Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns A good morning

We have a Smith 627 that has been a pain. I tried a variety of loads, mostly wadcutters or semi-wadcutter target loads. Six to 8 inch groups at 25 were the norm. The best load I found went three inches. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement. Anyway, I put it away for a month or so. This weekend we went to the Tusla gun show and I happened upon some Hornady 158g XTPs in their custom load. We use something similar in in the wife's .44 deer carbine with good success, so heck, why not?

I tried them this morning. Three rounds at 25 paces went into an inch. I stopped there.

It was sunny this morning, 12 degrees with very little wind. The creek was running good and the cabin was warm and tight. To cap it all off a revolver I had given up on shot great. On the way out of the forest I stopped at a one room mom and pop gas station for coffee, a biscuit, and to pet their retriever. It doesn’t get much better than that.

I think I would put away a lifetime supply of those xtps right away.

It's always a relief when you find the magic beans that makes a problem child shine. I've been through that with several rifles and pistols over the years.

glad you found something that worked. Smith and Wesson revolver quality is hit or miss these days.

I am dissappointed in this handgun because I had always heard how wonderful N frame Smiths were. I like the way this one handles, but it shot terribly with any cast bullet "target" load I am familiar with. The crown on it looks pretty rough too, but I looked at several at the Tulsa show and they all looked the same. This may be the new normal for Smith and Wesson.

Anyway, I am glad I found at least one load it likes. Apparently the "target" revolver likes to be loaded hot and with jacketed bullets.

I figured it was a pre-lock gun. I didn't know they still made 627's. You get it ironed out and it will be a good one, most likely. I've owned two 27's and they were great guns, if overbuilt for the cartridge.

I know several people who love the 27, which is the main reason I decided to try this one. The factory tuned trigger is nice in both single and double action, it just does not shoot as well as I was led to believe.

I tried it again this weekend, and while I did not get the stellar groups I got on the first day, it still did alright. The light was not as good and I had trouble seeing the sights so groups were roughly twice what I got last week. I will order some xtps and see if I can duplicate the Hornady factory load or close to it. Might try an after market rear sight as well.

I think things will get better if you hang in there with it and you'll end up liking it. Can't beat a big N frame with a stick.