Performance Center vs standard production revolvers - worth the extra price?

[MXP]

In many cases a standard production has the best quality because the everything is set up right to run as smooth as possible. Everything is done right because so many items are produced with as less impact by humans as possible.

I remember many years ago when a HP41 calculator should be used in space and HP would deliver a special picked tested version. NASA said "no".....they wanted to go into a normal shop and just buy a random one to be sure no one has "f....it up" ....they knew the standard production was just perfect.......

 

[TDC]

I've waited to comment until I've had a chance to seriously evaluate and shoot my new 5" 627 PC.

I appreciate all the experiences people have had with PC guns. I have to say mine shows none of the problems a few reporting here have experienced and the gun is extremely accurate with my own personally cast and hand-loaded ammo.. It's smooth, tight, excellent fit and finish, and very accurate.

At this time there have been 41 replies and 3886 views of this post and it appears few people have found objectionable problems with the PC guns. There appears to be no "pattern" of problems. As with any mechanical item some problems are going to slip through quality control that shouldn't. Then the important issue is how the company takes care of the problem.

I for one can only attest to my own observations and I've gotta say I'm more than impressed. Without hesitation I expect to be buying more PC guns in the future and if I ever do find a problem like those reported, my great experience with S&W warranty and Customer Service will provide a good resolution.

Below are a couple of quick low resolution pictures taken after a day at the range. The 8 round speed-loaders pictured are CNC manufactured by 5 Star Firearms and they functioned flawlessly. The grips I used and pictured are Jerry Miculek's.

 

[stillhere]

I just read this thread which has a picture of the rough forcing cone of the owners PC629.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...neven-forcing-cone-erosion.html#post138605948

This looked similar to mine & to me doesn't represent any "extra attention to detail" provided on PC offerings.

.

The "uneven forcing cone wear" was my thread. This is my second PC revolver, and to me, they were both worth the extra money. Sure, it's a hassle when I have to send it back to Smith to correct their QC, but that does not detract from what I like about the PC guns.
My 686 Competitor is fantastic; shoots just perfect. But it took Smith three returns for them to get it right. I'm perfectly satisfied with it and i've put 10,000+ rounds through it and it's still good and tight.
Also, I get a lot of interest and compliments at the range. That's worth something right there.

So, the 629 is going back. I'm ok with that. They'll 2nd day-air it back to Smith, hold it for a couple of weeks, then 2nd day-air it back. That's some pretty great service, if you ask me.
Like my 686 PC, this gun gets some interest at the range.

Is the extra money worth it? To me it is. I may even buy a third one.

 

[cal50]

The only flaw on one of my PC revolvers....oops.

( S&W is sending me a replacement screw)

 

[keithherrington]

Well worth the money

In general, PC guns are the best value of any guns on the market. They cost far less than what they would if say a Bowen, or a Cylinder and Slide, did the work, and without the ridiculous wait normally associated with custom work. I especially like the L-Comp, F-Comp and Model 13 357 Carry Gun that I now have. As serious carry guns, they can't be beat.





However, PC guns are not perfect. I've owned two 8-shot PC 627s with 5" barrels. In both cases the barrel was smaller in diameter where it screwed into the frame due to the crush fit and were not accurate enough for serious competition work. Probably not the norm, but I was unlucky enough to get two of them.

Keith

 

[MXP]

My 6" 686 was a standard production but got an aftermarket trigger tuning and LPA sights at the gun shop. They also perform a quality check of the guns they get in as new to ensure no canted barrel etc. Such a gun would be impossible to sell. I got a K. Nill grip for it as I use it for ".22 LR competition training" where I use left hand only. I always use .357 Mag for the 686 as it is very good training for the shooting arm as it will get tired faster with .357 Mag as if I was shooting my .22. Think the gun has "PC performance" and would be able to hold a 10 on 25m. The ring target on the pictures shows 50 shoots with .357 Mag at 25 m (28 yards). It is my fault that not all shots are in the 10 ring......not the gun.......

When was PC invented?

Guns before 1980......the pinned barrel guns.....had no needs for a tuning? .....was it when the production of the guns changed there was a need for a "top notch" version of the same gun?

How was the price level of a 1970 - 1975 S&W revolver back then? .....probably more expensive than today?

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

The 3 PC guns I have can definitely tell a difference in the actions vs the standard production models I have bought in between.Would love for the 625 JM purchased a couple weeks ago to have the same action as my 929 or 327 R8.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Sorry, but it seems this Forum is filled with stories of PC revolvers failing to ignite primers with alarming regularity. Even IF it were possible to get past the reliability issue (any firearm, competition or defense, should fire 100% of the time - period), it is just impossible for me to get past the looks of the PC revolvers. I applaud S&W for attempting to offer tuned actions, etc., but turning the classic appearance of an S&W into a "Rooney gun" is inexcusable. Maybe I am just too old to appreciate the appearance of these PC revolvers.

 

[keithherrington]

Sorry, but it seems this Forum is filled with stories of PC revolvers failing to ignite primers with alarming regularity. Even IF it were possible to get past the reliability issue (any firearm, competition or defense, should fire 100% of the time - period), it is just impossible for me to get past the looks of the PC revolvers. I applaud S&W for attempting to offer tuned actions, etc., but turning the classic appearance of an S&W into a "Rooney gun" is inexcusable. Maybe I am just too old to appreciate the appearance of these PC revolvers.

Shawn, two questions for you:
a. If the gun is designed specifically for competition (such as the 8 shot 627) and Federal primers are recommended because of the light action, do you have a problem with that?
b. Considering the wide, wide, wide variety of guns the PC produces, which of them do you define as Rooney? I have my opinion, but I'm interested in yours.

Keith

 

[MXP]

A tuned trigger can give problems with DA shooting. Think it will be rare that it can't ignite the primers in SA. A PC gun is not for duty or self defence?......only for competition or shooting at the range?
One of the trigger jobs I have on one of my s&w there is installed a screw so I can increase the tension of the main spring. If the DA can't ignite the primer I can just increase the tension a bit.......

 

[Allen-frame]

Yes they are.

All the Performance Center guns I own and Have owned were
worth all the money I paid for them. .

The earlier the better.

I just committed to buying a P.C. 625-7 Jerry Miculek in 45 A.C.P.

A very special gun from 2001 .





Allen Frame

 

[Chatto]

I have had a few Performance Centre guns & worked on a lot of others. Revolvers only. Action wise they are no different than a normal prod gun. If that model of a Performance Centre gun was also a normal prod gun I would go for the normal prod gun every time as I would still have to do an action job whatever the gun. Just finished a new 929. D/A pull was 12.5 lbs & S/A 5.5 lbs. Got them down to a smooth 7.5 & 3.5 lbs respectively. Don't think Performance Centre guns are worth the extra money but most of the time you cannot get a particular model any other way.

 

[vmumford]

The only flaw on one of my PC revolvers....oops.

( S&W is sending me a replacement screw)

That screw is a signature piece. I would keep it on there for posterity.

 

[cl998]

I bought my first PC gun in January and have become an addict. First was a 627 V-comp, then a 637 PC, then a 1911 4" PC and last week a 327 PC snubbie. In between all of those I have also bought 2 Governors and a 617. The fit, finish and action is outstanding on ALL of the guns but the PC guns just have that extra smoothness like a fine watch.

The PC guns also offer features the standard lineup doesnt like the 2-tone 627 v-comp and the 327 n-frame snubnose 8-shot 357. The 627 v-comp changed my whole outlook on revolvers.

 

[M3Stuart]

...and ALL the PC guns look better than ANY Glock...

So, hey, they've got THAT going for them...

 

[RMB]

Performance Center vs production revolvers - are they worth the extra price?

The particular revolver I'm looking at is the PC 627 5".

I'd like to hear comments from those who own or have handled extensively both of these guns or other PC guns if possible...

The retail on the PC is between $300 and $400 dollars more than the "production line" 627. What do you think? Do you find the hand fitting, tuning and several extras including the gold bead front sight, flash chromed hammer and trigger, chamfered cylinders, wood and extra rubber grips, etc, worthy of the extra cost?

Thanks for your input!

I have a Perf Center 627 8 times. Nothing but trouble. Has been back to S&W as well as to a master gunsmith at our gun club. Don't buy one.
Roy

 

[cal50]

I have a Perf Center 627 8 times. Nothing but trouble. Has been back to S&W as well as to a master gunsmith at our gun club. Don't buy one.
Roy

If its a new gun covered by warranty its a mistake letting any gunsmith touch it, master or not IMHO.

S&W makes mistakes (like all other manufacturers) but does stand behind their products and will fix or replace it cost free to the owner. If anything you should MAKE them fix or replace it and it would send a message to the QC people that a problem/s exist and need corrective action.

They cant improve the process if they do not know of the problem/s.

Letting someone else work on it is similar to buying a new car that is under warranty and taking it to Joe Blow for repair. When that happens most companies will walk away from you and you own it.


The few problems I have had with S&W guns in the past +30 years has been minimal and each and every time if you act professionally S&W will take care of the problem.

 

[stillhere]

I bought two of them and both had problems. One went back three times, but it's perfect now. The other is new and needs to go back as well.

Were they worth the extra cost, and the hassle?
Yes, most definitely. Sending it back was super easy, quick and there was no cost to me.