686 vs. 27 vs. 66 vs. 627 - How do they compare and what's S&W's best 357?

Walky Talki · Oct 26, 2015

How do these models compare and which one would you say is the best?

Also what's the difference between the 27 and 627?

colt_saa · Oct 26, 2015

Walky Talki said:
Also what's the difference between the 27 and 627?

The model 27 is carbon steel and the 627 is stainless steel.

Those are like the difference between the model 19 and 66 or the model 586 and 686

You also forgot the models 327 and 386 which are Scandium

Cal44 · Oct 26, 2015

And there is the model 60 and 640 -- steel J frames that are "carryable"

colt_saa · Oct 26, 2015

Walky Talki said:
How do these models compare and which one would you say is the best?

Best for what?

You have three different frame sizes there.

The models 19 and 66 conceal the best of those that you ask about

The models 27 and 627 have some variants that handle the recoil of heavy loads the best

The tensioned barrels of the 327s make them the most accurate

The smaller frames are limited to 6 shots, the middle size frames are available as 6 or 7, while the large frames are available as 6 or 8 shots

The models 386/586/686 family are a compromise between the smaller and lighter 19/66 family and the large, heavy duty 27/327/627 family

Personally, I think think the blue and nickel carbon steel models look the best. Especially if they are wearing wood or Ivory

However it is hard to argue against the stainless versions since they are the easiest to care for

Walky Talki · Oct 26, 2015

To clarify my question, what performs the best while shooting?

Colt_saa - you have a really nice collection, how is the 627 Performance Center model? It looks a bit different than the one offered today

colt_saa · Oct 26, 2015

Walky Talki said:
To clarify my question, what performs the best while shooting?

Still no real way to answer that with one configuration.

What kind of shooting?

Target shooting is different than plinking which is different than hunting which is different than speed matches which is different than tactical matches, etc.

Walky Talki said:
Colt_saa - you have a really nice collection, how is the 627 Performance Center model? It looks a bit different than the one offered today

Thank you

Two of my Performance Center 627s are pictured above, I have several others not all of which are photographed

Each one is a fine revolver in it's own right and each has it's own personality and use.

Walky Talki · Oct 26, 2015

colt_saa said:
Still no real way to answer that with one configuration.

What kind of shooting?

Target shooting is different than plinking which is different than hunting which is different than speed matches which is different than tactical matches, etc.Thank you

Two of my Performance Center 627s are pictured above, I have several others not all of which are photographed

Each one is a fine revolver in it's own right and each has it's own personality and use.

I hope to have a collection like that someday. I hope you're enjoying as many as you can

How about for speed matches and target shooting?

CH4 · Oct 26, 2015

Depends on what you want to do with it. My personal favorite is the 19/66 2.5" for concealment; for range play it's hard to beat a 6" 27, and for duty carry a 4" 686 is the champ - carried one for the first 8 years of my career.

jack the toad · Oct 26, 2015

I prefer the 27/627 but here's my post from the thread in the 1961-1980 forum...

I'll add that I actually prefer the blue 586 but that's nothing against the 686.
And although I prefer the N followed by the L frame, I also enjoy the K and even the J in .357. What other caliber spans all 4 frame sizes?

Cal44 · Oct 26, 2015

Just to add to the pictures, here is my M60 3" in 357 magnum.

It's sort of a shrunken version of the 686.

And here is another model to add to the confusion. A 28-2.

This one is the best shooter I have.

DD357 · Oct 26, 2015

I prefer a snub K for carry and a 27 for everything else.

loeman · Oct 26, 2015

Of the three choices given, I prefer the 686 (actually 681). It's kind of the Goldilocks gun. Big enough and small enough. You know, just right. IMHO.

colt_saa · Oct 26, 2015

Walky Talki said:
I hope to have a collection like that someday. I hope you're enjoying as many as you can

How about for speed matches and target shooting?

When I used to shoot falling plate and pin matches, I prefered my 4" 625 V-comp. You could locate a 627 V-comp. they were made in 3" and 5" versions

For straight target shooting, the 327s are hard to beat when it comes to accuracy. These use a tensioned barrel system very similar to the one that made Dan Wessons so sought after during the Metallic Silhouette days

If it has to be just one, I would go for the 5" model 327 TRR8

sodacan · Oct 26, 2015

As far I know, there has never been a 627 that ever resembled the original model 27. Their frame size and caliber are the only things they share in common. The 19/66 and 586/686 models were the same guns in different steels.

Ranger514 · Oct 26, 2015

I can easily conceal carry my snubby 66, but if I'm target shooting or hiking in the backcountry, I prefer my 6-inch 686+. Which is best? For me, the question is "Which serves my purpose best for a particular need?"

Jim Watson · Oct 26, 2015

I don't shoot many Mag-Numbs so my M27 and M28 don't get out much.
I am right now doing research to determine whether I can shoot .38s better with an L or K.

Lou_the_welder · Oct 26, 2015

Shoot them all. You must. The best gun is the one you can shoot the best with.

My K frame model 66 combat magnum is probably the lightest. It has a 4.25" tensioned two piece barrel. Highly accurate. Somewhat of a 11° crown too.

Then the L frame 686+ 6". Regular barrel. Heavier frame. 7 shot. Its alright.

N frame 627 performance center 8 shot. 5" barrel. Heavier frame. Almost as heavy as a Ruger Gp 100. Will absorb more recoil, hold more rounds. If you reload: you just have to watch your bullets from backing out or change cases often. I do.

Whats more fun to shoot. The model 66 in my opinion gets my top notch. At 25 yards, i land them on paper better. I struggle with the 627. But the 8 shot gives me those extra 2 shots to play with. The 686 is kinda in the middle for me. Its a full underlug and a no frills barrel. The 627 has a target crown i might add. All from the factory. I might add i dont mess with those crowns either. Unless its warranty work, then its off to the factory.

These i might add aren't the most fun revolvers i shoot. But you should spend time with many to know whats going to work for you.

BigBill · Oct 26, 2015

No??????

Redhawk?

Python?

I'd vote python for sure.

AveragEd · Oct 26, 2015

To me, the "best" S&W .357 Magnum is/was the early 627 if "best" is to mean "finest" or "nicest" in terms of trim and such. They had checkered ribs and top straps and overall were very nice shooters. I doubt you could wear one out. But being an N-frame model, they would be clumsy and heavy to carry a lot.

If "best" is to mean carrying comfort combined with good accuracy, a 4" Model 19 or 66 is tough to beat. They are small and light enough to be carried but large and heavy enough to be accurate and comfortable to shoot.

That leaves the middle ground, the L-frame Models 586 and 686. They offer perhaps the best compromise of size, weight and durability.

Of course, there always are the J-frame models, S&W's smallest. Great for carrying but not so great for a lot of shooting with hot loads.

It's tough having so many good choices, isn't it?

Ed

DR505 · Oct 26, 2015

If I had to choose one, it would be a 3½" Model 27...far and away the best looking of the bunch. Shoots good too!

686 vs. 27 vs. 66 vs. 627 - How do they compare and what's S&W's best 357?

Which is the best

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