Smith & Wesson M327 TRR8, any good?

[Ninja42]

I am considering to purchase a S&W M327 TRR8, but I wanted to hear your guys thought first. Ive heard some ugly stuff about S&Ws scandium alloy guns, namely that they are short lived, and that they are too light for the calibers they shoot. Is that true? And is there anything else I should know about this gun? I cant permission to buy another piece in a several years, so I want to make absolutely sure that the gun I get is good for as many things as possible, with the exeption of carrying.

I guess what Im asking of you is to talk me out of buying this gun.. care to give it a try?

 

[Master Blaster]

There is a really nice 627 that is 8 shot .357 with a 5" barrel, all stainless steel, that I have handled and fired, its a custom shop model and I'm not sure if smith is still makeing it. I would not consider the scandium gun, myself due to the issues you raised.

Update: looks like they are.

You could also consider a 686+, one less shot and a bit lighter but a very fine firearm and about 1/2 the price of the 327 or 627.

I have put many thousands of rounds through my 686+ 4" since 1999 and its one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[crebralfix]

The TRR8 is really nice. Trigger job, chamfered cylinder, rails, etc.

 

[SnWnMe]

The TRR8 is a nice number. While it only weighs as much as a K frame, the overall size makes it perfectly controllable with 125gr magnum loads. 38 wadcutters are reduced to rimfire levels of recoil. The PC tune up is great also.

Highly recommended.

 

[Vercingetorix]

TRR8 beautiful, but light

Ninja, you've probably bought a gun already, but for what it's worth, I picked up and dry fired the TRR8 and found it to light for my likes. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful revolver, but I went with the all steel 686 6" bbl, 6shots and couldn't be more pleased. It's my current nightstand/range gun.

With a pair of Pachmayr Decelerator grips, I can shoot full house .357 loads as long as I care to.

just my $0.02

 

[tsidorus]

I have a TRR8 and bought it with no intention of using the Rails... I find it the perfect balance weight wise and Im one of those lightweight 357 snubs are nuts guys. My snub is a 642 and 3in sp101. The only thing that I have found to be a pain is a holster. The shroud and 8shot cylinder makes most N frame holsters not fit right. Not to mention most are for 4 or 6 inch guns not 5... I havent found a holster I like yet. The next Im gonna try is the Galco SILHOUETTE HIGH RIDE HOLSTER if I can find it locally to test fit. Otherwise Im thinking I may have to break down and get a kydex Bladetech.

good luck

-Tsi

 

[Baba Louie]

tsidorus, Check out S&W's holster line (scroll waaay down to the bottom) for RH and LH 627 5" leather
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ategory_rn=29801&top_category=29801&training=

 

[Baba Louie]

I guess what Im asking of you is to talk me out of buying this gun..

Talk you out of it??? I'm saving up to make the TRR8 my "Aug 28 Buy a Gun Day" purchase.

At first I was somewhat put off by the looks, but have since decided that it has a certain "Martial" form/functional appeal. Having fondled one or two, I'm now thinking an aluminum framed Performance Center N Frame in .357 will be a wonderous thing to own and shoot. 'Twill be an interesting exercise to compare it to my Hiway Patrolman and the 14-4 in an "Older Technology vs 21st Century" way.

I say BUY IT!

It would be nice if S&W made 4" barrel/shrouds for it as well, ala Dan Wesson interchangeables...

 

[tsidorus]

Baba Louie- Ive seen that one too, its made by desantis. Ive emailed both s&w and desantis asking about the barrel shroud fit (it looks pretty closely molded to the 627 which is a little different) with no reply. Looks like Ill have to pick up a phone... Of course I could probably remold it myself to but Ive never done that before. Anyway im about to go TDY for 2 months anyway so ill wait till I get back. Maybe youll have it figured out by then

-tsi

 

[Stainz]

The range master where I shoot recently bought one. It's nice, but I like my JM PC627 V-Comp better - and so does the TRR8 owner. I'd get the current tapered lug PC627, if I were to replace mine. For most uses, the 5" 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' half lugged 686+ from a couple years back is a better choice - and it was nearly half the cost. I don't care for the finish on the TRR8... SS is easier to maintain. I think the cylinder is Ti - my 296 is all of that I want - too finicky re care. Below is the 5" 686+ and my 6" 66 - which I added a HiViz & Ahrends stock to - the 5" 686+ came that way. For a 4"-er, a 620 with a PC shop trigger would be great.



Stainz

 

[tsidorus]

I looked at the 627 as well but I bought my 327 as a hiking gun, been using it with a nylon chest holster so the lighter weight was desired. the JM 327 has a Ti cylinder the trr8 is SS. Eventually I plan on picking up a 4 in 686 or 686+ for general purpose gun but im in no hurry, probably will end up picking up a used one.

 

[Stainz]

I was in error, the only PC 327 in the '07 catalog with a Ti cylinder is the 2" fixed sight snubby at 21 oz. The TRR8/M&P 5"-ers are 35-36oz, with the 627 at 44 oz - all with SS cylinders (MSRP $1225-$1264). That extra half pound adds up. If the snubby was desired, the standard production 386Sc 2.5"-er has adj sights and 7-shot SS cylinder - at 21.2oz. I think that would make a great 'protector' in the woods - and at an MSRP ~$400 less than the 327 snubby.


I think the longevity of a 327 M&P or TRR8 would be fine - just stay away from ultra-light/ultra fast .357M's and anything not within standard .357M SAAMI spcifications. No Ti cylinder is a plus, at least to me... SS works well!

Stainz