[fred cook]

I suggested the .327 mag round as an alternative to the 357 mag in case recoil might be an issue. Take a look at the following information that I lifted from another web site:"From a 3 1/16 inch revolver, the 100 grain soft point .327 magnum load develops 100 fps more velocity than a 125 grain .357 magnum from a four inch revolver and delivers only 35 ft/lbs less energy. The recoil of the .327 magnum 85 grain personal defense load is less than 1/2 of the recoil of a 125 grain .357 magnum.Subjected to the standard FBI protocol tests for effectiveness through barriers, the 115 grain .327 magnum load reaches 15 inches in bare gelatin, 16 inches through plywood, 14.5 inches through wallboard, 13 inches through auto glass and 20 inches through single layer vehicle body steel - all with substantial bullet upset ranging from .40 caliber (steel) to .60 caliber (auto glass). "All the above along with an additional round (6 vs 5) and an unloaded weight of 28 ozs. seems to make for a pretty good defensive choice. Now, with all that, do I own one? No, but then I am 6'-1" tall and weigh in at 220 lbs. The recoil of a .357 (or a .44 mag for that matter) is not an issue to me, but for someone that is perhaps 5' 2" or thereabouts and maybe 120 lbs, then the recoil of a stout .357 round would matter.* Just my 2 cents worth.