Which 627 PC... 2.6" or 5"

[BAMac]

I can't decide! It's not really for carry, so conventional wisdom says 5" but something keeps drawing me back to the 2.6"!

 

[clang444]

I'll be the first to say it - Buy them both!

 

[hkcavalier]

You'll shoot and enjoy the 5" more, all things being equal.

 

[__steve__]

I think there’s nothing more balanced than the 5” N frame, in my case the 629. On the other hand I savor my X frame snub-nose too, just a totally different kind of fun for different reasons, and I wouldn’t prefer the vise-versa. Not the best of photographers, but here they are.

 

[BeAnalog]

You'll shoot and enjoy the 5" more, all things being equal.

I really like your S&W. I've been wanting a 357 Mag for a while but can't decide between the 686+ or 627. This will be for the range, the woods and home defense. Any advice what I should get? Pros, cons? Your wood grips are fantastic. Where did you get them?

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[hkcavalier]

The grips are Cordia round-to-square Retro Combats from Ahrends, which unfortunately closed up earlier this year.

I have a 686+ 6" gun. Between the two, the 686+ is more muzzle-heavy and isn't cut for moon clips. For the range, I really like the moon clips. I've carried both on hikes and there I use speedloaders; moon clips are notoriously fragile.

The main issue most find between the two is price. Is the 627 worth $300+ more than the 686+? In a practical sense, no. But I find it handles better and the weight balances better in the hand. A 686+ 4" would balance better than the 6" of course.

 

[soonerbb]

After reading (on this forum) about the balance of the L frame 4 inch
i purchased a 686 4 inch. My two favorite shooters are now the 686 and my Model 69....

 

[Mr Wonderful]

If you're not going to carry, then the 5" is a no brainer. The 5" will give you tremendously more velocity, a longer sight distance for more accurate shots and less recoil for easier/faster follow up shots.
Check out the HUGE velocity difference here.. BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .357 Mag Results

 

[Mr Wonderful]

I really like your S&W. I've been wanting a 357 Mag for a while but can't decide between the 686+ or 627. This will be for the range, the woods and home defense. Any advice what I should get? Pros, cons? Your wood grips are fantastic. Where did you get them?

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

The 686.
The 627 has a larger, heavier cylinder, meaning heavier trigger pull and more cylinder stop/notch wear/failure.

 

[RKmesa]

I love the shorties...

...but the 5"ers are also way cool...

... and the 627's is a great companion to it's pre-27 ancestor...

... so my thoughts are that both the long and the short ones should be on your list of great guns to accumulate.

 

[roundgunner]

My favorite 357 of all time is the 2.6" 627. It feels good and shoots good. I have put a red dot on it from time to time to shoot open class revolver in steel plate matches.

Now I have the 627 V-COMP also. It is a great race gun. It is faster than the 2.6" but it will probably never take over the favorite 357 spot.

 

[roundgunner]

The rest of the pix

 

[HorizontalMike]

Matching weight w-686 loaded as well

I love my 2.625" 627. FWIW, loaded w/8, or 6rd (686):

• My snub 627PC loaded weighs 42.4oz
• My 4in 686ND loaded weighs 43.0oz

In other words less than a 0.6oz difference! And IMO, shoots just as well and handles my stout .357 reloads with similar non-punishing recoil.

 

[Nick B]

I wish Smith would stop using those non fluted cylinders.

 

[PatriotX]

I wish Smith would offer everything in unfluted cylinders.

 

[kaaskop49]

The 686.
The 627 has a larger, heavier cylinder, meaning heavier trigger pull and more cylinder stop/notch wear/failure.

The 627. I've recently purchased two 627PC snubs. Both have smooth actions. Have also recently bought two 686+ revolvers. They're very OK, but the actions are a bit rough, the adjustable sights can't be moved. I won't include my 4" 627 Pro Series which is the finest revolver I have ever bought.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103