gr7070

What are my options for a moonclip holder for the 8-shot 627 moonclips? I'd like to dabble in USPSA and similar games. Thanks in advance.

I just bought a 627-PC (circa 1998) with 100 rds through it for $750. I strongly suspect that is a low price. For a -5 $800 seems about right. I'm no expert, and rather frugal, so take that for what it's worth. Bud's sold a used 627 Pro for $700 a month ago. A new Pro on Buds is $770. New PCs I think have been on Bud's for $970???

If the intent is to increase revolver numbers, including 627s won't help much more than the example of 1 extra in 20 that Mike used. *Revolvers* are the problem with revolver participation. There's no other single item or even a few items that we could change on a revolver to overcome the revolver on the whole. Most folks just like autos better. Revolvers have much smaller capacities, with much more difficult reloads, much longer and heavier triggers, more expensive ammo, old technology, they're more expensive and $1000 N-frames are that much more expensive than the $700 L-frames, the revolvers "need" upgrades, on and on. Allowing for an 8 round revolver improves only one of those many, many detractors and really it doesn't improve it all that much. Sure it puts it almost on par with the 8+1 1911s, but let's face it, 8 rd 1911s aren't nearly as popular as other autos in the gun world - the 8-round 1911s are like revolvers where to some degree only 1911-guys shoot them as only revolver-guys shoot revolvers. While the 627 is somewhat popular (for a revolver) many revolver shooters don't even own, essentially, the lone 8-shot revolver. In addition, those that do like the 627 many of them are self-defense owners of the snubby version. They're not competitors. It's a great gun, and I think it would be great fun to have a place in IDPA/USPSA for them to compete with, but it would be to the detriment of revolver, not their betterment.

The pin is offset just slightly. I do suspect you are correct that it is bent. The pin is all the way against the frame, and it lets light in through the pin hole, so it definitely is not lined up perfectly with the hole. It is a small amount of offset, I'll take a closer look at it - once I get a punch small enough; my smallest is just a hair too big to remove it. Thanks again for the help!

Thanks Toolguy! The pin looks like the right length. It sticks out a decent amount on the other side and is just touching the inside wall of the sight cavity; so the pin looks right. I assume you guys use a "gun vice" to do this kind of work. I'll play a little more to see if I can make it work. If not I'll use it as is for now, and may send it out at some point if the sight comes off. The pin misses the hole to the rear less than the full width of the pin. So the pin sits behind hole. It takes some effort getting the sight in and out; not sure if that slightly smaller length due to the pin misplacement makes it just a bit tougher or not.

The pin on my "new" 627 is only seated in one side of the hole. It misses the other side by a hair - light comes through that side and shines into the sight cavity. I'm unable to move the pin at all to line it up. Are there any techniques I should try? Something beyond pushing on it hard from the top slot (where the sight would be placed into). Brute force isn't working. Atleast not by hand. I haven't tried a small hammer or anything beyond hand pressure on a punch. I haven't shot it yet so I have no idea if it'll vibrate out. The original owner only shot about 100 rounds through it so it hasn't had to hold up against plenty of use. It seems to hold the sight in still as intended. Any thoughts/suggestions?

I've never tried with my K-frame. I do not think they'd work as well as you'd want, especially if we're talking competition use. Their cylinders are different diameters, in addition to other differences, and a lot of the retention comes from the friction around the cylinder and its appropriately sized fit there. Maybe someone who's tried can confirm or deny my suspicions.

Cliff, thanks for your tip on the S&W 627-PC for sale! I picked it up today from my FFL and am very pleased. Nice gun, with a combination of some neat features that are apparently a little unusual for 627s (unflutted cylinder, serrated backstrap, etc.). It came at a solid price, too, for a pre-lock PC gun. Thanks to info from a few others here and elsewhere I all ready have the BMT Mooner, moonclips, FO front site, et al for the 627, as well.

The items most folks used were mentioned above. Holster: Comp-Tac Very nice holster. I have three for my differing guns. Speedloaders: Safariland Comp III or Jetloaders Seems the Jetloaders are considered a hair better, but they're typically a good deal more money. Midway puts Comp IIIs on sale commonly for $13. Holders: Ready Tactical or North Mountain Both seem to be well liked by all.

Thanks. That what I would expect, but I just never see it mentioned though I've seen it mentioned many times over the years re. 1911s. Made me wonder otherwise.

I hope you're not complaining about that! I see that as a very good thing. ;-)

I'm somewhat new to the revolver world and have a simple question I've never seen addressed. I've heard about rubber grip panels causing 1911 frames to rust under the panels due to moisture being caught between. Last night I found a little rust under my rubber 1911 grips - it is a stainless 1911. Since I don't shoot it that much anymore, in favor of my revolvers, I put my wood panels back on it for more long-term storage. So, why don't I hear about a similar problem on revolvers, especially with the widespread use of the rubber monogrips on modern S&W revolvers? I've taken my revolver grips off often enough over the last year, but mostly for reasons like trying new grips, changing mainsprings, adjusting tension, etc. Once I get everything the way I like it, I can see myself not taking the grips off for some time - I wouldn't typically take them off for each cleaning. Is this kind of rust a concern for S&Ws with the rubber monogrips? Do y'all frequently take your grips off to clean and oil the grip frame?

Thanks! I went ahead and ordered a .25" high sight along with the rest of my stuff.

Anyone know the typical sight height for a 627 gold bead front sight? I don't have the gun here, but, possibly unwisely, would like to put in an order for a number of different items now including an FO front sight.

Model 10s are "common" enough in IDPA, fwtw. If you want to shoot with speed loaders they're a fine gun. Most prefer a 66 or a 686, but the 10s are good guns. The "teens" models are used as well.

Just use Hoppe's and a brass gun cleaning "toothbrush". Simple and it doesn't remove any metal that lead removal product does. It does take some effort though.

Sounds familiar; I know I've heard that before somewhere, Gregg. ;-)

LOL I've definitely noticed the interest in revolver shooting has increased a great deal at my home club since I started shooting a wheel gun. I had never even seen a revolver in the three previous years shooting there. I've shot a revolver for a year now and things have changed some. I've had a number of folks show significant interest in shooting a round gun, asking intently about equipment, techniques, etc. I've even seen a few different shooters give it a try in matches. It's been a lot of fun.

In IDPA I've found that I'm consistently beating people one full class lower than me. As a solid MM (in SSR) I was beating any UN or NV. As a solid SS I was beating most MM, but a couple MM nearing SS might beat me now and again. As a high SS I was beating all MM. My next classifier I expect to hit EX, fingers crossed, and I'm beating all MM and some SS now and again. Here's the 2010 IDPA Nationals Results: http://www.idpa.com/matchresults/2010_nationals/idpa2010/2010-09-22.pdf You can see the top SSR MA is in line with the top SSP EX. Ditto SSR EX and SSP SS. I've been comparing closely my scores for 10 months now and the last six months I've been looking at some sanctioned matches nationwide and these results have been quite consistent throughout.

Here's a photo of the muzzle of the older model. That is the interchangeable front sight, if I understand correctly. Much appreciate the info, all.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the offer!

Agreed, the side view of the sight and its pin placement does look like the interchangeable sights. I've been told the old 627s are not interchangeable, both the owner and on the web, IIRC. I've wondered if that info is incorrect, and am looking into that possibility as well - I've asked for a photo from the front end of the gun. I just want to make sure I have all my bases covered and I don't buy an older gun and find out I have X significant issue and am then wishing I had bought a different one.

Understood, however, the lug on the SDM sight that accepts the hole/pin appears to be further back on the sight's body to match the newer 686 location and the hole on the older 627 appears like it might be too far forward and would miss the lug on the SDM sight. Therefore making the SDM and other currently available sights a non-option for an older 627. http://www.sdmfabricating.com/Super_Sights.html I could certainly be wrong, but that appears to be the case???

I'm looking at an older 627-PC from around 1997. As I understand it, they have a pinned front sight, not the interchangeable front sight that the new ones use. However, the pin location on the older 627 appears to be rather close to the front (muzzle) compared to the SDM Super Sights or the new 686-style pinned sights. I suspect the pin location on the older 627 could create some problems or added costs if I wanted to add an FO front sight to the gun. Here's the 1997 627, again the pin looks far forward: Here's a new 686 which takes the typical SDM Super Sight: Of course there are other sights than the SDM, but I suspect most all are prepared for a pin in the location of the current 686s and other Smiths like it??? Any thoughts or help?

Can y'all suggest a few options for replacing the interchangeable front sight on a new 627 Pro Series with a Fiber Optic interchangeable sight? Are these interchangeabel sights drop in sights or do they require some special fitting? I'm curious how easy it would be for me to change one out and how widely available (and at what price) these front sights are. Are the interchangeable SDM Super Sights for the "Classic and DX" sights also meant for the interchangle 627 front sights? For what it's worth, I'm trying to definitively decide whether I should buy a 4" Pro Series or a 5" 627 Performance Center 627. Trying to make as fully informed decision as possible.