New model 327 snub

[dvincentp2]

I just shot my new snubby today! I love it but have a question. I shot 150 rounds of Winchester 38 special in my 8 round snubby with out any FTF's. I shot 24 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense 38 (+ P) and Honady Critical Defense 38 Special and had 9 FTF's. Now I did not use the moonclips that came with my 327, but do you think that would make a difference?. Or maybe my 327 does not like Hornady ammo!! After the FTF's I decided to buy a box of Gold Dot Personal Protection (Short Barrel) 38 (+P). I will shoot them on Monday. Any thoughts??
Thanks

 

[1aafan]

Bullet weight? 125 grain? I have a 327 snub and use 110 Grain Winchester JHP .357. Never an issue. No moon clip use or issues without them...

 

[adweisbe]

Ignition should be better without moonclips because the moonclips can be slightly sprung. The issue is most likely that the primers Hornady uses are harder. FTF issues out of the box are getting more common, possibly due to the use of a newer "drop safe" firing pin design. I put an Apex Tactical firing pin into all my new guns as a matter of course.

Doesn't matter either way. Call S&W and they will send you a shipping label at no cost to you and you can send it back and get it fixed. Turn around time is usually quite good.

 

[Duke426]

+1 to what adweisbe said on the primers.

My experience has been best with Federal and then Winchester brand primers in that order. Some of the other brands seem to be a bit harder to ignite.

I also use extended length firing pins although mine have come from Cylinder & Slide. That has seemed to cure any FTF with other ammo brands.

 

[sar4937]

I have shot most all grains in .38 and .357, never had an FTF. Was this a new gun, or new to you? I purchased a used gun that had the strain screw loosened up to lighten the pull. Did the failures have abnormal strikes compared to the ones that fired normal? S&W will pay shipping to send it back. I would also test fire the FTF's in another gun, maybe even in that gun to rule out ammo problems.