686 vs. 627 Question

[piggyback]

Man oh man! What a hard question. First of all, I wouldn't put a limit on one gun, because I would only be kidding myself. I was just going to get a couple 357's, but now I can't stop. I need help. All I have to do is look at one and I want it. I will try to keep this simple, but it is going to be rough. The 627 seems like it does shoot at the tighter pattern but I know ammo is different. I love both of my guns. My wife has a 627 V-Comp. Luckily we picked it up used and got a real decent deal, and that baby is tight. I just got through 4 days of finishing my 686, and it is beautiful, so I guess I can't really answer your question, so good luck!

 

[Revolver King]

[/QUOTE] My bad, my 686 seven shot is a -4 model. Brain fart, own too many guns....[/QUOTE]

+1 on owning too many guns exspeacially 686s

 

[Stainz]

My only 686 is a 5" half-lug 7-shooter. While I like it - the 627 Pro I bought last spring is a lot nicer. Comparing S&W's current prices from their site, the 4" 686+ has an MSRP of $932 while the 4" 627 Pro is MSRP of $1,059 - figure about a C-note difference at the dealer. Mine has one for $759 new in his case (Mine was $719 last year.).

Below you'll see my massive 627 collection. Yeah, the JM PC 627 V-Comp has a nicer PC-shop trigger, but the 627 Pro will be here when it's gone. It has the same dished for moonclips cylinder, with eased charge holes. Not a great plus for me - the spindly/spider-legged 8-shot moonclips just don't load like the .45 ACPs in my 625JM - it spoiled me forever for moonclips. As a range gun, they are super. You can load rounds fast from a bucket or bag - 2 rounds at a time. One of the 627 Pro's best attribute - that spring-loaded front sight - changeable in seconds without tools. Add the Ahrends retro targets in cocobolo and a HiViz front sight - ~$85-$90 - and you'll have one like mine below. They also come with a 'tweaked action' - actually a shortened strain screw. Get a full length one if you use Wolff hammer springs. I think the 627 Pro is S&W's 'Best Buy' now - replacing the 625JM - my previous choice for that title - but I am fickle.

Stainz

PS Welcome to the site - and the madness of S&W revolvers - they are addictive.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Here is part of my 686 family, plus a 627. I only have about as many as R_K does, 6 total.

 

[mclark202]

I just bought this one a week or two ago. Paid $400 for it as pictured. I really like it and it is my first real wheel gun, next to my airweight revolvers.

 

[cylinder]

This is the old picture of both, I have removed the scope and put X-frame grips on the 686 recently:

If I had to keep just one, it would be the 627 because of the better balance, but I do like shooting both.

 

[MikeZ65]

Boy, oh boy. You're all a wealth of information and beautiful pictures to boot! Seems like there is no definitive answer though... I'm going to have to hold them both again in one sitting to see how the balance feels. My dealer is pretty good about keeping a large supply of Smiths in stock, though he was pretty Obama depleted the last time I was there.

It's really fun to see that you're all not just revolver nuts, you're Smith and Wesson nuts! I hope to join the club for as much as my salary will allow. Over time I hope to have a few to scroll through!

Thanks everyone!

Mike

 

[BoneDigger]

I know you said you were going to purchase a new gun, but I don't understand the reasoning there. A used 686 can be had for under $400 if you look hard enough. Buy one, have fun with it, then add a 627 in a few months. There are a ton of used 686s on the market. They pop up quite often as people sell them to buy the latest greatest plastic thing on the market.

Plus, by buying used you can avoid the lock.

Todd

 

[MikeZ65]

Originally posted by BoneDigger:

Plus, by buying used you can avoid the lock.

Todd

You know, I was waiting for someone to say this. I'm surprised no one else mentioned the "avoid the lock. Buy used" thing.

Is that lock as horrible as I've been hearing? I kind of enjoy putting my own scratches in the thing and definitely don't want to purchase something with some modification someone failed to mention in their advertisement.

Where do you suggest looking around for one? Online or just through local dealers?

 

[Nightowl]

If you just gotta buy new, get the best first! Even with the lock, the 8 short Performance Center 627 is one fine gun. AND, it still has a good profile compared to the buried hammer, ugly looking 686 with lock. The lock totally changes the profile of all frames smaller than the N.

 

[BoneDigger]

Well Mike, to be honest with you, the reason I mentioned the lock was because in your original post you say that you "particularly dislike the lock." Although all of my guns are without the lock, I don't really have a big hatred for them.

There have been a few instances of locks failing, but from what I gather this is primarily with smaller framed guns shooting heavier loads. I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you.

Buying a gun is a personal decision that you must make on your own. One positive with buying a used gun is that the sale does not go on record, such as if you buy at a gunshop. granted, these records are supposed to only be kept by the gunshop, but who knows...

I wold look in some pawn shops and go to some gun shows. Also, do a search for some local hunting websites. That's where I find a lot of what I buy. Also, check the classifieds on this site. I see 686s there all the time it seems.

Todd

 

[Bullseye Smith]

He won't find a SSR with out the lock. Some people won't buy a used car when they can have a new one. Buy what you want, not what others want. Nothing wroung with the lock, many sold every day without a problem. If it is man made - it can fail (That includes tupperware Glock's).So don't let anyone tell you what to do or what to buy. The SSR is a nice gun, when I get back to work I'm going to add one to my group

.

 

[piggyback]

I figured I would send you a couple of pictures to look at .....

 

[Mule88]

I have 2 5 inch 686 and a 5 inch 627. Both excellent. The 686 fits better in my hand than the 627, but My hands arnt big. If you have bigger mits the 627 might fit you better. Id try to fire both and see which fits your hands better.

 

[akr]

Piggyback--
You have fine taste in revolvers! Very nice choices!