Never thought I would buy a LOCK gun. Yes...I'm one of those grumpy old guy, lock haters.

But...the PC M627 8 shot Pro Series with the 5" barrel has been tempting me for a few years now.

Found one today like new in the PC Alum case. Gold bead frt sight, with a pair of the moon clip loading pliers, a demooner from Brownells, a few moon clip holders from CA Comp works and four Maxfire speed loaders. original owner bought it...fired three clips of ammo and put it away.

The price was more than right so I snagged it.

I noticed that Brownells has moon clips on their site. OK? Or are there better clips out there?

I'm assuming one can fire this WITHOUT clips?

I'm assuming a std red ramp, or a patridge isnert is available from S&W parts? Anyone else selling the frt sight inserts?

ANY comments welcome.

FN in MT

FN in MT,
I use the Ranch products moonclips for ca $75 per 100. They work well with all brass except Strline (very floppy with Starline brass). You have to call Ranch products and order the moonclips - get the number from their wensite.
You can use the gun without moonclips but for competition use the moonclips are a necessity.
I have changed to gold bead front sights on all my competition revolvers. That gold bead shows up even in dim light while the red ramp fades away. Try shooting the gold bead front sight before you decide to make any changes.

TSQUARED,

Thanks...forgot all about Ranch Products. Thats a bit cheaper than the $2 each from Brownells!

NOT going to immediately ditch the gold bead frt. Simply wondering if there were other frt sight inserts available other than the red ramp?

Thanks,

FN in MT

Last time I looked the red ramp sight was NOT available for the interchangeable sight system. Yeah, kind of hard to believe but before I put a reflex sight on my 610 I looked long and hard for a red ramp with no luck at all.

SDM Super Sight is a great fiber optic sight.

I have and use the Moonclip Tool, have two arbors that fit the hearthco stainless moonclips and blued moonclips. (I dont think the Brownells moonclips fit either arbor... but can't remember 100%.) The stainless moonclips are NICE when used with Starline brass, the Remington brass is ok fitting and the blued moonclips are a little bit sloppier when it comes to brass fit. calssportingarmory.com has the 8pk of ranch moonclips for $9.93 if you want to try them with your choice of brass for fit.

As for the gold bead, it's nice for fast sight/target acquisition but for slower bullseye/target shooting I suggest carrying an acetylene lighter to black it out. A better upgrade would be to upgrade to a better rear sight, Millet had a nice one... Trigger work also makes the gun more pleasant to shoot, but if you go too low you might run into ignition problems depending on your choice of primers.

(I picked up a 5" 627 awhile back with trigger work and a Millett rear sight. Much nice..........)

Unlike my old 5" JM PC627 V-Comp, with it's dovetailed front sight, I believe the 5" tapered lug PC627 has the same springloaded front sight mount, a la the 'Classic/DX' 629's, as my 4" 627 Pro and 625JM. I would call S&W CS to find the appropiate height (My pair needed .250".). I like the fo style - like SDM/HiViz - but there are many other choices.

I find the Starline & Rem brass to load most easily and securely - and by hand, too - in Ranch Products 'clips. Other brand cases can get hard to load by hand - and, loaded, they are stiff in the 'clips - often, not pefectly aligned - making loading the clip as fidgety as the 'loose' Starline cases - which I prefer. If you have ever loaded 'clipped .45 ACP's into a 625/25, you will likely be disappointed in the fidget-factor of the 8-slot moonclipped loads and a 627. Stll much faster than by hand - or, possibly, a speedloader. I use the Brownell's nutdriver-style demooner - it holds eight .357M cases inside while you grab a ZipLoc bag to dump them in. While I am not familiar with the Maxfire speedloaders, I do have a few of the excellent machined 5starfirearms.com speedloaders and really enjoy using them - they don't care what brand or size, .38 or .357, of ammo you load, either.

The 627 is a super fun revolver - I hope you enjoy it!

Stainz

I already have a few Accys. The seller threw in a few useful items.

Not UP on the current Smiths...I believe this does have the same frt sight system as the DX's, etc.

Is this a Pro Series or a true PC gun? The aluminum case has the PC medallion/badge on the case.

FN in MT

Frank237; Looks like you have the whole kit, only need to add ammo to have a good day at the range. As much as it hurts me to say it, Brownell's clips aren't the best. Dillon Precision sells some that work with every brand of 357 ammo I've tried. The Brownell's clips are too tight with a couple of brands, including Winchester. Usually 6 or 7 will load into the clip then the last 2 are really hard, and kind of bend or warp the clip. Your 627 looks like a PC gun. The Pro series has the 4" barrel, and of course no aluminum case. Enjoy that nice 357!

__________________
Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

You have a 5" PC627 - and lots of goodies! The 627 Pro is only made in the 4" barrel length. Your front sight is a 'Classic/DX' style, ie, it is spring loaded. Look at the securing roll pin - close to the muzzle, like yours, means it is the easily changed version. If it was ~40% back, it'd require a pin punch, different sight blank, and careful drilling. On your version, just push hard backwards on the sight - then rotate the front up to remove. Sometimes the replacement's sides needs a touch on a 1,000-2,000 grit SiC paper to 'fit' it, although none of the sights I've used have needed it.

The Ranch Products moonclips - 50/$50 or 100/$75 shipped - work best - actually can be finger loaded - with Starline and Remington brass. Congratulations - great find! It does need some nice Ahrends cocobolo stocks, however...

Stainz

Stainz,

Appreciate all the info. Yeah. I did OK on this one.
Grips already taken car of...

Looks great. You mind sharing what you paid? I figure it's OK to ask on the internet???

FN in MT,

Nice find. I just bought the same revolver NIB today at my LGS. Now the 10 day wait begins.

S/F
Adam

Hah, is that even the case for him? Not sure they have a 10-day jail period for them in MT like they do for us in CA.

Mine has functioned just fine without moonclips... though I did have to tighten to strain screw when I received it. My gun came from the S&W factory with it not completely tightened and I had some light strikes with Federals. Just make sure you check that out when you get yours. After tightening it, had zero issues.

Here's mine with Hogue grips

Paid $800.

The Waiting Period/Backround Check/Paperwork...took the time for me to write a check and walk out with it. Private Sale.

FN in MT

$800 sounds like a great deal, especially with all the goodies. I just paid $750 for no-lock PC with no case or goodies.

You did very well. I hate the LOCK.

My buddy has one of the pre lock models and I'm sure he will rub IN that fact whenever he gets the chance.

I would not even THINK of it.



IC