S&W Performance Center

[bullzeye8]

I was just wondering how much better the performance center revolvers are than their normal ones. I felt the triggers at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg last weekend and they felt amazing for a double action but I was wondering how much more accurate are they?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't think they are any more accurate, as this wasn't the point of the Performance Center...but they might be easier to shoot more accurately.

Besides they limited run guns and the competition specific guns, what you're really getting is a blue printed gun...one with all the hand fitting that they can't economically put into the production line guns. The most accurate production gun will likely be just as accurate as a PC gun; but the least accurate PC gun will be more accurate than the least accurate production gun

The rule of thumb is that the production line guns will suit 80% of their customers, the PC guns will suit the needs of 80% of the remaining 20%, and the last 4% will have custom work done

 

[jimmyjackjones]

I would think that a revolver hand assembled with the additional fitting by a master gunsmith would be slightly more accurate than an assembly line revolver? The fit and finish is way nicer and the triggers are just amazing.

 

[Drail]

If you spend a few years tuning and customizing S&W revolvers the Performance Center guns don't seem very impressive - especially considering what they charge for them. You'll probably have a better chance at getting a gun with the barrel screwed on straight but as far as action work you can get the same work done as well or better by a good local smith. The fit and finish should not require running the gun through the Performance Center. A stock S&W should not have fit and finish issues (but sadly a lot of them do). But there are now a lot less good revolversmiths out there as there was 20 years ago. 20 years ago I was doing a lot of S&W revolver work and the Performance Center guns were pretty much a ripoff in my opinion.

 

[RealGun]

I would think that a revolver hand assembled with the additional fitting by a master gunsmith would be slightly more accurate than an assembly line revolver? The fit and finish is way nicer and the triggers are just amazing.

Looking at the picture of yours, I would say that PC may be a way to avoid trigger locks in some models.

My PC gun is a Wyatt Deep Cover 38 Spl +p Gunsmoke, a lightweight snubby with a bobbed hammer and really smooth trigger. None of the others call out to me. I would jump at a nice concealed carry 44 Special 3-4" barrel.

 

[buck460XVR]

The Performance center is about more than just a "trigger job" on most of their offerings. Most have other mods to them that your local gunsmith cannot give you or if they could, it would cost twice as much to have done with a stock handgun. While I agree, paying for a P.C. gun just to have a trigger job is not much of a value, but if you are looking for a gun with specific mods or variations not offered on stock guns, then they are something to consider. I paid very little over the price of a stock Smith as I did for my 2 P.C. Models. Difference between them and a stock model to me was well worth the little bit extra I paid. As with any purchase, one needs to consider their needs and desires and then compare apples to apples. It ain't always about buying an apple without a worm, but whether you want a eater or a baker.

 

[mesinge2]

I love performance center guns. In my experience, the actions are smooth and lighter than the production guns.

I sent my 44 magnum model 629-6 Talo Deluxe with a 3"barrel to S&W for the master revolver action package and for a fixed C&S extreme duty rear sight:





8-shot 357 magnum m627 Performance Center:

 

[jimmyjackjones]

Mine is a pre-lock from the original run in the '90s. The newer runs have the locks. Only paid a couple hundred more than a regular. Never had to send it to a gunsmith for additional work/expense. Works perfect as is. More accurate than me. Came in an aluminum locking case with beautiful combat grips. I don't see these grips on regular models. Love the matte finish with unfluted cylinder. Not seeing that on regular ones either. None of this makes it more accurate, but I still think on average, PCs will be more accurate out of the box.

 

[788Ham]

My buddy picked up a Smith PC from a pawn, no box though. It has the 6" under lugged barrel, with a hole into the under lug for different weights to be added- subtracted as you wish. I have a 6" 629-2, we shot them @ 25 yards, with 240 gr. reloads, I could keep them in the bottom of the black 3" cluster. With the PC, they were just a hair under center bullseye, 1/2", all touching. My buddy shot 18 rds. , his were in one neat cluster, 3". I was/am impressed with the PC. YMMV

 

[9mmepiphany]

I would think that a revolver hand assembled with the additional fitting by a master gunsmith would be slightly more accurate than an assembly line revolver? The fit and finish is way nicer and the triggers are just amazing.

Amazing is always a relative term depending on what actions you have experienced.

I've rolled back the triggers on action tuned by Ron Power and Bill Davis and the PC tuned actions will approach their work. But when you compare a PC tuned L-frame or N-frame to the work put out by Apex Tactical Specialties , they are not even in the same zip code

 

[357 Terms]

I have a 627 V-Comp from '03, the trigger is great!

but, it shot left, way left, with the sights adjusted all the way it still shot two inches left at 75 feet, tight groups, but unacceptable.

I sent it back to S&W (on their dime) and it is great now, just needed a little barrell/frame adj.

Still, its a PC gun, surprising it was that far off.