Love the site. You guys have been very helpful for a new shooter like myself.

Have been to the range a few times, and I'm surprised to admit this but, "I love revolvers!"

Looking forward to practice and build my skills with a revolver. Currently I have my eye on a M&P R8. Seems like it'll make a badazz home defense gun.

Please share any info, good or bad, about the M&P R8. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Good and bad can be subjective and preference for one trait will trump what's good or bad.

The good:

It is from the Performance Center (trigger is nice)
Holds 8 rounds of 357 mag
Light weight
5" barrel
Has a rail
Gold bead front sight
Adjustable rear sight

The bad (well, bad is too harsh of a word to begin with):

All of the above traits if you don't prefer them
Rail is integral, not detachable (this is preference)
Grips have finger grooves that may not fit your hands
Recoil of 357 mag is more felt because of its weight (say, vs a Model 627)
Price (this is personal)

Another consideration is the TRR8.
Bottom rail is detachable. Being steel, it does quite a bit to settle the recoil impulse.'
Agree the supplied Hogue grips are useless. Straight into the junk box.
Replaced them with ones from the new(ish) Model 629.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I have my eye on the R8 as well. None of the "bad" traits listed above is a deterrent to me. Recoil is a matter of practice. I am looking to see if the weight allows for carry, now that we have open carry in Texas, but the "cool" factor is very high. I like the eight rounds and grips and sights. My only reservation is the durability of the scandium frame, but I am confident it will last through my days. Price, well it is a little pricey for new production, but nothing compared to what some here pay for other guns they have pursued.

The R8 is a great gun, but I went with the TRR8 because I hate light rails on handguns.

I stumbled into this Pinto TRR8 and changed the grips.

This is not a featherweight firearm like the 12 ounce 357 Magnum model 340. Remember a 5" Scandium N-frame weighs about the same as a 4" 19/66 but carries 2 more rounds.

Scandium is not new to Smith and Wessons. Scandium framed 357 Magnums have been around for 15 years now. I think it has stood the test of time.

The tiny, 12 ounce model 340 that I use for teaching has had over 7,000 full Magnum, Remington and Hornady rounds through it in those 15 years. Never a round of 38 Special.

It is still in great condition despite finish wear.