I've been seeing a lot of posts on the 627 PC and it's relatives in the 8-shot N frame family, and it got me wondering: when was the first eight chamber S&W brought out and what was the rationale or intended market? Were they PC guns? I was out of the country when all that happened. Thanks in advance, I thought this might be interesting to more than just me!

Interesting questions. The very first 8-shot was actually an 8-shot .357 built on a 624 N-frame-circa 1996. I believe it was that experiment that led the Performance Center's designer Jim Rae to hand build an 8-shot prototype, stainless steel N frame on the now familiar design (Contoured slab-side) that was at the time unique. However, what is truly unique about this gun to this day is the fact that this gun had a hammer mounted firing pin. All subsequent old frame (627-PC) and new frame prelock (627-3) and with IL (627-5) have the transfer bar and flat hammer face. That gun, serial number XPX0092 is today in the hands of one of our S&WCA members and was on loan to me for my display of 627s in Orlando. The prototype gun was on the cover of American Rifleman August 1997 and used to illustrate the introduction of the 8-shot .357 Magnum by Lew Horton in January 1997. Until recently (627-5) all 8-shots were PC guns. Why, because modern engineering allowed it to happen and, I suspect, it gave Jerry a new platform to break records. And that has led to a wide variety of variations and of course, great sales numbers for the company.

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In 1997 Lew Horton Distributors convinced S&W to do an 8 shot 357 Magnum revolver. When I got wind of this I called and asked to be sent number 357, I like serial numbers. I was told that this was a one time run of 300 firearms. In the upper left corner of this old group photo is the 27th production revolver. It was delivered in June.



The concept was so successful that the entire run was sold out in just several weeks. Usually these runs take at least a year or more to sell out. So Lew decided to do a second run. I received a call asking if I still wanted number 357. It is the revolver in the upper right of the group photo and was delivered in September. This run also sold out in record time.

More were produced and eventually the firearm became a cataloged item. Over the years many other configurations were offered. In 2000 a distributor named Bangers offered a blue carbon steel 8 shot model 27 in 4" or 6 1/2". Only 100 of each were produced. There was supposed to be a follow up in 2001 if a 3 1/2" and a 5" but it never occurred.

In 1998 Lew Horton had the 627 Hunter produced. This was a very heavy barreled 6 1/2" slab sided revolver. It was Mag-Na-Ported from the factory had a weaver base integral in the barrel design as well as a hidden weight system that allowed the weight and balance of the firearm to be customized by the owner. Even the hottest 357 magnum loads are pussy cats in this big wheel gun.


1999 saw the introduction of one of the most highly sought after modern snub nosed revolver ever, the 627PDR. The Personal Defense Revolver had a 2 5/8" barrel and a unfluted cylinder. Thanks to Clint Eastwood this came to be called the Bloodwork revolver.


In 2003 the Performance Center introduced a cataloged revolver initially called the 327Sc. Today most folks call it the 327Carry or the 327PC, It is a Scandium framed, 8 shot, 2" revolver with fixed sights. This revolver is still in production today.


2005 say the introduction of the 327JM. This was a 5" scandium framed revolver that was limited in production.


In 2006 Lew Horton came back and offered blue steel 8 shot Registered Magnums in 3 1/2" and 5". 350 of each were produced. In 2007 nickel versions of both Registered Magnums were introduced, 250 of each barrel length were manufactured. Below is a picture of all six variations of carbon steel, 8 shot model 27s. Each of the six revolvers in the picture has the same number and the set remains unfired since leaving the factory.


2008 saw the introduction of the 327NG. The Night Guard is a Scandium framed 2 1/2" carry revolver that is fitted with an Ashley Express big dot front sight and a U shaped notch rear sight. This was not a Performance Center offering and is a standard cataloged firearm.


There are several other variations but I do not have any more photographed at this time. Hope that this sheds some light on this wonderful development in revolvers.

mokuloa reminds me that the story should actually have started a year earlier when this first prototype was produced. It is a 5" barrel, blued steel, 8 shot 357 Magnum revolver.

Stop posting photos of that 627 Hunter! That gun is so cool it drives me nuts knowing I will probably never find one. That's just cruel!


Sent by Brown's Custom Grips using Tapatalk!

The 2000-2001 Jerry Miculek 5" PC627 V-Comp, top below, was an interesting firearm. Mine had the best trigger I've ever experienced - and terrible black/black sights. The comp or muzzle blank was something else to clean - and various grips were tried over the years, the JM's actually being my choice. Mine became a safe queen May 2008 - I bought a new 627 Pro!

May of '08 found me perusing the new S&W catalog at the pusher's only to find two production 4" 627's - a regular production version and a 'Pro' series - like the 625JM I had bought several years earlier. Great bargain - it had two attributes the short-lived production version didn't - moonclip ready and a spring loaded front sight, a la the 625JM and 629 Classic/DX series. I left the pusher's shop with the catalog - and a new 4" 627 Pro. My JM V-Comp started gathering cobwebs.

April 2010 saw the re-introduction of the 1999-2000 2 5/8" PC627 UDR/PDR - at a lower price than the original model. Only change - the addition of the IL. They are less now - $1,049 MSRP vs the 1999-2000 price of $1,199. No more PRC-made Al case - a US made grey plastic PC Shop case replaced it. Still had the older designed Eagle boots - which sometimes back then didn't fit - or now, either. I eventually got a set that fit - for one of my UDR's - decided I didn't like the 'feel' and changed grips anyway. I liked the UDR so much, I finally sold my JM 5" PC627 V-Comp - and bought a second UDR! Some backup - I shoot both of them!

My meager 627 users:



Stainz

Excellent information, thank you! We all have our druthers with regards to our wish list, and while I personally think the basic 627 PC is the most practical of the bunch, when I see that 6 1/2 inch blued 8-shot my knees get weak! I don't think I could be trusted not to shoot it! Of course, then I would need a 3 1/2 incher to keep it company...

A few years ago S&W came out with a "duty" version of the 8-shot under two names touted as an alternative for a shield-holding SWAT member (TRR8 and MP something, IIRC). Does anyone know if any department actually bought off on that idea?

I have a pc 627 in the safe.That came ported with no sights.Ans has a mount for a gilmore on it.Cant remember whaen i bought it.Was years ago

I got my first S&W 8 times back in 1999, it was one of the first 627PC slab 5" barrel imported in Italy and has 2 "different" parts.
First: the firing pin retaining pin is vertical and it can be reached only taking away the rear sight.
Second: the cylinder was unfluted.
Serial number PMA 004*
The following lot imported in Italy had fluted cylinder.
How many were made? When?

If you can find time to post a pic, I would be very interested to see this specimen.

I have a 627-3 V8 Miculek.

I am not sure if you realize that you revived a thread that is more than a decade old

Traditionally, we know very little about the products that Smith & Wesson manufactures exclusively for export. After all, we never see them here in the States

As SLT223 requests, if you could post a picture or two of your revolver for those of us in America it would be great. We do love pictures. Also if you have the original box, post an image of the end label.

We might be able to research the product code off that end label for more information. Also 98% of the time the revolver's Date of Manufacture is the 4 digit number under the heading SPEC ORD.

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If I can get the picture here, it is one that got missed. I can't get the image to cross. It was a 627PC that came with a flat black frame and barrel with the slab sides polished and all details stainless. The cylinder was unfluted and it had JM grips. I sold it for relocation funds, unaware of how few were made. I haven't seen another since.

Love Lazarus posts from the past..
One of my dream Smith's would be a SS 8 shot 627 with the outside appearance of the pre war Reg Mags, true topstrap checkering and the IL option deleted.

I'd buy one, but, I'll take mine with original bluing please!

GeorgeD,
You discussed this revolver in a thread you started a few years ago. You are describing product code 170294. This was a Distributor Exclusive offering from AccuSport in 2004

You told us that you had purchased it NEW in 2004 and at the time you started your thread you were bidding on a second one that was being offered on one of the auction sights.

There are at least half a dozen of your Fellow Forum Members that own examples of this revovler.

Stainless Steel can not be finished in original bluing

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