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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 03-06-2012, 01:19 AM
Front Sight 357 Front Sight 357 is offline
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Default 627 Performance Center - Fail or make it right

Hello everyone,

I want to share my recent experience with my Smith and Wesson 627 Performance Center. This is a beautiful and expensive revolver which I paid $1240 for.

I bought it new in August 2010. I put 400-500 factory Federal 357 magnum rounds through it, and it developed a serious problem. On two recent occasions after firing a 357 round, the cylinder froze and locked the whole gun up solid. The cylinder was locked solid, the cylinder release was locked, everything frozen. With live rounds in the cylinder! The experienced range master could not get it to open, either. Finally, through pushing on the cylinder release, working the hammer and trigger, and pushing HARD on the cylinder, I was able to get it to release.

So, I sent it back to Smith and Wesson in early February 2012. They fixed it, and sent it back two weeks ago. The form letter they attached indicated it was a “primer flow” problem, and that the replaced the firing pin and the bushing.

Okay, so good enough. Back to the range with it, and after 69 rounds of Federal 357 magnum rounds, it locked up AGAIN. I was shooting single action, and after the round fired, the cylinder locked up, trigger all the way to the rear. Again, I had to force it open. I also noted that the primer was not protruding out the back of the brass shell.

This is my house gun to protect my family, and my field gun. At this point I have lost faith in this particular gun.

I am extremely disappointed in Smith & Wesson’s lack of quality control when they build this Performance Center Revolver, and disappointed that after they sent it back, the problem is unfixed.

This is unacceptable for any new quality gun, much less a Performance Center gun. I should also add that when I send it back the first time, I asked for a letter or call from the gunsmith explaining what happened and what they did to fix it. S&W just sent me a form letter saying Primer Flow, and replaced firing pin and bushing. I would have hoped for more after I paid $1240 for it, which I did because I thought I was buying something of supreme quality, the best.

So, I am sending it back a second time. As I said, I have lost faith in this revolver as a home protection gun. Still, I want S&W to make it right.

I am really upset after spending so much money on a gun, to have it fail like this. At this point my first choice would be to get my money back. Or if not that, then sending me a new revolver.

Thanks for listening, I will update this with how they stand behind their product and take care of their customer, or not.

-Dave
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Old 03-06-2012, 02:57 AM
hd28cw hd28cw is offline
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I have experienced the same problem with my 629 performance center. cylinder intermittently locks up tight......I've sent mine back to s&w for repairs.....
You would think for a $1000.00 plus dollars you would get a reliable firearm....
I have 3 different PC guns and all have had different problems that have required warranty work.
I think Quality Control is at a minimum at the S&W plant... my $0.02
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Old 03-06-2012, 03:31 AM
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you gotta be kidding me, your guns need the M modification the 686 needed when it was first made from the sound of it.

where they had to increase the space between the clyinder and the forcing cone because it was too tight and it would lock the gun up after a couple of rounds.
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Old 03-06-2012, 03:52 AM
627 city hunter 627 city hunter is offline
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Kavinsky^^^That seems to make sense to me.

Front Sight 357
Is anything damaged on the cylinder to make it wobble unevenly?

Is your strain screw to tight?

Have you modified the revolver at all including over-tightening or under-tightening anything?

Just trying to help.
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Old 03-06-2012, 05:28 AM
Camster Camster is offline
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Forget the refund thought-that's not going to happen.Send it back,try to be patient, and hope for the best.Hopefully,with pointing out that it's not primer flow,etc,they'll put a different gunsmith on it.
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Old 03-06-2012, 08:38 AM
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Good grief! I feel your frustration... but it may all work out well in the end. Please keep us posted and let us know what happens after the 2nd "fix."

BTW, which model 627 are you having trouble with... the snub nose or 5" version?
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Old 03-06-2012, 08:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kavinsky View Post
you gotta be kidding me, your guns need the M modification the 686 needed when it was first made from the sound of it.

where they had to increase the space between the clyinder and the forcing cone because it was too tight and it would lock the gun up after a couple of rounds.
To interpret what you are saying...in an effort to make it a 'tight' gun they may have made it a little too tight.

Frontsight 357, if you have a set of automotive-type feeler gauges, push the cylinder backwards and measure the gap beteen cylinder and forcing cone. If you get less than 0.004", it is probably too tight.
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:00 AM
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If the cylinder to barrel gap was too small, it would cause a problem when you went to cock the gun(cylinder trying to rotate to next chamber). He says it locks up after firing, last time with the trigger to the rear. Sounds like trigger/hammer lock work problem.
Also the 686 "m" fix was to address primer flow into the firing pin bushing area binding up the cylinder when using a particular brand of full power ammo, not a too tight barrel cylinder gap.
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Old 03-06-2012, 01:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Front Sight 357 View Post
. . .
I am extremely disappointed in Smith & Wesson’s lack of quality control when they build this Performance Center Revolver, and disappointed that after they sent it back, the problem is unfixed.

This is unacceptable for any new quality gun, much less a Performance Center gun. I should also add that when I send it back the first time, I asked for a letter or call from the gunsmith explaining what happened and what they did to fix it. S&W just sent me a form letter . . .
What a bummer. I only hope I would have as much patience as you have, not that it has done you any good to this point. I am beginning to wonder about this S&W outfit. Judgement day approaches, even for the mighty S&W. Anyone can be in business and problems will develop - being successful in business is taking care of the problems.
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Old 03-06-2012, 05:28 PM
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Are you sure it's not the ejector rod beginning to unscrew? I don't suppose it could be anything that simple, but just wondered if that had been checked.
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Old 03-06-2012, 05:39 PM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
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Angry Y'all know what PC means don't ya?

"Pretty ******"!!!

I'm the owner of quite a number of Performance Center revolvers and have had many and various problems with them. I refuse to send them back to S&W because I have no confidence in the PC crew. I'd rather pay a good revolversmith to actually fix the gun!
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Old 03-06-2012, 05:50 PM
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UDR2 UDR2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&WIowegan View Post
"Pretty ******"!!!

I'm the owner of quite a number of Performance Center revolvers and have had many and various problems with them. I refuse to send them back to S&W because I have no confidence in the PC crew. I'd rather pay a good revolversmith to actually fix the gun!
Well... that may be OK for you, but the best smiths have a 2+ year waiting list - and some of them are not taking new orders right now. Maybe you could recommend a good smith?
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Old 03-06-2012, 06:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UDR2 View Post
Well... that may be OK for you, but the best smiths have a 2+ year waiting list - and some of them are not taking new orders right now. Maybe you could recommend a good smith?
Terry G. at impactguns.com nicknamed yoda.
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Old 03-06-2012, 06:24 PM
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I've got the 5" barrel and although it hasn't had a failure the muzzle crown appears to have been finished with a hammer & chisel and when you drop the cylinder and spin it the ejector shaft has a visible wobble. This should have been a great gun out of the box, right? I also have a Model 19 and a Model 60 without issues...
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Old 03-06-2012, 07:15 PM
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Unfortunately, this is the plight of current S&W customers in general, and PC customers in particular...you bought a $1000.00 lock on on a $200.00 gun. Sell it it some unsuspecting yuppie dumb *** and buy a pre-lock S&W. S&W today is a disgrace.

Last edited by s&wchad; 04-16-2012 at 08:21 AM.
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Old 03-06-2012, 09:01 PM
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Dave,
Call Smith and Wesson again and ask to speak with a tech, and complain to him about what is going on and he should no exactly who originall worked on the gun and they should definitely get the job done right this time. I had my 625 v-comp performance center gun sent to them for a repair only 500 of them made, and told them the gun was 99.9 percent only one tiny mark here you could barely see and they sent my gun back with a few inch long scratches like from them having it sit in a vise or pushing it against a surface maybe while fixing it, I am telling them they better buf that out or do a hi polish job on it for free.
Eric
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Old 03-06-2012, 09:02 PM
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Oh yea, I have a IL 627 5 inch PC and never had a problem with it, but your right for a 1k gun it should be flawless.
Eric
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Old 04-15-2012, 10:51 PM
Front Sight 357 Front Sight 357 is offline
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Hello Everyone,

Thank you for all of your support and comments regarding my Performance Center 627 which had jammed up a couple times. I wanted to follow up and let everyone know how it all worked out. As I noted, the gun had jammed, froze solid, a couple of times so I sent it back. They replaced the firing pin and bushing, and send it back to me. After 69 rounds it jammed again, so I sent it back in early February.

I included a letter describing the facts, and told them that every manufacturer occasionally makes a "lemon", and told them that to remedy the situation I wanted either a refund, or a replacement revolver. I also included a photo copy of my receipt from the gunshop to show what I paid for it.

Well, I have excellent news! This past week I received a check from S&W for the retail price which I paid for the gun, $1,239.99. That is alot of money to spend on a revolver which didn't work right, and so I am thrilled that they stood behind their product, and supported their customer.

Excellent customer service from Smith and Wesson!
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Old 04-16-2012, 07:54 AM
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Thank you for the follow up. Glad it worked out to your satisfaction!
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Old 04-16-2012, 08:54 AM
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I bought two new 2 5/8" PC627 UDRs, one 4/10 and the other 10/10, which, other than the poor fitting 'old stock' Eagle boots they came with, were perfect. Okay, the first one needed it's front sight centered... big deal. My JM 5" PC627 V-Comp, bought used, was better than perfect - it was perfect and had the lightest pop any primer trigger I've ever experienced. They did - and still do - make good revolvers.

Oh - S&W did exchange grips with me - on their dime FEDEX ground - until I got a 'good one' - which I didn't like the feel of anyway!

I am sorry for the OP's problems - and glad he got his check.

Stainz
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Old 04-16-2012, 10:06 AM
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I have shot more than 10,000 rounds through my 627PC without a single issue.You may be encountering a loosening of the cylinder from the rachet. It was a common occurance with the early S&W magnums with right hand threads - less so with the newer models and left hand threads. You have to recognize the symptoms early on and tighten the cyklinder before it totally locks up. When it does you have to gently get the cylinder stop to drop and then turn the cylinder to tighten.
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Old 04-16-2012, 11:33 AM
mtscout mtscout is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TSQUARED View Post
I have shot more than 10,000 rounds through my 627PC without a single issue.You may be encountering a loosening of the cylinder from the rachet. It was a common occurance with the early S&W magnums with right hand threads - less so with the newer models and left hand threads. You have to recognize the symptoms early on and tighten the cyklinder before it totally locks up. When it does you have to gently get the cylinder stop to drop and then turn the cylinder to tighten.
Interesting.
I have a new one, no problems and I love it.
What were the years with the 'loosening of the cylinder from the rachet'?
A friend of mine just bought a used PC627 so I'd like to know.
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Old 04-16-2012, 03:12 PM
Wheelgun1of38 Wheelgun1of38 is offline
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I am having the same issue with my 460V. Only on 460, not the .454 or the 45lc. Frustrating for sure!
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Old 10-09-2016, 09:45 PM
mikevmx mikevmx is offline
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i'm having the same problem with my 627 2.6 inch barrel. brand new 10/1/16 never shot a bullet from it and it froze up just dry firing it once. cylinder won't move or open. trigger is all the way back. i will call smith and wesson monday and see what's up.
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Old 10-09-2016, 10:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikevmx View Post
i'm having the same problem with my 627 2.6 inch barrel. brand new 10/1/16 never shot a bullet from it and it froze up just dry firing it once. cylinder won't move or open. trigger is all the way back. i will call smith and wesson monday and see what's up.
You do realize that you added your post to a thread that is over 4 years old, right? You would have been better off starting yourself a new thread, describing your problem and how it happened.

With that said, your situation sounds a bit different to me than the OP's problem. His happened after shooting, but it sounds like you still haven't run a round through yours. I'm thinking that yours might be the 1 in 10,000 that has a problem with that pesky idiot lock to me. Have you stuck the key in the darn hole and tried cycling the lock?
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357 magnum, 627, 627pc, 629, 686, ejector, gunsmith, lock, model 19, model 60, model 625, performance center, primer, smith & wesson, smith and wesson, snubnose

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