New Smith Kid On The Block

[casingpoint]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... tegory_rn=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sixteen inches of penetration through heavy cloth over gel, expansion to +.50 inches in diameter. Still a round looking for a problem to solve?

It should solve most problems it finds.

Is that a J or a K frame in the photo?

[CopOnce]

Doesn't look like either a J or K frame...and .327 magnum, this is totally new to me. Bet the recoil is up there with this one. Well, maybe not. My duty revolver I once carried, .357 magnum Ruger with a 2 1/2 in barrel wasn't all that bad.

[Mike1951]

Appearing first in the Ruger SP101 and more recently in the Charter Arms Patriot, this round has met with a cool reception thus far. Less recoil was supposed to be one of its virtues. Street price on the SP101 appears to be around $500. Don't know about the Patriot yet.

With a MSRP of $980, street price for the Smith is likely to be near $700. While the addition of the S&W will lend some legitimacy to the cartridge, I don't see it ever being a hot item.

A major advantage is getting 6 rounds into the size of a 5 round cylinder. Taurus has achieved that in .38 Spcl with their new 85-6 which is virtually the same size as their model 85. The steel version of the 856 (85, 6 rds) is rated for +P and sells for about the same price as the standard 85.

It will be interesting to see if the .327 catches on.

[JCole]

Is that a J or a K frame in the photo?

It's a J-frame.

[fickman]

They mentioned these in "America's First Freedom" this month. . . said the 5-shot .357 magnum cylinders will hold 6 .327 magnum rounds in the same diameter cylinder. In a 6-shot .357 magnum cylinder size, you can get 8 rounds of .327 magnum. . . the article claimed "similar ballistics" between the two.

I hope this isn't just keeping momentum constant by adding velocity to make up for a loss in mass. I'll be interested to see some more tests about this round and some opinions on its stopping power.