S&W 627 Performance Shop snubbie - opinions

coltnutz

I have a chance to buy a new in box, unfired Smith 627 Performance Shop 627, short barrel, 8 shot, 357 caliber.

Not cheap but appx $1,000-$1,050 range.

Just looking for desirability opinons, comments, desirability, your 2 cents whether they are positive or otherwise. I'm a sucker for snubs.

rufe-snow

"N" frame snubbie with a 8 shot cylinder, is more a conversation piece then a practical CCW, IMHO. Your looking at something that will probably run 3 Lbs loaded and hard to conceal.

Well and good if you want to buy it as a collectors item for your collection, though. Doubtful many were made and sold as CCW's, for the above reasons.

dfletcher

I wasn't all that impressed with the "Performance Center treatment". Looks like they used a Wolff ribbed mainspring, probably a 13 lb trigger rebound spring but other than that not much done to the action. Smith makes a very good "run of the mill" revolver and the PC just didn't seem to bump it up all that much.

Riomouse911

The 5" barreled N-frame 627 8-shot is a great target gun, and will do a good job in defense of home. I really enjoyed shooting the ones I have shot, especially side by side with 6-shot L frames. For carry, they're a real belt-tugger.

I don't know anyone with the 8-shot snub version, or honestly, anyone who really wants one. (I like snubs, and own 2- 2" J, 1- 2.5 in K, and 1- 3" K myself) Because they're so much larger in frame/cylinder size and weight than the J frames, I don't think they've been a great seller or are all that desireable...'specially compared to the J frame .357 guns.

However, if you can talk the seller down a bit, you'll have a nice gun for the S&W collection.

coltnutz

thanks for all of your input

Laredo Lefty

Roger...... The Snubbie 8-shot would allow you to shoot in the snubbie catagory at the IRC "International Revolver Championship". I have 2 of the 627 8 shooters but with 5" tubes. I use them at that match.

For everyday carry, it's not a good choice due to bulk and weight when fully loaded, but for home defense it should work well. If used for in home work, I would suggest .38 spl rather than magnums that can penetrate through walls.

tsr1965

While I see your desire for snubs, do not look at this as being an investment option of sort. Even though it has the Performance Center treatment, there are plenty of them made.

I have had my paws on one of them, as the local dealer, whom I help out, has one in stock. when it comes to the K, L, and N frame S&W's, I personally have a hard time counting past six holes in the cylinder...read as I don't care for the 8 shot large bore revolvers.

Best

EDIT 1

quote:I shot a 327 8 shot a few times. I loved it! The 8 shot performance center guns are terrific. Yeah it has quite a flash with full power loads, but it also has quite a trigger and I would get one in a heartbeat for the right price. I don't remember it weighing 36oz, I think the one I shot had a titanium cylinder and was not heavy at all. Cool gun.
On a side note my friend bought his at Cabellas for a little over $900. So in my opinion you would be paying too much and prices will go down, they already have on quite a few things.
Oh and it would be much more than a "conversation piece"! It would be a find carry gun if it suited you. Much rather have one of them than a 1911.

There is a big difference between a 627, all stainless steel frame, cylinder and barrel, and the 327 alloy frame, and cylinder, and ss barrel liner, in weight. Almost like one pound, or possibly more.


The price on many S&W revolvers, is steadily climbing. Even before the OSSAMABAMA craze. most Scandium/Titanium alloy guns, and performance guns, start at $1000.00, and up, dealer cost.

Best

beantownshootah

This gun weighs 37.6 ounces unloaded and holds 8 rounds. Overall length is 7.63"

As comparison, the Smith model 686 plus 357 2.5" snub holds 7 rounds, weighs 34.1 ounces, and measures 7.5" in overall length. So this gun is really only a little bit bigger and heavier for its one extra round.

As further comparison, a 1911 weighs 39 ounces unloaded (with standard magazine) and holds 8 (7+1) rounds. Overall length is 8.25"

A Smith 19 2.5" 357 snub holds 6 shots, and weighs 30.5 ounces (don't have specs for overall length). Smith model 60 2-1/8" 357 snub holds 5 shots and weighs 22 ounces and is 6.6" OAL.

The point is, yes, this is a big revolver for concealed carry, and of course its quite a bit larger and heavier than the 5 shot J-frames people usually carry concealed.

On the other hand, while WIDER, this gun isn't really any heavier or bigger in total size than a 1911. I'm personally not one of them, but some people seem to have no problem walking around all day carrying these concealed.

So no, while this gun isn't small or light, and its certainly not for pocket carry, if you're willing to carry a full sized "service" type gun concealed, and you want a revolver, I think this is a perfectly viable choice. The question is, are you?


Edit:
In terms of weight/cost/performance, consider this:

If you're going to load .38+Ps, the smith 637 "airweight" weighs 15 ounces holds 5 shots, and costs about $400.

So for less total cost, and less total carrying weight, you can have TWO seperate snubnoses, giving you higher capacity and flexibility (ie backup gun). Yes, trigger pull won't be as good with the airweights, and recoil will be harsher.

Again, it comes down to what you think you're going to do with it.

Herschel

The snub .357 magnums look good and are nice conversation pieces. The only problem comes if you fire them. Noise is terrible and the muzzle flash at night is blinding.

Nordicwargod

I shot a 327 8 shot a few times. I loved it! The 8 shot performance center guns are terrific. Yeah it has quite a flash with full power loads, but it also has quite a trigger and I would get one in a heartbeat for the right price. I don't remember it weighing 36oz, I think the one I shot had a titanium cylinder and was not heavy at all. Cool gun.
On a side note my friend bought his at Cabellas for a little over $900. So in my opinion you would be paying too much and prices will go down, they already have on quite a few things.
Oh and it would be much more than a "conversation piece"! It would be a find carry gun if it suited you. Much rather have one of them than a 1911.
TSR wrote:
quote:There is a big difference between a 627, all stainless steel frame, cylinder and barrel, and the 327 alloy frame, and cylinder, and ss barrel liner, in weight. Almost like one pound, or possibly more.

The price on many S&W revolvers, is steadily climbing. Even before the OSSAMABAMA craze. most Scandium/Titanium alloy guns, and performance guns, start at $1000.00, and up, dealer cost.


He's probably right that there is a noticable difference in weight, but not size! Still a handy and nice 8 shot revolver. I think your friend may be asking a bit much as others have pointed out. There are quite a few of these around and the 5" models are premium as revolver "ICORE" competitors use them. I've seen some really nice used ones as low as $750 before the crazyness that started in December. I would wait for a less expensive 327 or 627 showed up.
This is the only "pistol" that I still want! For me it would not be a carry gun but for competition. Prices will go back down! These are big and tough guns, most people who buy them only shoot them now and then. I know two people who shoot these in competitons and they say they usually need a "tune up" around 50k rounds. They don't wear out quickly and I would have no problem buying a used one.

yoshmyster

I can imagine someone having a "Dirty Harry" moment. "Hey punk, did I shoot 6 shots or 7?".

I wonder how crazy it would be to have this gun with a shrouded hammer like the S&W 649? But made with titanium or Scandanavian parts to lose the weight.