Finally found a 627-PC

[hkcavalier]

I've been searching for a pre-IL 627 8 shooter pretty much since joining this forum. I was able to scratch the pre-IL 686 7 shooter itch over 10 years ago, and found an IL 627-5 a few years back, but the older 627 has eluded me.

No longer --- I brought this unfluted 627-PC home yesterday. It's identical to the one showed on page 451 of the SCSW 4th, product code 170116, though I have no box. Serial, like PMA0001 shown in the book, is also a PMA and just a few numbers above. Another thread mentions these were for Lew Horton with only 219 made.

The differences between the 627-5 are interesting and show the evolution of just 5 years (mine is a 2003 gun). Frame, hammer, barrel, cylinder lockup, etc. The 627-PC is noticeably heavier in the hand.

I did not care at all for the Altamont rosewood grips and immediately swapped for a set of Ahrends round-to-square conversion grips I had lying around. The Altamonts are too thick in the middle and too thin at the bottom. Last pic is with its newer brother, though it looks like it had grown dark out and the flash went off (didn't notice at the time).

And the best part, I was able to buy it for a little more than a brand new 627-5 would run down at the local sporting goods store.

EDIT: My 627-PC is cut for moon clips. SCSW doesn't mention moon clips until the 627-5. Was mine modified aftermarket?

 

[Nightowl]

Great find! There are not too many 627-PC's with the unfluted cylinder. There are some in the BDM serial range. Mine are in the RMA serial number range with fluted cylinders. Great shooting guns. I put 50 rounds through mine today.

 

[SmithNut]

Of the three original 8 shot M627's the 5" slender barrel came with the fluted cylinders, the other two - the 2 5/8" (Bloodwork gun) and the 6" Hunter both came with unfluted cylinders..... not to my liking so I have the PC fit fluted cylinders to those two.
The original 5" had a HMAxxxx serial number, the 2 5/8" had a HMAxxxx prefix and the 6" had the LVA prefix.

The 8" gun in the above pic was one of three guns made by the Performance Center for Ernie Vadersen (the President of S&W Golf company), looking back I now wished I didn't let it go to another collector.....

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congratulations! That's a very nice wheelgun!

 

[Michaelp57]

In my opinion, the 5" 627 PC and 5"686 PC are tied for most beautiful revolver. Good pick up man. Forgive my ignorance, but is there really that much of a difference between lock or no lock? My 460 has it and I dont see why it's necessary, but it's never bothered me.

 

[hkcavalier]

Functionally, not really. The PC looks and feels like it was put together by hand while the -5 is more mass produced in feel. The PC is a bit overbuilt in a few spots. But as launchers of .357s I am sure they are 99% equal. But so is a Taurus or Ruger 8 shooter, if we’re being honest. It’s partly the joy of the hunt and partly wanting a quality piece.

 

[Hawg Rider]

It may be my aging eyes, but the unfluted cylinder on your 627 looks to be more polished than the matte finish on the rest of the revolver. The cylinder may have been replaced and that's why it's machined for moonclips.

 

[hkcavalier]

It may be my aging eyes, but the unfluted cylinder on your 627 looks to be more polished than the matte finish on the rest of the revolver. The cylinder may have been replaced and that's why it's machined for moonclips.

I thought the same when I saw the auction pics. But the gun in the SCSW looks the same, and the serial on mine is just a few off from that one, a verified 170116 from the factory.

I suspect that either Lew Horton asked for them that way, or S&W cut that corner and shipped them like that. I have found one other example on the forum that's also like mine, so it seems standard. The moon clip thing is still a question mark though. Until another owner pipes up I'm in the dark. Can't exactly ping Lew Horton Distributors anymore, right?

 

[Nightowl]

The cylinders look more polished than the frame because they are!! Even the fluted cylinders are more polished than the frame on the 8 shot PC 627s. The cylinders match the polished flats of the barrel in smoothness.

All 8 shot 627 PCs were cut for moon clips!

 

[hkcavalier]

The cylinders look more polished than the frame because they are!! Even the fluted cylinders are more polished than the frame on the 8 shot PC 627s. The cylinders match the polished flats of the barrel in smoothness.

All 8 shot 627 PCs were cut for moon clips!

Good info, thank you!

 

[Kingspoke]

627 PC 5" & 6.5"

Here's a couple of 627 PCs I have, the 5" & the 6.5" fluted variety. I'm amazed how they are so on time with 8 chambers, but S&W nailed with the 8 shot 357s.

I was just admiring these revolvers, & thinking, I need to get them back out on the range!

 

[SmithNut]

Here's a couple of 627 PCs I have, the 5" & the 6.5" fluted variety. I'm amazed how they are so on time with 8 chambers, but S&W nailed with the 8 shot 357s.

I was just admiring these revolvers, & thinking, I need to get them back out on the range!

That 6.5" Slender slab gun is a very scarce puppy, congrats!!!!

 

[Kingspoke]

S&W 627 PC - 8 shots of .357 Magnum out of a Slab Barrel!

That 6.5" Slender slab gun is a very scarce puppy, congrats!!!!

Says the guy with every 627 know to mankind! Thanks!

 

[hkcavalier]

I almost won an auction for a scuffed up fluted cylinder 627-PC around the same time. Looked like a police seizure and needed grips pretty bad. Would have been a fun project, but after spending ~$1600 on this one I was a little tapped. Then, I found another S&W that hopefully I'll have in hand this weekend. Not a 627 but its model number does end in 7...

 

[toad67]

Here's a couple of 627 PCs I have, the 5" & the 6.5" fluted variety. I'm amazed how they are so on time with 8 chambers, but S&W nailed with the 8 shot 357s.

I was just admiring these revolvers, & thinking, I need to get them back out on the range!

That's some pretty fine looking lumber on them sidearms....

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I may need one of those. Great guns and pics.

 

[Souvergn41]

OP nice find! Here is mine, early CNC frame gun. Lew Horton, -3. I too hate the round butt and have a couple of sets of conversion Culinas. This is with the Olive. Maybe not the right combination but both the gun and the grips are just outstanding. Too bad they don't make them like they used to at S&W.

 

[hkcavalier]

It's funny how that -3 is right in the middle of my two 627s, feature-wise. Love the grips. I keep finding Ahrends and factory grips for relatively good prices, but will probably get a set of Culinas one of these days.

 

[Bullet Bob]

"Too bad they don't make them like they used to at S&W."

I have Gun Digests from the 1960's and 70's where they say the exact same thing about the S&W's being produced at that time. There really is nothing new under the sun.

 

[hkcavalier]

I believe we're in the midst of the S&W cost-cutting endgame, based on the new purchase reviews & posts here and elsewhere. Let's hope the resolution is more Colt than Remington.