8 shot revolver differences and considerations

[vospertw]

Thinking about getting an 8 shot revolver for home defense. Looking at the 627, TRR, and R8. There are some obvious differences in looks and weight, but what are the significant differences between these models that might affect their use as a home defense gun? Are there any performance/reliability issues to be aware of? I would anticipate putting 2500-3000 rounds per year through it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cal44]

I think for a house gun, I'd go with steel -- the 627.

I'd look for a 5" version, but the 2 5/8 PC gun would work fine also.

 

[colt_saa]

Obviously the 627 with it's stainless frame will weigh considerably more than the Scandium framed 327 TRR8 or M&P R8 revolvers.

For a home defense firearm, weight is basically a non-issue so I am in agreement with Cal44. The heavier revolver will significantly dampen recoil.

However, I do not believe in the purchase of a 2 5/8" revolver for home defense. There is no reason for the short barrel. The short barrel will simply increase muzzle blast. The shorter barrel will increase muzzle flip and perceived recoil. Plus if you are using hand loads or non-premium commercial ammunition the short barrel will increase muzzle flash.

As to the differences between the Scandium framed 327 TRR8 or M&P R8, they are almost identical firearms. The one major difference is that the lower equipment rail is removable on TRR8 and permanent on the M&P R8. My preference is for the TRR8 simply for the versatility

 

[epj]

My 627 Pro occasionally stands HD duty. I load with fairly stout .38 Spec. I have no interest in touching off a .357 in a confined space.

 

[vospertw]

Thanks all. One of the big reasons I'm looking at this is that I primarily carry a 642 and obviously there are some training disconnects between a carry revolver and a Glock in the nightstand. Plus, I think the risk that the bump in the night is my wife getting a snack is greater than finding a burglar and I like the double action trigger pull in that circumstance. While I think the 2 5/8" barrel is probably ok for carry, I'm looking at the 5" barrels. Should have mentioned that up front.

Agree with epj about 38 special. Especially with something like Gold Dot 135 grain +P, I think it would be a very effective round with relatively easily managed recoil. I'll save the .357 for hog hunting.

Here's a few more questions - is the 627 cut for moon clips? It's not a show-stopper but it would be nice to have the option for reloads. It also appears the TRR/R8 may have some trigger work that is not included with the 627? Finally, is there any accommodation for adding an optic on the 627? I wouldn't do it for HD but might for hunting.

colt - thanks for the breakdown. I didn't notice the difference in the rails on those two handguns.

 

[epj]

I think all the adjustable sight revolvers are drilled and tapped to add a rail. You just remove the rear sight. My 627 Pro is moon clip ready. Not sure about a "standard" 627, if they still even offer those.

 

[daverich4]

It also appears the TRR/R8 may have some trigger work that is not included with the 627? .

They're supposed to but when I purchased my R8 it came with a gritty 6 lb. single action trigger pull and my Lyman Trigger Guage wouldn't even measure the double action pull which means it was something over 11 lbs .

 

[CScott]

I vote for the 4 inch 627 Pro. I've had mine for about 3 years now with no problems whatsoever. Very accurate and comfortable to shoot a lot. Trigger pull is very smooth DA and crisp as can be single action. I mostly shoot various handloads that are a little less than full power, usually with 158 grain LSWC bullets. I can really make those tin cans dance across the desert. 8 rounds in the gun with 2 or 3 loaded moon clips is a bunch of firepower.
Mine goes with me most of the time along with whatever other guns I'm taking.
I have lots of classic Smiths to enjoy but this 627 is just as well made. It makes me wonder why the "old vs. new" guns discussion comes up so often.
Scott

 

[Stainz]

I had a nice 5" JM PC627 when the 4" regular 627 and Pro models were released. I liked the moonclip capability of the 4" 627 Pro, the regular 4" 627 wasn't moonclip-ready (Neither was the later 327NG!), so I bought the first one I found. Several years later, the Blood Work gun - the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR - was re-released - and I bought the first one of those I saw. The 5" JM PC627 wasn't being shot any more, so I sold it and bought another 2 5/8" PC627 UDR - for the ultimate house gun.

The 4" and 2 5/8" barrels don't make that much difference in my defensive ammo choice - .38 Spcl +P 158gr LHPSWC's. The shorter barrel 'trains' more easily and doesn't offer a long barrel for an intruder to grab, either. Additionally, the reddish ramp is viewable in dim light - very handy. The gun's decent PC DA trigger and mass makes my defensive rounds easy to follow up quickly. I matched my 627 Pro time with the 2 5/8" PC 627 on the range's Steel Plate Challenge, too - it's accurate! I love my 627 Pro... but if I could only keep one - it'd be the 2 5/8" PC627!

Stainz

PS An attribute of the 627 Pro I really like for a range gun is it's spring-loaded front sight for fast tool-less sight changes. The HiViz, same as my 4" 625JM, is great in any daylight.

 

[rickjones]

If you are going to purchase an eight shot revolver for the specific purpose of home defense the trr8 or r8 is a no brainer. The trr8 is a superb weapon and has several mounting options. Put a quality light on the front rail and keep extra moonclips ready. For the purpose you describe it fills every criteria.

 

[colt_saa]

Here's a few more questions - is the 627 cut for moon clips? It's not a show-stopper but it would be nice to have the option for reloads. It also appears the TRR/R8 may have some trigger work that is not included with the 627? Finally, is there any accommodation for adding an optic on the 627? I wouldn't do it for HD but might for hunting.

colt - thanks for the breakdown. I didn't notice the difference in the rails on those two handguns.

All of the 27/327/627 revolvers produced by the Performance Center are enabled for moon clip usage.

The actions on the 627s and the 327 TRR8 get the same treatment when manufactured.

The 627 frame is Drilled and Tapped or a scope mount.

If you can find one, there is a 627 Heavy Hunter that was produced. The big 6" slab sided barrel along with the factory Mag-na-Porting reduce muzzle climb to almost zero with any SAAMI spec 357 Magnum loading. This is an awesome hunting revovler

 

[colt_saa]

I think all the adjustable sight revolvers are drilled and tapped to add a rail. You just remove the rear sight. My 627 Pro is moon clip ready. Not sure about a "standard" 627, if they still even offer those.

All S&W adjustable sighted revolvers produced since about the late 90s (If my memory is working) are drilled and tapped for a scope mount.

The 327 TRR8 and M&P R8 both have upper and lower equipment rails that mount on the barrel shroud in addition to being D&T

image courtesy of Smith and Wesson
​

No standard production 627 is enabled for moon clips from the factory. Only the Pros and the PCs

 

[jtcarm]

However, I do not believe in the purchase of a 2 5/8" revolver for home defense. There is no reason for the short barrel. The short barrel will simply increase muzzle blast. The shorter barrel will increase muzzle flip and perceived recoil. Plus if you are using hand loads or non-premium commercial ammunition the short barrel will increase muzzle flash.

Not necessarily:
That longer barrel makes a nice lever for a bad guy to yank the gun out of your hand.

Massad Ayoob wrote that he could snatch a 1911 from almost any LEO who attended his school, no matter how big & bad (I don't recall if one or two-handed grip.) By contrast, he found it near impossible to wrest a 2" j-frame from even the most petite female officers.

The trick was to bring his hand up and grab under the barrel, push back & away to break the grip, then snatch it back. All VERY fast. The longer the barrel, the more leverage to break the grip.

On a 2" barrel, there's nothing to grab and no leverage.

In home-defense, you're liable to be surprised at very close quarters.

 

[colt_saa]

Not necessarily:
That longer barrel makes a nice lever for a bad guy to yank the gun out of your hand.

Massad Ayoob wrote that he could snatch a 1911 from almost any LEO who attended his school, no matter how big & bad (I don't recall if one or two-handed grip.) By contrast, he found it near impossible to wrest a 2" j-frame from even the most petite female officers.

The trick was to bring his hand up and grab under the barrel, push back & away to break the grip, then snatch it back. All VERY fast. The longer the barrel, the more leverage to break the grip.

On a 2" barrel, there's nothing to grab and no leverage.

In home-defense, you're liable to be surprised at very close quarters.

and Bob Munden could draw, fire and re-holster in under 10 one thousandths of a second

When the average bad guy becomes Massad Ayoob, then this might be something to worry about

Neither statement has anything to do with real world citizens defending their homes.

Show me just a single case report where a perpetrator even tried to use this technique regardless if he was successful or not. Just One Case.

 

[vospertw]

If you are going to purchase an eight shot revolver for the specific purpose of home defense the trr8 or r8 is a no brainer. The trr8 is a superb weapon and has several mounting options. Put a quality light on the front rail and keep extra moonclips ready. For the purpose you describe it fills every criteria.

At first I thought the underside rail was a great place for a light... but I'm not sure how workable it would be - looks like the light would be pretty far forward compared to a semi-auto. Seems like it might be tough to work intermittent light with a normal grip unless you have pretty long fingers.

I agree that the 627's weight will help with recoil control. However, I like the Scandium frame in that I would probably have a hand-held light in one hand and the revolver in the other - the 10 ounce difference may be more noticeable shooting one handed.

 

[Elliot45]

for home defense I would not choose.....

I would not choose a revolver. vospertw, I know that this doesn't address your question but let me explain where I am coming from. A couple of years ago I purchase a 686+ Pro, 5" barrel, seven shot .357 revolver which uses moonclips. It is very accurate and I kept it around for self defense and loved shooting it. That being said, I have owned many guns over the years but not any 9mm until I bought a 5" M&P Pro. This is also very accurate, has less recoil than .357s or .38+Ps and most importantly, uses 17 round magazines. I usually prefer the 124 gr. JHPs or 147 gr. JHPs for defense purposes. I find that I can get off more shots on target with the 9mm Pro than I can with my 686+ Pro and I don't have to worry about switching moonclips. If 9mm doesn't do it for you, the same gun is also available in .40. Don't get me wrong, I love revolvers and also have a Model 27 but I feel much more comfortable knowing that I have 18 shots at the ready than 7 (or in your case 8). Just my opinion. Regards, Elliot45

 

[vospertw]

Elliot45 - There's a longer story as to why I'm looking at revolvers but as to capacity, I'm in Kalifornia, so I only get 10+1 anyway. If I could have standard capacity mags, I'd probably go that route.

Collects - I hear you. My 642 IL has been disabled as well.

 

[Elliot45]

one handed?

vospertw, I'm not sure how much experience you've had shooting but trying to shoot one-handed in a self defense situation while holding a flashlight in another doesn't sound like a recipe for success to me, particularly if you're shooting hot loads. But good luck with that if that's the path you choose. Regards, Elliot45

 

[Elliot45]

Sorry to hear that you're in CA, that does limit your choices. Regard, Elliot45

 

[vospertw]

vospertw, I'm not sure how much experience you've had shooting but trying to shoot one-handed in a self defense situation while holding a flashlight in another doesn't sound like a recipe for success to me, particularly if you're shooting hot loads. But good luck with that if that's the path you choose. Regards, Elliot45

I think it's a pretty standard technique. I practice it probably once a month or so at the range. Allows you to ID threats without having to point a gun at them as you do with a weapon-mounted light - which might help keep you from shooting the neighbor's kid who thought it might be funny to steal your six-pack of beer one night.

I have a light mounted to my G19 now but the idea behind that is so I always have a light with me, not to make it my primary light. I keep a tac light next to the bed.