Anybody own a S&W 327

[altitude_19]

I've got a friend looking for his first revolver (so help me foster this young recruit!). I carry a 325, but he's exploring the option of a 327. TRR8 and M&P models are obviously out of the question due to price. Anybody have another variation of the S&W 327 platform? How are the reload times with moonclips? Recoil? Trigger? Would you recommend the snub or 4" models? Thanks in advance!

 

[orchidhunter]

altitude_19, Is there a S&W 327? orchidhunter

 

[Master Blaster]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=45916&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

There is its an 8 shot N frame

I have a 627 PC which I like alot. I have never fired the 327 which has an alloy frame/cylinder depending on the model, and is lighter .

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...selected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

The second one is titanium/ scandiun the first had a scandiun frame and the stainless steel cylinder.

If they are anything like my 627 they are going to be great guns. You might also want to consider a 627 which comes in a variety of less expensive models as well as the PC offerings. The 327 is more because of the exotic materials. The all alloy 327 only weighs 25 ounces compared to the 627 which weighs 44 ounces, quite a big difference if you are carrying it all day.

 

[orchidhunter]

Master Blaster, Thanks for the link. orchidhunter

 

[krs]

I don't know. A .357 magnum that light can't be comfortable shooting. There's no size advantage, and as I can make out Scandium only adds a small amount of strength to aluminum and is no magic elixer.

So I'd expect that in return for the lower weight and higher price you get a revolver with an abreviated life expectancy that kicks like the proverbial mule.

 

[altitude_19]

Master Blaster:
Thanks for the info. You shoot moonclips through yours? Like I said, I pack a 325, so I'm not terribly concerned about recoil given my 230 grain bullets have been manageable. The capacity is tempting, but I wouldn't want it to be at the expense of a clumsy and awkward reload (while 45 ACP seem to JUMP into the chambers). So I guess that's the magic question:
Do you think moonclip reloads could be accomplished as fast (or close to as fast) with the 8-shot 357 as they are with the 6-shot 45?

 

[hinton03]

I have a 327 Night Guard that is super.

 

[altitude_19]

You use moon clips? Can you reload it as fast as a moon-clipped 45 ACP revolver?

 

[General Geoff]

The .45ACP wheelguns are VERY easy and quick to reload with moon clips. the 627s and 327s are a bit trickier and require just a bit of twisting to get them to fall in place. With practice I'm sure you can do it just about as fast, but they're not as inherently prone to "drop in place" as the 6 big round cartridges in the .45ACP gun.

 

[Master Blaster]

I dont have a problem with the moon clips in the 627 they reload fine, I havnt clock myself against Jerry Miculek yet though.

 

[BCRider]

Altitude, you didn't mention if he would be using it as a carry or for range duties as a primary role.

For carry duties short is good but for accurate range work or shooting competitions then longer is good.

 

[altitude_19]

Said he was looking for a one-stop-shop. He wants a weapon he can use on the range, home defense, AND a carry weapon. I know my 325 covers all those bases. I figure it's decided he's getting an N-frame airlite full-length barrel (you can conceal that barrel IWB easier than making a snubby accurate at a distance). Only thing we're worried about now is if one can perform viable (FAST) reloads with 8-round moon clips.

 

[krs]

I agree with General above about the 8 round moonclips. They're more fiddly to load into the gun because the rounds are closer together than the 6 round clips for .45 acp.

Loaading the clips is about the same as with .45's but unloading empties is a lot harder by hand Although it'll probably improve with use/age the clips hold tight and look like they hold more of the circle. I've been bending the clips unloading them and having to flatten them out for the next time. They make a good argument for buying one of the plier type tools which I've never fely was needed for my .45 clips.

 

[altitude_19]

Here's the basic question I'd like a few opinions on then.
Can one drill 8-round moon clip reloads to speeds comparable to 45 6-round moon clip reloads? If one can, I think I'd be willing to green-light an 8-shot.