Critical Defense in 327

Now you have heard of someone using Critical Defense in 32 h&r mag -- me..

I carry it daily in my S&W 431PD.

I haven't found the 327 version in a LGS yet, but the h&r version has been around for a few years.

I see they are using the 80 grain FTX. I bet recoil won’t be too bad. I’ll have to try some.

I'm interested in this product in .32 h&r magnum.

never owned a gun in or shot 327 federal magnum. what's it like? similar to .357 magnum or less than?

somethingbenign said:

I was referencing the 32 NAA not the 32 H&R. That's what I carry in my LCR currently but will switch to the 327 most likely. I checked and Midway has it listed as "coming soon" so it must just have been announced. Anyone know how long Hornady normally takes between announcement to products hitting shelves.

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I also carry an LCR 327 sometimes.

I've been carrying the 85 gr Hydra Shok 327 Federal round. A little easier to shoot than the 327 Gold Dot.

The Hydra Shok has done really well in Gel tests -- and in Paul Harrell's meat test.

Not sure I'd change to CD 327, but I'll check it out when I can lay my hands on it.

somethingbenign said:

Hornady already makes it in the same 80gr bullet.

Recoil is less than 38 in my opinion, louder than 357, energy between 38 and 357. Holds six rounds in the same cylinder size that would otherwise hold five 357/38/9mm. I would warn against shooting indoors with sinus pressure because the blast hits like a rifle round under the right conditions.

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Also hot 327 is in "super magnum" relm for 32 cal., supposely 327 fed mag is a "super magnum" cartridge, YMMV.

I question if this bullet will hold up to .327 velocities as it is the same bullet that they're using in the .32 H&R Critical Defense.

With many hollow point designs, when you drive them to higher velocities they expand more, penetrate less and then at a certain point, when you drive them to even higher velocities petals are sheering off the bullet. Critical Defense has limited expansion, so as you drive it to higher velocities you get deeper penetration. I'm not saying that it is impossible to drive a Critical Defense round to the point where it comes apart but the design is less likely to come apart than other hollow point designs.

I'm not counting the copper jacket petals which almost always come off of the Critical Defense rounds.

jhb said:

never owned a gun in or shot 327 federal magnum. what's it like? similar to .357 magnum or less than?

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Full power 327 Federal has about 70-80%% of the recoil of a full power 357 mag, and about twice the recoil of a 38 Special.

The 357 Magnum 125 grain bullet at 1450 fps produces 583 ft lbs of energy. The 327 Federal 100 grain bullet at 1500 fps produces 500 ft lbs of energy in guns with the same barrel length (4").

Here's a recent article on a Ruger SP101 is 327 Federal;
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/ruger-sp101-revolver-327-federal-magnum-review/369761

there's a gun forum member by the name of 5pins that does good work with ballistic gel testing. I'd like to see this round and the .32 H&R Magnum tested from a snubby.

silvermane_1 said:

Also hot 327 is in "super magnum" relm for 32 cal., supposely 327 fed mag is a "super magnum" cartridge, YMMV.

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I think thats only because there was already a “magnum” in that family of cartridges.

somethingbenign said:

I was referencing the 32 NAA not the 32 H&R. That's what I carry in my LCR currently but will switch to the 327 most likely. I checked and Midway has it listed as "coming soon" so it must just have been announced. Anyone know how long Hornady normally takes between announcement to products hitting shelves.

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Know that 32 H&R isn't too bad without ear protection, while 327 Federal Magnum is not something for the street without loading down to subsonic. I could say the same for 357 magnum, but 327 is at a frequency all its own.