I had the 527 American in .223 which has a slightly longer barrel, but I carried it quite a bit while snowshoeing in rough country, and found that it carried very well. Hooking a finger over the magazine is natural, and very comfortable. I did sell the gun, but want one in .222, and 7.62x39. Has anyone tried the short flatnose 110 grain jacketed, or bullets like the Lyman 31008/3116 out of theirs? I was wondering about feeding issues.