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

Published on March 6, 2024
Duration: 15:16

The S&W 327 Performance Center snub nose revolver, chambered in .357 Magnum, is critically reviewed as an impractical firearm for modern concealed carry. Despite its 8-round capacity and excellent trigger, its bulky N-frame, short sight radius, and the logistical challenges of moon clips make it inferior to modern subcompact semi-automatics. The .357 Magnum cartridge is also deemed inefficient in its 2-inch barrel.

Quick Summary

The S&W 327 Performance Center snub nose revolver is criticized for its impracticality in modern concealed carry due to its bulky N-frame cylinder width and short sight radius. While it offers 8-round .357 Magnum capacity and a great trigger, its .357 Magnum performance is inefficient in the 2-inch barrel, and moon clips add carrying complexity.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: S&W 327 & TRR8 History
  2. 01:45Physical Specs & Concealability Issues
  3. 03:10Performance Center Trigger & Sight Radius Limits
  4. 04:33Moon Clips: Reloading Speed vs. Bulk
  5. 06:41Specialized Moon Clip Tools
  6. 08:58Range Testing: Double Action & Reloads
  7. 11:11.357 Magnum Ballistic Inefficiency in Short Barrel
  8. 12:08Comparison: S&W 327 vs. Ruger LCP
  9. 13:05Final Verdict: Is the S&W 327 Obsolete?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main drawbacks of the S&W 327 snub nose for concealed carry?

Despite its light Scandium frame, the S&W 327's N-frame cylinder width makes it bulky and difficult to conceal. Additionally, the short sight radius limits its practical range, and moon clips, while enabling fast reloads, are cumbersome to carry.

Is the .357 Magnum cartridge effective in the S&W 327's 2-inch barrel?

No, the .357 Magnum is considered 'wildly overbore' for a 2-inch barrel. It results in significant muzzle flash and noise with minimal velocity gains over .38 Special +P, making it less efficient and pleasant to shoot.

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

Modern subcompacts like the Ruger LCP offer similar or greater capacity in a much thinner, more concealable package. They also typically have better sight radii and are significantly less expensive, making the bulky revolver largely obsolete for EDC.

What are the advantages of the S&W 327 Performance Center revolver?

The S&W 327 features an 8-round capacity in .357 Magnum and an exceptional double-action trigger, characteristic of Performance Center tuning. It also utilizes moon clips for rapid reloads, a significant advantage in speed over traditional revolvers.

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