help me decide? 686+ or 627?

[C.S.63]

I am in the market for a new handgun and the Beretta 92 compact did not last at the LGS during this round of buying frenzy,
So Instead of an auto I am leaning towards a 686+ or a 627 there will be no need to chase brass I am leaning towards a 4-5" barrel

Purpose is general use SD/CCW/Hunting/Target etc. I do reload and own a few n frame 44s and J frames but nothing in between. Figure quick reloads with full moon clips?

Input from those that own either or both would be appreciated

 

[jdh]

The 627 is H&H, hugh and heavy. If I was going to ever use it for concealed carry the 686+ 4" would be my choice between those.

 

[RGPM1A]

+1 on the above response. Also You can't use moon clips with a 686. However HKS and 5 Star firearms sell 7 round speed loaders for the 686 plus.

 

[bigtubby]

Got a 627-3 V comp it is a great gun but not a conceal carry gun but it will do everything else you ask.

 

[dentkimterry]

I have a 627 Pro 4" that I would not think of trying to carry. It's one of my bowling pin guns. I also have a 686+ 3" that is good for carry and is also a great shooter.

 

[C.S.63]

For a 686 I would have the cylinder machined to accept the full moon clips,
carl

 

[Ignatz]

The 686 Pro Series comes 7 shot mooncliped, interchangable front sight, and 5" barrel.

 

[Gorenut]

I own a 5" 627 PC and it is easily my favorite gun. I've even tried every variation of it such as the V-Comp, etc... but I just like the standard PC one with the 4" Pro one following close behind. Gun is so easy to shoot that it feels like I'm cheating.

 

[BillyWayne]

L vs N frame. Each hand is different and you should hold both and point with both and dry fire with both to see what one you like better. I have had N frames but I prefer K/L frames. You may feel differently.

 

[Research Nerd]

My vote is for the 686 plus. A little on the heavy side, but a pure shooter. Makes even the most novice seem like a pro. Perfect in every way.

 

[Maximumbob54]

.38 and .357 moon clips are wafer thin and very prone to bending. With the right holster and detirmination you can carry anything. I have a friend that on a routine carries the 5" 627 PC and you can't tell. If it were me I would opt for the 3" 686+ and add C&S rear and XS Big Dot front for sights.

 

[gr7070]

They're both bad conceal carry guns.

The 686 does not come cut for moonclips, which is a stated preference.

On those two items alone the 627 would seem to be a better purchase for the OP.

Between the two guns, barring a specific need for exactly 7 shots, there is little reason to opt for the 686, IMO. Get the 627.

I see the 7-shot as an oddball gun. If capacity is a concern get a 627; if capacity is a *real* concern get an auto.

 

[Imaposer]

Since the 627 is an N frame, and you want something "in between" then, given your choices, I'd say a 686, although personally I go with a K frame as the largest I'd want for CCW. I have a 627PC and I like it as a range gun, but IMO it's to big to carry. If I were to carry an N frame I'd carry my 625. The .45acp moon clips work much better for me than those for my 627, making it very quick and easy to reload.

 

[DR505]

L vs N frame. Each hand is different and you should hold both and point with both and dry fire with both to see what one you like better. I have had N frames but I prefer K/L frames. You may feel differently.

BW is right, though I'm the opposite. My L frames sit in the safe while my N frames are shot regularly. I prefer my 627 over my 686. I carried a 4" Model 27 concealed for years and never had an issue, but each person is unique (just like everybody else).

 

[hkcavalier]

Whichever gun you find first, in great condition, as a trustworthy private sale. Odds favor the 686+. No I'm not a tinfoil hat "OMG the gubmint is comin' fo the guns" but I just plain old prefer the aftermarket unless you just can't get it there.

 

[C.S.63]

Since this thread is alive again a bit of an update,
Ended up with a H&K P30 I know wrong section but?

The new S&Ws 686s and 627s where almost as costly and when I went looking for a 327PC all where gone,
I handled the P30 and was wow great ergonomics also got 2 x-tra mags

 

[SJshooter]

They're both bad conceal carry guns.

Amen to that. I have a Galco Fletch that I can conceal a 686 if I am hiking, but I wouldn't want to carry that every day.

I would get the 686. It is a workhorse gun and will never wear out. Any special trigger work or Performance Center bonuses the 627 have can be obtained by any gunsmith or by sending it in the S&W for a standard chamfeur and trigger job for much less than the cost difference between these guns. The 686 is easier to sell, it is always in demand. I think the 627 is more like a nice new car where a lot of the price leaves the product as soon as it's off the lot. Having an N-frame in .357 is nice, but not necessary - the L-frame absorbs plenty of recoil and can take hot loads longer than you can.

The difference in MSRP between these guns is $420. Get the 686 (which you will love - has anyone EVER bought a 686 and not loved it?) and the difference will cover 80-100% of a gun you can actually conceal, like a Walther, Ruger LC9 or a baby Glock.

 

[oysterhead]

The 686 is easier to sell, it is always in demand. I think the 627 is more like a nice new car where a lot of the price leaves the product as soon as it's off the lot.

False. Watch any of the auction sites. They're packed with 686s and 627s last less than one day (as long as they're not V Comps).

In fact maybe the advantage of the 686 is that you can find nice pre-locks. Impossible with a 627.

 

[hkcavalier]

Gosh what's wrong with the V-Comps? I'd love one.

 

[oysterhead]

I think they're awesome too. Just a smaller crowd that's looking for that form factor.

There's a few on gunsamerica right now. A nice 627-3 Vcomp just sat on there for 2 weeks for only $900.

 

[pps]

My choice would be the 627

 

[Magster]

I've carried a 686 all day easily. The 627 will make you aware of it's presence after a day. There both great guns but the 686 carries and conceals much easier for me.

 

[oysterhead]

I faced the same choice, and just pulled the trigger on a 686-4 Plus with a 4" barrel.

Why? Cost and availability. With the 686 I could find a very desirable model for $650 OTD. I was looking at $1k OTD for a 627 and that's for an "off the shelf" new model. Seems 627s are caught up in the craze.

I'll still drool over the 627s...if I happen to find a good deal on a sweet one, who knows maybe Ill end up with both.

 

[grumpy7159]

I have the 627 PC 8 shot with moon clips. I carry my 625 PC because it works a whole lot better with moon clips.

 

[BCDWYO]

My vote would be 686+... I have one in 3", 4", and 6" so you can tell I'm fond of them! The 627 is on my watch list though if I can ever find a semi-decent deal on one.

 

[rwsmith]

I have a 686

I have a 686 with a 6" barrel and it has more than enough heft for me, it's a tad heavy with the 6" barrel and full under lug it's a little nose heavy but handles real well. I think a 27 series would be a little too heavy for me and my family. I LOVE the way the 686 shoots and feels (The Pachmeyer grips that were on it help a lot). The only problem is that I would like the moon clip capability but getting a sweet gun I could afford was more important. I guess I can always send the cylinder off for machining if I do decide moon clips are a good way to go. In the meantime, I'll just use speed loaders. BTW my 686 is an older no dash model, and the newer ones have the locks and the changed the configuration (not for the better) to accommodate that. I saw a vid that said the cylinder release was moved down a little which both gets in the way of your thumb, and the ability to use a speed loaded without 'working' it into position to get past the release. If that's true I wouldn't like it as much.

 

[Stainz]

The 4" 686+ weighs 38.9 oz while the 4" 627 Pro weighs 41.2 oz - that's 2.3 oz - hardly a huge increase. Yes, the frame and cylinder - of necessity - are slightly thicker. The benefits of a spring-loaded front sight, being moonclip-ready, and the x8 capacity are significant.

The 2.5" 686+ weighs 34.1 oz while the similar sized 2 5/8" PC627 UDR weighs 37.6 oz - 3.5 oz more. It is a Performance Center revolver - with several improvements over a production variant. I had a 5" PC627 Jerry Miculek V-Comp - super revolver - but huge looking and feeling. I sold it to fund a second 2 5/8" PC627 UDR - a real sweet shooter.

While I 24/7 carry pocketable CCWs, like my 642, 632 Pro, 351PD, and 296, I do have holsters for my 627 Pro and a PC627 UDR. I carry them very infrequently... the 642 is most commonly found in my pocket.

Stainz

 

[chepburn]

I own a 686+ 4" and a TRR8 (627 with rails and the Scandium Alloy Frame) the 686+ is smaller but weighs a little more @ 38.9 oz whereas the TRR8 weighs in @ 35.3.

I'd say I like the TRR8 better but like I said it's bigger and you can tell, the 686+ is a great shooter too. Actually I can't pick I like them both.

I've thought about using the 686+ as a CCW but I think I'm going to get a 3" version for that purpose.

The only downfall on the TRR8 is the price, it is kinda pricey but I have no regrets.

 

[roundgunner]

I have the 627 UDR and 686's. I never carry the 686 except IDPA comp. The 627 is big and heavy but it is my favorite 357.

I do carry it when dressed right. It feels good in this Lobo IWB.

Matter of fact my friend got these pix of me doing siding wearing it in a Lobo OWB.

If I knew I was going to be in a gun fight and could not get away I would pick a 4" 625, but I think that 8 rounds of 357 before the reload would be OK too.

 

[Platinum M107]

My vote is for the 627. I own a 627 and it is a pleasure to shoot.