Mission Impossible? How rare are pre-lock 627s? And tips.

[oysterhead]

New to the forum...I've poured through nearly every thread on 627s, and am obsessed with finding one. I'm focused on the pre lock 8-shot because I'd like to have an rare, heirloom quality revolver that is also beastly functional.

However, I'm refreshing about 10 websites regularly through the day and finding zilch (guess that's the rare part!). Barely even see locked 627s. So what is the scale of my challenge? I know there were ~5000 six shot 627-0 models and only a few hundred of the 627PC models. So my questions:

1. What about the 627-3, how many were made? We're all of these released from the PC?

2. Any tips on finding one? I'm on gunbroker, gunsamerica, gunsinternational, and multiple forums.

3. What are the top few things to look for in terms of wear/tear/defects? For example, check out the cylinders of this locked 627 with "500 rounds"...any concerns here?

Thank you.

 

[DR505]

Can't speak about the 8 round 627's, but I have a 627-0 (bought in 1989) that is my favorite revolver. I've seen two of them for sale on the auction sites in the last couple of weeks...running about $1K.

 

[gr7070]

I'm focused on the pre lock 8-shot because I'd like to have an rare, heirloom quality revolver that is also beastly functional.

Not to flame, but I have a hard time considering a 627 picked up used as heirloom quality. Having no-lock vs. a lock I don't see it as a generational gem.

Not that that should discourage you from getting a prelock if that's the important part for you.

However, I'm refreshing about 10 websites regularly through the day and finding zilch (guess that's the rare part!).

2. Any tips on finding one? I'm on gunbroker, gunsamerica, gunsinternational, and multiple forums.

How long have you been doing this? For four months many times a week? Or two weeks? Patience is key.

Have you made WTB posts in many gun forums? Here, Enos, many others.

I looked for months and because I had posted a WTB fell into a prelock 627 for cheap, less than 100 rds fired.

N1. What about the 627-3, how many were made?

There are other prelock, 8-shots out there; the -PC version, for example.

3. What are the top few things to look for in terms of wear/tear/defects? For example, check out the cylinders of this locked 627 with "500 rounds"...any concerns here?

I'd have no concerns with even ten thousand+ rounds fired. The 8-shots were all produced after the lifetime warranty. While you're not technically covered history suggests S&W would honor the warranty for any work needed on your purchase.

Still makes sense to ask for lots of pictures, ask plenty of questions of the seller, etc. If it's a face to face deal and the trigger pulls and cylinder rotates I'd have no fear. Just make sure the price is reasonable for the condition.

 

[colt_saa]

There are thousands of them out there.

Production began in early 1997 as a Lew Horton exclusive. There were only going to be 300 produced and no more. I had wanted to purchase #357 for myself but it was not going to be available. The revolver in the upper left corner of the photo below is #27.

The first 300 sold so fast that LH decided to do an additional 300 later in 1997. Serial numbers continued in the same series as the first run. The revovler in the upper right corner of the photo below is #357 and remains unfired since leaving the factory.

As time went on, many other configurations were produced. Like the 2 5/8" snubby in the photo above. In 2000, Bangers produced the 4" and 6 1/2" blue carbon steel, 8 shot, model 27s pictured above. The 627 Hunter pictured below is another variation from 1998

The locks were not phased in until after S&W was purchased by Saf-T-Lok. That was between roughly 2002 and 2004. By that time many of the 8 shot, 357 Magnum revolvers had been produced.

Patience is your friend. One will come along when you least expect it to.

 

[hd28cw]

I picked up a 2-5/8" 627pc 8 shot with the lock around 2 years ago, ordered in new from "buds" I wanted a no lock...but I'm not gonna pay $2000 +.......I thoroughly enjoy mine and don't think the internal lock takes away from the gun at all...If I recall the gun was $729.00 + shipping...... If you have your heart set on a "no-lock" its gonna be sticker shock........ give the no lock a try Its a great piece....

 

[JCS&W]

You experience may differ from my, but I have looked for a M627-PC, no lock for a couple of years. Yes, I did find a few, but I could not afford them. Not saying there were not priced correctly, I just could not afford them. So, last week, I bought a M627-5, 8-shot, V-Comp. It has the lock. I really like it. Going to the range with it today. I literally cannot wait. I would have rather had a no lock version, but I would also like to have a Ferrari. Can't afford that either.

 

[murphydog]

If you really want a challenge, find a 627 (not the -0, which is very similar except for deeper bolt notches on the cylinder). There were reportedly a few hundred made but I have never seen one, let alone finding one for sale.

 

[gr7070]

I see a lot of talk on here referencing extreme prices. I don't know what they consider high for these guns and am not sure what the 8-shots are *selling* for on the auction sites either.

What are these guns actually selling for?

While I suspect I paid an under market price for my prelock 627-PC last year, $750, I also suspect the asking prices that aren't realized are overpriced skew folks perception of the value. In addition, auctions by their very nature are used to artificially drive prices above market - that's their very intent.

With all that in mind the best place to get a 627 at a reasonable price is going to be from a one on one sale. Put out WTB adds in as many places as you can, keep them refreshed, and wait for someone with an appropriate asking price.

 

[oysterhead]

Thanks, I'll put in WTB ads on several forums.

I never saw a good estimate of the number of pre locks made, just "thousands." Which should be worth more, a 627-0 (5000 made) or a pre lock 8 shot?

I'd spend $1k on a nice pre lock and thought that was high. Then I saw a 3" 686-4 go today for $1350??? Wow.

P.s. what about the cylinder rings in the pic I posted? An issue?

 

[gr7070]

I'd spend $1k on a nice pre lock and thought that was high.

P.s. what about the cylinder rings in the pic I posted? An issue?

The $1000 may be reasonable to high enough???

When I bought mine folks suggested $900+ was a proper price some even up to $1,200 max. So $1,000 seems like it should get you a decent 627???

Those rings are nothing. Just carbon that's harder to clean. A brass brush and Hoppe's will clean that right off, with some scrubbing. Perfectly normal.

 

[452x6]

RE

No matter which one you start with, if you hang around here much you'll end up collecting every variant

 

[oysterhead]

Not to flame, but I have a hard time considering a 627 picked up used as heirloom quality. Having no-lock vs. a lock I don't see it as a generational gem.

So, what would you consider an heirloom .357 in a 4" or 5" barrel?

 

[hkcavalier]

You experience may differ from my, but I have looked for a M627-PC, no lock for a couple of years. Yes, I did find a few, but I could not afford them. Not saying there were not priced correctly, I just could not afford them. So, last week, I bought a M627-5, 8-shot, V-Comp. It has the lock. I really like it. Going to the range with it today. I literally cannot wait. I would have rather had a no lock version, but I would also like to have a Ferrari. Can't afford that either.

Are those factory grips? Look like Ahrends. I too would love to find either a 627 PC 5" or V-Comp, pre lock. I don't think either are heirloom since S&W currently makes the lock versions, but they are fun to hunt down. It took me over a year to find a 686+ 6" pre-lock, pre-MIM but I eventually did. This gun replaced a dash 6. You could definitely do that, buy a new gun and then replace it when you find your Holy Grail, as long as you take care of the newer gun you should get great value out of it.

 

[oysterhead]

You could definitely do that, buy a new gun and then replace it when you find your Holy Grail, as long as you take care of the newer gun you should get great value out of it.

Good idea. Especially if, for example, I could get a new PC out the door for $1k. Could potentially sell it for the same.

 

[SmithToter]

Classic Hunter 627-0

I've got a 627-0, so I don't think the pre-locks are that rare.

I paid $388 for it (in 1990).

 

[gr7070]

So, what would you consider an heirloom .357 in a 4" or 5" barrel?

Something rare and quite old.

Or something with a ton of sentimental value, like a passed down side arm from father or grandfather from WW I or II.

Those are heirloom-type firearms.

The 627 is a mass produced very modern, common gun. It's an awesome gun! But it's not a special gun.

 

[oysterhead]

Guess I meant a gun that will appreciate over time and be "special" once it's handed down to my son (or daughter).

Seems the harder it is to find now, the more likely it is to appreciate. The number of pre lock 627s is now fixed, while they'll likely make a gazillion with the IL.

 

[gr7070]

Guess I meant a gun that will appreciate over time and be "special" once it's handed down to my son (or daughter).

If yo and the kids shoot it a lot together it'll become special, regardless of lock. ;-)

Seems the harder it is to find now, the more likely it is to appreciate. The number of pre lock 627s is now fixed, while they'll likely make a gazillion with the IL.

They all appreciate in time, lock or no.

I strongly suspect that the longer time goes by even *fewer* people will actually care about the lock. Not that many do now away from boards like this.

If that's your thing that's perfectly fine; it's just not important to most and going that direction even more so.

 

[oysterhead]

Bought a 686-4 Plus today.

Figured I could get a highly desirable S&W model, for much less $$.

And as this thread pointed out, I could always sell it and recoup all my $$ if I find the grail 627.