Smith Wesson Revolver 357 - 8 rounds

[Liquid Metal]

First, is there a revolver that holds more than 8 rounds?

Second, what exactly are the differences between 327 and 627? Seems these are the only two that SW has that are in 8 rounds.

I am thinking of getting one of those or the 620 which is a 7 rounds. If I am going this route, then what exactly are the differences between 620 and 686?

Thanks

 

[General Geoff]

327 is scandium alloy frame, much lighter. 627 is stainless steel frame. Heavier but stronger and more durable. Both are N (large) frame revolvers.

Far as I know, nobody makes a .357 revolver that holds more than 8 rounds. Dunno too much about L-frames, so can't say what the difference is between the 620 and 686. Either will be slightly smaller than the N-frame guns, however.

 

[Liquid Metal]

Thanks, that means between the 327 vs 627, I will go for 627.

I would still like to know 620 vs 686 plus. I downloaded the pdf from their website and they have a chart that compares them. I am still not sure what the heck are the differences between the two.

Once I can find that, then I can decide between 627 or (620 vs 686 plus - both are 7 rounds).

 

[memphisjim]

i dont think the steel model is stronger than the scandium one
plenty of 22lr revolvers that hold more than 8 rounds

 

[Liquid Metal]

Sorry for being unclear but 357 revolvers that hold more than 8 rounds.

 

[MrBill120]

The 620 have a two piece half lug barrel (the barrel has a liner in it).
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=14804&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

The 686+ is a solid one piece full lug barrel.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ING&attributeValueOperator1=EQUAL&isFirearm=Y

Both are 7 shot L frames.

 

[Liquid Metal]

Thanks for that.

So does that make the 686+ a better revolver? 620 is already a great gun.

By the way, what is the equivalent of these 627 and 686+ for Taurus?

Is N Frame concealable?

 

[General Geoff]

i dont think the steel model is stronger than the scandium one

Look at any scandium frame revolver in .357 or hotter, and you'll notice a plate of steel right above the barrel/cylinder gap. This is put there so flame cutting doesn't slice through the frame. Pretty definitive evidence that the scandium frame (which is an alloy of aluminum) is weaker than steel.

 

[PT1911]

Taurus makes the 608.... great gun... I own one that is modified for moons,has had an inch cut off the barrel, been recrowned and has had the action reworked to rival a colt python.... you could say I like it...

 

[george29]

619 replaced the 13/65 with a bigger frame and cylinder, the 620 replaced the 19/66, the 686 is a completely new design that began as a 6 shooter. 620 & 686 are both L frames, the 686 preceeded the 619/620 by a decade or two (?) The 627 & 327 are N frames.

 

[Sam1911]

Is N Frame concealable?

Yes. If you really want to, you can:




That's a 629, but an N-frame is an N-frame...

-Sam

 

[ArmedBear]

Pretty definitive evidence that the scandium frame (which is an alloy of aluminum) is weaker than steel.

Not true.

A clay pot is most certainly weaker than a carbon fiber/epoxy composite. But when you turn an acetylene-oxygen torch on both, the clay will fare much better than the high-tech plastic.

Resistance to flame cutting and strength at normal temperatures are two different parameters.

I'm not saying it is or isn't stronger, just that flame cutting doesn't tell you either way.

 

[General Geoff]

Scandium is indeed weaker/less durable under high stress and high round count conditions, at least according to Randy Lee (a renowned revolver smith). The flame cutting is just one aspect where the scandium needs to be shielded with a steel plate for longevity of operation.

 

[ArmedBear]

Scandium is indeed weaker/less durable under high stress and high round count conditions

That may well be. The flame cutting, however, indicates only that it is subject to flame cutting, not cracking or stretching.

 

[AgentAdam]

Taurus makes the 608.... great gun... I own one that is modified for moons,has had an inch cut off the barrel, been recrowned and has had the action reworked to rival a colt python.... you could say I like it...

My NFA dealer sold me a Taurus 608 like new for 350$ from a guy that spent to much money at the casinos. Its a hefty stanless ported 8shot that really tames .357 and makes .38 shoot like a paintball gun. The DA triggers are amazing and the SA is even better. Nice adjustable target sights and very accurate. They also have a vented rib that accepts a scope rail. The porting really helps tame the gun but i don't like having a 6.5" barrel that is really only 5" of rifling. I was thinking about getting it cut down to a snub nose but there is no way to relocate the front sight further back. What sights did you go with and how far did you cut yours down?
Its seems like a S&W copy and perhaps based of a .44 frame. I wanted a S&W 327 M&P a while back but now I'm liking the looks of the 327 Snub.

 

[PT1911]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=436733

here are a few pics of mine...cut to remove the porting... about an inch or so removed so I guess roughly a 5 inch barrel now...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I add to the information the 4" M627 weighs 42 oz., the 4" M620 weighs 37.9 oz. and the 4" M686+ weighs 38 oz.

I did own a M619 which is the same as the M620 but with fixed sights. I currently own a M686. I like the M686 but I truly wish I didn't sell the M619. It was a very accurate revolver and I liked it's balance a lot. I'm guessing it's the half underlug that changed the feel but IMO it felt more like a K frame than a L frame.

I would suggest going to a very large gun shop and handle the M627, M620 and M686+ just so you know what they feel like in your hand. The N frame is bulkier than the L frame and you may or may not like that aspect of the M627. I personally like all 3 but if I could choose only one that would be carried it would be the M620. If the revolver would be used at the range and for home protection and not carried I would buy the M627. (not that I have anything against the M686, I own one)

 

[Virginian]

Get outta here. Size for size, quality alloy steel is stronger than any aluminum alloy. Go look at any ASTM chart.

 

[TBeck]

I carry a S&W 329PD, which is the 4" scandium/titanium version of the 629 .44 magnum. The handgun weighs about 26 ounces and is a pleasure to carry. I replaced the wooden stocks with the Hogue X-frame stock. Shooting full-power .44 magnum loads the recoil is still nasty. Loaded with .44 specials or 200-grain "light magnums" it is controllable and fun to shoot.

I haven't shot a 327 or a 386, but I'm betting that they too are a handful with full-power magnum loads. Substitute .38 specials and they are probably easy to carry and shoot.

At some point I'll be buying a stainless steel 629 cylinder and installing it on the 329. The few extra ounces of weight should increase controllability with heavier loads and the stainless is much easier to keep clean than the titanium.

 

[TheNev]

By the way, what is the equivalent of these 627 and 686+ for Taurus?

The equivalent Taurus to the S&W 686+ is the Model 66. I have a 6" 7 shot m66, stainless.