Model vs Model Question

[Andre_Coop]

Greetings and Salutations to all. (Yes of course, my first post).

My homework is complete (maybe) and have settled on two models I'd like to ask first hand opinions on/of.

I would really like to procure model #170210; which is a 627 Performance Center product. N Frame, 8 round, 5" barrel .357. However, it is not in stock and all three LGS are searching for one. Also have an alert set at "Davidson's".

My favorite LGS ordered a 178014 in an attempt to lure my wallet open, I have not yet (and have not closed that door either). The 178014 is a 627 "Pro", N frame, 8 shot, 4" barrel.

Obviously the PC is going to have some "really nice" action work already performed. Comes with both grips etc. But, might just be out of my acceptable price range, and nobody has set an order price yet...

So, my real TWO questions are:
1. Is it worth the wait (an unknown) for the PC, that I might really have to scrape the mason jar bottom to afford?

2. Is the 5" barrel really more impressive than the 4". After reading through many ballistic charts that use "real" barrel lengths as opposed to 8-10" test length. It might be tough to really tell, IMHO.

In use; this will not be a daily carry, have a 2.5" .357 for that. It will be a backwoods and on the property gun to provide a "little more" than the "snubby" can.

Well folks, I would truly like to read your thoughts, personal experiences and suggestions.

 

[Road Rat]

Andre..........WELCOME and MERRY CHRISTMAS

You pose a tough question - take what you can get or wait for what you want (maybe)....

Our experts will be along to give their opinions so stand by.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Let me be the first (if not most informed) person to welcome you to the forum. You have fairly specific specifications, so you know what you want. If you are putting out that much money, you can bet that all though like much it is a matter of preference, you should likely get what you really want. The hunt will make it all the more special to you. On the other hand, you will find that many, if not most, folks here would cure the problem by getting both - starting with what is available, and if that does not scratch the itch then get the other one when you can. All 8 shot 357s are highly desirable. To get the money for both, stop eating lunch for a few months.

 

[bigtubby]

Don't expect to much out of the PC triggers or you may be disappointed.

I have had both of those guns and sold both I would like to get another 5" and yes the 8 shots are all great IMHO. If your looking to save a little weight check out the TRR8 or the R8 both PC guns 8 shot and lightweight.

 

[AveragEd]

I think I would wait for the 5" barrel model. It's just a perfect compromise between the handiness of a 4" and the handling and accuracy potential of a 6". It's also a little different than what most other people have.

Ed

 

[Ashlander]

If you will be walking around with the gun on your hip, the weight of either of them will get tiresome fast unless you're a big guy. Unless you really need 8 shoots walking or riding around the property or the woods, I'd go for something more like a 686 Plus which are less expensive and much more available in the market.
Disclaimer - I am not a big guy; those steel 8 shot N-frames feel like artillery pieces in my hands!

Merry Christmas!!!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Don't depend on LGS for ordering S&W revolvers. Get it from wherever you find. If you wait, you may never receive.

 

[eveled]

What is your snub? I only ask because it might be a good idea to stick with that frame size, with a longer barrel, & adjustable sights. That way you could use the same speed loaders on both.

 

[snowman.45]

Just my opinion, but if you can get the 4", I'd do it. As someone said earlier, you may find you like it enough that the PC gun won't seem as desirable to you.

 

[Mclarkbow]

I had a similar experience with my L framed 686 Plus. I went with the 5" vs 4" this year. The 5" barrel offers a better weight balance, so glad I chose the longer barrel, gun feels great.
Accuracy is improved also.

 

[dwever]

Wait for the PC. The PC N Frame 627 is the best shooting .357 made in my opinion. I have one 5" and two 2.625". If you're not trying to carry concealed, the 5" is a dream.

My carry includes only PC's including one 8-shot 627 and two 7-Shots. If it were not for the girth of the N Frame cylinder on the 627 pictured, it would be my only carry as they shoot so smoothe and fit the best for me (especially if you take an XL glove).

Weight is not a big difference between 8 shot and most 686 Plus given similar barrel lengths and same materials. Below are: 627 UDR at 37 oz.; 586 Plus at 37 oz.; and 686 Plus at 34.5 oz.

While you're right the factory PC action is often but not always very good, I think generally it is worth it for $150 more to get an additional action job to go from very good to best. Especially if you tend to keep your purchases and don't buy and sell. Either the S&W master action job or by a master revolver smith such as TK Custom.

 

[lrrifleman]

Welcome from the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey, and Merry Christmas.

I guess I will be the first to upset the apple cart. When I started purchasing Smith's for target shooting, PC and other variants didn't exist, and revolvers only had 5 or 6 chambers, depending on frame size.

I have an older 27 with the 8.375" barrel that I bought for IHMSA matches. Stock style revolvers were plentiful, and factory triggers worked well. All of my handguns were purchased mission specific. I have one 3", a 4" Colt, three 6" Ks, a 6.5" N, plus my 8.375" 27.

My long time gunsmith would always say, if you can't get the job done with 6, seven or eight won't make a difference. He was of the old school philosophy of making the first shot count. Please remember, if I remember correctly, the 7 and 8 shot revolver were designed to pick up an extra shot if you dropped a shot on steel or bowling pins, when speed was of the essence.

If I were you, I would suggest that you search the gun auction sites looking for a new or used Model 27 or 627 with a 4, 5, or 6 inch barrel. If I remember correctly, the 5" barrel is a compromise size.

Let me qualify, I am frugal. I don't like spending more money than I have to on any firearm.

 

[gbran]

I have the 627PC 2.625 inch. The trigger is unbelievably smooth.

I will likely soon get a 4" 627.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Welcome to the forum. I own and regularly shoot 627s and 327s in competition. The 5" 627 8-shot revo is the most popular in USPSA revolver class and in ICORE matches. Very rare to see a 4" or longer than 5" barrel in these two disciplines.

Next, you should know the Performance Center has been full-out producing 929s and 986s for the last two years. They may never again make a 627 or they might start making them again tomorrow. If you choose to wait for your local LGS to supply you with what you want, you could grow old in the process.

I own or have owned quite a few Performance Center revolvers. None of them had an acceptable double action trigger out of the box. That's an opinion shared by virtually all competition shooters. If your walking in the woods gun is going to be fired single action, no worries.

The 4" Pro model would be fine for you as you described the plan for it. You will be able to buy either a 4" or 5" on Gun Broker or GunAuction without waiting much time if you have the time to check the sites regularly. The gun you buy that way would be shipped to a local FFL of your choosing. If the local LGS' don't do that the auction sites have an FFL search list to help you.

Good Luck!

 

[Andre_Coop]

Thank you ALL. Lots of excellent advice here.
I'm going back to the LGS and handle the 627 4" next week...

 

[AveragEd]

Don't settle for something you don't REALLY want, wait an excessively long time for one or pay more for it than you have to. Those things apparently aren't all that scarce as there are 10 170210s and 13 178014s for sale on GunBroker.com.

Ed

I hope I don't get in trouble for mentioning an auction site - I was careful not to list any auction numbers.

 

[SeamasterSig]

One thing you might consider is the availability (or lack) of holsters for 5" N-frames. There are definitely more options for 4" N-frames. You seem to know what you want and there's nothing wrong with that, but unless it just "has" to be an N-frame, you might consider an L-frame or even a K-frame instead. Either would make a great trail gun with a 3-4 inch barrel. An N-frame is obviously more robust and will absorb magnum recoil better – but at the expense of more weight on your hip and maybe a slower draw with the heavier gun.

Between the two revolvers you mentioned, I'd opt for the 4" 627 Pro – not only for its immediate availability and better holster selection, but it sounds as if it will be easier on the budget and the trigger may well be good enough already. You can always get better grips or a trigger job down the road. FWIW, the trigger pull on my 629-3 is excellent, and it's just a regular old "Classic". If you settle for the Pro, you can still keep looking for a 627 PC and be meanwhile better armed than with just your snubby when walking around your property and the woods... and later sell the Pro to help finance the purchase of the PC gun if need be.

 

[H Richard]

Most often the "Use" of the handgun will dictate what you need or desire. The gun you describe is a gun designed for competition at a fairly high level. It has weight to assist with recoil and keeping the sights on target. It holds more rounds to keep you from reloading more frequently. If you are not into competition you probably don't "need" these features. Now, "need" has nothing to do with desire. That's a great handgun you are wanting, but just make sure really want it before you spend a lot of time and money on it or it may be a passing fad to you and just wind up being sold in a year.

 

[petepeterson]

Let me be the first (if not most informed) person to welcome you to the forum. You have fairly specific specifications, so you know what you want. If you are putting out that much money, you can bet that all though like much it is a matter of preference, you should likely get what you really want. The hunt will make it all the more special to you. On the other hand, you will find that many, if not most, folks here would cure the problem by getting both - starting with what is available, and if that does not scratch the itch then get the other one when you can. All 8 shot 357s are highly desirable. To get the money for both, stop eating lunch for a few months.

I agree with Rick- you're talking about a pretty high-end firearm. I wouldn't "settle" if I were you, unless you plan on having both at some point.

 

[jhcii]

N v L .357

I posted on my new PC 686-6 Competitor and found a balance between K and N frame strikingly comfortable. I feel the N cylinder is just a bit too large for .357 no matter how many holes it has from 6 to 8.

The weight, balance, and steadiness of the Competitor flushes out the whole .357 experience for me. I took all the weights out from the underlug area in this photo. I've shot it and it is extremely smooth in recoil. I replaced the black rubber Hogue grips with 1985 N frame .44 Magnum Goncalo Alves grips and also the thumb cylinder latch with 1980 parts from another N frame .357 Magnum. Yes I have spare parts I kept from the decades I've owned SW N and K frames. This is my second L frame and the first one I bought was a 586 in 1984 or so. It took me 30 years plus to try out the L frame since it's introduction a second time. The first time I had to send the 586 back to the factory for tool dents and scrapes ahead of the cylinder before the forcing cone. I was too disappointed to even shoot that gun and used it replaced as a trade for an N frame.

I am assuming you want the N frame anyway but could not resist a parting shot with the 686-6 PC Competitor.

I have held the 5" barrels in the .44 Magnum Classic with full underlug and feel they are still too heavy with that underlug even with the .44 Magnum.