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Customer Reviews for Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P R8 357 Magnum Revolver


Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P R8 357 Magnum Revolver Buy Now

26 Reviews. 4.8 out of 5 Stars!
5 Stars
89%
4 Stars
8%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
3%
1 Star
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Summer D on 10/27/2020
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Nice pistol. It has a stainless shield to keep the hot gas from cutting into the Scandium frame. I've kept the rail installed even though I don't have an optic on it because, why not?
It didn't like the Freedom Munitions .38 Spl or .357 Mag, but seems to shoot all others fine. Be aware that holsters for this gun are few and far between, so you'll likely have to order a custom one; the only off-the-shelf one I've found is made by SpeedBeez.

Carl M on 03/05/2020
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Terrific weapon. Handles better than I anticipated. Delivered as promised.

Michael B on 10/06/2019
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Seems like a lot to pay for a gun but you won't be disappointed. The felt recoil from a 357 round is very manageable. I could shoot it all day. As for shooting 38 Specials, the felt recoil is no more than a 9mm. Trigger very smooth. You only go through this life once. Get something you will truly enjoy. I did and no regrets. Thanks Buds for a smooth transaction.

Richard G on 08/26/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

5 out of 5. Or should I say, "8 out of 8?" Either way, this gun is the epitome of advanced revolvers. You really can't get any better of a gun when it comes to 357 Magnum revolvers. I have shot it once now and love it. Best group was one inch group of 8 rounds at 7 yards in double action pulls. Most people will probably say this gun is too big and heavy to conceal carry everyday. I have no problem conceal carrying this gun in a shoulder holster and just throwing a shirt over the shoulder rig. Shoulder rigs is the only way I like to carry hand guns. This gun looks heavier than it is. At 35 ounces it still isn't all that light. However, in a shoulder holster for me it carries great. Did I mention it holds 8 rounds? Superb. It has a fixed bottom rail for lights and/or lasers. Also comes with a removable optics rail. It shot wonderfully. Double action pull is very smooth and very easy to stage. It is very long and heavy though. Single action is flawless. Only grip, while this is only an aesthetic problem and not in any way a performance issue, the finish of the metal on the trigger and hammer looks very poor. Looks very dirty and unfinished. Like I said, it poses no performance issues as I had zero problems with the gun functioning. It just looks unfinished for how much you're paying for this gun. Love this gun. Would I buy another S&W revolver? Absolutely. In fact I just ordered the S&W 629 Classic Deluxe 6 1/2 inch barrel yesterday.

Clark A on 04/27/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

This is one hell of a revolver. I received it 6 days from purchasing it and couldn’t be happier I would definitely buy from Buds again

Stuart M on 02/26/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Awesome! Sweet trigger and smooth action. If you are thinking about getting one, go ahead and pull the trigger. It's a great revolver.

Timothy G on 02/23/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Tight groups, smooth shooter, no problems ejecting spent brass, recoil is not a problem. Beautiful weapon with a class construction. Smooth transaction with Bud's. Only issue is that sights are black on black; I may add a bit of white to the front sight.

Varinder B on 01/28/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Awesome! Super happy with this purchase

George B on 01/24/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Well made and not too heavy for a big gun! I haven’t discharged it yet but hopefully soon!

Clarence M on 01/02/2018
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

LOVE IT! You hear me... It's BIG (within reason), feels like a mans gun, and the shooting action/recoil is addictive! With revolvers you don't get all that wiggle/movement action as you do with pistols from the recoil, slide action back then forth, and casings ejecting back act you.

Michael S on 11/22/2017
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

So far a great gun. Functions well, fit and finish are great. Trigger is awesome.

David F on 07/13/2017
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Shoots as nice as it looks!

Raymond W on 05/28/2017
Rating:   4 of 5 Stars!

I ordered the S&W M&P R8 based on a review in a gun magazine. This is a Performance Center item. Has a really great trigger. Double Action shooting for defense use, is very accurate.

Perry B on 02/14/2017
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

AMAZING DREAM COME TRUE FOR WHEEL GUN FANS A Smith & Wesson M&P pistol an and a revolver fell in love and this is the result It is a true hybrid and to top it all off... IT'S PERFORMANCE CENTER Can't find anything negative to say..... PERFECTION

William J on 06/28/2016
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

really great performance center revolver the trigger is just fantastic

William J on 03/16/2016
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Great revolver. Great trigger. The heat treated trigger looks shabby as hell for a $1,100 revolver though. Could use some polish from the factory but that's just a cosmetic gripe.

Todd F on 12/27/2015
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

My new favorite .357! Super nice shooter and no shooter's fatigue even after 600 rounds in one afternoon.

Hugh A on 01/21/2015
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Awesome revolver. Bud's was easy as pie to deal with. Great all round.

Sean S on 08/27/2012
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Beautiful piece, with the best trigger I've ever shot on any gun, bar none. Ideal for home defence (no magazine springs to worry about, so can be left loaded all the time). Integral rail also lets me mount a standard light - another big plus for home defence. Too big for concealed carry, but eight rounds of 357 make it a decent tactical option. Bottom line for me tho' is that it's just fun to shoot and show at the range...

John C on 08/06/2012
Rating:   4 of 5 Stars!

I really like the gun but have had a couple of problems with it (after 2000 rounds, give or take). The gun shoots great and I find that I'm more accurate (at least currently) with a revolver than I am with a semi-automatic. 1) the hammer spring screw backed out and gave me occational misfires. Removed the handle, tightened the screw with locktite. 2) the rear sight adjustment screw doesn't work. It fits in a slot and it was pulling down on the rear of the sight, but the nut pulled through the tappered slot. I had to adjust the curvature of the sight manually and then locktite the screws. It is essentially non-adjustable but works fine. Everybody tells me that you should only use the firont sight anyway... 3) the barrel came loose around 1000 rounds. All you have to do is shoot it hard, since the barrel is stainless steel and the housing is Scandium. The different thermal expansion coefficients guarentee that 357 Mag shooting will loosen it up eventually. I researched the proper gap and torque online and have had a tool made to tighten it up. I have not owned a stainless steel revolver, but I suspect that it wouldn't have most of these issues. I'm looking for a S&W 627 as a alternative, since it takes the same ammo and moon clips. But I don't intend to sell the gun.

Ryan L on 06/11/2012
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Bought it from Bud's! The gun shoots where you point it! Has an easy adjustable front sight for fiber optics or gold bead sights. 8-shot revolver with very manageable 357 recoil and non-existent 38 special recoil. No regrets on the $1,000.00 price tag. Came in 1 week after payment.

Tigran G on 03/25/2012
Rating:   2 of 5 Stars!

Just got my new SW less then a month ago and it was misfiring one after another despite using exclusively factory ammunition. I called Buds and was told to call SW directly. Now my gun been shipped to SW.. Hope they will fix it.

John G on 11/01/2011
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Great gun! Very accurate, well made! I really like this revolver it groups very well and will last many many many years! Thanks for the great service Buds! A really great place to buy from.

Brian S on 08/22/2011
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

First trip to the range I fired about 75 rounds of 357 mag. and the barrel shroud came loose on the gun. I wasn't very pleased to say the least. I sent the gun back to S&W they had it back to me in three weeks at no cost to me. Less than four months later I have a little over 1200 rounds of .357 mag. through the gun. I absolutely love this gun it balances well in my hands causing the sights to align near perfectly when I draw it from my holster. The gun is very accurate, I use the M&P R8 more often than my S&W 627 for my local ranges' USPSA and practical (IDPA style) matches. At first, I didn't think I would like the V notch sight, because I've shot square notched rear sights all my life, but with minimal practice I found the V notch just as easy to shoot as the square notch sights. I love the weight of the gun it is light weight for its' size and in my opinion the .357 mag recoil isn't very much more than the recoil I feel from shooting a 686 or my 627. This gun shoots 38 specials like a dream I can get back on target very quickly when I just want to shoot quickly for fun. Lastly I love the rails on the gun I have a surefire X400 on the bottom rail of the gun, because this is the gun that sits in my night stand while I'm sleeping and light and laser will make clearing my house easier. I have put a red dot on the top rail and it was fun shooting with it on but I just prefer to practice with iron sights it is nice to know you have to option though.

Daniel C on 05/31/2010
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Very nice shooter. Bud's kept me informed and shipped promptly. One note: the gun does not come in the PC aluminum case. Plastic box. S&W did away with the PC aluminum case.

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