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SMITH AND WESSON 327 PC

MISTERCOFFEE
HELLO. I AM LOOKING AT BUYING A SMITH AND WESSON MODEL 327 PERFORMANCE CENTER. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THE RECOIL OF THIS GUN WITH 357 MAG SHELLS?
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  • tsr1965
    It is a big "N" frame revolver, It will most likely be very mild mannered. To my knowledge it is one of the stoutest 357's that can still be had today. The Ruger Redhawk was another of bygone era.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    MISTERCOFFEE,

    I see the one you are talking about. It will have substantially more recoil than the one pictured, but not as much as the 5 shot "J" framed snubbies.

    Best
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  • beantownshootah
    This thing?
    SM170269.jpg

    This guy has a little bit of experience with recoil and a highly similar 8 shot N-frame gun:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLk1v5bSFPw

    I think he'd tell you that for the caliber, recoil isn't bad! (And my experience with the "ordinary" model 27 is the same. . .its not a .22, but its pretty mild for a .357).

    I note that at 36 ounces, this Performance center N frame gun actually is *NOT* heavier than similar sized L-frame model 686 guns at 39 oz.
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  • MISTERCOFFEE
    IT IS NOT THAT MODEL. IT IS A 327 2 INCH BARREL PERFORMANCE CENTER 357 MAGNUM. CHECK IT OUT.
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  • MISTERCOFFEE
    I like the sw model 327pc because is not the lightest 357 out there and not the heaviest. Also it is a 2" barrel and I want to carry it. I was just wondering if anyone has shot this gun with 357 mags and what their experience was in reguards to recoil and accuracy.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by MISTERCOFFEE
    IT IS NOT THAT MODEL. IT IS A 327 2 INCH BARREL PERFORMANCE CENTER 357 MAGNUM. CHECK IT OUT.

    Why didn't you say so. You mean THIS one?

    2-1.jpg

    The PC version is a 21.4 ounce gun with scandium alloy frame and titanium alloy cylinder. There is a "night guard" all steel version that weighs about 6 ounces more.

    Without having actually shot it, I can tell you that recoil will be fairly brisk with full .357 magnum loads from the snubnose version of this gun.

    As comparison, the all steel J-frame Smith model 60 snubnose with the 2-1/8" barrel weighs nearly the same, 22.6 ounces. I've shot that one a bit, and recoil is certainly noticeable with full .357s, though not "crazy" or unmanageable.

    At roughly the same weight with the same load, recoil with the 327 should be similar. In fact it may even be a little bit higher because of the higher bore axis contributing to muzzle flip (though not much).

    The problem with the 327 snubnose is just that is a pretty darn big gun. I don't know if you've actually seen or handled one, but in person the big N frame is larger than it seems in pictures that don't really give a good sense of scale. As a substitute for a full sized auto, this gun may make some sort of sense, but the overall size means it may not be well-suited to concealed carry. If you're not going to conceal it, I don't know why you'd want the short barrel.

    In comparison, the model 60 holds only 5 rounds compared to 8 for the 327, but its just a much small gun overall. The model 60, you could drop in your pants pocket. The 327?. . .Not so much. . .maybe in a cargo pocket!

    Also, the PC gun is just pretty spendy. Cost on the PC 327 will be just over $1000, and I think you'd be lucky to find a used one for under $800.

    Cost on a brand new all steel model 60 is about $600, and given the number of them out there, you can probably find one for $500 or less.
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  • MISTERCOFFEE
    Your right. I haven't played with the gun yet as they are hard to find. I ordered one from my local dealer and it should be in today or tomorrow. If I feel I can't carry it easily, the search will go on. I just feel that it is the lightest (for carrying) and largest (for recoil absorbtion) 357 I have found. I will keep you all posted after I go check it out.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by MISTERCOFFEE
    Your right. I haven't played with the gun yet as they are hard to find. I ordered one from my local dealer and it should be in today or tomorrow. If I feel I can't carry it easily, the search will go on. I just feel that it is the lightest (for carrying) and largest (for recoil absorbtion) 357 I have found. I will keep you all posted after I go check it out.

    Well if you want the lightest possible .357, the scandium alloy Smith J Frame "airlite" (not "airweight") only weighs 12 ounces. Unfortunately, recoil with that one is absolutely punishing, one of the harshest you're going to experience with any small handgun.

    Note that overall size of the gun is actually NOT really a factor in recoil. The factors that matter most are (in order), size/shape of GRIP, WEIGHT of gun, weight DISTRIBUTION, and bore axis.

    Having a grip that fills your entire hand so you can maximize surface area to spread out the recoil energy, as well as get a good strong grip is really important in a high-recoil gun. I

    The snubnose 327 does have a full grip, so that's good, but you don't need a bigger gun to have a bigger grip. There are any number of aftermarket full-hand grips that will fit on a smaller "J" frame gun to help absorb recoil, if you like. With the 357 Smith 60, you don't even need to get one, since this gun comes stock from the factory with a full-sized Uncle Mikes closed backstrap rubber grip.

    As minor factors, guns that are muzzle-heavy and/or have low bore axes where the barrel is closer to the hand will tend to flip less during firing.

    The problem I see with the N-frame snubnose as a concealed carry gun is not its weight or size. The gun is overall shorter than a Gov't 1911, and weight-wise comparable to an unloaded Glock 19.

    The problem with it is that the cylinder is pretty fat, and that's potentially going to impede an in-waistband type carry. The thickness isn't necessarily an issue if you're going with a belt holster, but if you are, scrimping on weight doesn't seem so important.
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  • MISTERCOFFEE
    I see what you are saying. The sw 60 weighs the same, but is smaller. So you feel recoil would be about the same, it is just easier to conceal. This is true. I am now beleiving the 327 night guard is the proper gun as it weighs a little more, has slightly longer barrel. But i would have the same concealment issue as it is a large frame. If I decide to side carry, it will be between the Night guard and the performance center 327.
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