327TRR8 Questions

Revolver Rookie · Jun 17, 2015

As my name indicates I'm a Revolver Rookie. I'm interested in the 327TRR8, my questions are:
1) Do the moonclips accept .38 and .357? Do you need separate moonclips for each caliber? If not could you mix the two calibers on one moonclip?

2) Since I'm probably going to have to buy from an internet source, are all the N frames pretty much the same size? In other words, except for weight, would the feel of a 629 be similar. I have slightly smaller hands and want to make sure I can grip the 327TTR8 before dropping the $1100+

Thank you good sirs for all the help ahead of time!

Goblin · Jun 17, 2015

Welcome to the forum. Yes, the same moon clips will work for both, and yes, you could mix them on a single clip. You don't have to use the moon clips if you don't want to. Yes, all N frames have the same grip dimensions, so they'll feel the same except the weight and balance due to barrel length and caliber, and the type of grips you use.

Goblin · Jun 17, 2015

You didn't mention your experience level, but regardless of experience you should start with 38 specials, like full wadcutters, and save the magnums for after you have a few hundred rounds down range. Shoot mostly double action, it will hone your skills quicker than single action. You've selected a very versatile revolver, so good luck, and I hope you enjoy the ride.

Revolver Rookie · Jun 17, 2015

Goblin said:
You didn't mention your experience level, but regardless of experience you should start with 38 specials, like full wadcutters, and save the magnums for after you have a few hundred rounds down range. Shoot mostly double action, it will hone your skills quicker than single action. You've selected a very versatile revolver, so good luck, and I hope you enjoy the ride.

Thank you very much for the info...
I currently shoot a Glock 19. My wife wants to take that over.
I definitely have the revolver itch...
One more stupid question?
What exactly is a wadcutter?

S&W1006 · Jun 17, 2015

Revolver Rookie said:
Thank you very much for the info...
I currently shoot a Glock 19. My wife wants to take that over.
I definitely have the revolver itch...
One more stupid question?
What exactly is a wadcutter?

A wadcutter is a type of bullet. Generally seated flush with the case mouth. They are usually very light target ammo and very accurate and cut pretty holes in paper targets like you used a hole punch. Do a google search for 38 wadcutter and you will find images.

I agree with the others practice with 38 special and then try magnums. Hot .357's are nasty in a light weight revolver like the 327. Managable but not something you want to shoot a lot of unless you are a glutten for punishment.

Also be careful the revolver bug is hard to cure. I started with one and now I have 6 and another 1 on order and probably 10 more on my wish list. You have been warned. [emoji2]

Revolver Rookie · Jun 17, 2015

S&W1006 said:
A wadcutter is a type of bullet. Generally seated flush with the case mouth. They are usually very light target ammo and very accurate and cut pretty holes in paper targets like you used a hole punch. Do a google search for 38 wadcutter and you will find images.

I agree with the others practice with 38 special and then try magnums. Hot .357's are nasty in a light weight revolver like the 327. Managable but not something you don't want to shoot a lot of unless you are a glutten for punishment.

Also be careful the revolver bug is hard to cure. I started with one and now I have 6 and another 1 on order and probably 10 more on my wish list. You have been warned. [emoji2]

Thank you for the info!!!!
I used to think I needed handgun anonymous. After purchasing and modifying the glock. I wanted another Glock, Sig Sauer, HK etc....
For some strange reason Smith and Wesson Revolvers just seem right to me.
Something tells me I'm going to need Revolver Anonymous!!!

Macinaw · Jun 17, 2015

Here is a photo of the R8 that I shoot in Steel Challenge competition. It is "drag racing" with a gun. You are going to love it for whatever shooting you do!

dave_g · Jun 17, 2015

If you find you need a large quantity of moon clips, say for competition, then I recommend Revolver Supply Co. I use their clips. Different brands of brass will require different thickness of clips for best performance. Some have smaller grooves and fit too tight in the clip. I sort my brass by brand.

The grips that come with the TRR8 are Hogue finger groove I believe. I replaced them with Hogue 25012 smooth rubber grips. They don't have finger grooves which works better with my smaller hands. I find the grooves to be too far apart for my fingers.

Don't worry about finding wadcutter ammo. Wadcutters are great for target shooting, but often hard to find. The TRR8 is light for an N frame revolver, but it's not that light. Any inexpensive 38 ammo will be easy to handle in it.

gary950 · Jun 17, 2015

Figure out what brand of brass you use consistently and purchase moonclips accordingly to save yourself headaches if you are reloading

Revolver Rookie · Jun 17, 2015

gary950 said:
Figure out what brand of brass you use consistently and purchase moonclips accordingly to save yourself headaches if you are reloading

I haven't reached a point were reloading is something I'm interested in. Honestly 9mm is cheap enough to buy factory. Will have to see how much .38 and eventually .357 I'm going to go through.
I may end up with another expense, in buying reloading equipment.

Because I live in Kommiefornia, my main desire is getting a hold of one of these TTR8's before the first of the year. You never know what roster changes are in Cali's future.

Revolver Rookie · Jun 17, 2015

dave_g said:
If you find you need a large quantity of moon clips, say for competition, then I recommend Revolver Supply Co. I use their clips. Different brands of brass will require different thickness of clips for best performance. Some have smaller grooves and fit too tight in the clip. I sort my brass by brand.

The grips that come with the TRR8 are Hogue finger groove I believe. I replaced them with Hogue 25012 smooth rubber grips. They don't have finger grooves which works better with my smaller hands. I find the grooves to be too far apart for my fingers.

Don't worry about finding wadcutter ammo. Wadcutters are great for target shooting, but often hard to find. The TRR8 is light for an N frame revolver, but it's not that light. Any inexpensive 38 ammo will be easy to handle in it.

Thank you for the awesome advice!

pinto · Jun 17, 2015

I prefer the thickest/strongest moonclips available .025" thick.
These fit Starline, Remington and Federal cases.
Get mine from the aforementioned Revolver Supply Co.
I threw away the rubber Hogue grip and installed the smooth Jerry Miculek type from Altamont. Its red white and blue, but what the heck, its a comp gun.

Groo01 · Jun 18, 2015

Groo here
I might suggest Ranch Products for moon clips.
Buy them by the hundred find the brass that fits and buy
a case, get a mooner /de-mooner tool.
Your done.

Florida J Frame · Jun 18, 2015

Have you located a TRR8? The last time I checked they were out of stock and not being produced. Has this changed?

Revolver Rookie · Jun 18, 2015

Florida J Frame said:
Have you located a TRR8? The last time I checked they were out of stock and not being produced. Has this changed?

Yes! The true question is it on the California roster. Straight from the California Roster:
Smith & Wesson revolvers currently on the roster with the letter 'A' after the product code, will be engraved with the letter 'A' on the underside of the top strap of the revolver.
or:
Smith & Wesson revolvers currently on the roster with the letter 'B' after the product code, will be engraved with the letter 'B' on the underside of the top strap of the revolver.
I know of a dealer in California that claims to have a few.
I'm making that call tomorrow!!

foytfoyt · Jun 19, 2015

Revolver Rookie said:
Yes! The true question is it on the California roster. Straight from the California Roster:
Smith & Wesson revolvers currently on the roster with the letter 'A' after the product code, will be engraved with the letter 'A' on the underside of the top strap of the revolver.
or:
Smith & Wesson revolvers currently on the roster with the letter 'B' after the product code, will be engraved with the letter 'B' on the underside of the top strap of the revolver.
I know of a dealer in California that claims to have a few.
I'm making that call tomorrow!!

I may be mis-understanding you post, but TRR8 SKU 170269A is on the CA roster, while SKU 170269 is NOT.

Therefore, to be legal, any TRR8 you purchase now in CA must have the "A" stamp on the frame, due to the "A" in the roster SKU.

I recently purchased a 627 VC and a 629 VC with the "A" stamp, as also required for those particular models. Only one was marked as such on the box sticker.

Some dealers may have stock without the "A", so you need to check the particular sample you are buying. Mine were purchased from out of state, but still had the "A," as I suspect S&W changed over. One dealer knew what I was talking about, the other had never heard of our stupid CA rule. I hate CA, with all its liberal, hippie, Socialist, free-loaders.

foytfoyt · Jun 19, 2015

dave_g said:
The grips that come with the TRR8 are Hogue finger groove I believe. I replaced them with Hogue 25012 smooth rubber grips. They don't have finger grooves which works better with my smaller hands. I find the grooves to be too far apart for my fingers.

Quick aside: Do the Hogue PN 25012 feel thicker front to rear, or side to side than the PN 25000 grips that come stock on the TRR8 and many other N-frames?

I prefer narrow grips, but also want no finger grooves. I like the fact that the stock 25000 is thin, but don't like the grooves.

chepburn · Jun 19, 2015

Something else of note, the TRR8 weighs less than other N frame guns due to the Scandium Alloy Frame.

I love mine, it's by far my favorite gun.

Just got back from the range at lunch, shot a quick 100 rounds of 38's. It's just a joy to shoot, great gun!

Revolver Rookie · Jun 19, 2015

foytfoyt said:
I may be mis-understanding you post, but TRR8 SKU 170269A is on the CA roster, while SKU 170269 is NOT.

Therefore, to be legal, any TRR8 you purchase now in CA must have the "A" stamp on the frame, due to the "A" in the roster SKU.

I recently purchased a 627 VC and a 629 VC with the "A" stamp, as also required for those particular models. Only one was marked as such on the box sticker.

Some dealers may have stock without the "A", so you need to check the particular sample you are buying. Mine were purchased from out of state, but still had the "A," as I suspect S&W changed over. One dealer knew what I was talking about, the other had never heard of our stupid CA rule. I hate CA, with all its liberal, hippie, Socialist, free-loaders.

Made the call today.
They guaranteed me they had the California legal "A" in stock.
The dealer put me on hold, and ran in back to check stock.
I asked him since I was in California, (they are too by the way) would they guarantee that I got the California model? He told me based on my, and my FFL address, we would receive the "A" model.
I pulled the trigger (pun intended) and my FFL has sent them his info.

With all luck I'll be the new and happy owner soon.

dave_g · Jun 19, 2015

foytfoyt said:
Quick aside: Do the Hogue PN 25012 feel thicker front to rear, or side to side than the PN 25000 grips that come stock on the TRR8 and many other N-frames?

I prefer narrow grips, but also want no finger grooves. I like the fact that the stock 25000 is thin, but don't like the grooves.

25012 is pretty thin, side to side. They don't feel as thick to me, sort of flatter and less round. Kind of like the JM grips.

327TRR8 Questions

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads