327 PC 2" VS 327 Night Guard

[NotoriousSEG]

Ok, I've already asked this question (sort of) only some of the variables have changed. I'm looking for an N Frame revolver to carry. I was heavily considering the 627PC UDR, but have decided it may be a tad on the heavy side to carry daily. I don't want any reason to 'want" to leave it behind.

For some reason, I have a strange fascination with the 327PC 2". Everything I know about it tells me to look somewhere else, but I invariably come back to it. I know it is pretty light which makes me think the recoil on full-house .357 loads would be less than pleasant. However, I have heard several people say that the fact that it is a full sized weapon with a full sized grip, it mitigates a lot of the recoil response.

Enter the 327 Night Guard. Nice size, nice heft (topping the 327PC by 10 oz or so) and a certain sinister appearance make it a contender. Same capacity, heavier than the 327 PC, but lighter than the 627PC....AND BLACK, which is sweet.

I suppose eventually I will end up with both, even if it's not at the same time. But for now, I have to decide on one. I'm used to carrying 1911's, but I am jonesing for a wheel gun, and Smith is the only maker that has my attention. I'm not interested in J frames, or any other guns but these two (or three, depending on what day it is)

I'd love to hear from people who have shot/carried either of these weapons. How do they handle? How is the recoil with big kahuna .357s? Am I kidding myself with a 2" barrel?

Any input will be greatly appreciated. I am about to, ahem, pull the trigger on this deal.

 

[Macinaw]

The 327PC can use full moon clips. The 327 NG doen't.

 

[serialsolver]

I had a 327pc with 357's it was comparable to my glock 27. The recoil was not that bad. Much better than my 340pd. Should have kept it. I have been wanting another light 8 shot 357. I think I'll get a 327ng. The Night guard weights only 4 or 5 oz more, has a night sight and adjustable sights are easy to add.

 

[TSQUARED]

Pesonally my ears cannot stand the supersonic shriek of the 357 Magnum. I prefer to carry a 45 ACP (Glock-36) or a 9mm (Kahr PM-9).

 

[NotoriousSEG]

So, am I understanding that the 327 PC is NOT bad recoil-wise ? What would you attribute that to? Size? Certainly not weight.

 

[usm1rifle]

I have a 327 NG and recoil is not bad with premium 357 mag defense ammo. I think it is the grips but everything is subjective. Accuracy is surprisingly good for such a short barrel.

 

[jessegpresley]

The 327 PC does have some attributes that the NG lacks. The Lother-Walther German made barrel with polished button rifiling (though I'm afraid I don't know what "polished button" means). The hammer and trigger are not MIM like the NG and the trigger has an overtravel stop. I'll assume the PC has a ball bearing lock up like my other PC snubs. The trench style front sight channel seems more CCW friendly (less chance to snag) than the C&S Extreme Duty sight. Lastly you get a PC tuned trigger group.

 

[UDR2]

I have a 627PC. A real sweet shooter and very accurate... but too heavy to carry all day, every day. But I LOVE that gun.

I do not have a 327PC nor have I shot one. So I will limit my comments to this: well meaning statements such as "the recoil ain't that bad," is sort of like me saying that "you should go out on a blind date with my friend's sister because she's kind of cute." What do those statements mean? You just might draw entirely opposite conclusions. You really ought to try out a high priced item before committing to it. - Although, that logic did not work all that well with some of the women I've dated.

I have a 327NG... 10 oz. lighter than the 627PC. It's easy to carry (weight wise), and "light" magnum loads such as 125 gr Golden Saber are very easy to handle... not punishing at all. I wouldn't say they are as much fun to shoot as in my 627PC, but they are fun, nevertheless. And while I prefer a gun with moon clips, in a defensive situation it's not likely that I'll ever need, or get the chance, to reload; and at the range, deliberate loading of each individual chamber slows me down a bit so that my range session isn't over before it starts.

In conclusion, I think you really need to buy all three.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

I have both and have no complaints. I'm a revolver guy and love having firepower equivalent to a 1911 in a lighter, supremely reliable package. At 21 oz, the pc is a viable concealed carry piece. The NG is a bit large for that job, but I guess a large person could handle it. Any 21 oz .357 is going to kick, especially with the heavier bullet weights. I carry .38 FBI loads in mine and don't feel undergunned at all. I've been thinking of having a holster rig built for the two--the NG in a high-ride Jordan on the right and the pc in a crossdraw on the left with 3 or 4 speedloader pouches. Might have to wear an overcoat to conceal it on my smallish frame, but it would be fun and a way to maximize the firepower of the wheelgun.

 

[NotoriousSEG]

Thanks for the insights guys. I still have no idea what I'm going to get, but the research/shopping phase is all part of the fun, right?

 

[serialsolver]

The recoil of my 327pc which is a 22 oz n frame with 357 ammo was not as bad as the recoil of my 10 oz j frame 340pd with 357 ammo. The 327pd with 357 ammo was not as bad as the recoil of my 329pd with 44 mag ammo. Hope this helps.

 

[Gitagun]

Thanks for this thread. This is the issue that I have been wrestling with lately. I need a big brother for my 340PD. I'm leaning towards the 327 Night Guard for its longer sight radius vs 327PC and lighter weight vs 627PC.

Smith & Wesson should make the decision easier by putting the 327PC features into the 327 Night Guard.

 

[NE450No2]

Well since you said you are a 1911 kind of guy normally, have you thought about the 325 Night Guard?
I am a 1911 kind of guy, and I like S&W N frames as well.

I have a 325 NG and I like the fact tht is shots 45 ACP and it reloads with full moon clips. The 325 is very controlable even with full power 230gr loads or 185 +P loads. It has a lot less flash and blast than a short 357 Mag.

It does have 2 less shots, but it reloads so fast with the full moon clips I do not see that as a big disadvantage.

Plus, I do prefer the 45 ACP to the 357 Mag.

I think of all the short barreled N Frames, the 45 ACP makes the best choice for an urban carry/defensive revolver.

It packs a big punch, is controlable, low flash and blast and with full moon clips is fast and easy to reload.

 

[Stainz]

Of course, if you are more frugal, yet still like the .45 ACP as a protection round... consider the Governor! It has basically the same construction as the 325NG: Al/Sc alloy frame, 2.75" black SS barrel, tritium Night Sight on front and fixed rear sight, uses the same moonclips, etc. Yes - it is larger - 7/8 inch longer due to it's longer black SS cylinder - which also makes it and a whopping 1.5 oz heavier, too. Of course, you do get some other ammo choices when the moonclipped .45 ACP's run out - like .45 Schofield, .45 Colt, and 2.5" .410 shotshells. Did I mention that it is over $350 less in MSRP than a 325NG or that it is available with a Crimson Trace grip?

Yep, it's bigger than my 24/7 EDC pocket protector, my 642 above. But... it is perfect for home, car, or the woods. If your quest was for an 8-shot .38/.357 Magnum, and I faced a similar decision 10/10, perhaps I can help. Size-wise, the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR is quite similar - but heavier by ten ounces. Price-wise, they are similar, too - the UDR was only a few bucks more OTD. As it is also moonclip ready and a PC Shop product, with a better trigger, etc, it was a no-brainer to me. The big orange ramp is more easily picked up in very low light than the Night Sight - at least to my 'mature' eyes.

I sold an old friend, a JM PC627 V-Comp, so I could purchase the 327NG 10/10, having picked up a UDR some six months earlier. When I went to the lgs to make the purchase - I noted the flush backside on the cylinder of the 327NG - it wasn't moonclip-ready. That was a deal killer, as the V-Comp, 627 Pro, and PC627 UDR had spoiled me. As I said, the second UDR was only a few bucks more - less than a 'Happy Meal' from McD's. I now have a UDR for the range and one for the house/car. I also got a Lobo holster for it, although I have yet to carry it.

Now - if that extra 10 oz bothers you, you can always get a couple of 5starfirearms.com's excellent machined Al speedloaders (see above) and have rapid reloads with a 327NG without resorting to having the cylinder machined and utilizing moonclips.

Stainz

 

[Macinaw]

327 PC with IWB holster. Like J-Frame carry only a bit larger.

 

[NotoriousSEG]

Hey everybody!

I'm reviving this thread. Three years later and I STILL haven't bought either one of these guns. Kids, work, going back to school, life---all of that just made it fade further and further into the background. The good news is, the time has come. Finally!

I have located one of each--627 PC UDR and the 327 PC 2"----(the 327 NG is out of the equation now). I intend to carry the weapon on my strong side in an OWB holster. I may not carry it every day, but my intent is to carry it often.

Which one will I enjoy more? Or conversely, which one will I regret less? Aaaaaand...go!

 

[eveled]

Glad you finally got your dream guns. You are going to love them. Have you seen how well the little 327 fits in a Don Hume slide holster?

 

[HarrishMasher]

For what it is worth, my take is the 327PC is more of a novelty. The 327NG is a bit more serious and if I had to choose one to carry, it would be the NG. The sights are amazing and the recoil is much more pleasant due to the extra weight. The weight is perfect for a gun that size.

There is a very nice used one for sale here locally for a reasonable price. I have been thinking about picking it up. I was deciding between the 327NH and the 627PC 2.6". I ordered the 627PC.

My daily carry is currently a 686PC 2.5" so I know I could handle carrying the extra couple of ozs of the 627PC.

The 627PC is actually out for delivery to my FFL today along with a 4" Chiappa Rhino. Excited to pick them up!

 

[NotoriousSEG]

Harrish,

The 686 is essentially the 627 in a 7 shot configuration, correct? No discomfort or remorse when carrying it?

 

[TazTJ]

686+ in 3" would be my choice if you are looking that way. 7 shot L frame, full length ejector. Very controllable, narrower for easier carry. I have a 327PC 2" with a new SS cylinder fitted due to the previous owner flame cutting the front of the cylinder, so it has some extra mass to it, but still the stubby barrel. It is FUN to shoot with 38's, not bad with +P and the reduced load magnums like Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr or the Remington 125gr Golden Saber are easy to control. I also have a 2.5" 386PD (scandium version of what you are looking at) with a SS cylinder as well; it kicks a LOT more than the 327. The 686+ 3" is controllable with even the very hot 125gr stuff and a *****cat with the reduced magnum loads. 1 less shot than the N frame, but it has the full length ejector rod. Wishing I picked up a 627 PC with the longer ejector rod over the 2 scandium guns. With a good holster and stiff belt, the extra weight doesn't hinder easy carrying I found! My 686+ 3" conceals/carries just as well as my 386PD 2.5" at half it's weight.