S&W Performance Center revolvers

[thomas15]

And, let's not forget that S&W pays Jerry Miculek a fortune to say, "This revolver is from the Smith & Wesson Performance Center" while demonstrating it in videos. Like we're gullible enough to believe the gun's performance has nothing to do with the extra customizing on that particular gun or Jerry's shooting skills.

I have a PC JM signature 929 that is a year old. I bought it intending to use it for competition. Before I put even 1 round through it I took it to a pistol smith to go over it and make some changes. Some of the changes included having the trigger lightened (14.5 pounds out of the box), action worked, charge holes chamfered, ball detent on the crane when open, trued the cylinder and so forth. This added over $400.00 to the cost of the gun plus I added a few other things to bring the cost over $2K.

Great shooting gun but the PC in my opinion is not any better than the standard (I have a newish 686 to compare it to). I shoot this gun a lot, it is way better than my skills warrant.

 

[Crowman]

My experience with a PC Smith has been delightful. I own a 629 with 2-3/4" barrel. It is a brute. Mine fits my Galco DAO holster for my Ruger Alaskan perfectly. There are no issues with fit or function. It is loaded with 250 grain Buffalo Bore hard cast Keith style SWC. There are 240 grain JHP in the belt loops along with Speer 44 shot shells. I do get more felt muzzle flip with this short barrel than with my lighter Model 69 with the 4-1/4 " barrel. Grips are Pachmyar Diamond Pros. Knife is a 5" Ontario Bushcraft Field Knife 6525. This is my mule gun.

 

[ROD KLOMP]

I can tell you that of the five PC and Pro series revolvers I've bought in recent years, there was no sign of internal polishing /action work at all. All needed some TLC to get the triggers where you would expect them to be on a revolver that "is hand fitted". The PC models often come with a different ribbed main spring though.
That said, the features offered in both PC and Pro lines tend to be unique and desirable on their own (at least to me).
Additionally, I've seen a few QA issues with the PC revolvers that made me wonder about just what teh PC department does for quality control.
i.e. I'll buy them for their features but see no evidence of hand fitting or the quality that would imply.

I hear this more and more about the PC, and the same about Ruger, not sure why this is happening except maybe the pressure that may be put on the tech's to get more done in a faster time, this is usually when quality control goes down hill, and both Smith & Wesson along Ruger seem to be suffering from this, too many buyer's are having to seen their new guns back to the factory before getting through the first box of ammo...