Hi Gents, new member here but long time lurker of this amazing site, and life time lover of Smiths and big 3rd Gen fan. I've read the archived threads about this topic, and was wondering if anyone might care to share their current opinion on this one.

Reason for purchase is for an overall nice 8 shot .357, and of course, because it's a S&W. I won't be hunting with it, and at this point I don't plan to ever carry it, but the carry part could possibly change. I prefer softer grips, so if I purchased the PC I'd put the supplied Hogues on it.

Specifically, I wonder most about opinions on the inch difference in barrel length, and also if I'm just over thinking that point. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the Forum

One inch in barrel length is not that big of a deal where ballistics are concerned

However, have you handled both of them side by side? Most shooter like the balance of the 5"

Neither revolver really lends it self to concealed carry

A PRO series Smith and Wesson is a gun that was manufactured on the production floor and has one or more Performance Center features

I am partial to the Performance Center offering over the pro series. The Performance Center revolvers are not milled on the same mills as production guns. Even the code run on the machines is different.

For me Performance Center products are worth the money over the Production guns

__________________
"Acta non verba"

I had some of the same thoughts before I chose the PC version. Here's why I chose the PC over the Pro. I like the five inch barrel and most say the additional hand fitting and better tuning of the PC are a big plus. The extra set of stocks doesn't hurt, but I will never use them.
It took me a bit to get over the additional cost, but the 5 inch barrel was my deciding factor. I hope this helps. Thanks! Mick

Thank you.

I asked my LGS/range last year whether they could order either the Pro Series 4" or the 5" PC. Only the Pro Series was available. When the Pro arrived a few days later, I opened the box and, ridiculous as it sounds, haven't recovered since. It is the finest revolver I own. This did not stop me from buying the snub 627 PC that was languishing in the display case for months. If the 5" PC should arrive at the LGS, well, these other members don't know what a great revolver is, and I do. Good luck in your choice.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I personally like 4 inch barrels, plus should I want to shoot IDPA I could with the Pro Series SSR.

Is/was there a 627 8 shot ever made without the backcut underlug? I want an 8 shot but don't like that look at all.

I don't know if you'd like the "rounded edge triangle" shape of the V8, but it isn't backcut.

Quite a few variations were made.

As Bullet Bob points out there was the Performance Center V-comp. The 5" was offered in silver or two-tone while the 3" was silver only

Then there was the 6" Performance Center Heavy Hunter

There was also a 4" heavy barrel, production 8 shot Model 627, product code 163357

Here is the factory spec sheet:
http://calzaretta.com/scans/163357.pdf


In addition to all of those stainless steel offerings listed above, there were also 6 carbon steel 8 shot offerings that had the old standard tapered barrel. These were offered in blue and nickel

There might be others, but they do not come to mind at the moment

__________________
"Acta non verba"

627 8x pro 4” over the rest

I chose the 4" Pro 627.
The trigger feeling, looks, balance, and overall, everything else just feels great.

It was fairly easy to find a holster to my liking.

I prefer shooting the 627 Pro 4" compared to my 586 L-Comp; Mod. 66-2 2.5"; and 640 Pro; but the other three conceal much better.

On my 627, I've replaced the front sight with a taller brass bead as, with supplied red ramp sight, I had the rear sight adjusted all the way down. I also installed a plug kit to replace the ILS (personal preference).

Attached Images

IMG_0806.jpg (73.4 KB, 73 views)

__________________
432UC/638/642/60 + more

If you have the opportunity to handle each get the one that feels best in your hand.

As far as a Performance Center model being better than a standard production model, there's no guarantees either way.

I've bought some of each that had issues requiring unnecessary extra work to make them right. As always, inspect carefully before buying, no matter which you go with.

My 627PC shoots great but I'll put my 686-6 up against it any day.

.
S&W 5" revolvers
.


.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

I got my 627PC 5" for less than $800 used. Really it was just dirty and not very well cared for. It cleaned up pretty well. One of the earlier -5s that had both Hogues and Ahrends RB grips that I swapped for Cordia R-to-S.



After polishing flutes + barrel flats, plugging the lock, switching grips:



Re: it vs. the Pro, I like the moonclips and the 5" barrel balances very well. Some feel the opposite and go for the Pro.

__________________
Psalm 27:2

The uses I can think of for a 8-shot .357 are:

Hunting, competition, fun,SD/carry

For the first 2 I’d go PC, for the third either would do, the last Id pick the Pro.

I have a pro and have been completely satisfied. I use it in USPSA and other outlaw matches. Fun gun.

Also had an additional cylinder machined to accept 38 super, 9mm, etc and shoot it now with 9mm in those games. With 147 gr bullets found virtually no POA/ POI difference.

__________________
Guns + Dogs= Bliss

Not to derail the thread, but what specifically do you like about your 627 over your L comp?

I want a 7 or 8 shooter, but haven’t made up my mind.

Great idea. Where did you find the cylinder? Who did your work?

Mark at Pinnacle high performance did it for me. He located the cylinder too- was very pleased all around with work and cust Service, communication.

Home - Pinnacle High PerformancePinnacle High Performance | Custom revolvers, revolver gunsmith

The thread on my journey is here:
Converting my 627 to shoot 9mm

We’re I to convert a revolver again, Mark would be on my speed dial.

__________________
Guns + Dogs= Bliss

Mark at Pinnacle has rechamberd two of my 627 cylinders for 9x23 Winshester. The work is out standing and there is nowhere else I would go

The oldest rechambering was a decade or more ago. The stainless unfluted cylinder is the original 357 Magnum cylinder that the revolver shipped with. The black fluted cylinder is the rechambered one

I recently set up this 627 V-comp because I was thinking about pin shooting. The cylinder work was done about 3 years ago. In this conversion, both cylinders are visually the same.

As to finding cylinders, they are out there. Watch eBay and GunBroker and the various parts sites and you will find them from time to time. Many gunsmiths or S&W Armorers can get one from the factory. I think I have three or four 627 cylinders in my workroom waiting for me to buy revolvers for them

__________________
"Acta non verba"

No one better than Mark.

What are the brand wood grips on the bottom pic?