S&W PC 627 2.5/8" for off duty CCW

[45Kimber]

Hy guy,
in early 80s my off duty edc was S&W 66 in 2.5" and then 686 in 2.5" 357 magnum, in that time there weren't affordable semiauto model in powerfull caliber on the market in my Country.
Now my off duty edc is Kimber Stainless Compact II in 45 ACP.
I like USA statement: "the bigger the better" and "one shot one drop"!
Today I discover that S&W PC 627 8 round 357 magnum is finally imported in my Country, so I go immediatly to my gun store, the big gun store in Rome, but it'is not possible to test or handled this gun if you previuosly don't order and buy it.
The salesman tells me that the thickness of cylinder is equal to S&W 29 in 44 magnum with 8 holes instead of 6 holes.
I like 45 ACP as well as 357 expecially now with revolver that offers 8 rounds!!!
I'm tall 1,85 meters and weight 90 Kilos in your opinion it's possible to ccw confortably and for long time this wonderful sixwheel, sorry eightwheel? Even in hottest summer days? Or it's too bulky?
Anyone can show a comparative photos?
Thanks

 

[chewie146]

I know that italy does know how to work leather, and if you get a good holster, it shouldn't be too bad. I've never been there, but it's hot here, and I've carried worse. Get a good holster and a nice, cool concealed carry garment, provided you're going to conceal it. How did you used to carry your others?

 

[Japle]

It’s a really big gun. I have one with the 5” barrel and, even though it’s lighter than my M29 and 625, it’s a long way from my first choice for CCW.

A few years ago, I carried my M29 for a month just for fun. It felt like I had half a steel grapefruit hung on my side. The gun stuck out a mile. It was very obvious that I had something huge under my shirt, but no one seemed to notice.

I usually carry an XDm 9mm with the full-size frame which is a pretty big gun, but it’s nowhere near as big and uncomfortable as the N-frame Smith.

My opinion: The gun is too wide for IWB carry and too bulky for comfort, period. If you were 190 cm tall and weighed 110 kg, maybe.

 

[micromontenegro]

I would not consider a N frame as an all season CCW. As an occasional carry gun, maybe.

 

[Hook686]

I have 3 N Frame S&W revolvers. A 629 with 6-1/2" barrel, a 627PC with 5" barrel, and a 329PD with 4" barrel. I use to carry one of these concealed in the rural, outback regions when I went hiking, fishing, or hunting. All 3 fit in an Uncle Like large shoulder holster. The 329PD and 627PC both fit in the shoulder holster and a cross draw/hip draw holster sold by S&W for the 627PC. As has been said these are not terrific CCW handguns. I carried them, so I had a handgun on me, but I did not fool myself to thinking I could quickly deploy them. If I found myself in a situation where I needed a gun I had one. I never carried one of these for urban carry.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

Sure, it can be done. I regularly carry a revolver of the same size (an older S&W 28 N-frame 357 magnum), and have carried in this rig (Lobo Gunleather IWB) through a hot and humid Tennessee summer. It takes a change in mindset, though.

It's heavy, and you will feel it. You absolutely need a good, stiff belt (I like Simply Rugged's "real man" belt). Your pants have to be a size larger than normal, same for shirts (assuming the shirt will be your cover garment). With the right stocks/grip, you can hide it under a t-shirt, but the t-shirt needs to be a bit large and preferably a darker color. My preference for stocks on a large revolver for CCW are Spegel boot grips, or Hogue bantams.

If you prefer a gun that won't affect your clothing choices and that you won't feel much during the day, an N-frame is probably not for you. For me, the heft is a comforting feeling. I put up with the inconveniences because, if I ever had to defend myself with a handgun, I want to use a large, powerful revolver that's very easy to shoot accurately.

 

[bds32]

I own several N frames including five inch barrel 627s. I carry the big 627 revolver on a daily basis as a police investigator but not concealed unless wearing a sport coat in public. What I will say is that it is heavy but you get used to it if you carry daily. I do not carry it off duty because it is not as concealable due to the longer barrel. The shorter barrel might work for you. I think a good pancake holster with some oversized shirts would make this a viable option.

 

[tomrkba]

I have a S&W TRR8. It's an N-Frame, 8 shot cylinder with 5" barrel. I carry it IWB with Ahrends Tactical Stocks.

The gun's issues, not including barrel length, are width of the cylinder and the length of the grip. Cylinder width is not that big of a problem; the actual problem is when you add the thickness of the leather around it plus the snaps. If the snaps are on the face of the holster, you're essentially adding 1/4" to the size of the package. Very thick leather, such as with many Galco holsters, may add another 1/4" of thickness. Get something with split loops. The length of the stocks affect whether or not the bottom of the grip will print--creating that annoying bulge in the kidney area. Use boot style grips and a holster with forward cant to mitigate most of this. Don't use rubber grips either; they cause clothing to "stick" and create a "ledge".

Concealing spare ammunition is another challenge. The eight shot moon clips or 5 Star Speed Loaders stick out in the pocket. I recommend you rig up something to carry one or two moonclips IWB. The holster creates a gap between your belt and body; a moonclip or speed loader holder will fit in that spot. Do not carry 357 Magnum moonclips in your pocket because they bend easily. TUFF Products makes an 8 round speed strip. Ask a leather maker to make you a pocket holder for one or two strips. You can have 24 or 32 rounds onboard for daily carry!

In all, the short barreled 627 should be just fine for concealed carry. Most posters around here are more concerned with convenience. I know guys who will prefer little six shot semi-autos over the very concealable Glock 26 or similar. Many are weight sensitive and aggravate the situation by refusing to buy a gun belt. Since you're asking about N-Frames for carry, I believe that these are not factors in your decision.

Buy it, add a night sight, delock it with THE PLUG*, add boot stocks and you're done.


* Available from some guy on the S&W Forum. THE LOCK is a storage device, not a safety.

 

[savit260]

All it takes is a really good holster belt combination.

I know it's goes against conventional wisdom, but I find a 4" barrel easier to conceal than the short barrels in a larger framed revolver.

The longer barrel counteracts the weight of the frame and grip, and keeps the grip from trying to tip away from your body. The gun has an easier time staying tight against your side, making it print less.

Short barrel or not... it's the grip that's the hard part to keep concealed well.

On a belt IWB a 4" barrel isn't going to be a problem for most people. Myself, I find that 5 1/2" is about the limit for me.

 

[tomrkba]

The longer barrel counteracts *the weight of the frame and grip, and the grip from trying to tip away from your body. **The gun has an easier time staying tight against your side, making it print less.

A holster with split loops counteracts rearward flop.

 

[savit260]

I like a holster with the loops ahead of and behind the gun myself. Never understood the "Summer Special" style with the loops and snaps positioned right over the fattest part of the revolver.

I'm really fond of the "Simply Rugged" Sourdough Pancake holster with inside out straps. Can be worn IWB or OWB, and conceals a large revolver very well. Holds the revolver nice and tight to the body.

While not an N frame S&W, here's a shot with a 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk (at least as big if not bigger than an N frame) in use. An untucked T shirt covers this just fine.

Rob at Simply Rugged is a first class good guy, and price and turnaround times are very good for a custom made holster.

 

[tomrkba]

I just want to add some detail.

I'm tall 1,85 meters and weight 90 Kilos in your opinion it's possible to ccw confortably and for long time this wonderful sixwheel, sorry eightwheel? Even in hottest summer days? Or it's too bulky?

I carried an S&W 625 and have a 327 TRR8. I also have a Ruger Alaskan, which has a bigger frame.

The real problems for carry are the barrel, grips and ammunition. A long barrel tends to stick out. If you carry inside the pants, the muzzle will print through your pants. If you carry outside the pants, people can see the holster sticking out of your shirt. Also, a long barrel is difficult to draw, especially if the holster holds the gun high. I thought the S&W 625 with 4" barrel was a bit long. I had to do weird things with my shoulder to get it out quickly. A 2.5" barrel would be much faster. This is the primary reason why I went to the Ruger Alaskan in 44 Magnum (I wanted a big bore gun with short barrel). Talo has a Model 29 with 3" barrel. It is very nice. I consider the short barrel 44 Magnum revolvers to be GREAT 44 Special guns and decent 44 Magnum guns (with light 44 Magnum loads). I use Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 200 grain JHP (velocity is 1075 FPS, less out of a 2.5" barrel). Take a look at the S&W 327 with 2" barrel, the Talo S&W Model 29 with 3" barrel, and the S&W Model 627 with 2.6 inch barrel. I believe the 627 with 2.6" barrel may be the gun you're looking for.

The wide cylinder is not so much of a problem and you can improve concealment by using a holster with split loops (see Milt Sparks Versa Max-2 for an example of split loop design). This saves you 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in thickness.

Weight is something you can partially mitigate with a good belt from Comp-Tac. I have two of their kydex reinforced belts and they work well. You must be careful with them when threading the belt through holster loops. The kydex will break if you bend the belt too far. It will then become weak and not support the gun well. A split loop holster with forward cant will reduce the effort needed to carry the gun. The rest of it is up to you.

Long factory stocks will print. Get the shortest grip possible. I found that the Ahrends Tactical Stocks conceal well. I like them because a holster with forward cant will prevent the stocks from printing.

Finally, the speed loaders or moon clips are large. They print badly in the pocket. I recommend you carry one speed loader or moonclip inside the waist band in a custom holder. All other reloads should be on speed strips in the pocket or on the belt.

If you want a light, summer gun, then buy an S&W Model 442 or 642. They fit in the pocket of your shorts and conceal well in a cheap pocket holster. If you want a belt gun, consider a K-Frame with 2" barrel, S&W 686 with either 2.5 or 3 inch barrel, Ruger GP100 with 3" barrel, or the Ruger SP101.

As for me, I carry the Ruger Alaskan with the S&W Model 442 as backup. It works and I put up with the weight. I just like carrying the 44 around. I drop the 442 into a pocket holster when that's not possible due to circumstances.