Model 327 question concerning moon clips

Sarge312

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I have recently purchased a Model 327 Performance Center Revolver. It came with 3 moon clips. Although there are no instructions stating moon clips are required in order for the weapon to fire, I have had misfires every time I did not use a moon clip.

I have read where misfires may occur without the moon clip depending on the thickness of the case head of the ammo. My misfires were all Winchester ammo.

Can anyone tell me what 38spl/ 357 mag ammo will work reliably w/o the moon clips? Any assistance is appreciated!
 
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There should be no misfires with your 327, regardless of ammo (provided it's quality factory) and whether or not you use the moon clips.

I'd say you might have gotten a bad batch of ammo, but if the problem on presents when not using the moon clips, this sounds like a revolver issue. Were the primers on the misfire ammo very slightly dented?

Have a look at your strain screw, located at the bottom of the front strap of the the frame, under the grips, and make sure it's properly tightened; do this carefully and with a properly sized screwdriver (if you're not comfortable doing this or confident that you can without damaging the strain screw, hold off). The strain screw tensions the mainspring, which drives the hammer -- if it's not adequately seated, you can get light strikes.

By the way, just in case you weren't aware, when you get a misfire, keep the barrel pointed down range in a safe direction and wait about 30 seconds. There's a phenomena called "hang fire" whereby the ignited primer has a slow burn that can seem like a misfire but things are just taking a while and that bullet's indeed a'comin'; rare, but a possibility to be aware of -- stay safe.

If the misfires aren't from a strain screw needing to be tightened, there's a host of other possibilities ranging from a too short firing pin to a weak mainspring to improper machining of the moon clip cuts on the cylinder to excess headspace and more. Not worth your time trying to personally determine.

Assuming you bought the 327 new, call S&W and arrange a trip to the mother ship for repair -- it should be a warranty fix on their dime assuming you haven't modified the revolver yourself in such a way that it might be causing the misfires.

If you bought the 327 used, contact the seller to determine if they know about any modifications that might be causing the problem and how to correct them. Also consider discussing a refund for a revolver not operating as intended.

However, if purchased used and you like it otherwise and want to keep it, contact S&W anyway and just let them know you have a 327 that isn't functioning properly -- they might do you a favor and fix it gratis even if you aren't the original purchaser.

Too, you can take it to a local S&W trained armorer or qualified gunsmith; if it's a simple problem they can probably provide a simple solution at a fair price. However, a good revolversmith is a pearl of great price and getting rarer these days in my estimation; finding one is its own kind of difficult hunt. In this case, I'd opt for a factory solution.

Your 327 should have no misfires with quality ammunition regardless of moon clips or no -- one way or another S&W can make it right.

Welcome to the forum. :)
 
I have recently purchased a Model 327 Performance Center Revolver. It came with 3 moon clips. Although there are no instructions stating moon clips are required in order for the weapon to fire, I have had misfires every time I did not use a moon clip.

I have read where misfires may occur without the moon clip depending on the thickness of the case head of the ammo. My misfires were all Winchester ammo.

Can anyone tell me what 38spl/ 357 mag ammo will work reliably w/o the moon clips? Any assistance is appreciated!

Do a search on the forum for R8 revolvers and you will see this issue discuss multiple times by folks who have had issues. At one point I started a poll for forum members and 35% of owners of the 327 had this issue with their pistols.

See my original post below and poll. By the way I shot mine every time I've gone to the range since the repair. Had zero problems since it received some TLC from the mother ship. Never used moon clips.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/337588-s-w-327-r8.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/340589-r8-trr8-owners-poll.html
 
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S&W 327 misfires

I thank everyone for their responses. I purchased the gun "new" on Friday the 22nd of November. Like I said; no problem when using moon clips, only when not using them. I figured moon clips or no moon clips.... it should not matter. However, close examination shows a very distinctive larger gap between the case head and frame without a moon clip versus with a moon clip. Much tighter with moon clip causing a heavier hit with the firing pin.
I LOVE the gun! Typical smooth as silk Smith double action and was spot on right out of the box!!
I have always loved a revolver, sorta got out of them though when the Department went to semi-autos. I got the fever two weeks ago when I came across a S&W Model 10 just like the one I was issued in 1975. So, I upgraded last Friday.

Again, I thank everyone for their help!
 
I thank everyone for their responses. I purchased the gun "new" on Friday the 22nd of November. Like I said; no problem when using moon clips, only when not using them. I figured moon clips or no moon clips.... it should not matter. However, close examination shows a very distinctive larger gap between the case head and frame without a moon clip versus with a moon clip. Much tighter with moon clip causing a heavier hit with the firing pin.
I LOVE the gun! Typical smooth as silk Smith double action and was spot on right out of the box!!
I have always loved a revolver, sorta got out of them though when the Department went to semi-autos. I got the fever two weeks ago when I came across a S&W Model 10 just like the one I was issued in 1975. So, I upgraded last Friday.

Again, I thank everyone for their help!

You're welcome. Do us a favor and participate in the poll.

I would think S&W would address this issue in newer manufactured revolvers, but obviously there is still an issue. Are you going to call S&W and see if they will address the issue for you?
 
S&W 327 misfires

I have already sent them an e-mail concerning same. It will probably a few days before I hear something from them. At least thats what the reply I got said.

Thanks!
 
These days, with the ammo situation the way it has been, I have been shooting many types of ammo. The only type of ammo I have had problems with has been Winchester. At least one or two misfires per box of 50 and I even had one squib in which the primer fired the bullet but since there was no powder in the shell the bullet lodged in the barrel. Since the OP said his problems were with Winchester ammo, I agree with Haps first instinct that the problem is likely bad ammo. Before you pursue all the other options, I would suggest first trying other brands of ammo to see if the problem persists.
 
I have already sent them an e-mail concerning same. It will probably a few days before I hear something from them. At least thats what the reply I got said.

Thanks!
I'd give them only a couple days at best with email -- most of us have had better experiences dealing with S&W over the phone. Good luck. ;)
 
Buy a dozen extended firing pins from Brownells or Midway and you should be set up for you next few purchases. What a shame.
 

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