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Once in a while, the urge overtakes you to have something that is "the best". After taking a friend shooting with my Taurus 669 .357 Magnum, it rekindled my interest in the cartridge. The .357 is so versatile, and fun to shoot and there was certainly nothing wrong with the Taurus. My only complaint being the fairly hateful double action trigger pull. I had a discussion with someone about the "crazy" prices of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center guns and I was told to try the 627, that it really was "All that". Another friend expressed interest in my 669 so I used the proceeds toward the 627. I rang up my friend Bernie at www.virginiaarms.com and got a good price.
The 627 is a round butt, N frame revolver, 8 shot .357 magnum. It comes with the Hogue monogrip and a round wood finger groove cocobolo grip. That grip had to be replaced, Bernie found a crack before I even picked it up. I took the gun with me anyway. I remember being at home, dry firing it and thinking to myself
1: Ok, it feels better, but 4 times the cost of the Taurus better?
2: eh... I hope it shoots better...
I was in for a pleasant surprise.
The first cylinder went into 2 holes, 5 shots in one whole, 3 in another a bare minimum distance away at 7 yards. When I fired the gun in double action, I finally understood. The effort was just right, the pull was smooth, the let off crisp and consistent. It rapidly took it's place as the priemere revolver in my collection.
The above pictures are with the "Jerry Miculek" custom grips - you can get them at
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Movies below are me shooting the 627 in ICORE matchs at shooter's paradise in Woodbridge, VA. No wimpy, just barely over 'power factor' loads, these are full strength, 158 grain magnums. Spectators rate them by pucker factor.
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#4 over here to the right doesn't have a clean 'end', I left some clips on the end from the video editor...
| ICORE 8/10/05 #4 |
ICORE match from 11/09/05 at Shooter's Paradise in Woodbridge, VA. I shot this match with the 625JM...
| Stage1 |
The Shooter's Paradise ICORE match for December was cancelled. I showed up, but apparently there wasn't enough attendance. Not long after the match I got a tendonitis diagnosis in my shooting hand. I throttled back my shooting but it didn't seem to help. I spent a few weeks in physical therapy, and bagged the January match. I still have symptoms, but shot the February match anyway, easing up on my other shooting to keep my round count and practice down. It felt good to be back, and I returned to shooting the 627...
| Stage 1 'Run gun', finished 5th, '4 down' Only the stage winner was more accurate... |
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