627 Serial Number Prefix List????

[DKerns2]

Has anyone started a list of the Serial Number Prefix and what the three letters may represent for the 627 Series?

For Example:

Model Product Code Serial Number Stands For
627-PC 170089 RJMXXXX Richard J Mochek

Richard J Mochek was the designer for the 8-shot.

627-3 170142 JCMXXXX Jerry C Miculek

A few others I have but do not know the abbreviation.

627-PC 170092 HCPXXXX ???????
This gun is ported... "P" for ported?

627-PC 170102 JMSXXXX ??????
"JM" for Jerry Miculek???

627-3 170182 JMAXXXX ???????
"JM" for Jerry Miculek???

627-3 170133 MCDXXXX ???????

I know there was a "NWR" prefix that stood for New World Record...

Anyone have some insight on any of the Prefix meanings?

Thank you,

 

[Souvergn41]

This one starts with CNCXXXX. Don't know much about it other than it is an earlier CNC frame gun but what year I have no idea.

 

[Hawg Rider]

The only 627 in my modest collection is a PC 627-5 with 2-5/8" bbl. Its code and s/n are: 170133 CPF4256

Except for a few special orders (like the "Jerry Miculek" models), I don't believe that the 3-letter prefix alphanumeric s/n's had any special meaning. I suppose that "P" could pertain to the Performance Center, but who knows?

 

[The Gila Bender]

627-5 .357 Mag-8 times Performance Center 170210, 5", s/n BCF5114. Shipped December 2005. I don't believe the alpha prefixes mean anything in particular unless it's a custom run.

This is a gun auction rescue obtained in August 2023. It had been dropped or skidded on concrete or gravel, the front sight was gone and the rear sight badly damaged. Unwanted and unloved, I took it home, gave it a bath, and installed new front and rear sights. Timing and lock up are solid, no shake, trigger is so smooth. Shoots like a PC should. This ain't no safe queen.

 

[colt_saa]

Interesting and worthwhile project. I do not know of any compiled lists

Model Product Code Serial Number Stands For
627-PC 170089 RJMXXXX Richard J Mochek

Richard J Mochek was the designer for the 8-shot.

When this gun was first shown at the 1997 SHOT show in Vegas I was in love.

I have a thing for serial numbers and asked that 357 be shipped to me. I was informed that this was a one time order of 300 revolvers as a Lew Horton Exclusive. So being the stainless version of the Model 27, I had number 27 shipped to me instead. It arrived in June. Shortly after that I got a phone call from Lew Horton telling me that this was the Fastest selling Exclusive in their history and they decided to order an additional 300 revolvers. . . .Did I still want number 357? 357 arrived in September

Number 27 is in the upper left corner of this 8 shot group photo that I tool in 2003. Number 357 is in the upper right and remains unfired to this day.

Now for some that have not been talked about too much

The 6" Heavy Hunter is product code 170095. Initially ordered in 1997. This was a Lew Horton exclusive with a serial number prefix of LHV. The initial order was for 300 revolvers. Examples with RBS and ERV prefixes have been seen. I believe that these were assembled using left over barrels from the initial Lew Horton run

At least the first run of 300 or so 2 5/8" 627 UDRs , product code 170133, the began production in 2002 had MCD as the prefix. since them many more runs have been made and the revolver is currently a cataloged offering so thee are many more prefixes out in the world

The 5" semi pinto 627, product code 170294 used the CMC prefix. This was a Distributor Exclusive offering from AccuSport in 2004. My memory says 130 or 160 of these were ordered

Those are the only ones that I have to contribute to the compilation

Unless we are going to include product code 101024, the first 627, which was a 6 shooter introduced in 1989.

5276 examples of this revolver are known to have been manufactured. Production and sales of this design was stopped after just 278 revolvers were manufactured. Due to the very heavy weight of the 6 shot unfluted 357 Magnum cylinder, the stop notches were getting heavily battered. Especially by folks that shot DA exclusively. This is the event that kicked off the Endurance Package improvements.

So production resumed at the -0 engineering revision with the most visible change being the longer stop notches and corresponding bolt change.

Revolvers have been seen with -1 and -2 engineering revisions and with BEF, BEk, BPK and BRC prifixes.

My -1 example of 101024 which is pictured above is the BRC gun.


Forum member mokuloa should be able to provide some additional 627 serial number prefixes when he notices this thread

 

[DKerns2]

draft 627 file

This has got me dug down in a rabbit hole with much of the work found in this great forum by users. Here is what I have tried to compile onto one page so far (and making sure credit is given to the great members here). Please feel free to add info or correct what I have assembled so far.

 

[colt_saa]

This has got me dug down in a rabbit hole with much of the work found in this great forum by users. Here is what I have tried to compile onto one page so far (and making sure credit is given to the great members here). Please feel free to add info or correct what I have assembled so far.

Looking at your spreadsheet I realize that I forgot about my 5" V-comp 627. My notes say that my example of product code 170142 has the VCM prefix. Your sheet says JCM. I am going to need to locate mine and double check

This was a Distributor Exclusive offering from RSR in 1999. MANY of these were made under the RSR Exclusive and eventually the revolver eventually became a cataloged item

I changed my grips because I love the old Factory Combat style grips and I have a second cylinder setup for 9x23 Winchester and of course all the shorter cartridges can be safely chambered and fired as well.

 

[DKerns2]

Thank you... I will add that prefix... I also believe this same code has a ""NWR" New World Record prefix, but will wait for someone to chime in and verify before I add it.

 

[DKerns2]

Latest Draft based on feedback

Feel free to keep the revisions coming...

 

[Souvergn41]

Guys mine stumps me now. It says -3 on the frame, has a CNC serial number. I took it apart and it does not have a MIM trigger or hammer but appears to have a MIM rebound slide. That’s it. Anyone figure a guess on the year or how many with the CNC serial number? Why the CNC serial, maybe when they first started these frames? I will say the quality of fit and finish is superb.

 

[SmithNut]

Here's the original Lew Horton M627 8 shot PC revolvers that were shipped to my Gun Shop, and then came home with me..

627-PC HMA00xx 170133 Y SWPC, 2 5/8", 8 Shot, NIB - shipped 12/98
627-PC RJM00xx 170089 Y SWPC, 5", 8 Shot .357 Mag - shipped 5/97
627-PC LHV00xx 170095 Y SWPC, 6" Hunter, 8 shot .357 - shipped 12/97

The 5" was first followed by the 6" Hunter, then the 2 5/8" (The famous Clint Eastwood Bloodwork model...)

 

[Hawg Rider]

Here's the original Lew Horton M627 8 shot PC revolvers that were shipped to my Gun Shop, and then came home with me..

627-PC HMA00xx 170133 Y SWPC, 2 5/8", 8 Shot, NIB - shipped 12/98
627-PC RJM00xx 170089 Y SWPC, 5", 8 Shot .357 Mag - shipped 5/97
627-PC LHV00xx 170095 Y SWPC, 6" Hunter, 8 shot .357 - shipped 12/97

The 5" was first followed by the 6" Hunter, then the 2 5/8" (The famous Clint Eastwood Bloodwork model...)

It's interesting because everyone thinks that the "Blood Work" revolver became the standard 8-shot PC Model 627 snubnose. However, it didn't, at least not exactly. If you notice in scenes from the movie, Clint's 627 has a fluted cylinder, whereas most, if not all, of the later 627s snubbies have unfluted cylinders (like my 627-5).

This quote comes from the IMFDB:
"Smith & Wesson Model 627- FBI Profiler Terry McCaleb (Clint Eastwood) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 627 as his sidearm throughout the film. It is a special version featuring an unusual barrel profile and an 8-shot cylinder made by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center. McCaleb's piece has a fluted cylinder, common to other variants of the 627, but not standard on the snub nose version. McCalebs revolver also has Hogue grips." Regardless, the 627 snubby is a great revolver, dependable and fun to shoot.

 

[DKerns2]

RSR & Lew Horton appear more than random assignment

Okay... From the feedback and submissions, RSR and Lew Horton definitely appear to be requesting prefixes based on a description of the variant.

So far 7 prefixes are "Known" and I could guess for at least two more from Lew Horton.

if anyone knows more, chime in.

Attached is the latest of what I have compiled. So far, there are more than 61 prefixes with at least 9 on the 627-5 170133 2-5/8" alone.

 

[DKerns2]

Latest draft

Here is the latest draft...

 

[s&wchad]

It's interesting because everyone thinks that the "Blood Work" revolver became the standard 8-shot PC Model 627 snubnose.

That's backwards... The 627-PC UDR (Ultimate Defense Revolver) became the Bloodwork revolver, with the addition of a fluted cylinder. SmithNut had a fluted cylinder fitted to his a long time ago!

The gun was first released as a Lew Horton limited run exclusive in 1998. There were also several version offered by the American Historical Foundation. The movie didn't come out until 2002.

Here's HMA0010 (also Dec 1998) and some supporting documentation.

 

[SmithNut]

There was one more variant of the M627 PC models....

It's in this pic, there were 2 (rumored) of the 8" guns made, one went to Ernie Vadersen who was the founder of Snake Eyes golf clubs and then became the President of S&W Golf. Got to be friends with Ernie and eventually he sold me the 8" gun in this pic. Supposedly there was another made, but it's never surfaced to my knowledge.

P.S. as s&wchad mentioned, I had my 2 5/8" gun fitted with a fluted cylinder as well as the 6" gun, I just never warmed to unfluted cylinders.

This 8" gun was in my collection for a few years, but eventually I sold it to another collector, to my knowledge he still has it, it's a pretty special gun..

 

[DKerns2]

Do you guys know if all 300 of the 627-PC 170133's were all HMA Prefix?

Interesting that I show the same prefix in the 627-3 version as well.

 

[jughed440]

.....

The 6" Heavy Hunter is product code 170095. Initially ordered in 1997. This was a Lew Horton exclusive with a serial number prefix of LHV. The initial order was for 300 revolvers. Examples with RBS and ERV prefixes have been seen. I believe that these were assembled using left over barrels from the initial Lew Horton run

I have a 627PC with the "LHV" prefix. The previous owner stated that it has a slab barrel because PC had run out of Heavy Hunter barrels. But I'm not buying that because its slab barrel is the 627-5 and later type, and the serial # puts it fairly early in the run...but of course with S&W, you just don't know. Regardless, I bought it to have a 3" barrel put on it...still haven't gotten around to that.

 

[colt_saa]

I have a 627PC with the "LHV" prefix. The previous owner stated that it has a slab barrel because PC had run out of Heavy Hunter barrels. But I'm not buying that because its slab barrel is the 627-5 and later type, and the serial # puts it fairly early in the run...but of course with S&W, you just don't know. Regardless, I bought it to have a 3" barrel put on it...still haven't gotten around to that.

I do not buy it either unless the seller was the original owner of the firearm. When barrels are manufactured for a Exclusive offering all the necessary barrels plus about 10% are done in a single run. After all the total quantiy is already known an it is usually pretty small. The overage is there for barrels that have a problem and the remainder are kept (usually 10 years) as spare parts for Warranty claims. Then the unique parts are sold off in a single lot to companies like Numerich

However, the frame could have been used for a one-off, tool room sample, marketing prototype . . . etc. With the eight shot 357s, the frame is a slightly modified N-frame so they may have grabbed the only frame readily available

It is very hard to prove these since one-offs are always assigned to the Product Code that is closest to what was built. The Factory will not setup and record a new product code for one firearm

The only Titanium SIGMA known to exist has a product code for a two tone SIGMA.

The only Shorty 357 known to exist has the same product code as the Shorty 40s, which the Factory computer description actually says are 4006s

VERY, Very Rarely, the Tool Room (often the PC) will put some documentation in the case with the firearm. I have seen this once

The biggest indicator of a run of one is when the serial numbers before and after the firearm in question are different product codes. That would not be the case with your revolver

In your case I would keep the take off barrel with the firearm just in case.

If a few years down the road a credible reference to a single LHV being built with a variation of the 5" barrel turns up, it will be nice to still have it

Which 3" barrel did you have in mind? The only one I can recall is the 3" V-comp.

A 3" V-comp is another 627 that I would like to have

BTW, post a photo of your LHV to the thread for the rest of us to admire

 

[jughed440]

......

BTW, post a photo of your LHV to the thread for the rest of us to admire

oops..I meant to say that i want to replace the current barrel with a Bloodwork snub barrel.
I used to have the 6 1/2" slab side PC627, And a 5" V-Comp with the "NWR" prefix, but foolishly sold them both.

Here is the LHV with a later slab barrel...

Next to it is a 627-5 with the standard barrel. Of course it being the only 8 round 627 built on the regular production line (bet you knew that )
I took this pic to show the difference in hammer lengths between the early PC627s, and the 627-3 and later models with shorter hammers.