While I was sitting here this evening giving my 2-day old NIB 627 Pro-Series (and as yet unfired by me) a thorough cleaning, I noticed that the rifling appears different than any of my older Smith revolvers. This rifling doesnt appear to have sharp 90-degree shoulders on the lands... it almost looks kinda like the edges are rounded off (and no, the barrel isnt leaded).

Somebody please tell me I didnt get a bad barrel?

Sorry the picture isnt better quality, but photgraphing rifling is a little tough! :-)

No, you didn't get a bad barrel.
S&W switched to this style of rifling around late '94. It is either EDM or ECM. I have heard it reported as both. It is more consistant from gun to gun than cut rifling. It is claimed that it doesn't shoot cast lead quite as well, but it shoots it well enough that most people can't tell any difference.

Whew! Thanks for the information.

Guess that shows how old all my Smiths are.

Hey,
around this forum, older is better!