Like several members, I missed the first series of the 627 UDR and was unable/unwilling to shell out what they were bringing on gunbroker. Jumped at the chance to purchase one of the new series even though I swore off new S&W revolvers after purchasing a 325 Night Guard that had FTF, fixed with Apex Tactical fp, action that locked up due to machining debris, and an unfinished cylinder that was so rough that I had to place the extractor on a wooden bench to remove fired cases.

So to the 627.... Better than the 325 NG, but the action feel worse than any of the other N/K/L frame S&W's I own. Definitely not a tuned action or anywhere close to it. The front sight isn't centered in the dovetail, visibly so, and required me to jack the rear sight blade almost to the extreme right side to compensate for it. The rear sight has the shortest sight blade available and I was unable to get the gun to print at the right elevation even with the rear maxed out. Other owners have reported five inches low, and I am here to tell you they aren't kidding. Pathetic for a so called performance center weapon, that lists for over 1K. At least I didn't have any FTF. Grips BTW have gaps on the bottom as well as near the trigger guard. Shame on you S&W.

Eessh..not what I'd expect for a near-$1k gun.

I'm still planning on buying one but ...

--Neill

I think you should send me that ***..

Within 20 minutes I could have it running smooth as silk.

Bob

Mine came, in early April, with a quite decent trigger. Odd for me, I left it as-is - it pops Winnie primers 100%, too! My slightly slicker >2yr old 627 Pro needs Federals for no ftf. The off-centered front sight was a pain to catch up with using the rear sight... I finally got wise and physically centered the front sight - the rear sight centered, too. It was on the mark with a 125gr JHP making an estimated ~900 fps from .357M brass at 12-15yd (SPC targets/bullseye mild plinkers). It was vertically low by an inch or so with 158gr LSWC mild plinkers in .38 Special. The Remington R38S12 +P .38 Special 158gr LHPSWC, which make 860 fps from my 2" 10, were a bit high, as was the GA Arms similar round. Vertical hits are dependent mainly on muzzle velocity at close ranges - what were you shooting??

I hate the grips - Eagle made them fit the then (1999) currently available stock - and the contours of the early frame-mounted fp frame were changed slightly in 2000 - and retain those differences today. Simply stated, a current N-frake RB grip, from 2000 on, will fit the new UDR and the original, too. The original boot will only fit the pre-2000 N-frames. For example, mine fits my '96 vintage 625-6MG in .45 Colt like a glove(That's where it is now...)! Oh - and a pair of rounded non fg Ahrends in cocobolo for the RB fit my new UDR perfectly.

S&W CS sent me a FEDEX label within days for my new UDR's original Eagle boots. When replacements arrived, a month later, the fit was the same - gaps - but the grip screw was 1/4" too long! More calls, e-mails, etc - they didn't read my letters - I said try the grips on a current N-frame - they didn't. Within days, I had a FEDEX Ground label for the grips - and an overniter for the whole gun - they really don't listen.

About the price - in 1999, they were $1199 - today, $1185 - MSRP. Then they included the PRC-made metal/plastic case - today - a grey injection molded box - nicer than the blue boxes, too, and they have the IL. The MSRP of a 4" 686+, SKU 164194, went from $692 in the 2004 S&W catalog to $964 in the 2010. I'd say, aggravations included, they are a bargain by today's standards.

Stainz