first revolver

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flexible

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Been a competition (bullseye) shooter for decades and always used semi autos. Looking to buy my first revolver and I have $1500 in the budget. Thinking of models from the Performance Center: 627 V-Comp, R8627 or TRR8.
Does anyone have recommendations and would a 'dot' sight be a good idea right away?
thanks
flexible
 
This is just me and many will likely disagree but I suggest a Plain-Jane, second hand, Model 10 set up they way they were issued to cops. Learn to master that long, heavy double action trigger revolvers are famous for before spending money on a more expensive gun. My Model 19 & 64 are two of the best range guns I own.
 
As a bullseye shooter, you would probably like the 625 (45 acp with moon clips). The 5" has the best balance (my opinion).
 
My opinion would be to get yourself a vintage M15, M14, or M586. I have looked at some of the new Performance Center revolvers and at least to me they are not worth the price of admission. Fit, finish, casting lines, barrels, I/L, B/C Gaps, clocked barrels, etc. etc. etc. PLUS their poor track record we all see here on this Forum.

I see that your budget is $1500 and you can buy two vintage Revolvers for that price if you are persistent and they will be far & wide smoother, and of higher quality than anything now produced. I am NOT bashing - just telling the truth as I see it. Good luck with what ever your final decision is.
 
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FOR 1500$

That will go a LONG way, used. I agree with the above, get your feet wet with a 400$ +/- model 10, then use the remaining (maybe save more) for a REAL nice vintage, whatever your little heart desires. Todays performance center??? You mean pay more to get a "custom" job, not as good as older standard, off the line work. NO THANKS.
 
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flexible said:
Been a competition (bullseye) shooter for decades and always used semi autos. Looking to buy my first revolver and I have $1500 in the budget. Thinking of models from the Performance Center: 627 V-Comp, R8627 or TRR8.
Does anyone have recommendations and would a 'dot' sight be a good idea right away?
thanks
flexible
Click to expand...

Just to verify, will the revolver also be for competition?
 
not sure if I will use it in competition, not in a hurry just trying to get some info together.
thanks
flexible
 
For $1500 you should be able to find a 45 acp 25-2 or a 625 AND a 38 special model 14 or a K22 model 17. You can do a lot of revolver learning with a decent K22. Every week run through a $30 brick of ammo and you'll get that dbl action trigger down.

The 45acp guns are great, big holes in the paper, quick reloads, plenty of bulk ammo available.
 
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first revolver, follow up

thanks for all the advice everyone; you've made me start rethinking this. Since my current battery is all custom made for competition (Clark) maybe I should try a custom built revolver.
Can anyone recommend a good pistolsmith specializing in revolvers? It sounds like it might be cheaper than the S&W Custom Shop.
thanks
flexible
 
A good old model 14 with custom grips tailored for you.There'll still be $$$ left for a good gunsmith to work on it.
Qc
 
New revolver

Since you are already a bullseye shooter, I definitely would get a revolver with adjustable sights, not a model 10. A model 14, 15, or 17 should all
Work well to start. Willyboy
 
There are many, many options available to you.

A Smith and Wesson I said a great place to start.

The first thing you need to decide on is Caliber, the second thing you need to decide on is Barrel length.

If this gun is for target use, a 5" or 6" barrel is going to give you a great sight radius.

If you are looking for .45acp a 25-2 or a 625 will be up your alley.

If you want .38spcl/.357 Magnum the 586, the 686, the Model 27, the 627, the 19 and the 66 will all get you there.

Let us know what Caliber you are looking for. There are dozens of classic offerings out there. The only customizations you will need are grips, and maybe a trigger job. We will guide you on grips, and a trigger job may not even be needed.
 
I already have 2 .45 Colt M1911's (long heavy slide and one hardball) so I would like to get a revolver in .38/.357. I have my Dillon with a tool head for .38/.357 and I load .38 for one of my Colt's. My brother has a S&W 686 and I load .357 for him.
 
flexible said:
I already have 2 .45 Colt M1911's (long heavy slide and one hardball) so I would like to get a revolver in .38/.357. I have my Dillon with a tool head for .38/.357 and I load .38 for one of my Colt's. My brother has a S&W 686 and I load .357 for him.
Click to expand...

Look for a 5" Model 27-2 if you are looking for .38/.357.

That is my advice. It is based off of the Registered Magnum. The first Magnum.

It is the Cadillac of S&W Revolvers. The 5" gun has perfect lines and it is perfectly balanced. The trigger will be excellent, and you will have a lot of options on grips available to you.

The 1960 - 1980 revolver forum will cover this model.

You should be able to find one for $1100 to $1200 and have money left over for ammo.
 
...K-38...they don't call it Masterpiece for nothing...

247.jpg
 
flexible said:
thanks for all the advice everyone; you've made me start rethinking this. Since my current battery is all custom made for competition (Clark) maybe I should try a custom built revolver.
Can anyone recommend a good pistolsmith specializing in revolvers? It sounds like it might be cheaper than the S&W Custom Shop.
thanks
flexible
Click to expand...

First thing to decide is what you plan on using the gun for, that will determine which models to consider and what modifications you might want. I would strongly recommend shooting the gun as-is before customizing. The other thing to consider with revolvers is getting the right stocks to fit your hands and your purposes.

A lot of revolversmiths can do great work on an S&W, you can probably find someone locally. If I wanted a national name to work on mine it would probably be Frank Glenn.
 
Heck I'll third the suggestion for getting a police trade model 10. I picked one up recently from J&G sales. 10-8, made in 1985 (S&W told me the date) 4" heavy bull barrel, tight lock up, hardly used but lots of holster wear. Single action is light & crisp, double action is smooth & do-able on bowling pins at 20 yards. my 642 snubbie has a double action trigger pull that's nearly twice as heavy as my model 10.

Now if you really want to get a new model for possible competition/target revolver, you can't go wrong with a sexy mod 585 6" or a slick looking 686-6". Both are the same gun, in 357 mag, 6" barrel with adjustable target sights except ones blued & the other is stainless.

For USPSA/IDPA type competition, I suggest a S&W model 929 performance center, 6" barrel, 8 shot in 9mm
 
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For Bullseye?

An older or pre-14 (.38 Spl), and a 625 (.45 ACP) in your preferred barrel length.

I suppose you could also make an argument that you really "need" a K-32, as well.

Depending on how nice your .22 autopistol is, a K-22 might make the list, but I don't know that I've ever seen a really nice one that wouldn't eat up an inordinate amount of the budget. Although really, ditto for the .32.
 
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My suggestion is a 686 6". Nice DA/SA trigger, 6" full underlug barrel, shoots .357/38 Spl. This was my 1st revolver and I still shoot this the best. If you want to add a red dot later, you can.
 

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IMO and it is just that, I think you would be best served with the 627 V-Comp and a trijicon RMR sight.
 
first revolver, thanks

Hi everyone; thanks for all the advice I have some research to do as well as some shopping.
flexible
 
I suggest that you look around first. I found this in the parking lot of a gun shop. The owner(an older gentleman) wanted to sell it to the shop and they did not want it. I looked at it and did buy it for $350. The gun came from a custom gunsmith in your area. What Have I Got? Look around, you never know what you'll find.
 
flexible said:
thanks for all the advice everyone; you've made me start rethinking this. Since my current battery is all custom made for competition (Clark) maybe I should try a custom built revolver.
Can anyone recommend a good pistolsmith specializing in revolvers? It sounds like it might be cheaper than the S&W Custom Shop.
thanks
flexible
Click to expand...


Here are two excellent revolver smiths:

David Clements
Woodlawn, Virginia
276-238-8761

Alex Hamilton
San Antonio, Texas
210-494-3063

Worth a call to both to lay out your project and see what they have to say.
 
I've used a 4" M15 for competition shooting for 35 years and if I were to need a new one (for any reason) the M15 would still be my first choice. Many prefer the 6" barrel of the same gun and it is designated the M14. I personally shoot 4" guns better than 6" versions and have many of both for an accurate comparison.

If at all possible, I would suggest shooting different models and barrel lengths before you buy, although even if you do buy one of these well preserved vintage gems, I doubt you will ever loose money selling it (providing you pay the right price for it in the first place).

The M10 is a fixed sight gun and while it remains one of S&W's all time best revolvers I'd reserve the M10 for carry / SD and informal plinking. For competition work, the adjustable sights are beneficial.
 
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