I have a 627 Pro and am looking to get a S&W PC 327 TRR8. Any opinions on how these 2 compare? What is a good price for a used one? Thanks.

The TRR8 features a tensioned barrel and if to mount a scope on one and spend a bit of time shooting it from a rest you'll be stunned by it's potential for accuracy. I have a model 620 with a tensioned barrel and recently tried it with a scope and have now given up on ever shooting it to it's full potential. While a 7/8 inch group at 50 yards isn't a bad result, I truly believe the 620 could shoot under an inch at 100 yards in the hands of someone good enough. I've also found that the 620 is VERY insensitive to ammunition variables, it's extremely accurate with anything I feed it. Bottomline, if you want a great revolver for hunting, the TRR8 should be on your short list.

I have an M&P R8, the first cousin to the TRR8, and the gun is outstanding. My buddy is picking up a TRR8 out of layaway this coming week, and other than his and my gun they are the only two that I've seen in a gun shop. I paid $700 for mine, lightly used, and I think he got his (also lightly used) for between $750 and $800. Considering that these are the only two that I've ever seen in a gun shop finding a used one, or a new one for that matter, may not be all that easy.

When my buddy put his TRR8 on layaway we got to wondering how many of these Performance Center guns had been made. I tried doing some research but came up with next to nothing, so I gave Smith a call. The rep that I spoke to was glad to answer my question. He has worked in the Performance Center and explained to me that the M&P R8 and TRR8 weren't currently in production. This was as of three months ago. He said that the guns that are produced are by and large the ones that are selling. Total production for both models combined was certainly under 500, and I got the impression that it might only be a bit more than half of that.

If the TRR8 or M&P R8 is of interest to anyone and they come across one I wouldn't hesitate.

Just to add, a look at Gunbroker shows the usual, no TRR8. There are a decent number of M&P R8, the most that I've seen in a long time.

Wow, I had no idea they made so few of the TRR8/M&P R8 guns (I'd say they're siblings more than cousins; that TRR8 lower rail being detachable is the only difference).

Mine is outstanding; it's astonishingly accurate. While it's a light gun compared to a full steel N frame, it's still very controllable.

If you see one at a sub-$1000 price, buy it.

Hello Gents,

I picked up my TRR8 a month or so ago.

Great revolver that's very accurate.

Bought mine new and paid dearly for it.

Even so no buyers remorse on this one.

The DA is pretty interesting, seems "heavy" but deliberate would likely be a better word for it. Took a little getting used to but it's very good.

If you could find a used one for 700-800 I'd say snap it up.

Upper and lower rails on the TRR8 are detachable. There is some detail differences around the extractor rod area (the R8 has a cut out I think where the TRR8 doesn't).

Otherwise I think they are twins

As far as I can tell, the only difference is the barrel "shroud." The M&P R8 has the molded in rail with no cut out (so they can put the big rollmark there), the TRR8 has a detachable rail there and a cutout. The frame, cylinder, barrel, sights, grips, etc., all seem to be the same.

I'm really not sure why S&W made the two models to be that similar; I'd have thought there wasn't much need to have both of them.

I think the plan was for S&W to offer the TRR8 and M&P R8 along the lines as the old Model 27 and Model 28 offering. The premier unit (M27) and a working man's side arm (M28).

A high end unit and a "budget" unit. Not too sure if they pulled it off though. Both the TRR8 and M&P R8 are very similar in price and spec. Both are from the Performance Center too if I'm not mistaken.

Technosavant has it right about the differences. They really are more brothers than cousins.

As to the 27/28 analogy, that might be the case, but in terms of finish and features, other than what has already been noted, from what I have seen they are the same gun. The M&P doesn't seem to be an economy version as the 28 was of the 27. I think that retail is/was pretty much the same. I'll soon have my R8 right next to my buddy's TRR8 and will look for differences in finish. Both are Performance Center guns. I'm seeing that newer guns are coming in a black plastic case. Older guns like mine came in the Zero Halliburton style metal case.

Either way, these are great pistols. The only thing that I've done to mine is to replace the facotry grips with a gorgeous set of Hogue wood grips. The contrast is great. I'll take a pic.

I suspect one is a 'refinement' or another engineer's idea of how it should be built.

I am also surprised to hear that so few were built, especially since an objective of S&W was to build a revolver that law enforcement tactical teams would find desirable (eight rounds, rails, etc.).

The TRR8 was the introduced before the R8.

I think that the Performance Center and pricing may possibly have put this one out of reach. It would seem to me that for any really significant production the Performance Center would be hard pressed.

Here's my R8 with Hogue Kingswood grips. I haven't shot it yet with the wood and I will decide if I'll go back to the rubber after my next trip to the range.