I'm looking to get one more firearm this year and have been eyeballing S&W revolvers for the past year or two as I still don't have a revolver in my collection. The 627 PC 5" has caught my eye although I continually change my mind about whether or not I like the tapered lug. Its one of my favorite current production models, if going with more of a classic looking revolver I think I'd rather get an older model with better bluing or polished nickel.

I'm curious as to how you guys like this model. Seems the 5" would be a very nice compromise between a 4" and 6" barrel. Does the 8 shot cylinder hurt the weight/balance of the pistol. Any other things to mention? The pistol will mainly be used for plinking and paper punching. I shoot bullseye 2700 but will stick to my 1911's for that.

I really like the 627 in 5". It needed a trigger job to get the double action the way I like. It is accurate. The length of barrel is good but I am more accurate with a 6" gun. The 8 rounds is nice for home defense or hunting (pig hunting is what I got it for.) The DX style front sight is very nice for tool free front sight changes. A .110 wide front sight gives me a better sight picture compared to the factory .125 wide sight. My 627 did go out of timing after a few thousand + rounds. This may be more common with the 7 and 8 shot S&W's compared to the 6 shot versions. I have a 7 shot 686 that has also gone out of timing on two occasions after a few thousand rounds each time. I was told the cylinder notch is deeper on the 6 shot vs the 7 & 8 shot. I have not measured but that's what my guy at Clark Custom explained on the timing issues.

I think they are great guns. But, if I only had one 357 it would be a 6" 686. The range I shoot at in Honolulu has pistol distances from 25 yards out to 100. Since we can't carry the longer sight radius is a plus. The other benefit of the 686 is you can get a 617 that is the same weight and feel. The 10 shot 617 is a great practice gun when you add a speed loader and loading block.
Dave

Well.... I'm a big fan of the N frame .357's and the 5 inch barrel length in particular on an N frame.

My 627 PC has been problem free and it's one of my favorite shooters. I installed JM grips on mine.

There is good reason why these guns are so popular with so many people because of all the features they possess, and they are all on a heavy duty frame that should last a lifetime of hot load shooting.

Buy one .... You'll love it!

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Terry

I also agree on the trigger work. I had to get my 627 performance center down to 3# single action- to shoot just as good as my 686 6", but not better. So far......the only smith i have that ive left completely stock, is the 929.

So on the 627- ive changed the front sight and put wilson combat springs in it. Now im happy with it.

I would have thought a performance center would have a better trigger out of the box but good triggers in factory guns are getting as rare as hens teeth these days.

I've also looked at the Talo 686 5" 3-5-7 model. Its a lot cheaper than the 627 PC, for the price difference I could get a sweet trigger job. The only thing I don't particularly love on the Talo is the smooth cylinder but it could grow on me.