S&W Model 627 High Capacity .357 Magnum

This is the Performance Center version of the S&W 8-shot, short-barreled .357 magnum, featuring a ball-detent cylinder lockup, for better accuracy and reliability, chamfered cartridge chambers, for aid in speed-loading, and excellent sights.

S&W Model 627 170133, $1,079

Normally, I like a longer barrel on my .357 magnum, at least a 4 incher, which adds 200-300 fps, compared to the snubnose .357, but that's just me, because these shorty .357's are very popular, especially in the N frame S&W.

Specs:

• Double Action/Single Action
• 7.6" length
• 5.5" height
• 1.7" max. width
• 37.6 oz. empty weight
• 40.8 oz. loaded weight
• 2.6" barrel
• 8 round capacity
• N-frame stainless
• Stainless cylinder, non-fluted
• Grips: checkered walnut
• 5.3" grip circumference
• Serrated ramp front sight
• Adjustable white outline rear sight
• 4.1 lb trigger pull weight-single action
• 11.5 lb trigger pull double action
• Trigger span single action, 2.8"
• Trigger span double action, 3.3"

Notables:

•  Performance Center quality-tight fit, clean metalwork, smooth woodwork
• Slab-sided barrel, for weight reduction
• Crowned muzzle
• Ejector shroud cutout drops some weight
• Unfluted cylinder adds extra weight
• Easily swappable dovetailed front sight.
• Fully adjustable rear sight
• Small grips make for concealability
• "Even shooters with small hands could easily fire the 627..."
• Full-length guide rod ejects all 8 rounds
• Extra weight makes for pleasant shooting
• "A bit heavy for concealed carry, comparable in weight to a loaded 1911..."
• Proper holster and belt required for secure carry options

Soft-Shooting .380

Ruger's LC9 gets toned down to a .380 version for the recoil-sensitive. 

What separates this gun from the run of the mill pocket .380 is that they kept the locked breech action unchanged from the 9mm version, necessary in more powerful pistol calibers like the 9mm and higher to keep spring rates at a low enough resistance to allow the pistol's slide action to be cycled by hand without calling in the Incredible Hulk. It also has the effect of lowering felt recoil by keeping the action locked closed until just-fired cartridge pressures fall below a certain level. .380 caliber guns are normally of the blowback variety, which means snappier recoil and stronger spring rates.

Ruger LC380

$449.00

At the usual bullet weights of 90 grains, velocities range from approximately 850 to 900 fps, excepting the Corbon load at 1,100 fps. While it's not the pocket blaster the 9mm version is, it will still get the job done at close range self-defense situations. Gun magazine reviews say, "accuracy is good to brilliant". "The LC380 worked reliably with all ammo tested". 

If you need a mild-mannered, affordable, concealable and well made pistol for discreet carry, look no further than the LC380 from Ruger.

What are they saying around the web about the LC380 so far?

• The stainless steel loading indicator ruins the lines of this pistol when it pops up.
• Points naturally, well balanced.
• Tiny safety may be hard to find in stressful situations.
• Long trigger pull and it clicks twice on return, once early, before it's actually reset.
• Straightforward take-down/field stripping.
• Super-reliable.
• Light recoil.
• Fits even large hands nicely.