First wheel gun in a very long time

[memilanuk]

Been thinking about a wheel gun for a few years now. About a month ago I got a wild hair up my... and went browsing at several of the LGS.

Rows and rows of semis of every shape and size, then maybe a dozen revolvers total - rimfire to 500-whatever, single action & double action, long hunter barrels to snubbys. Pretty sparse selection. I finally saw one, hidden in the back corner of the bottom shelf, that looked pretty cool... felt pretty good, so I saw "Sure, I'll take it."

Several other LGS employees were oohing and aaahing over it - "haven't seen one of those in over a year!" Huh. I just bought it cuz it looked cool

Got home, called up a friend that shoots speed steel at the club with revolvers and told him about it. He was stunned that I walked into the LGS and found a gun like that. Apparently S&W 627-5 Performance Center guns are hard to find... and here I just bought it cuz it looked cool. I do think he had a mini stroke when I told him that

Finally got to bring it home, and did a quick range trip with it a couple weeks ago. Got to thinking, and realized I hadn't had a centerfire revolver in probably over 30 years. I'd forgotten how much fun, and how relaxing they are compared to semi-autos. Kinda looking forward to playing with the moon clips!

 

[potatojudge]

I think you made a great choice.

AFAIK these are the moon clip loaders to use:

BMT Equipped, Inc.

www.bmtequipped.com

For after you pull the lock mechanism:

Smith & Wesson Extended Cylinder Release Latch - Tromix Lead Delivery Systems

Note: Due to Smith & Wesson manufacturing variances, minor fitting may be required. This cylinder release latch is extended upward to cover the frame's lock mechanism. Machined from 303 stainless bar stock, blackened. Fits Smith &Wesson N, L, and K frames with the new style cylinder latch. Does...

tromix.com

Rear sight upgrade:

S&W Rough Country Rear Sights : +Parts Store+, Bowen Classic Arms

+Parts Store+ : S&W Rough Country Rear Sights - Ruger Target-Style Rear Sights Ruger Rough Country Rear Sights S&W Rough Country Rear Sights DX Front Sight Bases Front Sights Cylinders Lanyard Rings & Studs Miscellaneous Parts BCA Baseball Caps Book Tools

parts.bowenclassicarms.com

Firing pin:

S&W Centerfire Revolver Extended Firing Pin Kit – Competition & Carry Reliable | TK Custom

Upgrade your Smith & Wesson centerfire revolver with TK Custom’s extended firing pin kit. Reliable ignition. Fewer light strikes. Ideal for carry & competition.

tkcustom.com

Or just enjoy it as-is.

 

[1shot]

That sir, is a great looking rig! Nice call.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I love the ”8 times" on the barrel.

 

[dunraven]

And, no brass to worry about picking up.

 

[boltfluter]

Very nice! I miss my S@W .357 magnum now! Have fun.
Paul

 

[AlNyhus]

Nice! I'm a total revolver slut. -Al

 

[memilanuk]

I love the ”8 times" on the barrel.

I figured 357 Mag x 8 is better than 45 ACP x 7, right?

Plus I really, really hate stuffing rounds in mags.

 

[Bill K]

You will love that wheel gun. You made a very neat buy and find.

 

[3Phantoms]

See Avatar<-------

 

[K22]

Never met a wheel gun I didn't like.

I know, I'm a dinosaur, I don't even own a semi-auto anymore but have an entire safe filled with wheelies. With my old ailing back, it's nice to not have to bend over and search for spent cases.

My 357 Mag's love the 125 grain Hornady XTP's with moderate loads of 231 powder and Federal 100 primers. If you're into cast lead bullet shooting, the Oregon Trail Laser Cast bullets are outstandingly accurate, just don't push them over 1,000 f/s. For the ultimate in accuracy, nothing beats the 148-grain swaged hollow base wadcutters with target loads of 231 or bullseye powder. This latter load is an excellent small game load (rabbits and squirrels) with minimal meat damage.

For heavy work, the 140 grain XTP with 2400 powder gets the job done very nicely. In my pistol groundhog hunting days I took a ton of hogs with the 140 grain Speer and 2400.

My first S&W Model 17, 22 Rimfire, 6" barrel is over 50 years old, but this old gal still holds a ten ring with CCI Standard Vel ammo. The most perfect handgun ever made in my humble opinion.

If you are new to wheelies, do not slam the cylinder into the frame like Dick Tracey. Also get a crown protector for cleaning. The best way I found to clean a revolver is to clamp the trigger guard into vice with wooden pads. Make sure it is level. This will keep the firearm from moving around and enable you to keep the cleaning rod centered. A crown protector is highly recommended.

Have fun.

 

[perazziguy]

Totally jealous right now! Come to think of it, I am lacking in the wheel gun department. My birthday is in March. I'll start dropping hints to my bride...

 

[farmerjohn]

Nice piece! But I warn you, it's a slippery slope from where you are now to another addiction! Like @AINyhus I am another handgun slut and can't pass up a good deal on an old one. Trouble is you pick up a good one from the 40s through the 70s in the box and get to looking at it and the tools plus the paperwork and get to thinking "Damn", this is too nice to shoot and pretty soon you have red boxes, gold boxes, blue boxes..... John

 

[alf]

Nice! I'm a total revolver slut. -Al

I used to be, but trimmed back to 1911's only.....

Last one was hard to let go of.....629 Mtn Gun.....dash 4 that I had bought new.

 

[mongo chicago]

A wheel gun is a real gun!!!!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That is a very nice choice. I love the 8 shot 357 and love all the performance center

 

[Dave Zander]

Model 625 annd 610 from back in the 90’s .
Still got em. Shot a lot of bowling pins with these.

 

[jcm800]

Love N frames. The 27's have always been their flagship model, going back to the Registered Magnums.
296 / 158 JSP combo is hard to beat in a 357..... welcome to the club!

 

[NateHaler]

The worst part of the fun of shooting a revolver is the cleaning. In your case, 8 chambers instead of one like in a semi-auto.

 

[Ray Gross]

I've had my eye on the same model, Monte. One of the guys on the team who owns a gun shop, finally found one for me, but the timing was inopportune.

My daily companion; a 9mm 940 rechambered to 38 Super (and can still shoot 9mm)