The Ultimate Performance Center revolver thread ?

[STCM(SW)]

This is my only one....

[feralmerril]

My one of 300 66-3 made for lew horton. It has the performance center logo.

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by BubbaBlades

This is one of 80 PC 586 revolvers configured like the ones made for the French GIGN. This one came from RSR Group Florida according to the letter that I received from S&W. It is a six shot with a four inch power port barrel and it has a front night sight.

Mark

I have one of those:



and given the limited number of them made, probably shouldn't admit this...but I actually shoot mine. (smile) I'm first and foremost a shooter and have never owned (or at least kept) a safe queen. I like the way the compensated guns shoot and bought a used L-Comp when I found one for sale here on the forum. It is probably my favorite L-frame, closely followed by this one.

Dave

[SmithNut]

Originally Posted by Dave T

I have one of those:



and given the limited number of them made, probably shouldn't admit this...but I actually shoot mine. (smile) I'm first and foremost a shooter and have never owned (at at least kept) a safe queen. I like the way the compensated guns shoot and bought a used L-Comp when I found one for sale here on the forum. It is probably my favorite L-frame, closely followed by this one.

Dave

They are great, aren't they??

[onemanwolfpack]

Here are the ones I have pictures of....I think I have a few PC slab side "hunters" tucked away somewhere but no pics at this time.

[JParanee]

586 L Comp

[S&W357]

Just one. SW 629 44V Comp.
I need to know. Guys that have
Wood handle, how many shots
Do you shoot before your hand
Start to hurt ?

[MD51]

If you don't mind me asking - what make & model are the grips on the 586 - L C ?

Fellas - keep the pics coming all d' PC's in this thread are absolute beaut's!

Originally Posted by JParanee

586 L Comp

[jughed440]

627 PC, 6 1/2", 1/200 ...gone (to a good home) but not forgotton...i'm on the hunt for a shorther barrel version

[JParanee]

They are Proto type Hogue G-10 grips from the SHOT Show

They are not listed yet but you can call Hogue and order

Hey will have a few colors available the ones I have are Black & Grey G Mascus

[S&W357]

Those Hogue grips are cool man!
Wood grips are real nice but why
Not be comfortable when shooting.
I called Hogue, to get them on my
N frame gun. They will be in stock
Soon. Hogue said they are comming
Out with ZX-G grips. Can't wait.
Again, those are real cool looking.

[Dale53]

Here's my one and only PC revolver:

A Light Hunter:



Dale53

[Poohgyrr]

Originally Posted by S&W357

Wood grips are real nice but why
Not be comfortable when shooting.

Actually, wood is comfortable, if they fit your hands properly. The fit is the hard part. And yup those Hogues look great.

[S&W357]

Originally Posted by Poohgyrr

Actually, wood is comfortable, if they fit your hands properly. The fit is the hard part. And yup those Hogues look great.

I see lots of guys with wood grips but
They are small. I don't get it ?
How can you shoot a 357 or 44 with
Small wood grips ? They look great.
Are they just show guns ? I'm getting
The Hogue big butt grips because
I want to be comfortable when I shoot.
I know they are ugly, but I don't care.

[BlueOvalBandit]

My 627-4, purchased on this board 6 months ago in stock form, and my PC1911 just cause I don't want to take another picture.

The 627 is no safe queen, it get's WORKED HARD.



Did I mention I like Big Butts too?

[S&W357]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalBandit

My 627-4, purchased on this board 6 months ago in stock form, and my PC1911 just cause I don't want to take another picture.

The 627 is no safe queen, it get's WORKED HARD.



Did I mention I like Big Butts too?

You are the man! Are they as comfortable
As they look ? How many guys tell you
They are ugly or nice ?
By the way, I drive a littl 4 cy. Car. Lol

[BlueOvalBandit]

I find them quite comfortable. The little bottom "shelf" is perfect for my hands as my weak hand pinkie goes right on. I'm running 125gr bullets at 1350-1360fps, so no cream puff loads here either. These are much better than the miculeks it had, and I use miculeks on my 625.

[SmithNut]

Here are a few pics....















































That's it for now, I'll look for some more pics.....

[S&W357]

Holy smokes-batman !!!! Those guns
Are sweeeert. That SW357
Comp. gun with the weights in lower
Barrel. I tryied to remove the alen bolt
With the alen they give you. It will
Not loosen. I had a alen socket with
3/8 handle. NG. I can't loosen it.
They must of put lock tight on it.
Was your easy or hard ?

[SmithNut]

Originally Posted by S&W357

Holy smokes-batman !!!! Those guns
Are sweeeert. That SW357
Comp. gun with the weights in lower
Barrel. I tryied to remove the alen bolt
With the alen they give you. It will
Not loosen. I had a alen socket with
3/8 handle. NG. I can't loosen it.
They must of put lock tight on it.
Was your easy or hard ?

SW357,
Not sure you are asking the question of me, but none of the "Hunter" or Competitor guns I have had any issues with the weights. I'm guessing your gun may have had the screw/bolt lock tighted to the gun, bummer.... Not sure how you would fix it, maybe heat the barrel before working it...?

Good luck

[Hart]

Sweet lot of them there and great photos! I have the 627PC 2.625" (170133) and the 627PC 5" (170210). Unfortunately both have the Bill Clinton internal lock :-( That said, I love them both. Great wheelguns and feel fortunate to have them both. Wish I had pix as nice as many of those below but I'll upload the few amateur shots I have :-) These are the best two wheelguns I've owned in over 33 years. Just wish they did not have the IL.

[Stirling]

I must confess that I am not enamored by these strange looking beasts! For me a revolver needs to look more traditional and have just six charge holes. LOL To each his own. That said, I have handled a new 627 and it did feel pretty good.

I think this is why I enjoy this forum, you're exposed to so much different handguns and may not even like them all but the passion and pride of their owners and willingness to share forces you to just have a look and maybe even change your thinking a little. Those case hardened frames are stunning.

Great guns guys, thank you all for sharing. Hmmm... Those subtly magnaported M13s and M629s do look pretty cool.

[Poohgyrr]

Originally Posted by S&W357

I see lots of guys with wood grips but
They are small. I don't get it ?
How can you shoot a 357 or 44 with
Small wood grips ? They look great.
Are they just show guns ? I'm getting
The Hogue big butt grips because
I want to be comfortable when I shoot.
I know they are ugly, but I don't care.

If you mean Hogue's, I had standard Hogue Pau Ferro's, smooth - not checkered, on my 4" 686 and 4" Security Six, and they worked perfectly. Standard 357 Magnums, modern factory loads, all worked well with no problem. Those grips did it for those revolvers and my hands.

On the other hand, the factory round butt grips on the 3" 1980's M629 were terrible for me - that combination of revolver, grips, and standard 44 Magnum ammo actually hurt my hands. The Pachy Presentations worked much better.

I have Fitz Cherrywood duty type grips on K and N frame 357's, they also work wonders with recoil.

Standard Spegel checkered Boot Grips are working well on the 8 round 357 I posted above.

Different hands, different grips, different results.

[bbqbob51]

Originally Posted by Allen-frame

If it has not been done yet. How about a thread dedicated to the
'Performance Center revolver'.?

Ever since I bought ( and subsequently sold) my first model 66 F-Comp
I have been enthralled with P.C. revolvers.
With limited numbers made, and them thats got em' holding on to them,
the hunt for these Special guns can be equally frustrating or rewarding.

Forged parts, teardrop hammer spurs, overtravel stops on triggers.
Features and hand fitting make these guns stand out from most all others
aside from non factory customs costing big bucks.

And,,, ports. Egads, lets not forget all those power ports and Mag-na-porting
especially on the magnum models.

So here I go. Here are my offerings in numerical order and by size,
smaller frames first.

Model 13-4 The PC-13 Double Port. 400 made in 1995.
product code 170059. 'HPC' serial prefix.







Model 19-7 . The K-Comp . Serial prefix 'SDA'
Made in a couple different runs. 1994 and 2000. product code 170025.





Model 686-3 'Mag Comp' one of the earlier P.C. guns 1992.
Made for Lew Horton PCG serial prefix . 300 made. 6 shot.
This may be the earliest power port gun. not sure. Product code 170010.





Model 686-4 Carry Comp 7 shot. Product code 170074.
Observed with fluted and unfluted cylinders.

Mine here factory laser engraved courtesy of the previous owner.












Here a comparison of the top straps of the -3 and -4 686s'

Trijicon night sights are factory on both of these.




Model 686-4 P.C. Quadraport. Product code 170077. Ser prefix SDL'.
Produced 1998, 7 shot fluted cylinder, red ramp fr. sight adjustable black
blade rear. Wood combat grips.
Front sight changed by previous owner.
$675. at the West Palm Beach gun show. I felt it was a good deal.










Bunched together. Lots of flame spitting ports there !!







Next installment will be the N frames.

Allen PC-Frame

Holy Cow! You have some very fine Smiths. Thanks for sharing.

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Here is a picture or my performance center 460 XVR. http://s1329.photobucket.com/user/yaitsreal/media/image_zps60ae791e.jpg.html][/URL]

[ptgarcia]

Nothing but a bunch of amazing revolvers in this thread!

[Magnum-Krazy]

The only PC I have is the JR 5" .500, seeing all these great looking pics has me drooling !
Lots of fantastic looking guns guys.



Ernie

[Redlegvzv]

Originally Posted by S&W357

I see lots of guys with wood grips but
They are small. I don't get it ?
How can you shoot a 357 or 44 with
Small wood grips ? They look great.
Are they just show guns ? I'm getting
The Hogue big butt grips because
I want to be comfortable when I shoot.
I know they are ugly, but I don't care.

Well, a grip is a very personal thing. I am not a big guy, and I find that I cannot shoot well with the small butt grips. It is just too difficult to control the handgun, and my hands got tore up shooting the 627PC with 357 when using the small grip. The Hogue wood full size grips fit my hands perfectly and with those on my 627PC and for that matter my 625JM and Ruger GP100 I find that I can easily control the weapon when shooting the bigger calibers, i.e. .357 and .45ACP.

[shawn mccarver]

You have a very fine collection of PC guns there!

That said, I love the work the PC does to revolvers, but I have never liked the "look" in the sense of flame thrower ports, slab sided barrels and other stuff that just doesn't look "right" to me.

I will give you this, however: They do perform well. Plus, there are many who are not so traditional about what an S&W is supposed to look like who obviously like the PC look.

For the record, I like the PC logo!

[socal s&w]

SmithNut, wondering if you know about how many of the 686-3 'Competitors' were manufactured?

Thanks!

[SmithNut]

Originally Posted by socal s&w

SmithNut, wondering if you know about how many of the 686-3 'Competitors' were manufactured?

Thanks!

I have never seen anything confirming the production numbers for these first Competitors. Mine has a s/n of PCC0301, not sure if that gives us anything conclusive, most of the early PC runs were in the 100-200 qty range. These were early PC offerings as they were produced with a square butt gripframe, most all PC guns we see are on the round butt gripframe, they converted to RB fairly early in my experience.

[snowman.45]

My one and only (for now).

[BAM-BAM]

It's been awhile since I went through this thread........ great stuff!!!!

I find it funny that anytime we have a thread on "magna-porting" the concept gets slamed...... "doesn't work"...." shoots flame"....etc........ yet so many of the PC revolvers and some auto are ported or double ported.

Don't get me wrong; I have a magna-ported three inch model 65 from the1980s when it was all the "new thing/ rage" on carry guns...... frankly I was underwelmed.

I would love to have one,or two, of the PC 3" 13s; like Smithnuts,......but just couldn't get past the double porting......

As to grips....... I'm with Smithnut....... Spegel boot-grips have been my standard since the late 80s.......on 2-3 inch guns and "extended" boot-grips on 4-6 inch guns...they just plain fit my medium size hand. Wish I had all the $$$$ I have tied up in my "box of grips".......LOL

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by snowman.45

My one and only (for now).

snowman,

Did that used to be one of those green and black Birdsong finish guns? I have one and have seriously thought of having it fine bead blasted to get rid of the "ugly". (smile)

Dave

[socal s&w]

SmithNut -
"I have never seen anything confirming the production numbers for these first Competitors. Mine has a s/n of PCC0301, not sure if that gives us anything conclusive, most of the early PC runs were in the 100-200 qty range. These were early PC offerings as they were produced with a square butt gripframe, most all PC guns we see are on the round butt gripframe, they converted to RB fairly early in my experience."

Nor have I. My s/n happens to be PCC0069 and does have the square butt. I have yet to hear of any quantity of run/s and have been curious as to just how many were produced early on, especially the square butt run/s. Thanks for your insight though.
Anyone maybe know?

[qrachel]

I have a 686 4" 357/38spcl and plan to send it to the PC followed by my 617 or possibly in the opposite order. I also will soon own a 629 5" and I was thinking of giving it the PC treatment as well.

I get at this time the lack of PC treated fire arms is not impacting my shooting skill; heck, I've only been shooting now for about five months but have engaged a shooting coach and he is taking me through a fairly rigorousness training program. It's a ball and I like being a gal, who on the range is one of the most consistently lethal shooters stepping to the line, especially @ 70. (So does my coach.)

Well any way, I get the appeal of the fire arm originating out of the PC and before the year is over I'm going to seek a 627 5" PC. However, I'm wondering if a 686 or like model redone by the PC has the same mystique and perceived value as those guns originating out of the PC.

For me it is, and I'm not worried about resale value but instead am focused on unique and/or beautiful standbys that represent the best of the best of revolvers that S&W offers or has offered. I guess you could say I'm thinking about a collection of S&W wheel guns that went back to the PC for the ultimate tune-up/makeover as a unique way to build a special collection.

Thoughts, comments, outrage or just plain old abuse (just be sure that you're prepared for the anti-Christ of wall flowers to respond should you invoke the wrath Grande Torina - lol. Forgive me, I do like everyone here - it's a great place to hangout).

Great thread here, and I can see paging through it that collecting as a hobby as well as access to great shooting could really be the ultimate in an avocation for me.

Take good care all,

R

[socal s&w]

ANYONE Else have an answer possibly??

SmithNut -
"I have never seen anything confirming the production numbers for these first Competitors. Mine has a s/n of PCC0301, not sure if that gives us anything conclusive, most of the early PC runs were in the 100-200 qty range. These were early PC offerings as they were produced with a square butt gripframe, most all PC guns we see are on the round butt gripframe, they converted to RB fairly early in my experience."

Nor have I. My s/n happens to be PCC0069 and does have the square butt. I have yet to hear of any quantity of run/s and have been curious as to just how many were produced early on, especially the square butt run/s. Thanks for your insight though.
Anyone maybe know?

[The Soup Nazi]

My first revolver and the only one I've bought NIB so far.

Smith and Wesson Model 627-5 Performance Center

[jimbo-indy]

Social S&W:
The 686 Hunter pictured in my post was PC00180. I did have contact with an owner of another Hunter from the same run that had a S/N over 200 even though the run for Lou Horton was limited to 200 revolvers, as was the norm for that period. This would indicate that the guns were not necessarily numbered in sequence.

[amazingflapjack]

I think it is a "competitor" but if that is not correct, would someone let me know? Thanks.

[jimbo-indy]

I think you are correct. The Hunter was about the same except it had MagNaPorted barrel.

[stevehenry1]

I have got a 625 Performance Center revolver in .45ACP. So far, I'm unimpressed. It's bad enough it has the cursed lock, but the frame-mounted firing pin is the pits. I had to buy and install an Apex firing pin to get it to fire reliability, (as in a MINIMUM of 1 round per cylinder, up to 4 ). My old 25(no dash) is more accurate, more reliable, and smoother action. With more range time, things will get better (I hope}

[Hart]

fantastic wheelgun! I love mine! Only conceals in winter but one smooth trigger and accurate as the come!

Originally Posted by The Soup Nazi

My first revolver and the only one I've bought NIB so far.

Smith and Wesson Model 627-5 Performance Center

[Hart]

didn't see the hillary hole on any of them... good for you! wish I could say the same.

Originally Posted by SmithNut

Here are a few pics....















































That's it for now, I'll look for some more pics.....

[bobf]

Some more

686



629



647-1

[socal s&w]

jimbo-indy

Thanks for the reply. Although you have a 'Hunter', while mine is a 'Competitor', perhaps they were among the same era runs?

Is yours a square or round butt?

[snowman.45]

Originally Posted by Dave T

snowman,

Did that used to be one of those green and black Birdsong finish guns? I have one and have seriously thought of having it fine bead blasted to get rid of the "ugly". (smile)

Dave

Dave:

It sure was. I called Walter Birdsong himself to get instruction on how to remove the Black and Green T finishes. He told me to use aluminum oxide
120 grit at 25 psi. It worked like a champ.

[exfebee]

Heres a few more pics of the Beautiful 627PC Original Blood Work :









Compare with the 686 Snubby:



Carl ...

[Poohgyrr]

I really like a fluted cylinder on that pistol. Looks comforting.

[Rooster1]

Those are wicked looking! Are they a V Co,p with a different adder on the barrel instead of the comp? Looks Cool!