S&W 327 Snub Nose Revolver - 8 Shot 357 Magnum - Why?

Published on March 6, 2024
Duration: 15:16

This review of the Smith & Wesson 327 Snub Nose by Karl Kasarda highlights its Performance Center features like an exceptional double-action trigger and 8-round capacity using moon clips. However, Kasarda critically assesses its practicality, noting the bulky N-frame, short sight radius, and ballistic inefficiency of .357 Magnum in a 2-inch barrel. He concludes it's an expensive, impractical curiosity compared to modern subcompact semi-automatics for everyday carry.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson 327 Snub Nose, an 8-shot .357 Magnum revolver, features a Performance Center trigger and moon clip capability for fast reloads. However, its N-frame size makes it bulky for concealed carry, and the 2-inch barrel is ballistically inefficient for the magnum cartridge, leading to excessive flash and noise.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Tactical History
  2. 01:45Physical Specs and Carry Realities
  3. 03:10Performance Center Features
  4. 04:33Reloading and Moon Clips
  5. 06:41Specialized Tooling
  6. 08:58Range Testing
  7. 11:11Ballistic Inefficiency
  8. 12:08Modern Market Comparison
  9. 13:05Final Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the Smith & Wesson 327 Snub Nose revolver?

The S&W 327 Snub Nose features an 8-round cylinder chambered in .357 Magnum, a 2-inch barrel, a Scandium Alloy N-Frame, and Performance Center-tuned double-action trigger. It utilizes moon clips for rapid reloads.

Why is the S&W 327 considered impractical for everyday carry?

Despite its capacity, the S&W 327's N-Frame cylinder width makes it bulky and difficult to conceal comfortably. Additionally, carrying moon clips and related tools adds significant bulk and can print heavily.

What are the ballistic limitations of the S&W 327's short barrel?

The 2-inch barrel is considered 'wildly overbore' for .357 Magnum, leading to excessive muzzle flash and noise. It offers minimal velocity gains over .38 Special +P, which is a more manageable round from such a short barrel.

How does the S&W 327 compare to modern subcompact semi-automatics?

Compared to modern subcompacts like the Ruger LCP, the S&W 327 is significantly bulkier and less concealable. Semi-automatics offer similar or better capacity in a thinner package with superior ergonomics and sight radius for practical use.

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