686 SSR vs 627 PC 2.625" vs R8... feedbacks please

[Jacoby]

Been lurking around for a while and have learned a great deal about S&W revolvers.

I hope to hear your recommendations/experiences with owners of either or all as i'm choosing between these for my first S&W revolver. I own several semi-autos and for revolvers, I only have a Ruger LCR .38 which gets painful to shoot only after several rounds.

I'm not from the US and choices are extremely limited with very expensive selling prices so I can pick only one in the near future (plus the wife will get really upset). There are also no rentals to test so I'm buying purely based on research.

My dealer has the 686 SSR, 627PC in 2.625", and R8. The 627PC costs $150 more than the SSR while the R8 a whopping $700 more than the 627PC. Even if I can well afford any of them, I do not feel comfortable paying more than the 627PC’s asking price. My main reasons for wanting an S&W revolver are for collection and fun range shooting. Maybe a possible home defense option too although not the priority as I have other tools for that purpose.

Here are pros and cons I can think of so far (please chime in your comments)…
686SSR
+ probably sized just right and least expensive
- 6 rounds “only”

627PC
+ 8 rounds plus I like the moonclip option as I don’t have a gun that has this feature yet
- Unsure if 2.625” can tame the .357's recoil. Also some reviews are criticising snubnose performance on .357 rounds.

R8
+ same reasons as 627PC plus I like the tacticool look
- seems too expensive for what it is

If you have to choose only one, which would it be and why? (unfortunately, no other 686 and 627 variants are available)

Between the three, which is potentially more collectable and can hold its value better in your opinion?


Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't have any of these three exact models but I do have a 686+ 5", 627PC 8-Times 5", & several Sc framed snubnoses.

On your concern of recoil in the 627PC, all the guns weigh about the same, 36-38 oz, so that's pretty much a wash.

I agree, especially in your case, the R8 is too high $$, though it's the most unique of the three, IMO. If it wasn't for the cost, it'd be my pick for a general use revolver, of the three.

The 686SSR, with it's 4" bbl. would be more practical than the 627's, for range use. If you can stand the look of the slab side bbl. (same as my 8-Times) I think you'd like the L-frame 6-shot, size wise, it's a good compromise.

With full loads, the 627PC is going to have more muzzle blast (& less velocity). Consider that, if that bothers you, or shoot reduced loads. Having a 8-shot revolver, & snubby, is cool though. Moonclips are handy for fast reloads but don't carry well in your pocket. If you have big hands it's grips are smallish, which is easily fixed. I think this would have the most value & collectablity long-term.

.

 

[Goblin]

I'd pick the SSR as the more versatile gun. Some people love snubbies, so try to decide whether you're that guy. If so, that should outweigh the velocity loss, slight increase in muzzle-flip, noise and flash, and you should get the PC.

One thing to consider, I believe the Performance Center could fit a seven-shot cylinder to the SSR. Not sure if they can do it for you since you're not in the U.S.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Read your own words and you'll see the one you want. Your leaning toward the SSR.
For your criteria, the SSR seems the logical choice.
A 4" L-frame is a good shooter, that should meet your needs.

 

[tjpopkin]

None of them are truly "collectable". These are shooter's guns. The 627 is an 8-shot, which is useful if you need it, but it is designed as a carry gun that is concealable. My 50 years of actually SHOOTING tell me that if the barrel is under 3", there is a loss of mid-range and long-range accuracy, no matter how well the gun is made. Besides, mitigating the blast from slow powders in the .357 magnum require longer barrels. and even then, there is a compromise. By most standards, the .357 magnum is not a MONSTER caliber, and is easy to shoot accurately. I have a 2" and that is not an easy task. The R8 is a shooter's gun. It is easy to shoot well and fast. It is a PC gun with a lifetime warranty, a great trigger out of the box, a gun onto which you can easily accessorize to your heart's content. Using a BMT loader, it is really fast to reload. All well and good. Having owned MANY 357 shooters, I have sold the 3.5", 5", 6" and 8.375" Model 27s. I kept my most accurate EVER .357, My Registered Magnum....which I shoot. I also love my K-frame Model 66 in 6" and I carry a 340S scandium J-frame in a pocket holster every day. Painful to shoot, but if I need it, so what. Overall, stay with the L-frame...unless you have to carry, but then a smaller, lighter gun is better.

 

[Jacoby]

Appreciate all the feedback. I was mainly concerned with shootability especially in .357 magnum after my Ruger LCR experience. It is a great carry gun but shooting it is just not so fun. I feel even my pump shotgun hurts less than the LCR.

Interesting day today as dealer updated me and only the 686 SSR is actually available. There are several .44's and J-frame which do not interest me at this moment. There's also a 327PD in 4" but I think it's been sitting in their shelf for years.

They quoted me a 686+ and 629 in 4" on indent order basis which will take many months. But the 686+ costs more than the 686 SSR even if S&W website says otherwise.

So I guess I'll have to decide very soon if the 686 SSR is the one even if it's "only" a 6-rounder. Anyway, for high round capability, I do have Glocks and M&P's.

 

[ridgewalker]

Nothing wrong with the SSR. It's a fun, accurate shooter. I think you will like it.
Can you tell us what country you're in and how much they charge for the SSR.

 

[Neumann]

I have a TRR8, which is an R8 without a built in rail. It is a nice shooter, light weight and very accurate. Since it is a PC revolver, it has a very smooth trigger and a ball detent front lockup rather than the usual latch. That makes it very tight and rattle-free. The two piece barrel may need periodic re-tensioning.

The 686 SSR is a PRO model, between standard and PC. The triggers are very smooth, but don't have a trigger stop, nor the ball detent or forged parts of the PC revolvers. The SSR was designed for service pistol competition, which often requires 6 rounds and a 4" barrel maximum. I have a 627PRO 4", which is the N-framed, 8 round version of the SSR.

Snub nosed revolvers are for concealed carry and close quarter self defense. These steel versions are heavy enough to handle full .357 Magnum recoil with ease, but the short barrel is not as easy to line up on targets.

I have a 629PC 2-5/8", .44 Magnum,which is the same general size and feel as the 627, ball detent and all. I'm inclined toward heavy revolvers for CC - more thump possible and jam-free in close quarters (e.g., cars and winter coats). .357 Magnum is a better choice for self defense, but .44 Magnum is just right for a woods walk in bear country.

 

[jtcarm]

I own none of the above, but would go with the R8.

For your purposes, the 686 should be fine.

 

[cometpx4]

627

I have the 627 2.65 and absolutely love it. Got the 8 shot speed loaders which I use more than the moon clips (but use the clips too). Shooting .38's is like .22 and .357 is like .38. The weight soaks up recoil. Trigger is real good, very accurate and 8 shots of Winchester 110 grain .357 is my home defense load of choice. Very light and fast and 8 is great.
It has become my favorite revolver.

 

[Jacoby]

Just ordered the 686 SSR and hopefully, I can bring it home after all the paperwork are done. Since I already have a snub nose, it will be nice to have a mid length one too.

Here in the Philippines, the 686 SSR goes for almost $2,000. In general, imported guns cost 40-100% more than US MSRP depending on the brand. While locally made ones (e.g. Rock Island Armory) are generally cheap to buy.

But since transferring ownership is a complicated process, I have to be careful in choosing something I will really like.

 

[Jacoby]

Turns out the dealer has an M&P R8 coming in after all so I changed my prior order and got it instead

 

[bigwheelzip]

Great.

Post pics and a range report when you get a chance. Enjoy