Any reason for the big barrels other than hunting?
Why 8 3/8" Model 27's?
- Thread starter bushmaster1313
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Waldo
Member
Because I like them?
The first 357 Magnums were 8 3/4 inch barrels. They were built on the N frame and evolved into the model 27 in 1957 when they put a model number on them. Later S&W made the 8 3/8ths inch barrel the standard for their longest barrel on their revolvers.
The reason for the longer barrel was to obtain the highest velocity from the 357 Magnum cartridge.
Believe it or not, a lot of shooters liked and prefered the longer barrels for hunting, and long distance shooting. The longer barrel gives the best performance from the cartridge.
Industry standards use a 10 inch barrel to record velocities from a hand gun round, unless published otherwise.
About 50 feet per second is lost per inch of barrel length that is reduced from that standard figure.
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The reason for the longer barrel was to obtain the highest velocity from the 357 Magnum cartridge.
Believe it or not, a lot of shooters liked and prefered the longer barrels for hunting, and long distance shooting. The longer barrel gives the best performance from the cartridge.
Industry standards use a 10 inch barrel to record velocities from a hand gun round, unless published otherwise.
About 50 feet per second is lost per inch of barrel length that is reduced from that standard figure.
.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The longer barrel maximizes the performance of the Magnum cartridge and many shooters are more accurate with the longer sight radius. Probably does appeal mainly to hunters but I find the long 27 fun to shoot as the tapered barrel is lighter and does not make the gun excessively muzzle heavy like the 29 and 57 feel.
Nframe_is_no1
Member
+1 what Saxon said! That's why I've got two:
8 3/8" S series 27-2 w/ diamond targets, TH, TT, RR and WO:
8 3/8" 27-3 w/ 3Ts
8 3/8" S series 27-2 w/ diamond targets, TH, TT, RR and WO:
8 3/8" 27-3 w/ 3Ts
twomoons
Member
I AGREE 100% WITH SAXON ALSO
ElToro
Member
becuase back in the day 10 inches of sight radius was the max allowed for competitive target shooting
Exactly. The original barrels were 8 3/4", and were shortened to 8 3/8" to fall within the rules.
Okie John
Revolver-time
Member
You and me both. I have four of them ( 27-2, 57, 29-2, 25-2).
Geronimo Jim
Member
My 8 3/8 Model 27 is one of my most shot Smith's. I used to shoot silhouette with it and hunt some. In a cross draw or shoulder hoster it is easy to carry. The longer sight radius really helps in accuracy. Love mine.
madcratebuilder
Member
That brings back some old memories. I just picked up a 27-2 in 8.375 on a trade deal. Planned on turning it but I'm kind of liking it. Apparently someone mag-na-ported it and put it away. Looks like less than a box through it.
Didn't S&W use a single port in front of the sight on the PC revolvers?
ia1727
US Veteran
25-2----8 3/8" ?
You have a 25-2 with an 8 3/8" barrel--did you mean a 25-5 ?
Never seen a -2 with that barrel length--just curios.
Steve
You have a 25-2 with an 8 3/8" barrel--did you mean a 25-5 ?
Never seen a -2 with that barrel length--just curios.
Steve
mkk41
US Veteran
I'm more puzzled by why S&W settled on 8 3/8" as a standard?
Why not 8 , or 8 1/2 or 9.
Why not 8 , or 8 1/2 or 9.
