Hi, I am looking at getting a S&W 327 Performance Center 2" revolver. I found this in the smith catalog and became very interested in it. The issue is that I cannot find much info or many real reviews of this pistol. It looks perfect for my purposes: Winter Carry, and general home defense.

I only found one thread on here which talked about it and it was only one page. I have found little to nothing else on the web about it at all.

Does anyone have any experience with this revolver, any wisdon or reviews, any pictures. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
JP

If you are referring to the 2 5/8" barrel 8 shot 627 PC model, there are many fans of it here. It's also known as the UDR (ultimate defense revolver) or the 627 Bloodwork (for it's use in a Clint Eastwood movie by the same name). Here's a thread with a number of great pictures and good info: Ordered a 627 Neo-"Blood Work" Today

ETA: I should read more carefully - you were asking about a 327 not a 627. The 327 will obviously be much lighter than the 627, with a corresponding increase in felt recoil.

I haven’t shot my 327Sc a lot, but I have shot it. It’s much more manageable with magnum loads than a 340PD, but it’s substantially larger too. The titanium cylinder requires special precautions when cleaning (nothing abrasive) and the alloy frame makes use of a flame shield to prevent topstrap cutting. The shield may need replacing if you shoot a lot of magnum loads, but the gun’s covered under the lifetime service policy. I changed out the grips on mine to something shorter, the older factory grips are shown in the last photo.

If you want one, I suggest watching the auction sites. Excellent used examples seem to sell for between $700-$800.

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Thanks guys, I just confirmed with my dealer that he has one on the way for me and I send him a check for a down payment. Now I just have to look for a holster.

s&wchad, how is the DA trigger pull? Would it benefit going back to the performance center for the master revolver action package? I plan on using this as DAO and probibly having the happer bobbed.

JP

Wonderful, just as is! You will notice a distinct "ping" sound when dryfiring.

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"I also cook."

[I put some CT grips-on mine-this could be the ultimate snubby-light wt., and it shoots 8 times! You will like it.

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eat dessert first

Thats good to know, maybe I can save some money for once lol. I'm hoping mine comes with the original Ahrends grips and not the newer stippled ones with the S&W logo I have seen. If not I guess I'll have to order some.

What holsters do you guys use to carry this chunky little guy? I've been looking at a Kramer Horsehide Pancake, or Cross draw. There don't appear to be to many holster choices for this particular wheel gun.

JP

I bought one roughly 5 years ago. I've shot it quite a bit, it's great. Mine has a sort of octagonal barrel rather than conventional rifling, ala Glock. Still, it shoots quite well, is very easy to handle even with full mag loads, and a regular pussycat with 38s.

I'm not 100% positive about this, but think mine came with a special holster. It is a DeSantis strong-side belt holster, light brown in color, fits the gun perfectly. It has the PerformanceCenter logo impressed inside the trigger-guard cover portion. I might be mistaken, though, I am trying hard to remember whether I ordered that from S&W after getting the gun, or if it came with it......but am thinking the latter. Anyway, I'd wait to buy a holster until you get the gun, partly to see whether you get one with it and can save yourself the trouble and expense of ordering one, and, even if it does not, I like to get a gun, hold it in my hand, get a "feel" for it, and only THEN decide what sort of holster I want. As you have observed, this might be a tough one to find, although a custom shop can certainly help you out.

Enjoy the 327PC, it's a great gun.

I have read some conflicting reports as to the ease of using .357 mag ammo in this pistol. How does it or better yet how do "you" handle full power .357 in this? I am thinking of stoking it with Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP +P. But if it handles fiull power .357 I may go that way instead.

JP

To be perfectly honest, I've fired more 38 (or 38 equivalent handloads in 357 brass) than I have full-charge 357. I find the gun not all that bad to shoot with 357, but there can be no doubt about what is happening when it goes off. It kicks and jumps some. Nothing like full charge 357s, or even +P 38s in an unobtainium J-frame like the 340PD. I guess I'd say that shooting it with 357s is comparable to shooting a 4" 629 with full 44 Magnum loads......at least that's my admittedly very subjective impression.

Bell Charter Oak makes holsters for this specific gun, and I believe they're a forum sponsor, as well.

I love this gun, want to get one. The recoil has been scaring me off, though.

I see a lot of used ones on Gunbroker. Buds price on them fluctuates. When it's below $1k is when they get my attention.

Recoil, or how we "feel" it, tends to be pretty subjective and individual. I was trying to think of how to fashion a comparison......if you've ever shot a 29 or 629 in 4" persuasion with full 44 Mag loads, you'd find that the 327 kicked less than that with full 357 Mag loads. You definitely feel it, it snaps back a bit, but I'd compare it more to shooting a 6" 29 in terms of the recoil impulse.

I have a Ruger SP101, a full steel but small (bigger than a J-frame, smaller then a K) five shot 357. It's heavier than the 327 but smaller. I find the 327 more pleasant to shoot than the SP, probably because of the size and shape of the grip. I'm using the OEM grips on my 327.

I really like mine. its the perfect size for Iwb carry and I will second the simply rugged holsters, there fantastic. As far as really increasing your reload speed buy some steel oversize Hearth Co moon clips and put some snap caps in a few sets to practice. For the really deal I use Speer 125gr gold dots and they fit very snug with hearth-co clips. Also pick up a cylinder and slide oversize firing pin it will eliminate any FTF that might come your way. Its a great gun for a bigger guy as long as you dont have love handles because then IWB it would protrude ridiculously. Check out the leather moon clip holders by that run the belt through the center of the moon clip and buy a demooning tool.

Only other suggestion is to get some patch mar decelerators like the ones on the night guard so you can shoot the **** out of it. If you like wood my favorite is the uncle mikes pictured but they are a bit stingy if you practice your rapid 3 cylinders full drill with them, with hot 38's there perfect for a good long session.

Such a good lookin' gun. I love stub noses;-)

I have two of the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR's. The Performance Center N-frame grips, SKU #414170000 ~$50 + s/h from S&W Accessories, on the right hand UDR below, were a great handling improvement over the poorly fitted Eagle boot grips that came stock on the UDR. Heck, even the Ahrends rounded/no f/g cocobolo stocks were an improvement. I did get a second set of the PC grips - both are similarly gripped now.




Why two UDR's? I knew of the 2" PC327 - but no one had one just over a year ago - plus, it listed for more $. I sold 'an old friend' to buy a 327NG for a bedside gun... but switched to a second UDR for less than the cost of a McD's 'Happy Meal' more... the 327NG isn't moonclip ready - a deal killer for me. The PC327, PC627's, and 627 Pro are moonclip ready.

As to weight - the UDR does weigh 40+% more than the PC327 - great for recoil control - but more to tote. Recoil isn't a problem here - I reload, so my .357 Magnum loads are .38-ish level loads, anyhow. The hottest ammo I shoot is my PD preference - Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWC +P's. My 3" 60 Pro is a little lighter than the 2" PC327 - and those +P's are 'all day shooters' in it - enough bump to know the revolver discharges, of course. I keep ~ a dozen moonclips so loaded. I have never bought - or loaded - real .357 Magnum loads. I do have real commercial .44 Magnums available, found one day in the range's garbage can - each box containing 44 rounds, should I get attacked by big bears - but even Birmingham's 'Jimmy Morgan Zoo' doesn't have bears any more, so the likelihood of seeing one anywhere - even in the wilds - here in central Alabama is nil.

Recoil is subjective... and I won't 'subject' myself to much more of it in the future - CTS problems in my wrists. I did launch over a thousand real .454 Casulls from my SRH - but I traded that away - and my Ruger #1H in .458 Lott - nearly seven years ago. The 'Governor' is the hottest recoil producer I've purchased in years - and it sports a .500 Magnum Hogue grip!

Stainz

Thanks guys, I'm thinking of sending it off to superior performance to slick up the DAO trigger even more and bob the hammer so it will be DAO as a defensive revolver I see no reason to shoot it single action. Anyone ever use them for revolver work?

JP

Stainz mentioned that the 327NG was not moonclip ready. But the 2" snubby 327PC is. Just wanted to make sure that was understood.

I would also mention that I have one of the PC UDRs, but not in 357, mine is a 44 (629) and it still sports those little boot grips. I shoot it a lot. It kicks a bit, but I devised a modified grip technique that works well with that particular combo.

I'm surprised to hear that the Governor is such a hard kicker. Is that with the 410 shotshells? I recall firing one of the Bond Arms O/U derringers in 45Colt/410 and found it pretty mild with the Colt rounds, but nasty with the shot-shells.

ive though about bobbing the hammer on my 327 because I have never fired it single action but im cheep and have a garage full of metal working tools so I was just going to do it myself whenever I have some free time. I was also going to drill out the front site and slip a tritium vial in there but my free time is almost nonexistent so who knows when this is all going to happen.

By the way, have you tried the stock trigger on the 327pc? It is a really quality action to begin with and I didnt polish out the internals or anything. I haven't felt the need to do any modification to the action but then again ive put about 2000 rounds down the pipe so that's really smoothed everything out.

Personally, I would recommend just buying it ,shooting it a bunch and figuring out the mods afterward. If your going to do anything, boobing the hammer, installing a tritium front sight and dehorning the gun are all mods I want done. I loved this gun so much I went and bought its bigger brother for the more long range work when you can pack a 5 inch. (I did end up taking the ultra dot off the 5 inch 327, it has really nice iron sights so you dont need a red dot).

Well my dealer sent me confirmation that he recieved the 327 and sent me the receipt. I can't pick it up until march so I have plenty of time to pay it off and compile some ammo to shoot, some new grips, and maybe a holster. I'm going to see if I can get my wife shooting this with .38 loads so I can send off her j frame for some work.

JP

I had removed the 327PC from my short list but now, thanks to you, I think I need one...

I carry a 627UDR in a Galco Silhouette and am very happy with that combination. I sometimes carry in a Miami classic too.

i like that black grip, (green background photo) compliments the 327pc nicely! a direct site to where i could purchase this grip would be greatly appreciated!

do you consider the 327pc, "built like a tank" too?! everyone who owns the sp101 will tell you no different.

my 2 inch 327 performance center (8 rounds of wonder) she's too pretty to shoot! can't wait to feed her some "tactical short barrel buffalo bores!" also considering the model LG-314 crimson trace for her... i think it will be a slightly longer and thicker grip, which i like.

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Sorry, I didn't see your question until now. I got them on ebay several years ago. The back is marked "Byron's" and "Vintage".

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Old thread...but heres mine.

thank u, that definitely helped!

Excellent revolvers in this thread, all of them.

Like Stainz I have two of the 627 PC revolvers with the 2-5/8" barrels. I love them. If I didn't have them, I might be tempted by the 327 and its shorter tube, but I it is hard for me to move away from the heavier guns. The lightest blaster I have is a 296 in .44 Special, and that was right at the edge of my comfort level before I heavied it up by putting in a steel cylinder and moving to slightly less dynamic loads.

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David Wilson

cool, are you saying i could replace my titanium cylinder w/ a stainless steel... how do i do that? i too, have an appetite for heavy snubbies... my 21 oz 327 performance center is actually my lightest gun. i'm definitely falling head over heels for the 627 pc! (maybe come tax next year)

IWB Holster from BlackHills Leather

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hello sir, what model crimson trace grips are you using? I'm currently reviewing the LG-314 and would like to know if this laser model is longer and wider than the stock wood grips?

I had a problem with chamber erosion at the forcing cone area. Smith replaced the cylinder with a 627 cylinder at my request.

i like the stainless cylinder! how heavy is the 327 now?

say, might you know if those (i assume, hogue grips) are wider and longer than these crimson trace grips?

I never scaled it but it did take some of the sting out of the recoil
with less material I would think its lighter than the Night Guards.

I made the mistake of purchasing A 327 TRR8 because I thought the idea of 8 rounds of 357Mag in a revolver was very cool. I also thought I'd be getting a quality gun by spending more than $1100 on a S&W Performance Center model. Wow was I wrong! The trigger pull was terrible when I received the gun and it is now taking S&W an estimate of 4-8 weeks to even look at the gun. You'd think they'd give some priority to the premium products when they ship them out with poor quality. All in all you're better off with a less costly model. Get something for less than half the price and then spend a few hundered on custom gunsmithing and I think you'll be much better off than I am and for less money.

these two videos are pretty helpful for those who are interested in the 2 inch snubby smith 327 performance center.

my personal opinion: if money aint a problem, buy her... she's worth every penny! you need to see her in person

Smith & Wesson Model 327 Performance Center Review!!! - YouTube

Smith Wesson 327 Performance Center.wmv - YouTube

That's the .357 magnum version you have displayed there...

^^^
they are all .38/.357 its 627 = steel, and 327 = scandium.

I've had the 627PC new UDR for a few months and am getting somewhat more confortable carrying it but still feel it's rather heavy. I do love the way it shoots. I carry 38 spc +P in it.

Was at a local dealer today and he had a new 327 PC 2" on display. I asked to fondle it and damn it's so nice and light. I went home without it but can't get over thinking about it. I really can't afford the $1099 + they're asking but I'm sure I could (with a fair amount of pain) find some things to sell to come up with the price, like one of my 625's to start with. I don't really want to sell the 627 as I'm afarid the 327 won't shoot near as well. If I buy the 327 new and decide I don't really want to keep it, I'm going to take a bath on selling it. (I do that once in a while and it seems to hurt more every time.)

Guess I'm going to wait a while. I should be able ot order the 327 almost anytime and maybe I'll luck out and find a nice one used, locally. (Don't really like to buy expensive used guns on-line.)

Well, my plan didn't last v.ery long. I went back to the dealer this afternoon and bought the 327 PC. I also had a brief tryout session at the range. My light target reloads shot great. Same for the Critical Defense 38 Spl +P. Tried a cylinder of full 357 Mag JHPs. Not much fun. Think I'll stay with carrying 38 Spl +P.

I guess now I'm going to have to find something(s) to sell to reimburse my budget.

I think the 135 gr Speer Short Barrel magnum cartridges would be a good choice for a light weight gun. They are not full power magnums, more like +P+. They worked well in my 3 inch M60-10. Much nicer to shoot then the Federal 125 gr rounds that I also tried.

Best,
Rick

I bought my 296 & 696, both new, ten years ago next month. I learned two lessons quickly:
1. I'll never wear out a SS 696 with my mediocre .44 Special or mild .44 Russian loads.
2. I'll never buy another Ti cylindered revolver - it's too persnickety, ie, no short cases & hard to clean.

That Ti cylinder is something to consider re a 2" PC327. BTW, both of my 2 5/8" PC627 UDRs came with ill-fitting Eagle boots, which were too small to my liking (S&W did get me a nice pair, anyway.), so I found better fitting, at least to my hands, PC grips. Both were functionally perfect right out of the box, save a few clicks on the rear sight to gain coincident POA/POI from 7-12yd with +P 158gr LHPSWC Remi's. My favorite cf revolvers!

Stainz

PS I have to admit... I like the looks of that nubbie-nosed PC327.... except for that Ti cylinder! (It's too short to be a 'snubbie'!)

Got a 327PC on the way...$899. It's been on my list for a while and I found one. I hope it lives up to my expectations. I plan on using it for my primary carry gun.

I put 150 38 spls through mine today. I have been caring it this past week as my primary gun in a Galco holster made it for S&W. It also fits perfectly in a JIT slide. Tonight I dropped it in my coat pocket when I went to pick up a pizza. It shoots well and is very accurate with all loads. You will be happy.

Where did you get that holster?

Thanks

Giday All... Would anyone know where I can purchase the Titanium Cylinder from or point me in the right direction? I need one to mod my competition V-comp. I rang S&W & they won't sell it as a spare part.

Thanks

This thread is 4 years old. Think you are going to get an answer on the holster?

Thanks for the reply but wasn't asking about a Holster, was asking about a titanium cylinder as the 327 is the only 8 shot 357 with one.