A few questions on a new Perf Ctr order:

In 2007 I purchased a performance center 627 8 shot with a 5" barrel. I recently ordered the same pistol from the performance center again, but with the 2.625 barrel recently added to the PC line-up.

1. In practical use, how big of a drop in my accuracy can I expect with the shorter sighting? [My duty weapons are a Glock 22 with a Glock 27 BUG (both .40). I am more accurate with the 22 model, but there is more difference between the 22 and 27 than just barrel length.]

2. I assume the barrel is going to be the only difference between what I bought before and the gun on order. Other than barrel are they the same?

3. Can the Performance Ctr. 627 be fitted with non adjustable Trijicon night sights?

4. Any of you guys with the new 2.625" barrel have a favorite holster? The S&W web site does not have a dedicated holster like it does for the 627 5" (I have the S&W PC dedicated holster for the 627 5" barrel, it is nice, made by DeSantis, but not as nice as the Cop 3 Slot Galcos I have for the Glock's and one 1911 Combat Master Galco).

Ranking my guns below (6th post)

Hello, Good to hear you're getting the snubby. How did you like the 5" 627 ? As far as holsters go DiSantis also makes one for the 627 snubby. I have one on order & due in here Wednesday. Ordered it from OpticsPlanet. As far as the barrel lengths go. I used to shoot the PPC & TRC with a 4" 686, out just fine to 50 & 60 yards. Some of the Agents with me shot the courses with snubbies. With a lot of practice & a load of ammo the snubby will shoot as well with elevation & Kentucky Windage. I changed out the Boot-Grip for one similar to that on the 5" 627. Can handle that a lot better. You can view my photo Album above under "Pictures On The Wall" to view the grips & Speed Loader. Good luck & keep us all advised how you like it.
Carl

I expect that you already know the drop in accuracy will be mainly due to the shorter sight radius. How much drop you see is going to be dependent on how well you can shoot with the shorter sight radius.

If it's a real problem, you might want to look into mounting a reflex sight on the new 627. I've been so impressed with the J Point reflex I have on my 610 I plan on ordering 2 more this week. Following is a link to this sight. BTW, since it's a powered sight it will also provide night sight capabilities, so it will solve both of your concerns.

JP Rifles

As for a holster, I'm a real fan of Galco holsters, they are well made and not hugely expensive. BTW, it took me about 5 minutes of work to cut clearance with an Exacto knife in the Galco OWB retention holster to allow the 610 to slide right in with the J Point mounted on it.

Now, one issue with the J Point. It's an always on sight with the power level moderated by putting a cover over it. Keeping it covered extends the battery life and protects the lens. However, that cover doesn't fit very snuggly so in a daily carry role it's likely you'll lose that cover. You have 2 options to attend to this. One is to carry it without the cover and replace the battery more frequently. The other is to have someone with some leather working skills add a "wing" to the retention strap to hold the cover in place during carry. For a Defense weapon, I'd just carry it uncovered and deal with the battery consumption and lens cleaning that carrying without a cover will entail.

As for standard night sights, it's rather doubtful that you'll find any ready made sights that will fit the special features of this gun, specifically the front sight dovetail. However, it's worth giving S&W a call and seeing if they have anything to offer. If all else fails, a rather spendy option would be to have something custom made.

There is no difference in inherent accuracy due to barrel length. The longer the sight radius the easier it is to shoot well, but this is strictly a shooter limitation. The biggest limitation is the assumption that a short barrel isn't accurate and this often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because people don't try as hard to shoot it well.

Probably much less difference than you expect. Years ago I wrote a computer program to examine just this kind of question. I re-ran it this morning to deal with your problem. Since I have no N-frames around I used an L-frame to estimate sight the sight radii. Based on those measurements, an assumption of 20-20 vision, five shot groups, a range of 25 yards and random, independent sighting errors...optically you should be able to average .71 and .95 inch groups with the two barrels. That small difference is likely to get lost among all the other variables in pistol shooting.

Very well said! My 2 1/2" 686 is just as accurate at 25 yards(my normal sight in range with opens) as my 8 3/8" 686 but it sure is easier to make that long barrel stack bullets.

Thanks guys, very helpful (but I couldn't fine the Desantis holster, got a model number?). Looking forward to my first IDPA legal revolver.

Besides the range, some concealed carry, and maybe competition, I look forward to having this puppy at my house with a self-defense load along with a handy extra moon clip loaded with shot for the occasional rodent or reptile we see around here. Thanks for the predictions on my accuracy.

Exfebee, I love the 5" 627, but hardly every use it anymore except as a hunting side arm - it is illegal at IDPA because of the too long barrell (max is 4") so the times I have competed with it have been fairly successful but unofficial. The new one will be IDPA legal.