627 vs. 327 trigger & recoil?

[Maccabeus]

I need the help of your experience.

I've been reading several of the 627 threads, but don't feel I've found my answers other than general praises for the PC trigger.

I’m trying to narrow down a high capacity shorter barreled home defense .357 for my wife. She is fine with a revolver (over the years she’s used both a 681 and a 65. In fact, she prefers them over my current 4513TSW and G30s.) She does not, however, like the recoil on my 340PD.

While weighty, I’m leaning toward the 627PC as it should soak up recoil fairly well. Unfortunately, I haven’t found one to put in her hands. She did just handle a 327PC. Trigger reach was fine on the larger frame than she is used to. She loved the light smooth trigger. While I liked the fixed sights, I'd prefer just a bit more barrel.

(I had been considering a 686+ PC or a 586 L-Comp, too, but since she was comfortable with the N-Frame, I think I’ll stick to the 8-shots).

Question #1: Is the trigger on the 627 comparable to the one on the 327?

Question #2: How much more kick is there on the 327 as compared to one of the stainless guns of comparable size?

Any insights related to these questions would be appreciated. Thanks!



Edited b/c I hate finding my own typos.

 

[Neumann]

Recoil is inversely proportional to the weight of the firearm. That said, I don't find the recoil of a 35 oz .357 Magnum objectionable. I have a 327 TRR8 (scandium frame, stainess cylinder) with a 5" barrel and a 66-1 with a 4" barrel (short lug) and 3" 686+ (full lug). Each weighs about 35 oz and is a nice shooters. These barrel lengths are ideal for home defense, but longer than 3" is marginal for concealed carry.

An all steel 627 is going to start at 45 oz. I'm sure it has less recoil, but gets to be a hunk to carry or even hold for any length of time. Nice gun, though, and I wouldn't turn my nose up at one, preferably 4" for balance.

The trigger on my 327 TRR8 is very nice, definitely S&W charm school grade. I hear the 627 is even better, but I haven't found one yet. After the TRR8, I'm not sure I'm even looking any more. The two-piece barrel is very accurate and easy to clean.

I'm not interested in the snub nosed 327PD, which has a titanium cylinder. It's too light at 25 oz and titanium has a tendency to erode quickly if the surface finish is damaged. YMMV, but I'll stick to my story.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I believe the OP is referring to the 327 PC 2" bbl. (21.4oz) and the 627 PC 2-5/8" bbl. (37.6oz).

.

 

[colt_saa]

I need the help of your experience.

I've been reading several of the 627 threads, but don't feel I've found my answers other than general praises for the PC trigger.

I’m trying to narrow down a high capacity shorter barreled home defense .357 for my wife. She is fine with a revolver (over the years she’s used both a 681 and a 65. In fact, she prefers them over my current 4513TSW and G30s.) She does not, however, like the recoil on my 340PD.

While weighty, I’m leaning toward the 627PC as it should soak up recoil fairly well. Unfortunately, I haven’t found one to put in her hands. She did just handle a 327PC. Trigger reach was fine on the larger frame than she is used to. She loved the light smooth trigger. While I liked the fixed sights, I'd prefer just a bit more barrel.

(I had been considering a 686+ PC or a 586 L-Comp, too, but since she was comfortable with the N-Frame, I think I’ll stick to the 8-shots).

Question #1: Is the trigger on the 627 comparable to the one on the 327?

Question #2: How much more kick is there on the 327 as compared to one of the stainless guns of comparable size?

Any insights related to these questions would be appreciated. Thanks

The Performance Center has probably produced two dozen different 627s and half a doze different 327s. While you do not tell us which ones you are looking for as BLUEDOT37 and I presume it is the snubbies since you reference fixed sights and wanting more barrel length

Actual recoil and perceived recoil are different things. We can calculate the difference in free recoil, we can not interpret how it will be perceived. Since the 2" 327 weighs in at 21 ounces it is going to recoil pretty much like a 357 Magnum model 60/639/640 which weigh 23 ounces. Also remember that empty weight is 75% more the 340 PD which is approximately 12 ounces, now add in 3 more rounds of ammunition and it is roughly double.

The 2 5/8" 627 not only adds barrel it adds significant weight coming in at almost 38 ounces. That is a 88% increase in weight. You better believe that will make a significant difference in recoil.

Personally, I do not understand why anyone would want a snubby as a dedicated hone defense firearm. Since you are not trying to conceal the firearm, barrel length is not a issue.

As Neumann points out the 327 TRR8 weighs 35 ounces, just like a 4" Model 19/66. Additionally you get two more shots and one more inch of barrel.

The 327 TRR8 will not torque as much in the hand and will have both less muzzle blast and less muzzle flash (with standard ammunition). Less torque means less perceived recoil even if free recoil is somewhat higher in the 3 ounce lighter revolver.

One thing that you may notice is that I changed out the factory grips on all of the above revolvers for grips that fit my hand. That is important to the perceived recoil issue. A grip that properly fits will offer less perceived recoils since forced are being spread properly across the palm of the shooters hand.

There is one more choice, though it has been discontinued, the 327 Night Guard. This has a 2 1/2" barrel and a steel cylinder so it weighs in at almost 28 ounces or 1/3 heavier than the 2" 327. It has the Extreme Duty rear sight, which you can add to most of the adjustable sight revolvers, as well as a usable Tritium front sight.

 

[Maccabeus]

Thanks, all, for the replies.

Bluedot37, yes, you are correct, the two revolvers in question are the 327 PC 2" bbl. (21.4oz) and the 627 PC 2-5/8" bbl. (37.6oz). The two that seem to be the most commonly available on Gunbroker. If only I could find them both at the LGS.

Neumann, thanks for your thoughts on the TRR8. If I opt for a full size barrel, I will give it a look.

Colt_saa, thanks for the visuals and running some of the numbers on weight to get a sense of the comparison between models.

The reason I've been looking at the snub-nose models is because my wife is petite and doesn't have a great amount of wrist strength. Sometimes the length of a gun is more awkward than the raw weight of it as the handgun becomes more front heavy.

Also, as a HD gun, not only does the longer barrel not matter, as you pointed out, but the shorter ones are fine too (IMO) as you don't need the slightly improved accuracy that a longer barrel brings when you are dealing with distances under 25'.

Lastly, while it's primarily for my wife at home, I'm sure I'll just happen to ccw it myself upon occasion when we are out together, making the shorter barrel a little more attractive.

Still, you and Neumann make a strong enough case for me to look closer at the TRR8 or keep my eyes open for a 327 Night Guard.

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[eveled]

Something else that makes a snub nose make sense. The longer barrels make a great handle for somebody to hold onto in a struggle. Giving them a lot of leverage to keep the gun pointed away from them. Maybe an improbable scenario, but I see nothing wrong with the snub nose for home Defense. I would go with a stainless model.

 

[PLG]

I agree with not wanting a long barrel for home defense. You don't want someone to grab the barrel. Also, if your wife is petite, why not a model 60, or other j frame rather than the n frame?

 

[hkcavalier]

I'm personally a long barrel HD handgun guy, but understand what you're trying to do.

I think the 627 2-5/8" gun is the logical choice. The only reason to have a lighter gun would be if you're carrying it. 25oz vs. 45oz is definitely detectable when lugging a weapon around all day.

Plus, the 627 snub is typically less expensive, easier to find, and is just naturally more durable; stainless steel > aluminum alloy all day, every day.

 

[Maccabeus]

I agree with not wanting a long barrel for home defense. You don't want someone to grab the barrel. Also, if your wife is petite, why not a model 60, or other j frame rather than the n frame?

She doesn't like the recoil or the trigger on my j-frame. And I want her to have as many rounds before a reload as possible. She's fired my semi's over the years, but doesn't prefer them in terms of grip shape/fit and doesn't have the hand strength to work the slides. If she likes a good revolver, why argue, right? Simple operation. Low chance of jams.

I was thinking the N-frame might be too large for her hand, but it fit her fine and she really liked the Performance Center trigger (at least the one on the snub 327 she tried).

 

[Maccabeus]

...I think the 627 2-5/8" gun is the logical choice. The only reason to have a lighter gun would be if you're carrying it. 25oz vs. 45oz is definitely detectable when lugging a weapon around all day.
...

Yes, based on the comments from several of you, I feel good about the 627 PC choice.

If I end up carrying it occasionally, I'm not too worried about the weight. In another life I carried full size guns off duty (a 681 followed by a 4506, and sometimes my own G21). These days it's a slightly smaller G30s but carrying more gun isn't bad. I just consider it more exercise and more calories burned.

 

[eveled]

Mt wife's house gun is a ten shot 617, I bought her an eight shot 627, but she hasn't worked up to it yet. Gonna start her off with some light .38's one of these days.