Current Performance Center revolvers worth it?

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cantthinkofaname

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S&W's current rebate has me thinking about picking up a Performance Center 686 Plus. I don't have an L-Frame at the moment, so why not, right?

However, I've heard stories about PC revolvers having major problems out of the box. It's gotten me concerned that S&W's current PC revolvers aren't worth the money like they used to be. I'd like to see what people that recently got a new PC revolver have to say about them before I buy one.
 
Welcome to the Forum. :)

S&W still makes good revolvers, and some of them still come out of the PC.

The Performance Center is more a marketing line today than a true tuning shop. That doesn't mean you can't get a good one, it just means they're more about specialized options not offered on the production line than a truly higher order of fit and finish like they once were.

If they have one that suits your needs, I wouldn't hold off. Odds are it's a winner; if it isn't, ride S&W until they make it a winner.
 
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With the exception to the 632 UC I would not hesitate to get a new S&W revolver! I still think the PC guns have a few features that are nice to have such as moon clips, slab side barrels, combat style grips. I personally like the PC revolvers.
 
If you want to build a custom or match gun, they are the best kit there is. All the parts are there, you just have to finish it. They have the best action, great machining, and high reliability. The same goes for the non PC guns, so you can save some bucks if you don't need the fancy barrel.

The assembly and fitting is where most of the problems are. They are a bit lacking in the details, sometimes. You can get a problem free good one most of the time, though. At least I have, anyway.
 
I have a different take on this than some of the other Forum members. Personally, I really like the Performance Center handguns- both pistols and revolvers. I think that they are better fitted and have nicer and smoother triggers. S&W revolvers are still made in the Springfield, Mass. factory with the same S&W craftsmen (HQ, plastics, and some other stuff moved to Maryville, TN). The PC has the most experienced S&W gunsmiths working there. I haven't heard of any out-of-the-box issues with PC revolvers, but it's certainly possible. The Model 686 Plus revolvers are outstanding and dependable. Whether or not the PC revolvers are worth the additional $170 investment, only you can decide. But here is what S&W says is included with a PC 686 Plus revolver. Good luck with your decision!
-Speed release thumbpiece
-Interchangeable front sight
-Unfluted cylinder
-PC tuned action
-Chromed trigger with trigger stop
-Chromed custom teardrop hammer
-Cylinder cut for moonclips (moonclips included)
 
Once upon a time in days gone by, the Performance Center consisted of highly skilled gunsmiths that produced hand built firearms from start to finish.

Although that's no longer the case I believe the current PC guns still have value over the standard models.
 
Interesting read - this.

I have a customized 6" high front sight 586 no dash that I had done in the mid '80s. I had a 'smith out of Sacramento whom I had met on the PPC circuit do the action job. He was, at the time, a CHP armorer who did work on the side. It is flawless. I had the revolver electroless nickel plated as I wanted a finish that would not wear like blue. I had Wichita Arms install one of their muzzle ported barrel sleeves. I consider this revolver to be ideal. It is my favorite Smith & Wesson revolver.

I only mention this to assert I have some DA revolver knowledge, both stock and customized.

I like the L frame Smiths so much that when they first came out I was able switch my patrol division from 4" 66s to 4" 686s.

With that lengthy digression, my question. One of the features listed on the S&W PC revolvers is an unfluted cylinder. I fail to comprehend any functional advantage to an unfluted cylinder. I can see functional disadvantages however.

So have I had it wrong all this time? Or is this considered an appearance feature rather than an operational feature?

I am open to enlightment, if there is any to be had.
 
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I agree with Hawg Rider, although some say the shop was better in its hey-days, maybe, but I have one of their pistols hand fitted by the PC shop and the fit is very noticeable between it and its sister pistol finished on the line.
"E" series finished on line while the PCSC is finished in the performance center, night and day differences on the tolerances.
IMG-2500.jpg
 
As with the regular line of Smiths inspect in person, not ordered .
A couple of years ago a LGS got in a Performance Center 629.
I always bring my feeler gage with me so I measured the cylinder gap .
I stopped measuring at .014 . There was still more to go.
The price of the gun was 14 and change .
 
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I've got a bunch of PC revolvers and I really like them. I have had to send two back to the factory, one had a defect in the rifling and one had a dead tritium sight. They were both taken care of promptly.
 
Protocall_Design said:
To me, the unfluted cylinder is just laziness. I don't really care how it looks, but I want mine lighter weight. It might save them a buck or two per gun by not doing it.
Click to expand...
It's less machining, but then it's also spending machine time making a different part and setting them in inventory.

It does make me wonder if there's a small measurable effect on DA trigger pull from the extra mass.
 
Beju said:
It's less machining, but then it's also spending machine time making a different part and setting them in inventory.

It does make me wonder if there's a small measurable effect on DA trigger pull from the extra mass.
Click to expand...

It actually takes less machining time by eliminating that operation. They do have more SKU #s to keep track of in inventory.

There is a small effect on trigger pull, but the more important effect, to me, is the extra rotational flywheel effect of the hammering on the cylinder stop and peening of the stop notches.
 
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I would not take possession of any new build S&W revolver w/o a thorough inspection regardless of whether it's a PC or production run, as should be the case w/ any revolver. Sometimes you don't have a choice if ordering online, but make sure there's a return policy. Obvious areas of concern: lock up, timing, barrel cant, workmanship. I've never had an issue with -5s or earlier. Anything later needs inspection.

Case in point, I purchased a 629 comp hunter PC 13 years ago before I knew better. Fit/finish, timing, and lock up were good. Didn't notice the barrel cant at the time until I slapped on the barrel scope mount and wondered why the scope crosshairs were not aligned w/ the frame, then the cant was very obvious. I intend to get that fixed sooner or later, but it has since been usurped by a multitude of other 629s and not a priority.

I have since purchased a recently produced 617, and 3"/5" 686+ none of which were the 1st ones I handled at the LGS. I handed back one of each w/ barrel cant before finding one that was suitable. Barrel cant is especially an issue w/ short barrel revolvers because of the shorter sight radius.

On the flip side, noticed a 629-8 PC on Gunbroker from an LGS that happened to be within reasonable driving distance. Made the drive and it was perfectly fine. Offered cash and it never got a bid. That model has since been discontinued, just wish it had come w/ the scope and underlug pic mounts.

I've purchased numerous -5s sight unseen and not one of them had quality issues.
 
Protocall_Design said:
There is a small effect on trigger pull, but the more important effect, to me, is the extra rotational flywheel effect of the hammering on the cylinder stop and peening of the stop notches.
Click to expand...

Agree. My two 627-5 snubs are lovely guns but the unfluted cylinder reminds me of the hot water tank in my garage. Ditto on the weight issue. The "Bloodwork" 627 used by Eastwood in that film had a fluted cylinder. I think many of us would have preferred that cylinder instead. I would, the present cylinder adds a lot of weight.

Re PC guns: I have a pair of the much-despised "Wyatt Deep Cover" 637PCs and they are magnificent firearms. I also have 2 of the Chattanooga Arms 442 PCs which I would not trust to carry.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
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