so im trying to decide what to get. ive wanted a full size 357 revolver for a while. Do I get the stainless 627 performance center or one of the scandium framed 8 shot guns?? I have a 640-1 currently thats stainless but im trying to decide if the weight savings is worth it going for the scandium gun or not. I think i prefer the trr8 over the M&P since the lower rail is removable so the gun looks more traditional when its off
help me decide 627PC 5inch barrel or a TRR8 or M&P R8
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
The M&P R8 and the M327 TRR8 are meant for comfortable all day carry because of the Scandium Alloy frame. If you're not going to carry it all day you can save some money with the M627 PC even though it's not all that much. If I were to buy the alloy revolver I also like the TRR8 better than the R8. I'm not sure Rick would buy the M627 or M327. (sorry, no help there)
If you really want to save money the M627 Pro is a nice revolver although you get a 4" barrel instead of 5", no wood grips and no gold bead on the front sight. I guess that's what the extra $300 gets you.
If you really want to save money the M627 Pro is a nice revolver although you get a 4" barrel instead of 5", no wood grips and no gold bead on the front sight. I guess that's what the extra $300 gets you.
Unless you're trying to carry it, the heavier weight of the non-scandium frame is likely to be a good thing. All else being equal, up to a fairly heavy weight, almost all shooters will shoot a heavier gun better. The heavier gun will carry worse, but the shooting will generally be better. Thus: If you're buying the gun to shoot it, get a heavy gun. If you're buying it to tote around, then the lighter weight may be worth the compromise.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
In reality the M627 isn't all that heavier. The TRR8 weight 35.2 oz and the M627 weighs 43.6 oz. I did mention the weight above but with the admission it wasn't all that different. It could matter to some shooters but not others.
As for the frame lasting a lifetime, of course they have not been around long enough to really be sure but every report I have read said the "normal" aluminum alloy guns will not last as long as the all steel ones but the Scandium aluminum alloy guns are as strong or stronger than steel. As they say, only time will tell...
As for the frame lasting a lifetime, of course they have not been around long enough to really be sure but every report I have read said the "normal" aluminum alloy guns will not last as long as the all steel ones but the Scandium aluminum alloy guns are as strong or stronger than steel. As they say, only time will tell...
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree it could change,things a lot for some shooters.
It's too bad S&W doesn't make a M527 in blue like the M586 L frame. That is a revolver I would have to buy!
KeithET
Member
I have several 357mag revolvers including the M&P R8. I really like the lighter frame even though I do not carry it, its just a nice shooter for me. Its not really that much of a handful with full power 357mag loads. It has a little more noticeable recoil then my GP100 but I think the size and balance of the gun mitigate this. As I reload most of my ammo I tailor my loads to my liking. Most of my 357mag shooting is done with 3/4 power loads. I would not worry about shooting full power loads all the time though as I said its still a big gun that balances well while shooting. FYI, I like the top rail as I have attached a red dot sight to compensate for my old eyes.
KeithET
KeithET
KeithET
Member
They thought about the flame cutting issue. They placed a shield just above the barrel cylinder gap to deflect the hot gasses. I have not shot enough through it to really tell how well it works but it should eliminate the flame cutting for all intents and purposes.
KeithET
KeithET
bigtubby
Member
I have had a R8 and TRR8 and a V-comp. I always liked the looks of the TRR8 better but after shooting them I just like the R8 much better and have since sold the TRR8. I can't explain it it just happened that way. I didn't really want the R8 but had some extra cash and it came up so I snagged it and fell in love with it. Handles 357 with no problem.
I have an R8 and like it a lot. However, in spite of being a Performance Center gun it had one of the worst triggers when I bought it on any handgun I've ever owned. Single action was a gritty 7 pounds and my Lyman trigger gauge which will read up to 11 pounds just gave me an error when trying the double action pull. I thought about returning it or sending it back to Smith but decided not to mess around and spent $110 to have it tuned. Now it's a real shooter and is one of the most accurate handguns I own, behind my Model 41 and my Model 14. I'd buy one again.
barnbwt
member
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As an owner of a TRR8, there's really no choice but to go with the TRR8 vs. the R8.
-With both rails being removable, you can realistically find a holster to fit the gun. The big, vertical Bianchi hunting rigs work, but only barely. I can't imagine anything but a custom one-off race gun chassis could hold an R8 practically.
-Don't listen to any naysayers suggesting an a steel frame is worth it. The aluminum frame is light as a steel gun of 'normal' size so recoil is perfectly reasonable even with heavy loads, but the large grip & frame size give your hands lots of room to spread that force over & enough leverage to keep the muzzle down.
-Trigger on my gun was pretty darn nice, only guns I've shot that seemed nicer are the SA on the Mateba Unica 6, and the DA on the Manurhin MR73. A vintage Colt may be nicer, but not by enough, frankly (and would be both far heavier and way too expensive/delicate to do much besides safe duty; the TRR8 can be reasonably serviced if need be)
-Quite accurate, at least far more so than my abilities can reveal. The 5" barrel is the perfect midpoint between long hunting rigs with extra sight radius and the concealable ones that are less practical to use beyond a dozen or two yards. That length also helps counteract some muzzle rise, since the aluminum frame results in a slightly more barrel-heavy balance (feels neutral to me for an N-frame, though). The gold bead front sight and post make for a very nice sight picture; the post is a little wider than you usually see, more like the ~1/8" seen on service autoloaders these days. For low light, you'd really want night sights or better yet, a red dot (or laser, as your preference dictates, since you have all the options with the rails)
-I understand the barrels are the same now, but at one time the R8 used polygonal rifling, which was cool and all, but kind of a dumb choice for a chambering like 38/357 where cast bullets are so common.
-The either shot is worth the premium and size over the L-frame 686+'s to me. Puts it in true autoloader territory for capacity with only a minor step up in size/weight (and a Scandium L-frame is getting into the handful realm anyway) but with much more headroom for firepower in each shot as well as improved reliability. I believe the guns have some feature advantages over the smaller models as well, such as the forward ejector rod support/latch, and being set up for moonclips
TCB
-With both rails being removable, you can realistically find a holster to fit the gun. The big, vertical Bianchi hunting rigs work, but only barely. I can't imagine anything but a custom one-off race gun chassis could hold an R8 practically.
-Don't listen to any naysayers suggesting an a steel frame is worth it. The aluminum frame is light as a steel gun of 'normal' size so recoil is perfectly reasonable even with heavy loads, but the large grip & frame size give your hands lots of room to spread that force over & enough leverage to keep the muzzle down.
-Trigger on my gun was pretty darn nice, only guns I've shot that seemed nicer are the SA on the Mateba Unica 6, and the DA on the Manurhin MR73. A vintage Colt may be nicer, but not by enough, frankly (and would be both far heavier and way too expensive/delicate to do much besides safe duty; the TRR8 can be reasonably serviced if need be)
-Quite accurate, at least far more so than my abilities can reveal. The 5" barrel is the perfect midpoint between long hunting rigs with extra sight radius and the concealable ones that are less practical to use beyond a dozen or two yards. That length also helps counteract some muzzle rise, since the aluminum frame results in a slightly more barrel-heavy balance (feels neutral to me for an N-frame, though). The gold bead front sight and post make for a very nice sight picture; the post is a little wider than you usually see, more like the ~1/8" seen on service autoloaders these days. For low light, you'd really want night sights or better yet, a red dot (or laser, as your preference dictates, since you have all the options with the rails)
-I understand the barrels are the same now, but at one time the R8 used polygonal rifling, which was cool and all, but kind of a dumb choice for a chambering like 38/357 where cast bullets are so common.
-The either shot is worth the premium and size over the L-frame 686+'s to me. Puts it in true autoloader territory for capacity with only a minor step up in size/weight (and a Scandium L-frame is getting into the handful realm anyway) but with much more headroom for firepower in each shot as well as improved reliability. I believe the guns have some feature advantages over the smaller models as well, such as the forward ejector rod support/latch, and being set up for moonclips
TCB
200Apples
Mojave Lever Crew
As the owner of an R8, I'd have to agree with these quoted comments.
The gun is quite nice to shoot. It's balance is great for a revolver it's size. It is not a heavy gun yet it's quite comfortable to shoot. It's DA trigger pull out of the box is decent, the SA superb. I've acquired extra moon clips and two different moon tools.
I'm not fond of the V-notch rear sight blade... I'll shoot with it more but may swap that out for a conventional rear sight blade.
My tastes in firearms favors over-100-year-old designs, but this M&P R8 has to be one of the coolest wheelguns ever conceived. And, as mentioned, it's easy to shoot well. I've not purchased a holster for it yet, but I may have some custom leather made up in the form of an abbreviated pancake or a Yaquii Slide...
ShootingIsFun
Member
Congrats! - Sounds like a good deal on the trr8!
Fwiw, I LOVE my 5" 627PC! Favorite firearm I've ever owned!
Fwiw, I LOVE my 5" 627PC! Favorite firearm I've ever owned!
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