S&W Model 327 TRR8/M&P R8
These two eccentric wheel guns are examples of the love it or leave class of revolvers, especially when you consider it’s from the Smith & Wesson lineage.
If you’re a tactical or combat shooting gear head, this revolver is probably right up your alley. If you’re more a traditionalist, it’s not real clear why S&W would build a big N-Frame revolver like this with a clunky tactical rail that will probably dramatically alter its holster compatibility (particularly with a laser or light attached).
The answer is simple, these two guns were designed with a specific law enforcement user in mind: SWAT shield carriers.
As the story goes, many of the most heralded semi-autos (Glock, H&K, Colt 1911s) were standard issue for the shield carrier for many years based on their rock solid reliability and stout firepowers. There was just one problem; these weapons proved pretty unreliable in this one application.
Why? The slide action would get interrupted by slapping into the shield. Thus, misfires and other malfunctions were common. SWAT folks asked S&W if they could come up with a revolver that could build a gun specifically for the point man on the ent
ry teams.
Now, back to these two revolvers themselves. For starters, they’re more or less interchangeable. Both have the same Performance Center pedigree, both share a scandium alloy N-Frame, and both support accessory rails. The both have 8-round cylinders to house .357 Mag or .38 Special rounds.
There are a few subtle differences between the TRR8 and R8, but the primary difference is the R8 has an integrated rail, while the TRR8 is tapped out for a rail. Both of these weapons are tapped out for an accessory rail on the top.