Range Report - TRR8

[RossMatt]

Gentlemen,

I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was blissful, as I was able to take my new TRR8 out to the farm and shoot it for the first time on Saturday.
I used 3 types of ammo -
Remington 135 gr .38
Remington 158 gr .357
Federal Nyclad 125 gr .38
The latter is designated for my HD/SD, but I wanted to get acquainted with it for obvious reasons.

Firstly, this gun is an absolute dream to shoot. Sure, I have some inherent bias, but truthfully, action was smooth, recoil was super manageable, and accuracy was superb.
38 feels like a 22 through this thing. I was consistently getting
3" groups at 20 yards with ease with either SA or DA. DA with this gun is very quick and although the pull is longer than I expected, the S&W 2 stage click allows you to know where it is at all times. 357 was markedly louder and harder, but still, through this gun, very manageable and return to target was much quicker than I anticipated.
The nyclads were a bit hotter than the rem 38, but wow... expansion on the piece of plywood was really remarkable. I am sure hornady CD, or speer gold would be great too, but honestly after seeing it perform on saturday, I will be hardpressed to put anything else in it at bedside.
I plan on doing 2 things to this gun not stock... I want a viridian c5l under the barrel and I want a night front sight. Other than that, this gun out of the box is about as perfect as any I have ever shot. Kudos to S&W Performance Center.
To all of the naysayers of Scand guns, new S&W guns, and Performance Center guns... boo on you.

 

[scooter123]

Glad you like it, at some point you should mount a scope on it and see what it can do at 50 and 100 yards from a good rest. Guns and Ammo tested the M&P R8 when it was first released and got a 1/2 inch group at 50 yards from a rest using a scope and commercial ammo with a cold barrel. Quite simply, you probably have an extremely compact Rifle.

Now for some bad news. About 6 months ago I was scouting around for a night sight for my 610-3 which uses the same DX interchangable sight system as your TRR8. Zero luck in finding one, my 610 is now equipped with a J Point reflex. Problem is that Meprolights revolver night site has the front insert designed to fit into the dovetail cut for the red insert on the red ramp sights. S&W does not offer a red ramp front sight for the DX system on their web site. IMO a bit of an oversight on S&W's part because they have produced revolvers with the DX sight system that featured a red ramp front sight but they aren't selling any through the web site. Perhaps if you call they can find one to sell you, if not you'll need to get a plain black ramp and have it cut for in insert or have a sight custom made for your gun.

BTW, like the J Point enough that I now have one on the 610, the 617, and my 620. With my declining near distance vision shooting with a reflex sight is the only way this old fart can shoot with the younguns.

 

[kenforu]

I really do like this gun alot and it does shoot very well and easy to get back on target with it. I just added a Burris fastfire on top of mine and really am waiting to take it to the range.

 

[RossMatt]

update... 3000 rounds later

Got a laser light combo... for CHEAP. Works awesomely...
I posted about this in the Carry Conceal forum, but figured I's post the pics here too. hope I don't get in trouble for a repost.. not the intent. You can read the details there about the gear, but here are some shots.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I was going to warn you off the night sight!!!!!!!!!!
First -after the first round goes off [magnum] the flash will
change your eyes enough that you will not be able to pick them back up.
{Relearned this at Thunder Ranch} second if dark enough to need
glow sights how will you ident the target???
Last I have a TR-R8 and all you say is true!!!
I use a light/laser combo with a hand light [primary] and
a belt clip to hold the gun light while carring the gun in a standard
holster.
Ps . a quick on red dot[mine is a used Zeiss] works for those long shots..