8 Shot S&W 627-5 for Carry and General Use

L

Little Wolf

New member
I want a nice .357 revolver for hunting, and carry. I was origonally looking at the L frame 686p in 4" as I liked the look of the gun and the thought of an extra capacity of 1 round. I had also origonally planned to get the gun set up for moon clips. I like the idea of magazine speed reloads for my revolver.

However, then it hit me.

Smith and Wesson already offers a gun set up the way I like it.

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The 627-5!

It is an 8 shot .357 with a 5" barrel that is ALREADY set up for moonclips, though the frame is even bulkier (N frame).

So I only have a few questions to help me decide which one is better for me.

#1. Will the increased weight/bulk of the N frame 627 signifigantly make a difference in terms of carrying from the 686p? Is it that much bulkier a gun to accomidate the extra shot?

#2. Will the 8 shot moon clips simply be too large/cumbersome to practice efficent speed loading of moonclips compared to the smaller 7 shot ones? I heard someone saying that it was difficult to load the moonclips in the 627???


Those are the two main things I am concerned with as I wish to be able to carry this gun, which is why the 4" barrel of the 686 appeals to me. I doubt that one extra inch of barrel will matter much for the 627, though. It is just the extra bulk of the larger frame that concerns me as possibly becoming a problem in regards to carrying. Though I bet the 627's barrel would make it a more efficent hunting weapon.

The main advantages of the 686p are the smaller size (of barrel and frame) as well as the much cheaper cost. Even with the $100 or so extra it will cost to get the moonclip conversion, it will still be $300+ cheaper. The main advantages of the 627 are the extra round capacity, and the longer barrel for hunting.

Any info/advice would be appreciated.
 
I have a PC627-5 and love it! I actually just shot .357mag loads thru it for the first time last weekend, and it was impressively accurate and manageable.

However, it is really a tank in terms of size and weight, so I would strongly recommend handling one in person to see if you would want to carry it regularly.
 
I don't have the 627 but have tried to carry my Taurus 608 (also an N frame 8 shot .357).

The biggest problem I've had with it was cylinder width. The frame size isn't that bad, actually, but the cylinder is just too hard to conceal for me.

Now, I'm assuming when you say 'carry' you're talking about concealed. Let me know if I'm wrong.

Open carrying wouldn't be any more of a problem than anything else. You might need to get a good gun belt, though.
 
I have one of these and I am very impressed w/its accuracy. That said, IMHO this is probably better as a target or competion gun rather than a carry gun. Not only is the size an issue but the target adjustable sightses are more prone to snagging and getting misaligned.

Just my $0.02.
 
I was thinking more along the lines of open carry with occastional concealed carry. How easy is it to load the gun via moonclips? I checked out the S&W website and I believe it noted that the 627 was only around a few ounces heavier than the 686p.
 
Someone used the term tank.

I have never shot one of the 8 round smiths but I am a collector of N frame smiths and have 8. If your talking about carring for personal protction then I have no problem with carring one on my hip but a five inch you better like wearing treanch coats ;)
5 inch is just too long to hide easly unless its fall or winter and its in a sholder holster.
I do carry a 3 inch 29 (with 44 sp loaded) in a sholder holster and have no problem but again that word TANK does come to mind.
My number one carry gun is a cheep but very functional Charter arms 44 sp bulldog. Putting that on is like carring a small 38.
I dont like moon clips and have never and will never own a gun with them. They can get caught on clothing when there need is greatest and speed loaders are just as quick and a lot more reliable.
IF YOU PRACTICE WHITH THEM. So why spend the money converting.
You dont say what kind of hunting your planing on doing but if its deer than I would go with somthing a little more heavy ether one of the 357 maximum guns or a good 44 mag.
Deer when shot have a LOT of adernalin and can run a long way, believe me I know after shooting one last year with a single shoot contender in 44 mag with hand loads that would knock down a moose. And at 25 yards!
I hit him center mass, a good hit and he ran over a mile.
He was a big buck and I think if I had used a 357 he would have smilled at me and ran into the next state. And if you think you need 8 rounds to take a deer than you should get into another type of hunting, I have no use for hunters that empty a gun at an animal, if you cant take one and kill it with one shot then dont shoot. This idea I hear about people taking 75 yard shots at deer with hand guns I find disterbing.
Wild animals are a lot different than humans.
 
Question?

Does the S&W M627-5 allow for single loading of cartridges into the cylinder , and normal ejection, or is it a moon clip only arrangement?
 
I have a Model 28 which is a six-shot N-Frame. I don't find it to be all that much bulkier than a GP-100. In cold weather, I don't think I'd have much trouble carrying it but would probably opt for something smaller in the summer. The 5" barrel is a put off for me though but S&W makes the 327 with a 2" barrel and Scandium frame (too short and light for my taste), or if money isn't an object the Performance Center will cut the barrel to any length you want.
 
The 627 can be fired without moon clips. Unlike the rimless cartridges there is a ridge around the outside of the cylinder to allow headspacing on the cartridge rim.
 
I rented the 627PC and thought it was a great gun... as you said yourself though, it's pretty big for a carry gun. A 4" 686P has one less shot, and is still not exactly a tiny featherweight, but is 6 oz lighter, one inch shorter and a little slimmer - and a better choice if desired for occasional carry, IMO - that's what I got as an "all purpose" revolver... it slices, it dices, it makes Julienne fries :D
 
Wolf, I absolutely love the look of that big 8-shot N Frame. I only wish it came as a 4" barrell instead of the 5". Gorgeous gun though.
 
Taurusa M608SS4...8shot and compact

I bought my 608 upon selling off my M66. (sold my 7shot for an 8shot)

I have fired ther 627 and its a solid gun. 5" is an odd length, which is (I guess) why Clint had his chopped down to 3 1/2" for the movie "Bloodwork".

I sent my 608 in for moonclip machining and a trigger job last spring and what I got back is a totally different gun!!!

I have it in a bianchi 7000 molded holster for an N-frame and it fits like a glove. (I also put Hogue grips on it...)

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