that he has enough to buy something of good quality, though. Maybe if there's a local range that can rent out the guns he finds appealing? Best wishes.

With that budget, I'd want a S&W TRR8. Check out the Nutnfancy YouTube review embedded in S&W's page:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-327-trr8

Edit: to clarify, I have no first-hand experience with it or most revolvers at this price. I have shot a 1960s Dan Wesson and it was truly lovely.

OP, to offer useful suggestions, we really need to know a lot more about what you want the revolver for and what your current experience is.

Here are just a few of the questions that come to mind.

1. Do you intend to use the revolver for competition? If so, what type? Many competitions have specific rules that give advantages to certain models.
2. Will the revolver ever be carried or used for protection?
3. Have you shot lots of revolvers of different sizes and models?
4. The models you mentioned are N-frames. Is that definitely what you want? N-frames are very nice, but they are also quite large. For some people the N-frame is a perfect fit, but for others it is a bit too large in the hand. For myself, K-frames are the perfect size, but there is no right answer to this question. If you are not certain what frame size will suit you best, you should shoot some different models before choosing.
5. Are you only interested in .357 magnum models? For most purposes, revolvers chambered in .357 magnum are an excellent choice, but there are other options.
6. Are you only interested in 8-shot models? If so, please clarify why. The 8 shot N-frames are very nice, but requiring 8 shots means only looking at recent production N-frames.
7. Would you be interested in older revolvers? You budget would allow getting an excellent quality pre-lock Smith & Wesson. I am not really bothered by the lock, but many people find the older guns to be very desirable.
8. Do you primarily expect to shoot single or double action?
9. Do you work with a gunsmith who knows revolvers? Would you be satisfied if a gun was pretty good but needed some tuning to be great? All of this might still fit within your budget.
10. Since you mentioned red dot sights, I would ask "How familiar are you with these sights?" Will you need a red dot to meet your shooting goals? For the most part, newer S&W revolvers are easy to mount an optic on, and older guns would likely need to be drilled and tapped.

Sorry for the long list of questions, but I am a big revolver fan, and I can't really give you useful suggestions without a bit more information. If you provide some more details, I'm sure you will get lots of good advice here.

flexible said:

I'm about to buy my first revolver.

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What do you see as the purpose for this revolver? Without knowing that it is very difficult to make any recommendations.

Bones741 said:

I just can't get over the tapered lug.

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It's one of my favorite aspects of the 627 - to each his own

I've always been a big fan of Dan Wesson revolvers. The new Dan Wessons are running around 1200.00 to 1300.00 for a new one. However you get a super sweet trigger. Dan Wesson's accuracy is well known due to the barrel being under tension. These are very robust revolvers. Barrels are interchangeable. I think with two extra barrels they are running about 1800.00.

http://danwessonfirearms.com/product/715-revolver/

First revolver? I'd buy one of those $250 police trade in S&W Model 64s and shoot the snot out of it and actually learn the platform before sinking $1500 into a Performance Center wonder. Practice reload drills and mastering the long double action pull, among other things.

Then, once you've become accustomed to revolvers in general, you can branch out and get a higher end gun and you'll have a better idea of what you want and what feels good.

Just my $0.02.

I have a 627-5 (not the homely two-tone) and have shot it in competitions quite a few times in the 10+ years I have owned it. I don't agree with other recommendations to start with a lesser gun and work up, when you can have what you want the first time. The single action is very good, and the double action is smooth with almost no stacking. It will stack just a bit before it breaks, which is nice for slower DA shooting. My SA breaks at 3.5 pounds and DA breaks at 8.5 pounds. It's plenty heavy to handle full power .357 without any unpleasantness. You can put a rail on it and shoot it with a dot sight (I do lately in my competitions). It's wicked accurate. And everybody I let shoot it likes it regardless of what they are used to. If you don't like the slanted lug, get one a few years old that doesn't have the slant and slab-side. Good luck and happy shooting.

while i suggested a taurus 85 above, a ruger blackhawk 357/38/9mm makes for an excellent range and field first revolver. with the o.p.’s generous $1500 budget he can easily get both and have enough money left for a third.

You just aren’t going to beat the S&W. IF it ever shoots loose (not likely) S&W fixes it for free.

flexible said:

good gunsmith's are rare in northern NJ but I don't mind getting a revolver modified and shipped back to me.

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I'm not trying to sell you on anything just want to add my 2 cents to the discussion. One of the best pistol smiths for S&W competition revolvers is in Quakertown PA just south of Allentown. I just yesterday picked up in person another 929 that has been made competition ready. I'm sure there are capable smiths in your area (if that is too far), if you want I can check with a few friends and get you some recommendations for consideration. Just PM me.

There is a facebook group called Revo-Nation you might consider checking out. Another chat forum if your not already a member is the one run by Brian Enos, this is a competition forum not general messaging. Personally I'm happy with taking my revolvers to Quakertown but if that were not an option I would have no problem shipping them out of state. There is a huge advantage in having a pistol smith that specializes in S&W revos setting up your guns. Night/day. However, once you get down to sub 8 pound DA triggers then you will have difficulty with factory ammo so if you don't handload this might be a problem. Everyone with light DA trigger revos use federal primers unless they don't mind light strikes. My 3 competition revolvers have 6 poundish triggers. Some run even lighter but 6 or so is good.

Another aspect of revo shooting in a competition setting especially the action variety is the use of moon clips. You need of course the moons themselves and tools to load and unload the moons. Moon clips cost at the low end about $3.00 up to 9 or 10 dollars each. You can invest $100.00 plus in the tools with ease.

But as others have said given the financial commitment you should nail down exactly where you see yourself shooting competition wise in a year or so. I shoot a lot of Steel Challenge and a little bit of USPSA and even less IDPA. I'm in the Pocono mtn area there are lots of those competitions and even some of the big level 2&3 matches for those so inclined. I don't know anything about Bullseye but for steel challenge and USPSA (and ICORE) most are using S&W 627, 327 or TRR8s or the 929 (this is what I use). For IDPA 4" barrel 686, 625 or the Ruger revolver I think it's the GP101 SSR but almost all use S&W. I know in NJ that Old Bridge Pistol Club runs steel challenge and Shongum runs USPSA. Just over the state line into PA the sky opens up and the sun shines 24/7. If I can help you out just let me know. I'm near Jim Thorpe in Carbon. You might be surprised at the number of competition revolver shooters in the area.

flexible said:

1. yes, competition (bullseye & action) but not right away, I'll have to get familiar with it.
2. No, not for carry.
3. nope, this will be my first revolver. I've shot my wife's Colt and my brothers S&W 686
4. Yes, N frame; I like a heavier gun
5. Yes, .357. I have (2) .45's, 1 .38 Super, 1 Colt 1911 .38, so I would like to add something a little different.
6. the 8 shot capacity is desireable probably because i'm used to the M1911's
7. not sure about older guns.

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For competition, skip the R8 & TRR8. You want a heavy gun. That leaves the 627PC and the 627 V-Comp.

The 5" 627PC is popular in USPSA & ICORE, though to be effective, you'd need moonclips and .38 Long or (even better) Short Colts, which you'll realistically have to roll yourself (i.e. a reloading) - .38spls (and definitely .357mags) are really too long for speedy moonclip reloads. The V-comp is even a wee bit heavier than the 627PC, though I'm guessing you'd have to remove the compensator if you're going to shoot in the Revolver (and not Open) Division.

None of these 8-shot revos would be legal in IDPA, so before buying, I'd check to see what matches are available in your area.

warnerwh said:

I've always been a big fan of Dan Wesson revolvers. The new Dan Wessons are running around 1200.00 to 1300.00 for a new one. However you get a super sweet trigger. Dan Wesson's accuracy is well known due to the barrel being under tension. These are very robust revolvers. Barrels are interchangeable. I think with two extra barrels they are running about 1800.00.

http://danwessonfirearms.com/product/715-revolver/

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Nice link,thanks for sharing it.

You are welcome!