Grabagun Strikes Again...an R8 is on its way! Updated: It's here - Pic & Quick Review

Grabagun Strikes Again...an R8 is on its way! Updated: It's here - Pic & Quick Review

I have been on the lookout for a R8 for a while now but had never seen one in person until last weekend when I saw a used one in a local shop. It was love at first sight. I didn't buy it because it was priced too high but checked it out enough to understand I really, really wanted one. Well, tonight Grabagun had one in stock and it will end up being cheaper than the used one I saw last weekend. I jumped on it.

I'm very excited for its arrival. The R8 will likely serve in a home defense role as well as a target shooter. 8 rounds of 357/38 is just cool. It will fit in nicely with my Model 60 3", Ruger GP100 Match Champion and Ruger LCR 357. I am more and more becoming a revolver guy.

Fellow R8/TRR8 owners, I'd appreciate any feedback you'd care to share. Thanks in advance.

I bought from grabagon.com for the first time last week when I ordered my 69 with 2.75" barrel. Simple check out and a LGS I can walk to was already on their FFL list. Couldn't believe the price either! With shipping and FFL it was just under $700. Will buy from grabagun again.
Enjoy that R8!

Congratulations on the new wheelgun!

I bought a used R8 4 or 5 years ago wasn't looking for one but had some cash burning a hole in my pocket. Previous owner put FO sights on it got it for a good price and figured it would be trade bait. Turns out to be in my top two target guns and it will never be sold. Super accurate your going to love that gun. 8 shots is the way to go. Congrats!!

I got an R8 from grabagun a couple of months ago. Saved 200 bucks over buying locally. Great gun.

I just hope it gets here soon so I stop binge buying accessories in anticipation of its arrival.

5 Star speed loaders and leather carrying pouch...check
Extra moon clips and unloader tool fron Revolver Supply...check
Hiviz front sight...check
Snap caps...check
Wolff spring kit...check

Congrats on the r8! I've had my trr8 for years now and it's still my absolute favorite. The gun is a tack driver straight out of the box especially after a 500-1000 round break in. The only item I would cross off the list is the spring kit. I shoot the trr8 and my 627 snubby regularly and the accuracy is off the charts. Pm me your email or cell and I'll send some pics and vids. Excellent choice!

Grabagun is just down the road from me so I unfortunately have to pay sales tax

Nice people too.

Collo Rosso said:

I bought from grabagon.com for the first time last week when I ordered my 69 with 2.75" barrel. Simple check out and a LGS I can walk to was already on their FFL list. Couldn't believe the price either! With shipping and FFL it was just under $700. Will buy from grabagun again.
Enjoy that R8!

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Great buy, as stated above, the R8 is an excellent shooter..

I received my shipping notification. The R8 will likely arrive Saturday. Unfortunately I won't be able to pick it up until Monday as I'm very much looking forward to shooting it.

As for the Wolff spring kit, I always order one for revolvers if a kit is available. I like my DA pull to be under 10 lbs. I imagine the performance center mainspring will be fine but I may play with the rebound spring a little to see what impact it has (good or bad). It's also a good way to learn more about a revolver. I've only worked on Rugers to date.

My 627PC shipped from Grabagun via 2nd day UPS, but showed up in a day. You might get lucky and have it arrive tomorrow.

ScottN said:

As for the Wolff spring kit, I always order one for revolvers if a kit is available. I like my DA pull to be under 10 lbs. I imagine the performance center mainspring will be fine but I may play with the rebound spring a little to see what impact it has (good or bad). It's also a good way to learn more about a revolver. I've only worked on Rugers to date.

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This was my story last weekend. My Grab-A-Gun shipment was delivered on Friday, but I couldn't get to my nearby FFL until Monday. What a LONG weekend!

I've had excellent luck with the Wilson Combat spring kits in my K-Frames, but that same kit gave me light primer strikes in my L frame, even with an extended firing pin. Word of caution - when you go to remove the sideplate, USE MASKING TAPE around the screws. The screws often have a dab of Loctite on them, and in your haste, it's easy for the screwdriver to slip... when that happens, you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach over the scratch you just put in your brand-new gun's side plate. There are some good videos on YouTube for S&W spring swaps. BTW, your Trigger Return Spring won't really affect the trigger pull, but does impact how fast your trigger returns to the starting line after you squeeze it.

Good luck, hope to see some pics early next week!

Good tips, Hopper. Thanks.

I've had excellent results with Wolff springs. I like to tinker a bit but I won't accept any light primer strikes. I'll break in the trigger with practice and dry firing then see what the springs do/don't do.

I was able to pick up the R8 on Friday...but then immediately had to leave town. Got back home tonight and had enough time to switch out the front sight and attach my TLR-4 to the rail. Here's a quick picture. I think I'm going to really like this revolver.

Congratulations on a fine addition to your Smith and Wesson family.

I think you will find that these models with the tensioned barrels are extraordinarily accurate revolvers
Mine is one of the two tone TRR8s that were produced a few years ago. I love the way it shoots

I am interested in one of these for home defense and range use. Any more comments after having it for awhile?

Txs!

zogger52 said:

I am interested in one of these for home defense and range use. Any more comments after having it for awhile?

Txs!

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I finally was able to shoot it Sunday. It is fantastic!

The previous two weeks I did a fair amount of dry firing with snap caps to help get used to and break in the trigger. I also bought a 357 laser bore sight off Amazon and used it to dial in the sights, which turned out to be a great investment because the windage was way off.

I shot 64 rounds through it. I left the trigger stock. The trigger shoots better than it measures. On my cheapo Timney scale the DA measures just under 9 lbs and the SA is just under 4 lbs and crisp. The revolver balances great and the trigger pull is a joy to exercise. DA is a nice, smooth pull from start to finish. I don't stage DA pulls, and you don't need to on this one because it's easy and smooth from start to finish. The SA is crisp and almost unfair how easy it is to shoot.

I'm not a great shot but I grouped shots well for me. I was a little to the right and mostly one large hole from the bull to 8 ring not counting the occasional flyers. I shot two hands unsupported from 5 yards out to 10 yards using 125 Gr Freedom Munitions 38, 125 Gr 38 +p Golden Sabers and 125 Gr 357 Golden Sabers. Felt recoil was nothing on the 38 and not much more on the +p's. The 357 Golden Sabers were louder but still pleasant to shoot...I could have shot them all day. Next I'll try some higher power 357 Federal American Eagle jsp's and see how it handles those. I expect it won't be bad at all. The grips must help but I really think it's the how well balanced the R8 is that minimizes the felt recoil.

I like the v notch sights a lot. I realize they may not be everyone's cup of tea but I like how quickly I can pick them up...especially with the hi viz sight I installed on the front. I'm not a bullseye shooter but I thought the v notch sights were plenty accurate and really easy to use.

I didn't mess with the moon clips this time but will the next time. After a little more practice this will be my home defense firearm. It's not inexpensive but I feel it is worth it. FYI, I bought it off grabagun for $1034 with $7.50 shipping and found a place that only charges $5 for transfers, so under $1050 total.

It's only one range trip but the R8 is definitely a keeper. I think I may even end up liking it better than my Ruger Gp100 Match Champion that I did a home action and spring job on, which is a sweet shooter too. It pains me a little to say that because I love, love, love that GP100. The Ruger will always be my woods gun in it's Simply Rugged holster with chest harness but the R8 is the better home defense revolver. The better target shooter...it's probably a toss up but the R8 is likely better by a smidge.

All smiles here.

Feel free to ask more questions.

Txs for the report!

Congrats, glad you are happy with it. I have a 627 pro and am very happy with it too

I need to bump this post up with a quick update. I have put it through 4 range sessions now. The third session I had two failure to fires but didn't think much of it because they fired the second time around. I chalked it up to old ammo. Last night I was getting stuff prepped to hit the range today and measured the DA trigger pull at just above 8lbs. That seemed too light so took off the grips and found the strain screw had backed out quite a bit. In fact I'd bet that it arrived from the factory loose and or backed out.

I tightened it up and the DA jumped up to 10.5-11 lbs. I was a bit disappointed until I installed a Wolff 15 lb trigger return spring. I didn't notice any sluggishness in the return and the trigger came in between 9.5 and 10 DA and 3.5 SA. All is well again and it shot great today. The trigger is not as nice as my Ruger GP100 with Wolff Springs but it's pretty doggone sweet! I love my R8!

I thought the trigger was just breaking in and improving. Gotta watch out for that strain screw backing out.