Discussion for owners of S&W M&P R8

thomaswerner · Dec 19, 2010

I am a new proud owner of the Smith and Wesson, Military and Police R8 357 Magnum® SKU: 170292
S&W link to the Revolver:
Product: Model M&P R8

I want info about it with other owners and discuss what you have learned / like about it.

I just shot it yesterday at the in-door range and LOVE it! I also have a M&P 9mm which is a joy to shoot but I think this is my all time favorite.

- What have you learned about using it?
- What do you like about it?
- Where are good places to gett accessories?
- Anyone add a light and a scope? How does that effect firing it?
- Best tips on cleaning it and care?
- Holsters that you like with it?

Thanks
TW

Steve_NEPhila · Dec 19, 2010

I will address your questions in order:

I love my R8, yet it has not taught me very much. I only shoot mine DA, even when I use it for bullseye shooting.

I enjoy the precision and accuracy of the revolver. I also like the barrel heavy balance of the R8, reminds me of PPC guns of years past.

You can get accessories anywhere you like, pick a shop or online retailer.

I have not put a light on it, yet I did put an eotech on mine. The eotech made it a quite a bit heavier and it did not have an impact on the accuracy or precision of my R8.

Tips on cleaning and care, shoot it more then you clean it. It is well built out of materials that do not corrode easily. No need to clean it after every range trip. I usually clean my every month or so and I go to the range once or twice a week.

The stock front sight is a bit problematic with any holster other than a speed rig. The front sight is easily removed without tools, which is a great feature. A ramp would be more suitable for a holster. I have a holster for mine, a simply rugged sourdough pancake and it is a fine piece of leather.

thomaswerner · Dec 22, 2010

Model 327 M&P R8

Thanks for your reply.

I found these videos on Youtube shooting The M&P R8 and thought I would share them here. If anyone know of others please share them:

Smith & Wesson S&W M&P R8 eight shot .357 Magnum with Viridian Green laser viperboss7
YouTube - Smith & Wesson S&W M&P R8 eight shot .357 Magnum with Viridian Green laser

Smith & Wesson MP R8 Revolver
YouTube - Smith & Wesson MP R8 Revolver

S&W M&P 327 TRR8
YouTube - S&W M&P 327 TRR8

Trench Warfare Drill: S&W TRR8 .357 Mag First Runs
YouTube - Trench Warfare Drill: S&W TRR8 .357 Mag First Runs

Have one you like, share it!
Thanks, TW

Steve_NEPhila · Dec 23, 2010

I forgot to post a picture... as they say, this is worthless without pictures. (eotech on R8 with Miculek grips)

yardman4 · Dec 23, 2010

R8

I bought a used one about 2 years ago, and I really like it. I havn't fired it more that about 400 rounds, but it is very accurate and the grip fits my hand well. My only complaint would be that the double action pull seems a bit heavy for a PC gun. Other than that, I consider it one of the best revolvers I have ever owned.

thomaswerner · Dec 26, 2010

Wow, thanks for the pictures. How do you like that sight? Also have you found a holster for it with the sight?

thomaswerner · Dec 26, 2010

One more question: Does the sight add a lot of weight?

Steve_NEPhila · Dec 26, 2010

That eotech adds about 7 ounces to the total weight. I do not own a speed rig, so none of my holsters will work with that holo sight. The eotech is being used for bullseye. I do not carry my R8, yet I do have a simply rugged holster for it.

stantheman86 · Dec 26, 2010

I want a 6" R8 BAD!

Kawartha · Feb 1, 2011

Aimpoint Micro H1

I put an aimpoint microH1 on top of my R8. Works very well - not as quick for target acquisition as the eotech, but still very easy to use. Only adds 3 Oz of weight.

By the way - I've been having some light primer strikes and FTFs with Remington UMC 38 specials. About 1 in 12 fails to go bang first time. Re-cocking and trying again normally does the job. Federal American Eagle is much better and I've never had a problem with 38 +P or 357 magnum ammo. Anyone else had this issue with light strikes? I may send the gun back to Smith, which would be annoying as I've had the for gun for only a month.

Kawartha · Feb 7, 2011

M&P R8 Light primer strikes

I realized that the strain screw was loose out of the factory and this should be fully tight. So I tightened the screw, which clearly added a lot of tension to the main spring and marginally increased the trigger pull tension but completely solved the FTF problem.

By the way - I attach a pic of a target I shot yesterday. The ruler is 6 inches. This was shot from 50 yards, resting on a sandbag. What a great gun this is!

RossMatt · Feb 14, 2011

I read and heard recently that a quick seating of the trigger tension screw with a little bit of locktite makes all misfires go away.

230therapy · Mar 26, 2011

- What have you learned about using it?

The trigger is not so great and needs work. S&W did a great job on my 625, so I'll just send it to them.

Speed loaders work better than moonclips. Loading the cylinder with moonclips was a bit more tricky. I use both the Thunder Ranch 8Shot loader and the 5 Star speed loader. I like the 5 Star loader a bit more because it's cut just like a cylinder and is easier/faster to line up.

I also use eight shot speed strips. I only load three pairs for faster loading.

- What do you like about it?

It shoots great. The barrel magically absorbs the recoil. The white dot on the front sight makes shooting easier. I would like to get a set of night sights for it.

The eight shot capacity is fun.

This gun just needs a trigger job, night sights, lock plug, and better stocks.

- Where are good places to get accessories?

Internet.

The Moonclip Tool
Simply Rugged Holsters
Blade-Tech Holsters
5 Star
Thunder Ranch
QuickStrip

- Anyone add a light and a scope? How does that effect firing it?

I have not tried mine with a light.

- Best tips on cleaning it and care?

Clean it like any other revolver.

- Holsters that you like with it?

I made my own. I will eventually buy a Simply Rugged holster for it.

thomaswerner · Mar 26, 2011

Thanks so much for all the replies for the R8

I just love this gun.

Steve_NEPhila · Mar 27, 2011

Here are some photos of my Simply Rugged holster for my R8:

That is the sourdough pancake from Simply Rugged. An inexpensive and fantastic holster.

230therapy · Mar 28, 2011

Kydex IWB holster that I made for the M&P R8. It was actually quite difficult to mold. The rail is wider than the frame, so I had to get both the muzzle and forcing cone areas exactly right or it would not come out or go in properly.

technosavant · Mar 29, 2011

Steve_NEPhila said:
That is the sourdough pancake from Simply Rugged. An inexpensive and fantastic holster.

Awesome. I'd been wanting a decent holster for my TRR8; I have a Blade-Tech, but it doesn't conceal well at all (holds it well, but reholstering isn't terribly smooth unless the lower rail is attached, but that isn't a problem for you M&P R8 folks). I'll have to get me one of those (actually, a couple, I have a M15 that needs one too).

As for the rest of the thread, mine came from the factory doing light strikes as well- I ended up sending it back (had some finish issues too). S&W had to back to me very quickly, I think it was under 2 weeks from when I sent it in to when I had it back. The problem was indeed the strain screw.

I have used a light on mine, but it's so far forward that it's hard to use. You don't want to go sticking fingers out past the front of the cylinder to activate it anyway.

kenforu · Mar 29, 2011

327

Here are a couple of pic's of mine with a Burris Fastfire and a TLR light. I am haveing a custom holster made for mine with this scope because I couldn't find one on the market. Shoot it and enjoy these are very accurate and alot of fun. Just had to add one of the 657pc.

Landpimp · Mar 30, 2011

added one for myself in my last S&W order

cant wait, thanks for the pics

Storm · Mar 30, 2011

I picked up a used R8 a year and a half or so back and I love this gun. It did have a loose barrel ring/nut and Smith took care of that without question. After my neighbor picked up a used TRR8 we became curious as to how many of these revolvers have been made. I called Smith and talked to a rep who told me that relatively few had been made and that they weren't currently in production. They key in on making what is selling. My impression is that production for both wouldn't be more than a couple hundred a year, if that.

Not only are the R8 and TRR8 outstanding revolvers, we are lucky just to have found one.

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