I have one. I’m surprised by how many negative comments there are on the looks. I think this is one of those that grows on you. It looks awkward at first, but somehow it becomes weirdly beautiful after a while. After watching a few videos on it, I fell in love with it. The video comments were also overwhelmingly positive on its looks.
One thing is for sure.. This thing attracts a lot of attention. When I picked it up from the gun shop, there were several lookers. Even the store clerk was intrigued and said he’s never seen one before. He was so impressed with it that he didn’t even charge me a transfer fee. One thing I’ll admit that would help with the looks are short grips. The stock large grips just don’t fit the short barrel.
Some of the things that makes this thing cool to me is:
8 shots
Can be used with or without moon clips
Scandium frame (only 20 oz)
Titanium barrel and cylinder
The combination of titanium/scandium/wood gives a unique look
The trigger feel is friggen awesome
3.5 lb trigger in single action (yeah, I know single action gains no respect, but when you try it on this one, you can’t help but smile)
This is just one of those things that are unique, and I like unique. Unique things help me compensate
I like scandium guns for carry, their lightness is amazing. That said, I never could warm up to the new snub 327 . I really like the older 327 PD though. Wish they kept that one in the lineup.
would prefer a 3 or 4" barrel and a 44 caliber ( 24-3 ) and for sure if more than 6 rounds are required, I need more practice in shooting, we used to practice on 1 gallon oil cans at 100 yards with a 4" 44 Mag.
I own one.... a 5” barrel... kinda wish I had the snubbie..I picked mine up in 2018 when you could actually find one. Love the action and the 8 rounds.... and the cool factor with both the top and bottom rails on thr 5”. Of course they are called TRR8 (or a badazz), or R8...
I don't have one but if one magically appeared in the safe I wouldn't mind. Its a cool concept and seems like it would be a great carry gun. Until one magically appears though, I'll stick with my 69 Combat Magnum.
I have one. I’m surprised by how many negative comments there are on the looks. I think this is one of those that grows on you. It looks awkward at first, but somehow it becomes weirdly beautiful after a while. After watching a few videos on it, I fell in love with it. The video comments were also overwhelmingly positive on its looks.
One thing is for sure.. This thing attracts a lot of attention. When I picked it up from the gun shop, there were several lookers. Even the store clerk was intrigued and said he’s never seen one before. He was so impressed with it that he didn’t even charge me a transfer fee. One thing I’ll admit that would help with the looks are short grips. The stock large grips just don’t fit the short barrel.
Some of the things that makes this thing cool to me is:
8 shots
Can be used with or without moon clips
Scandium frame (only 20 oz)
Titanium barrel and cylinder
The combination of titanium/scandium/wood gives a unique look
The trigger feel is friggen awesome
3.5 lb trigger in single action (yeah, I know single action gains no respect, but when you try it on this one, you can’t help but smile)
This is just one of those things that are unique, and I like unique. Unique things help me compensate
They do look nice to me too. There are just a bunch of tacticool and old school fudds nowadays.
The muzzle flash from a 2.5" .357 is incredible; that one would be even worse...
Full house 125 or 158 grain .357? Agreed.
But have you spent much time behind modern defense .357 loads? Remington Golden Saber 125gr, Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short Barrel, and either mid-grain loaded from Critical Defense/Duty just to name a few. Powder's optimized for low flash and in my experience it's pretty effective compared to the old cannon blast days.
(Though some credibly argue that a big fireball can assist greatly in a psychological stop.)
That said, I'd be concerned what deleterious effect most serious rounds would have on that titanium cylinder...
I’m surprised by how many negative comments there are on the looks. I think this is one of those that grows on you. It looks awkward at first, but somehow it becomes weirdly beautiful after a while.
When I was young, that used to happen to me in bars....it just didn't involve guns.
Full house 125 or 158 grain .357? Agreed.
But have you spent much time behind modern defense .357 loads? Remington Golden Saber 125gr, Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short Barrel, and either mid-grain loaded from Critical Defense/Duty just to name a few. Powder's optimized for low flash and in my experience it's pretty effective compared to the old cannon blast days.
I've shot GS out a 2.75 66 and yes it's noticably less ferocious than American Eagle 158.
OTOH, once 357 is tamed to a "carry" load and especially in a 2", now it's in the category of a 9+P. A whole 'nuther universe of guns opens....
Five rounds isn't enough. No, six rounds isn't enough. No, seven isn't enough. Ok, 8 is plenty. Now, to carry it comfortably, gotta be small and light. So this is how you do that.
I own 2 2+3/4" 325s and a 296 and a 396, The 3/4" more barrel is not hard to cover up if your covering a l or N frame. It does look a bit better and give you a bit more radius and velocity.
But seriously these scandium framed guns are so light that they carry easy. No one has ever noticed any of mine and remarked about it.
Bought one used on a whim several years ago....Never shot it.....sold it.........hated that I sold it......replaced it which cost me more money than the one I sold........I expect this one will not see the light of day and someday I forget I have it.
As John Wayne would say, "I like the way you think, Pilgrim!"
I have the 327 R8, w/a 5" barrel. Probably not going to ever use it CCW, (but I am seeking recommendations for a holster...one that straps around the shoulder and stays under my left arm.)
It's the best revolver that I've found to make me look so good at the range. Very comfortable shooting .327 mag w/little recoil.
Surprised too that so many folks at the range had never even heard of the 327 R8...even one guy who works at my LGS(!)
I wouldn't buy one, myself. Give me one and I'll get back to you, but it may be a loooong time before it takes the place of one of my carry guns....if ever. I'm thinking never.
Realizing that yes, admitting it is the first step to wellness.........I am a dyed in the wool revolver man plain and simple. I am defenseless against a really nice revolver for sale. Make it a J-frame and............... just don't tell my accountant!
.....I'd be concerned what deleterious effect most serious rounds would have on that titanium cylinder...
You're fine as long as you stay over 125 grn. Manual spells that out. Light bullet cartridges erode the coating on the Ti, then things get interesting.
I went back to revolvers just because I find I shoot too much ammo and don't really get the practice I want out of emptying clips in a few seconds. I started out with a single shot, then a revolver and loading six at a time was a good way to learn. Listened to a friend's son age 6 shooting his new 22 auto, magazine holds 36 rounds and he can really burn up ammo.
I am a big fan of the 327 and I carry mine daily. Sure, it may be no beauty queen but I appreciate it’s ‘style dictated by function’ approach. I prefer revolvers for carry because of their simplicity and I like N frames because they fit my hand the best. The 327 gives me what I want without the excessive weight that would leave it left at home. In my eyes it’s a seriously chopped down version of the bigger revolvers I love.
With the wide range of ammunition available between 38’s and 357’s and the ability to change stocks from compact wood for carry to soft rubber for shooting I find this model very versatile. It has a great trigger, 8 round capacity, moon clips, and at a weight that makes it perfect for packing!
I respect everyone’s opinions and comments as to each their own. A forum such as this wouldn’t be very interesting if everyone agreed! But when it comes to the 327, for ‘me’ it is a win.
Groo here
Broke mine out the other day.[had that dream about jamming auto's again]
Looking for a holster that is easy on/off.
Carry load will be Supervel Super Snubs [90gr ,1300fps. from a 2in,38+p] in town..
In the field [cutting grass ,etc] will be a 38 +p 110/125gr SJHP like rem.
BUT when rifle is in the mix, 357mag all around..
Using 38's for SD is for the shorter case [gun has a short ejector]
not for kick.
To many worry about the second shot when the first is the most important.
Ironically this review of the 327 just came out today. I like Scott (Kentucky Ballistics) and I follow him on a regular basis. As I previously stated the 327 is a revolver I do not particularly care for, but at least now we get to see it in action. Scott gives his assessment at the end of the vid.
Thanks for posting that video fishwishin I enjoyed it. That guy has some pretty good S&W 500 videos as well.
Yeah, he is known mainly for being a big bore revolver guy, but he does everything else too. Recently he has started doing some work with elephant guns. If you are looking for a fun gun personality check him out.
I bought a 327 last week and shot it. I shot 50 rounds Blazer 158 grain round nose and with the Pachmayr grips little felt recoil.
The sights are minimal but front sight is easy to pick up. I will shoot +p 38 next trip then will try 357 but never bought it with the idea of only shooting 357.
The Altamont factory grips are terrible. They do not fit the contour of the back strap and if you use them they would tear into the web of your hand.
That s a horrible fit. In my opinion the light alloy guns are better off with rubber grips. No, they don't look that good, but they are better to SHOOT with.
My 325 came with beautiful wood combats. It was painful to shoot and my hands are far from delicate.
The Altamont factory grips are terrible. They do not fit the contour of the back strap and if you use them they would tear into the web of your hand.
That’s terrible. It came with Altamont grips? I‘ve been looking at Altamont for grips for a new 610 since I can’t get real S&W targets anymore. (At least not at a reasonable price, that I’ve seen). Did you contact S&W or Altamont? I’d be curious to know what they do about it.
I didn't buy a 325 Nightguard about 8 years ago. I was holding out for a 625-10. I freely admit my mistake! Please absolve me for Christmas' sake!
I made it in the BBBG Club (Big Bad Belly Gun) with the 629-6, but I'm still lamenting and yearning for a 45 (Colt, Auto, or Schofield)!
Did someone say "Belly Gun?" Well they've been trying to make these a "thing" for hundreds of years. Here's one someone actually cut from a Schofield (sacrilege!!) and it still fires the S&W 45 Schofield black powder loads like a small cannon. Lots of flash-bang. I can imagine this 327 to behave the same way. Don't ever try to hold it up to your face to actually aim.
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