Opinions on Model 67 Comp Carry

[badgerbimmer]

Opinions on this model? Good compliment to the Model 327 TRR8?

 

[badgerbimmer]

No thoughts?

 

[stevieboy]

My first reaction when I saw it advertised was: "this is one expensive .38." My second thought was: "why does one need a ported .38?" I'd probably take a pass on this one.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I simply do not care for ported handguns, at least not with the shorter barrels. If used close in they will blow a torrent of gas in your face, depending on how low the weapon is held. But some of the limited editions came only with ports so I tolerate them a little.

 

[Spotteddog]

I like them. But then again, I've never met a K frame I didn't like? So you can't go by my admittedly biased opinion!

 

[marvin knox]

I've kinda been considering this one myself for carry.

I've got a J frame now and I love it except for the trigger. I will still carry it for BUG with the .357 DPX. I shoot pretty good with it and I like the little extra that the low power .357's give me.

Still.....that trigger!

A well chosen .38+p out of a 3" barrel should be great. My lower power .357's only give me a little more "oomph" anyway. The comp. actually seems like a fairly good idea to me. I like the idea of easy return to target that they give. Plenty of people love them and it's not like the blast is like from a .44 mag. or something.

It's not really that the comp is "needed". Nor is it like a great trigger is "needed". I just like the idea of maximizing my accuracy and following shots in an emergency.

I've read just about every post on the internet comcerning comps for carry. I've come to the conclusion that they are fine and accually a fairly good idea.

Many, even most, say that there really isn't much more flash at night (if any) with the .38 comp. that there may be with a regular short .357 or .44 magnum.

Who fires from their pocket or up next to their belly button? Even if you had to, once in a couple of lifetimes, what's a burned pocket or singed belly hair anyway compared to other things?

Who's worried about a little extra noise from the comped .38 when they usually have packed a .357 snub anyway?

Who really worries about the vague possibility of a singed eyebrow (even if those stories were true) during that once in a million chance that you may have to fire in self defense?

On the range - they do seem to make more noise for those around you than non-comp guns. But people do have ear protection on, don't they? And really - a "loud" .38 spl. pales compared to most of the heavier carry guns that people practice with at the range all the time (including the .40's that many LEO's practice with at my range).

For every minus there is a plus as I see it - as in most things related to gun carry.

This gun seems like a pretty good one to me. Nice and dependable revolver with a fairly thin K frame profile, good trigger, low recoil, easy return to target, plenty of weight to distribute recoil, dark finish and all the rest.

.38 spl.+p well chosen should do the trick, especially if accurately delivered - which is what the gun in question is all about IMO.

 

[renroh]

I looked at this model yesterday afternoon at a local dealer. I normally pass on the lock model guns, but the 3" with adjustable sights caught my fancy. When I held it, I almost had to buy it. I have had a compensated .40 cal auto and did not personally care for it because of the flash. But I have never shot a comped revolver and would certainly like to try it. I liked the lock up and feel of the 67, but the rubber grips seemed a little too thin in my hands. I was hoping to find someone on the forum who has one to see how they like it, because I normally would put that 1,009 plus tax on an older prelock k frame. I may have to make an exception and try it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[marvin knox]

Originally posted by renroh:
I looked at this model yesterday afternoon at a local dealer. I normally pass on the lock model guns, but the 3" with adjustable sights caught my fancy. When I held it, I almost had to buy it. I have had a compensated .40 cal auto and did not personally care for it because of the flash. But I have never shot a comped revolver and would certainly like to try it. I liked the lock up and feel of the 67, but the rubber grips seemed a little too thin in my hands. I was hoping to find someone on the forum who has one to see how they like it, because I normally would put that 1,009 plus tax on an older prelock k frame. I may have to make an exception and try it. Just my 2 cents.

+1 on that!
I'm in about the same boat. You could almost get a prelock 19 or 66 comp model for that. Probably could, if it wasn't like new in the box or something. Good luck coming accross one though.

This would be for carry for me and the lock doesn't bother me much. One can always disable it for carry if it did.

You found that the comped auto flashed a lot? Do tell about it - if you have the time.

 

[renroh]

I don't know if I would carry the 3" 67, as my centennials fit the bill fine for cc. I have tried carrying my 3" 65 and found it a little bulky for summer carry.
Someone owed me some money, and repaid it with a Glock 23c. I know Glocks are none too welcome here.

I took it to the range twice and the flash turned me off. I did not perceive any reduced recoil with either a hot hollow point duty load or a round nose target load. I promtly sold it to an auto lover at work to finance a beautiful 19-5. I suppose I could get used to the flash, and I did not try any night fire with the 23c.
Marvin if you get that 67 please refresh this thread as that gun is really begging me for a good day at the range!

 

[Nick Danger]

Hi, new to the forum, though I have been looking in and reading for quite some time. Thought I might be of some help on the subject of this particular revolver as I own 2 of them. I absolutely love them. The actions are tuned to perfection, forged trigger & hammer, finish is quite durable, wasn't sure what to expect from a coated finish over stainless steel, but they are holding up very well. More accurate than any combat gun needs to be, and as for the port/compensator; the gun really doesn't need it, but the muzzle blast isn't of any concern. As for hot gases shooting up at your face from the compensator, I have owned several ported combat revolvers over the last 15 years, still do for that matter, and I just don't see much of an issue there. I am aware others disagree, though I haven't read of any real world encounters that back up such complaints. Nonetheless, I concede that anything is possible. As for the caliber, a good .38 +P revolver, is in my opinion one of the best self defense calibers you can own. I have several .357 magnums, & .44 Magnums, all of which I enjoy, but consider to be overkill (pardon the pun), especially in a home defense situation, because of over penetration. Also, no gun feels better in the hand or balances better than a S&W K-frame, and the 3" barrel on this particular gun just balances out perfectly. Like I said, I bought 2 of them. My dealer had one in stock, which I jumped on even at 900.00, and within a week I asked him to order me another one. I know a lot of folks on this forum love the models 19 & 66, and so do I, but to be honest I prefer a larger frame for my .357's. The k-frame is the perfect platform for the .38 special. I can't imagine that you would not be happy with one of these revolvers, if you can get around the enthusiastic pricing. The one thing that bothered me about this gun (besides the lock) was the absence of decent wood grips. At the price Smith is asking I would've thought a decent set of Ahrends combat grips would've been included. No matter, I outfitted both of mine with Spegel boot grips. Beautiful grips for a beautiful gun. I forgot to mention that the night sights work very well. For the record, and since everybody on this forum seems to have strong feelings on the subject, I too hate the locks on the new guns. However, if the gun is a nice enough piece, I am not going to let the lock stop me from buying it, especially considering how damn simple it is to remove it. Finally, I really enjoy this forum and have gleaned much useful information from the many knowledgeable members here. Many thanks to you all. Sorry if my post went on a bit too long. I will post pics as soon as my son teaches me how to do it. Hope I was of some help in your quest for information about this wonderful gun.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by badgerbimmer:
Opinions on this model? Good compliment to the Model 327 TRR8?

Would have been better with four inch standard barrel and no ridiculous hole in top of barrel. I love 67s, but not the one you mention.

 

[shooter429]

I would pass on this because it is a .38 and it is expensive and it is ported. Why port as .38? They will not be very efficient on such a low-pressure low recoil cartridge. Why spend so much on a .38? If you want a .38 for backup, why not a J-frame like the 60 or 442?

If you like ported handguns and like this model otherwise, why not go with a smaller .357 or the new .32 Federal. If you want ammo interchangeability in a smaller .357 there is the 586 Carry comp, which would give you everything the .38 does, plus the ability to use .357 ammo in both guns and the ports would have a functional purpose on a .357.

 

[Poohgyrr]

That's a Performance Center gun right? Then I would imagine it is a pretty well made piece, and made from scratch. Standard K frames are sweet, but they are "standard". Is anyone here seriously going to say S&W can't make a better K frame - if they want to?

My old 5 screw . 357 Magnum is absolutely Sweet and a serious keeper. But, my new 8 shot Performance Center made 3 1/2" RM 357 Magnum -well I'm sorry but it is even better (except for two features I don't like).

A good .38 is not a bad thing to have, and indeed is all some people are legally allowed. An even better made .38 has to be better.

 

[shooter429]

Yes, but again, if your primary is a .357, why not go with a BUG in .357? The .38s have their place, but this one is neither fish nor fowl.

Shooter429

 

[badgerbimmer]

You guys are great! Thanks for all the input. Interesting how the opinions so widely vary. I guess the answer is to start collecting!

 

[badgerbimmer]

Originally posted by shooter429:
I would pass on this because it is a .38 and it is expensive and it is ported. Why port as .38? They will not be very efficient on such a low-pressure low recoil cartridge. Why spend so much on a .38? If you want a .38 for backup, why not a J-frame like the 60 or 442?

If you like ported handguns and like this model otherwise, why not go with a smaller .357 or the new .32 Federal. If you want ammo interchangeability in a smaller .357 there is the 586 Carry comp, which would give you everything the .38 does, plus the ability to use .357 ammo in both guns and the ports would have a functional purpose on a .357.

It is my understanding that S&W does not have the right to produce this gun as they wish. Occasional production runs as ordered by Camfour. Thus difficult to find.

 

[jarhead1991]

I've had a ported 67PC for about six months and it is an extremely well made, well fitted and solid revolver (as you would expect from the Performance Center). Definitely higher pressure +P rounds appreciate the greatest benefit from the porting, but I can tell a difference with standard loadings. The 67PC is a true "comp" and isn't just porting… it has an expansion chamber and the gas pressure pushes against the front wall of the comp, it actually works quite well.

As some have mentioned, I didn't care for the rubber grips on a PC revolver – but I look at it that often people are so partial to what grips they prefer (I like nice Pau Ferro checkered Hogue grips) that it makes sense to me to sell these higher end PC revolvers with the cheaper rubber grips so that the buyer can purchase what he likes without already having the cost sunk in grips that are tossed in the "maybe use later" box everyone has in their corner.

I also prefer the forged hammer/trigger… though I will admit that I've never had a problem (at least not one that I didn't create myself) with MIM parts and I've got quite a few (40+ handguns alone).

 

[Duke426]

Not a fan of the 67pc mainly because of the port/comp. I really don't understand the need for this on a 38 Special. Maybe on the small, lightweight magnums but not a 38.

I do like the 315 Nightguard a whole lot more.

 

[badgerbimmer]

My local gun shop found one, I ordered it and now have it safely tucked away! It is great, can hardly wait to get to the range!

 

[Nick Danger]

Congratulations on your new find. I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. I have bought and traded quite a few S&W revolvers over the years, but some have been just to good to let get away. The PC Model 67 Comp is definitely one of the keepers.