What is this Smith?

[Kestrel]

I saw a guy's Smith revolver that I wasn't familiar with. It was a .357, 7-shot. Had a 3" barrel, fixed sights, shrouded ejector rod, round butt and was stamped "Performance Center". It was pre-internal lock, had the frame mounted firing pin (and I presume MIM parts - didn't notice).

What is this model called?

(Also, did Smith ever make an 8-shot .357 WITHOUT the internal lock?)

Thanks,
Steve

 

[FPrice]

Sounds like...

My S&W Performance Center PC 681. Not a bad little gun, but still not sure why I bought it or what role it fills in my collection of handguns.

 

[rbernie]

Sounds like a 686+ from the S&W PC. http://performancecenter.smith-wesson.com/

 

[rbernie]

It was a .357, 7-shot. Had a 3" barrel, fixed sights

OOOOPS - missed the part about the fixed sights. S&W 681 it is....

 

[FPrice]

Did it look like this?

 

[Kestrel]

Fprice,

Yep, that's it. Is that a 681?

Is there any drawback to the 7-shot aspect? (weaker cylinders, etc.?)

Is this gun better than a standard 686?

Anyone know what they are selling for on the used market (since they aren't made without a lock anymore)?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[FPrice]

Kingknives had one for sale as shown below but I think it's gone already. There may be another one for sale if you read the thread.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77742

It IS a 681PC and as far as I can tell there is no drawback to the seven-shot cylinder. I think that these go (when you can find them) for the high $600's to low $700's. Assuming they are still in good shape.

I am still trying to figure out what niche this fills in my collection since my interests have swung back to older firearms, especially military-style.