Smith & Wesson .357 8-shot PC came home today

[bikemutt]

It seems like this search has taken longer than most but finally, from the snowy state of Minnesota, my 8-shot Performance Center came home today, a day early too

I'd already ordered a new Kim Ahrends grip in maple for it, that rubber monogrip just didn't to it justice. The grip color is a bit on the avant-garde side but I think the gun itself is in the same genre.

Anyway, I had some trepidation about buying a used gun over the phone from Cabelas Gun Library but I have to say, the condition is better than described.

My gunsmith (also my transfer FFL) remarked on the SA trigger; it may well be impossible to improve on it. The DA trigger is excellent but has some room for improvement.

Needless to say, once the sun comes up at the range tomorrow, the fun begins. Figured I'd share the joy, and a few pictures, with THR.

 

[REB]

Very nice.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Nice man! Ive wanted one of those for a while! Beautiful blaster.

I really like those grips! They make me think of ivory, but without the dead elephanty stuff associated with that choice. Congrats!

 

[03fatboy]

Very cool
Alittle thrown by the grips not what I'm use to seeing, but different is good.
Let us know how the range trip went.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have one and love it as does my son who says it's his favorite revolver to shoot. I took out the lock flag and put a wolf bossed mainspring in, also changed out the gold bead front site for a hiviz red light pipe (S&W version). I reload 158 grain remington LSWC with 5.0 grains of trailboss in .357 mag cases with winchester sp primers for my range shooting target load.
You will love it its one of the best revolvers S&W has ever made, and I have many old and newer Smiths to compare it too.

 

[PedalBiker]

That's sweet. 8 shots of 357, that would be a nice woods gun. I used to carry a P345 and I always had it 7+1.

 

[BYJO4]

Very nice S&W. Have fun at the range.

 

[788Ham]

Now that is one beautiful lead-hose bike ! Those grips are dandies too. Again, nice revolver !

 

[forindooruseonly]

I've really been wanting one of those, but I wish the made one with a traditional looking barrel. Just my tastes. Awesome buy, I'm sure it will be a great shooter.

 

[RussB]

Well done, and those grips sure do look nice with the matte stainless finish

 

[boricua9mm]

That timber looks good on the 627PC. Ironically enough, I was eyeballing the set of Maple Ahrends boot grips for my 2.5" 627PC!

Hmmmm...

 

[back40]

that's a good looking revolver! i'm not a fan of the lock, but otherwise, that sure is pretty!

 

[bigtubby]

Nice gun next on my buy list I just bought a 327 TRR8 got a 327 R8, & a prelock V-comp so now a 627 5" just sold my 627 pro as I prefer these 5" barrels. All of my 8 shot guns are just super accurate. BTW Bikemutt if you don't mind what did they get for the used one? And I do like those grips.

 

[jimmyjackjones]

Priceless when they get to come home earlier than anticipated. Just happened to me. Brought my new revolver home Friday instead of Monday. Only downfall was the weekend was short instead of long.

...jjj

 

[bikemutt]

Nice gun next on my buy list I just bought a 327 TRR8 got a 327 R8, & a prelock V-comp so now a 627 5" just sold my 627 pro as I prefer these 5" barrels. All of my 8 shot guns are just super accurate. BTW Bikemutt if you don't mind what did they get for the used one? And I do like those grips.

bigtubby, I found this one through gunsinternational.com at a Cabelas in Hamburg, PA. They wanted $949 for it which is what I paid, shipped to WA. A very similar piece had closed out on gunbroker.com a couple weeks earlier at $995 plus $35 s&h, no reserve without a bid, re-listed at the same start price but with a $1095 buy it now, it disappeared on buy it now within seconds.

The way I see it is I can't buy a new one for that price, and I'm not paying more than twice as much to get one without a lock, I'll be happy with this one. In fact I shot it today, my expectations were exceeded

 

[bigtubby]

Bikemutt, I am with you all my lock guns are just excellent shooters. Thats a decent price on a very sweet gun!! congrats.

 

[axxxel]

What does it feel like compared to a similarly framed 6-shot? Is it noticably taller? Heavier? Slower to point?

 

[bikemutt]

What does it feel like compared to a similarly framed 6-shot? Is it noticably taller? Heavier? Slower to point?

I happened to have my 625 3" with me at the same time which is a 6-shot, albeit .45ACP. Both of them are heavy guns but they essentially feel very similar in hand, especially considering they have the same style Ahrends grip. I didn't notice any difference as far as time to get on target.

I also had my 686 6" 7-shot PC with me, it is noticeably lighter than the other two which is to be expected being an L-frame.

A lot of ammo gave it up yesterday

 

[PWGUNNY]

Very nice. Enjoy it.