627 Performance Center Opinions

[9399NOLES]

Looking at the PC and the Pro models and looking for opinions on both. I am currently leaning towards the Performance model as I hear the trigger in SA is amazing and it's smooth in DA. Also the 5" barrel is rather attractive to me over the 4". I would like to get into some local shooting competitions but just for fun, nothing to serious. Seems to me the price difference is not too bad, but I guess I'm looking for that extra shove to help justify the price difference. I'd also like to hear about any problems some might have had with either models. I hear that the PC models have issues occasionally with light primer strikes. I have a lengthened firing pin from cylinder-slide.com already to correct that issue and as a back up for my j-frame. Any inputs would be much appreciated.

 

[Gorenut]

They're both great.. but if you really don't plan on reselling the gun and don't care too much for the extras that come with the PC model.. you can always sell em. I did that with mine and the prices after selling the unwanted stuff came out very close to the pro model and I got the barrel in the exact length I want. If you're already spending that much on a gun, might as well get the one you want more.

 

[gr7070]

In general the added cost of the PC isn't justified by the few extras, imo. I'd buy the Pro as things stand today.

I do have a PC, but only because I found a LNIB used one for a crazy good deal.

Since you want to compete. I will say those serious competitors won't shoot less than a 5" gun where the rules allow, fwtw.

My PC trigger doesn't impress me; granted I do have a 686 worked over by one of the best to compare it against. I will say the 627 is smooth in DA, but not light - I should be able to fix that. SA is very nice, but what Smith isn't in SA?

I can't imagine the Pro or PC are any different w/r to quality. Sure light strikes might occur on some, but that's a trigger job issue, not a gun.

I think the Pro is much better value, but if the PC really does it for you and you actually have the money meh. I had a terrible time finding any Pro, new or used. PCs were around, especially the 2.5" new ones. The 5" PC were harder to find, but some did exist.

 

[9399NOLES]

So what's the actual difference on the PC? Trigger job, lengthened barrel, extra grip, and the sights? I would replace the sights any way so that's out the window, and I like my stock grip on my 642 so I can only assume the same for the 627. So basically it's that extra inch and the trigger. What kind of $ would I be looking at to have the trigger worked on by a reputable gun smith? To get it to as good as or better than the PC?

 

[Gorenut]

So what's the actual difference on the PC? Trigger job, lengthened barrel, extra grip, and the sights? I would replace the sights any way so that's out the window, and I like my stock grip on my 642 so I can only assume the same for the 627. So basically it's that extra inch and the trigger. What kind of $ would I be looking at to have the trigger worked on by a reputable gun smith? To get it to as good as or better than the PC?

You can easily sell the aluminum case and wood grips for $150. Also, the hammer and the trigger are forged parts instead of MIM if thats important to you at all. The gold bead sights are actually quite nice. I thought I was going to replace them too, but I've kept them on because they work so well. For me, it really came down to the fact that if I'm spending around $800 for either gun.. I might as well spend a little more to get 5" barrel since thats what I wanted.

 

[colt_saa]

A PRO series firearm is a firearm that came from the production side of S&W and had some features added by the Performance Center.

A Performance Center firearm is total built by the Performance Center on their own CNC mills.

PRO series firearms are great values. No one can argue that. In the case of the 627 Pro you get a better barrel and a cylinder machined for moon clips.

PC firearms are built to tighter tolerances. Tooling on the mills is replaced more frequently to assure those tolerances. This adds to the cost. It also adds to the accuracy. Can every shooter see that difference on the firing line? Of course not. In truth probably less than 10% of the active shooters out there will be able to take advantage of that difference.

There are other differences as well. Performance Center firearms get forged hammers and triggers as opposed to the MIM produced counterparts used on the production side. There is more hand fitting and polishing with a PC firearm. Often special grips are used. Sometimes better finishes and other things.

Is it worth the monetary difference? It is to me. However it won't be to everybody.

 

[gr7070]

So what's the actual difference on the PC? Trigger job, lengthened barrel, extra grip, and the sights? I would replace the sights any way so that's out the window, and I like my stock grip on my 642 so I can only assume the same for the 627. So basically it's that extra inch and the trigger. What kind of $ would I be looking at to have the trigger worked on by a reputable gun smith? To get it to as good as or better than the PC?

They both have the interchangeable front sight system, which is great. I replaced my gold bead with an FO. However, the gold bead really is a nice sight. If I didn't want to have the same sight set up on all my competition guns I would have kept the gold bead.

An action job from one of the top couple revolversmiths in the country runs about $200, which I unerstand is about what most would charge.

That leaves the barrel length and some of the things Colt_saa mentioned. For a serious competitor a 4" bbl isn't a real option. For most folks, 4" won't matter, but 5" and longer is what is used.

Personally, I would take the value of the Pro, and then spend the difference in price and get it worked over by a great smith. I was fortunate to get a used PC at a used Pro cost, though.

As most all would agree they're both great guns and it largely depends upon user preferences and their wallet size.

 

[9399NOLES]

Could you point me in the direction of a great gun-smith that could do this work?

 

[gr7070]

Could you point me in the direction of a great gun-smith that could do this work?

Mike Carmoney of "Carmonize" is considered one of the very best. He's a high level revolver shooter who so many of the other revolver competitors send their guns to.

Carmonize! - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!

Read his sticky posts so you know what kind of action job you want - whether you reload or not is a big factor, and what games you play, as well.

 

[9399NOLES]

I can't get that link to work

 

[gr7070]

I can't get that link to work

Maybe you need to be a member of that forum first???

Brian Enos - Competition Shooting Books, Slide-Glide, DVDs & Reloading

Use the above link to sign up, then come back and click my link. Or maybe google Carmonize, but I suspect you'll get the same result???

Brian Enos forums are just like the S&W forums, but geared for handgun games. They're both tremendous sources of info.

 

[Shooting4life]

Link worked for me. Also, if I needed to get an action job for gun games carmoney would be my first choice.

 

[mustang2]

APEX Tactical action work

Randy Lee with APEX Tactical is well known for his revolver work in both the tactical and competition fields. If you go to his website, you'll see he's the guy S&W shooting team members send their guns to for action work. Enough said.

Welcome to Apex Tactical Specialties, Inc.

 

[357 guy]

If only one gun. Just one. Performance Center 627.

 

[Stainz]

The most a 'master revolver' job would run from S&W's PC - with overnite pickup & return - was around $160. Hard to beat that. A great plus - if it needs a part, well, they have them. The 'job' may be less on a PC Shop gun. I'd sure consider them first.

I had a JM 5" PC627 V-Comp - the big slab-sided version. Best trigger I've ever had in any revolver - just too bulky - and no replacements for the dovetail front sight. I bought a 4" 627 Pro 5/08 and quit shooting that 5" PC627. I ultimately sold it. The 627 Pro, like the tapered lug 5" PC627, came with a spring-loaded front sight - fast & easy sight changes, a la my 625JM. I did add two PC627's to my stable last year - both 2 5/8" UDR's - I really like that package - even the sights! Good thing - that front sight is like my old JM 5" - dovetail!

I like the 'pointability' of the 4" 627 Pro - it feels even better with certain grips - like the JM's:

The PC Shop grips help on the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR, too.

Stainz

 

[Cirrus]

If you're on the fence, my advice is to just go the extra and get the Performance Center. It's really not that much more money for the top of the line. I have one that I recently bought and I'm in love with this gun! Best shooting revolver I've ever owned and I own a lot of S&Ws.

 

[9399NOLES]

Thanks,

I decided to go with the 686 SSR. Apparently, the 627PC is so good its banned from alot of competitions and its 8 shot, so most comps you cant shoot more than 6 without a reload. From everything I read the 686 SSR is an excellent choice and its about $250 cheaper for me.