Smith & Wesson Model 686P or Model 627?

[Shooting4life]

Shooting4life, sweet guns! How do you like the 627? Do you have the 4 or 5 inch? How has it been holding up? I'm curious if the matte finish will look as good as the satin after years of use.

I personally prefer the regular stainless finish of the 627-0 over the bead blast of the 627pc just because it is easier to clean up. I don't carry either so the bead blast is still ingood shape but it would be much easier to scratch compared to the traditional stainless.

The 627-0 shown is a 5 inch 6 shoot. It is really nice and very high quality. The 627pc "blood work" is worth considerably more but still does not have the fit/finish of it's older brother even though it is pc and the no dash is not.

 

[WSCJonathan]

I totally prefer prefer the regular finish too. I'm not planning on carrying it either but the 686P seemed like a tank in comparison.

 

[RidgwayCO]

I've got both, a M627PC 5" from the original batch, and a M686-5 Plus 4". If I had to choose between them, it would be extremely difficult. The M686+ is probably more useful in a variety of roles (being an L-frame), has a terrific trigger, seven rounds, and the satin stainless finish is very tough. On the other hand, the M627PC is a wonder. Great trigger, eight rounds on tap, and the heavier N-frame handles recoil with ease. It doesn't hurt that it's also a good looking beast.

Oh, there's one interesting difference. The smaller M686+ has a longer cylinder that can handle Remington 180gr SJHP bullets seated to the cannelure, while the larger M627PC has a shorter cylinder and can't load the same round without the bullet projecting beyond the front of the cylinder. Weird but true...

 

[Mulefoot]

My 686plus is @ the performance center as of today,i am having the action package (trigger job) & the 5"performance barrel installed.Cant wait to get it back.

 

[chinalfr]

Go for 627pc.

 

[WSCJonathan]

Go for 627pc.

I think that is going to be the plan. 4 inch 627PC. I'll make sure to take some pics once I order one and it comes in.

 

[.357magger]

I own both and regularly shoot both. I keep a 627PC at home and carry the 686-5+ in 4 inch. Or I leave the 686P at home and carry the 627PC. (and I formerly owned a 627 Pro but no longer).

Mainly I carry the 686 as it has a brushed finish and is easier to polish out with life's lil knocks and bumps. Neither gun has experienced any knocks and/or bumps but that's what I tell myself anyway. But here's how I would decide your issue were it me.

What do you want to shoot in it all the time?

Yeah, yeah, I know, EITHER will handle more .357's than I can ever afford and will stand up to them just fine but...for me...the N frame is just a tad easier to shoot with full bore .357's than the L. Ergonimics perhaps? Don't know cause the 627 is lighter but whatever it is, it is. Additionally, Stainiz is dead on about the brightness of the dovetailed front on the 627PC. Was going to "mod" it but it's pretty darned nice in llow light as is so as is is how it's staying.

Not so with my 686. That one is wearing an express rear and will soon have a gold bead on the front. That too is a VERY fast set up for me and even without the bead, it's pretty fast. Just dot the "I" and..."boom". And that one shoots like a lazer beam with Gold Dots n .38+p. Relatively mild recoil, very fast followup and I seem to shoot it just a tad better than the 627 with full bore mags.

It also came down to mostly carrying the 686 as it is easier to load with speedloaders than the 627. Forget about moonclips in .38/357's, especially with 8 rounders. Might as well call them speedwobblers imo. What is pretty simple in .45 is a whole nother animal with smaller diameter casings. In short, at the moment, I'm shooting the 686 a tad faster and better than the 627. Maybe a training issue and with more use the 627 would improve but...it's not like this is a problem as I'm glad I have both.

So...imo...the same thing applies to your choice. Whichever fits YOU best will be the best choice. Thanks for letting me ramble on, post a pic or ten when you get your choice, and welcome to the forum.

 

[WSCJonathan]

.357Magger, thanks for the review! If anything it is too helpful. Haha...

I'll probably shoot a 3/1 or maybe 4/1 ratio. Especially until I start to reload which will bring down the cost of .357 to something more manageable.

I never really thought about it, but the 686P seems like too little (less than 627) and too much (non-competitive shooting gun) at the same time. I might have to consider the 6 shot.

It seems like in the end both guns are very similar but one has the speed advantage and the other has the capacity advantage.

I'm curious about a few things. Which trigger do you like better? Are both guns about the same accuracy wise?

 

[Gorenut]

I think that is going to be the plan. 4 inch 627PC. I'll make sure to take some pics once I order one and it comes in.

From my understanding.. the 4" is the PRO while the 5" is the PC (other models like the UDR also count as PC, but the 4" seems specifically PRO).

I own a 627 5" PC. Definitely the best revolver I've owned so far. Though admittedly, a part of me kind of wishes I got the UDR instead, haha. Just something so cool about having 8 shots of 357 from a snubby.

As far as 7 vs 8, of course 8 is always better but you really have to factor if the extra weight is worth the extra shot. On a side note, I feel the double action on an 8 was noticeably faster vs a 6 shooter due to the cylinder having to travel less between shots. The bad news to this though, due to the nature of 8 shots, no Safariland speedloaders. Those 5 Star ones are well-priced, well made, and look sharp, but I'm not a fan of the twist types. Might as well take advantage of the extra cost of the revolver and use moonclips.

 

[Nightowl]

Well, I'm an N frame guy, so I would go with a gun with an N frame with forged parts, which I think the Performance Center guns still have. But, thats just my prejudice.

 

[mtscout]

This place is a bad influence.
But, I do have a birthday next month...

 

[.357magger]

Now THERE is a question and you might ask Stainz what he thinks too.

But, for me, the 627 had THE BOMB of a trigger right out of the box. Smooth, no stacking, crisp let off, and just a joy to pound out fast accurate shots. The 686 took a bit of shooting and dryfiring to get it to where it is now. (reminds me of the old J. Miculek comment about, "If you want my trigger job secrets, dry fire about 10,000,000 rounds, then come back and ask me if you still want a trigger job ).

The previous comment about the 8 shooter being "faster" to shoot is correct in my experience. So much so that it almost requires a different cadence to shoot as opposed to a 6 shot. Not worse or anything, just different and yes I agree that it's due to the speed at which the cylinder brings up a new round. That is also true, to a lesser extent, with the L frame. Just lots more noticeable, vs a 6 shot, on th N.

Here's something else to consider, and frankly it is THE reason I got the 627 in the last place (the first place is that it's a sexy lil beast imo ). With this model you have 8 shots, same as a 1911, on tap with significantly more power per round than the 1911. Anyone ever argue that a 1911 can't get a defensive job done? (only Glockenweinies). So...as many as my fave auto loader, more powerful, more reliable imo (theres just very little to go wrong on a revolver, things can, but usually don't) and it's a hoot to shoot.

Hmmmm...darn, this thread makes me want to leave the 686 at home and repack the 627. Again, not a bad problem to have.

Did this help?

 

[WSCJonathan]

.357Magger, it helps a lot.

In fact I am going to call up the S&W Store (one of the only things about liking guns and living in this state) and see if they have one in stock and start pricing them.

Hope to have my first revolver soon. Everyone has been a huge help and when I pick it up, I'll make sure to take some pics at home and the range as a thank you to everyone for their advice/input. I hope it is my first S&W revolver of many!

 

[WSCJonathan]

I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to help answer my questions, especially .357Magger and Stainz. It took some calling around and a special order but I was able to find one for a great price. $769 before tax and it has a crown that looks great and doesn't need to be sent back for some touching up.

Thanks again for all of the help. You guys make this an awesome community. Now it's time to get the next one on the list. Haha...

Now it's time to hit the range!

 

[.357magger]

Where's the pics Brah?

If you don't "shoot it", it didn't happen (or so I was told once or three times anyway).

 

[WSCJonathan]

Fixed:

 

[epj]

Good choice. I have both and prefer the balance of the 627. 686 had a better trigger out of the box, but they ate now equal.

 

[.357magger]

Nice lead slinger there Brother. Makes me wish I hadn't sold my Pro.

Ooooops. Here I go again. How I got into trouble the last time.

 

[nebmike]

I'll have to put in another vote for the 627. I ended up selling the 686 I'd had for over 20 years once I got the Pro Series back in January.

I bought it specifically for carry / self-defense use and have been pretty happy with it so far... I installed C&S extreme duty sights, a new old-style cylinder release and I stippled the backstrap to give a little more traction under recoil.

 

[Stainz]

I had my 5" JM PC627 V-Comp when I bought the '04 Stocking Dealer Exclusive half lug 5" 686+ in '04 b- for $10 less than an adjacent regular 4" 686+. That PC627 had the best DA trigger of any revolver I have ever owned - it was just 'clunky', had something else to clean (comp or muzzle blank), and I hated that dovetailed front sight. The 5" h-l 686+ came with a HiViz front sight - neat Ahrends grips - and held 7 - it replaced my recently sold 4" 625 SPC gun. Sadly, they suspended the matches about then, so it's extra round was never tested.

I did note that my tie-breaker shots were not always 'enough' to drop the plate rapidly - wimpy .38's, I suppose. I missed my 625, sold in a fit several months previously. Not to worry - early Feb '05 found me perusing the S&W site only to find the then brand new 625JM. It was a Saturday - I opened the Pusher's... he ordered me one for $10 less than his in-stock 4" & 5" 625's. I had it Tuesday - changed the gold beaded Patridge sight to a HiViz and instantly had my 'Deal of the Century' candidate, a monicker it would proudly wear until 5/08 - when I discovered the recent 627 Pro.

The 627 Pro stole the show. I didn't like the front sight... no problem, I borrowed the 625JM's HiViz - wow! Eventually, I got another HiViz for the 625JM... but it had infected me with that JM grip - the 627 Pro soon sported one, too. Sure, there have been temporary contenders... a 4" 617 - the PC627 UDR - and even the 3" 63. This week's range trip saw the 627 Pro come home nasty, as did the still-new Governor and already dirty 617. My PC627 UDR came home clean. That 627 Pro never missed - and proved that shot placement made dropping the tie-breaker a sure thing. The 627 Pro is a great package. Congrats to everyone who has a 'good' one - patience to those who got one made on a Friday afternoon - S&W will make it good for you. It is a bargain. It totally parked my 5" h-l 686+ and 5" JM PC627 V-Comp - which I ultimately sold.

Stainz