S&W 327 R8 Range Report

[Nemesis]

Took my S&W 327 R8 to the range today. For those who remember, I am new to revolvers but an experienced semi-auto shooter.

I was very impressed with the accuracy and ergonomics of the 327. Even with the (comparatively) heavy DA trigger, I had no problems putting 190 of 200 rounds into the black at 10 yards (speed was 1 shot every 2 seconds).

While it took a little getting used to, the revolver was very smooth and was VERY pointable. More pointable than a semi-auto, IMHO. I had minor issues with not letting the trigger fully reset (I ride the trigger stop on my Glock) on a couple of occasions.

I had one MAJOR issue that I need help with:

I shot 50 rounds of range purchased 38 Special. It was Magtech factory ammo which I know is crap but it is all I could get with the ammo shortage. With this box of ammo, I got light primer strikes (and resultant FTFs) fully 50% of the time. This was with moonclips and without. This NEVER happened with the .357 Magnum ammo.

Experienced wheelgunners--what do you think? What should I be checking for?

 

[stevieboy]

I fire Magtech as my standard ammunition and I don't find it to be crap. It's very clean burning and accurate stuff. Fifty percent light strikes suggests to me that it's not the ammo that's causing the problem. Remove your grips and check the strain screw (that's the screw at the bottom of your grip frame) for tightness. If it's backed out, that's almost certainly your problem. Tighten it up all the way and try again at the range. Odds are that the problem you experienced will be resolved. If the screw continues to back out (not unusual) then, a little blue loctite or guntite on the threads works wonders. I've done that with several of my revolvers.

 

[Nemesis]

Thanks Stevieboy. I checked and the screw was very tight. That is not the issue.

I also meant no offense with Magtech. I just have never had good experiences with it.

Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[sasu]

I have similar failures to fire in my M&P R8, too. In double action only, though.

In my gun, the main spring tension screws backs out now and then. After tightening it there are no problems.

Another reason for misfires would probably be the combination of a short firing pin and light main spring. I already purchased a normal length firing pin for this gun but have not installed it yet.

Magtech ammo has worked perfectly for me in 357 Mag and 44 Mag. I even use Magtech ammo for Metallic Silhouette as their 44 Mag load is so accurate in my Model 629 and 357 Mag ammo in a Ruger Security Six that I cannot do any better with handloads.

Magtech might have hard primers, though, as I keep having ignition problems with it in my M&P R8. But I will work on the gun, not change ammo.

 

[rdykmans]

I used some small CCI magnum rifle primers when I ran out of regular pistol primers and had 4 or 5 light strikes out of the first 2 cylinders worth using DA with my 327 M&P. Haven't tried the balance of those with any of my other Smiths at this point though. Never had a single problem with my regular reloads using CCI pistol primers.

 

[ENH]

If it's not the main spring tension screw then it most likely is a short firing pin. Replace it with a C&S or other aftermarket pins.

 

[m657]

re: light primer strikes

I've shot SASS for over a decade, putting a LOT of mostly reloaded ammo downrange.

Only lately have I began to experience more than the RARE light primer strike....perhaps once or twice in a match. These usually fire after the second attempt. Nothing lost but some time/missed target penalty.

This is using a variety of different guns, mostly Vaqueros.

I've also had a rash of light strikes in my 627 the past few months, and in a pristine 14-3.

None of them has the loose strain screw issue in these cases.

I also just disassembled a reloaded 38 that had a strong primer strike, with absolutely no signs of primer ignition. Normal powder charge, inert primer. Pretty odd, I've never had that happen before. I will be pulling the primer today to see whether the anvil is present. I had a bad lot of WLP last year.

I don't know what to make of the 327 problem.

 

[seaweed]

I experienced the same problem with my S&W 327 TRR8...very accurate, but with light primer strikes and rusulting FTFs about half the time on PMC and Golden Eagle .38 Special ammo. I tried tightening and shimming the main spring strain screw, and replaced the main spring with no success. Very frustrated, I took the gun to my local gunsmith who quickly diagnosed the problem: the hammer stop was extending too much and not allowing the hammer to properly strike the primer. He milled the hammer stop 13 thousandths (0.013 in.) and that seems to have solved the probelm, based on no FTFs with limited test firing with the old ammo. I even have the strain screw backed off half a turn, and will adjust it lighter if possible.

I believe milling the hammer stop solved the problem for two reasons: (1) Milling the hammer stop 0.013 in. allows approximately 0.013 in. of greater firing pin penetration into the primer, and (2) The slightly longer travel by the hammer before the stop hits the frame allows the main spring to act longer on the hammer. This increases the velocity of the hammer striking the firing pin which imparts greater energy to the firing pin.

Installing a longer firing pin may solve the probelm but does not provide the added benefit of imparting increased energy to the firing pin.

Hope this helps!

 

[Nightowl]

I'm not sure what you mean by "hammer stop"?

 

[seaweed]

As you look at the profile of the hammer you will note a 1/8 in., differently angled surface extending just below the surface of the hammer that strikes the firing pin, and above the cut-out section where the hammer block fits. Not sure if "hammer stop" is the correct term.

Gunsmith said its purpose is to contact the frame and stop hammer travel before the firing pin base surface is subject to impact by the hammer, which could damage the base.

I also need to make a correction in my 3rd sentence of original post, which should read: the hammer stop was extending too much and not allowing the hammer to properly strike the FIRING PIN ( I wrote primer).

 

[thomaswerner]

Just got an R8 and with about 50 rounds had 4 that missfired.

Any advice? New gun.

 

[Uraldriver]

I have a TRR8 which has had some misfire issues as well. I was using Magtech & Remington 38 Special, It only failed on 4 rounds total and I was able to fire 2 on restrike. I was not using the moonclips and I will try those the next time I go to the range. I find it troublesome as I have been using it as a Carry gun.

Dan

 

[ikor]

This may or may not be the gun.

I work part time training recruits at our Regional Academy as well as doing in-service training from time to time. Corrections folks still use revolvers although LE classes are all trained with the auto. Over the past 2-3 years or so we have seen a steady decrease in QC on bulk ammunition from all of the 'Big 4' U.S. manufacturers, often taking the form of misfires from both bad primers (could be no anvil too but we don't break them down to check) and...less often...primers not seated fully.

While unacceptable, this still amounts to only something like 2-3 problems in every 1000rd fired or so...or did until we recently did a class where we used WW Ranger 9mm NATO in new Glock 19s, where we experienced about double that failure rate or more. (Ranger marked boxes, not the white box version of that same load) I would be willing to bet that Magtech is no better than the current U.S. stuff either. 'Premium' Big 4 defense loads all still seem to work fine however, as they should for the price!

One more reason to shoot at the least 50rd (100 if possible) of any anticipated carry load before trusting it to be reliable with that specific handgun.

 

[thomaswerner]

I was not using the moonclip as well and wonder if that makes a difference. I will try it and please let me know on your end as well.
Thanks

 

[thomaswerner]

Will shoot more and see what happens. Thanks

 

[Bearjake]

My 327 TRR8 had the same problem, light primer strikes. I installed a Cylinder & Slide longer firing pin. Went back to the range, problem solved. Ran 100%

 

[Uraldriver]

I took my TRR8 to the range last week and shot some different ammo, the light strikes were worse and it wouldn't fire more than two cartridges without restriking the rounds. When I got home I checked the strain screw and it was just slightly loose, I also found that my barrel has unscrewed itself! It's going back to Smith!

Dan