327 and it's untapped potential...

KarateHottie93 said:

This round deserves so much better. I used to think it would at least achieve the cult following that 10mm had a decade ago. Instead, I walk into my LGS and ask if they still get any in...nope, not one box of 327 for about a year now.

I just don't get why it never took off. This isn't 45 GAP we're talking about. This is three hundred and twenty seven magnums worth of greatness. Imagine how many of those you could stick in an N frame.

I get it's a small caliber, but is it really THAT small? Personally I'd trust my life with it as much as any handgun cartridge. This round needs to make something of itself.

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The shooting public can be a fickle bunch. Often something that "seems" like a great idea just never takes off. The .38 Super was one. For a while there was a LOT of nice 1911's coming in from Mexico in that caliber. Ammo was always hard to find and when you did all you found was the FMJ load. Round had some real potential but never a following. The 10mm was another. All but died and then made a huge come back. So who knows. One day this one may also.

I think the .327 makes more sense in a larger/longer gun. Its a blasty and loud round out of a snub nose. I liked my .327s, but i was never able to find enough ammo to really get a feel for it. I did find it a bit more obnoxious than .38+p and probably on par with .357 158gr standard pressure out of a revolver.

I think it would make a great rifle round. Its a shape there is only one lever gun I can think of that is chambered for it.

Most shops don’t have much ammo right now regardless of caliber.

I think it’s a lot more popular than you think it is.

I also think that most folks that are into it roll their own.

Fiv3r said:

I think the .327 makes more sense in a larger/longer gun. ...
I think it would make a great rifle round. ...

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This.

I have always thought the .327 would make for an excellent .32-20 revolver/lever pair "upgrade".

Although an N-Frame cylinder chock full of .327s does sound interesting.

I have been reading a lot of reviews and test results on the 327 in the last 6 months and it has gotten my attention. From what I read the 327 and 32 H&R Mag are quite capable little rounds. Of course no revolvers in either cartridge to be had in the last few months.

The .357 Magnum is more readily available, and revolvers chambered for it can also fire the .38 Special. Couple that with a Ruger Blackhawk with 9 mm cylinder and you have one revolver where some type of ammunition can be found anywhere in the world. And the .357 Magnum can be had with much heavier bullets.

In short, in the .357 Magnum is a revolver that can do anything a .32 can do, and better.

An N-Framed .327? Sort of defeats the purpose of the little .32 cartridge.


Bob Wright

12Bravo20 said:

I have been reading a lot of reviews and test results on the 327 in the last 6 months and it has gotten my attention. From what I read the 327 and 32 H&R Mag are quite capable little rounds. Of course no revolvers in either cartridge to be had in the last few months.

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There are, and there is interest. I have one listed both here and on armslist that is likely overpriced but it is listed with 18 boxes of ammunition and the ammo is worth more than the gun itself. I have had some seriously tempting trade offers on it and the offer yesterday of a nice Chiappa Rhino would do it if I would not have to drive 2 hours to the halfway point between me and the other guy. I have also had offers on it if I would ship it but I just don’t want to. I have been watching prices for a couple months to try to understand the market and price mine at the top of the spectrum so that I could take an offer in the area of what I actually want. There are other males and models out there that I have been watching as well and ammo being sold 4 boxes at a time pretty regularly.

327fm does seem to shine in longer barrels, particularly in the single seven or the gp100 offerings. I do think that the gp100 is awfully heavy for what it is, but that’s the gun with the right action and right barrel length. I do wish other makers would have jumped in though, an L frame 327 would be great.

I'll eventually find one local to me. It is a want and not a need right now.

BobWright said:

The .357 Magnum is more readily available, and revolvers chambered for it can also fire the .38 Special. Couple that with a Ruger Blackhawk with 9 mm cylinder and you have one revolver where some type of ammunition can be found anywhere in the world. And the .357 Magnum can be had with much heavier bullets.

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To the point of ammo being found, nearly all 32 ammo can be safely fired through a 327fm. From shortest to longest, 32acp (semi-rimmed) 32sw, 32swl, 32 H&R mag, 327federal magnum, and that’s without having to swap cylinders or anything. So far I have not had trouble finding a box of something to shoot through mine, although I have not shot mine a whole lot, I do notice what ammo is available when I’m looking for 32swl for my other guns.

I'm glad I got into 327's and ammo is no problem as I do reload. I started out with an SP101 3" and then got a Taurus just for kicks. Then I got serious and picked up my Single Seven and 632-2 Pro. The S&W is now my most pocket carried 6 shooter.View media item 3185View media item 3181

KarateHottie93 said:

This round deserves so much better. I used to think it would at least achieve the cult following that 10mm had a decade ago. Instead, I walk into my LGS and ask if they still get any in...nope, not one box of 327 for about a year now.

I just don't get why it never took off. This isn't 45 GAP we're talking about. This is three hundred and twenty seven magnums worth of greatness. Imagine how many of those you could stick in an N frame.

I get it's a small caliber, but is it really THAT small? Personally I'd trust my life with it as much as any handgun cartridge. This round needs to make something of itself.

Edit: Honestly though, if it was simply readily available and advertised, I think it would be much more popular. Even when it was new, I never once saw an FFL recommend it with all the 38 +P guns around. Ammo price also plays a role I'm sure.

Many people getting a revolver would probably be sold on that extra capacity though. It's amazing how much better +1 can sound to some when your typical carry revolver magazine caps out at five or six.

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KarateHottie93 said:

This round deserves so much better. I used to think it would at least achieve the cult following that 10mm had a decade ago. Instead, I walk into my LGS and ask if they still get any in...nope, not one box of 327 for about a year now.

I just don't get why it never took off. This isn't 45 GAP we're talking about. This is three hundred and twenty seven magnums worth of greatness. Imagine how many of those you could stick in an N frame.

I get it's a small caliber, but is it really THAT small? Personally I'd trust my life with it as much as any handgun cartridge. This round needs to make something of itself.

Edit: Honestly though, if it was simply readily available and advertised, I think it would be much more popular. Even when it was new, I never once saw an FFL recommend it with all the 38 +P guns around. Ammo price also plays a role I'm sure.

Many people getting a revolver would probably be sold on that extra capacity though. It's amazing how much better +1 can sound to some when your typical carry revolver magazine caps out at five or six.

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Lotsa LCR snubs out there loaded with .32 HR Magnum, which is plenty for a snub.

I wouldn't mess with the .327 with anything short of about a 5" barrel, myself.

dickydalton said:

632-2 Pro.

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Is that a 32 mag or a 327fm? I wasn’t aware of any S&W guns chambered in .327fm.

I'm an early convert to this round. Back when ammo was scarce and Starline was just starting to push reasonable amounts of brass out, load data was lacking but it still sucked me in for some reason. I was thrilled to get that first 100 pcs of Starline from someone (probably on here at THR) that bought a good bit, then found 500 pcs for myself within the next couple months and was set!

This was definitely a reloader/handloaders cartridge then and I think it still is considered so. There's way more data available now vs. then and still an ok selection of revolvers out there. If you're looking for factory 327 you're likely going to have to place an order for it, you may find it locally but who knows if it will be what you're looking for. But, the flexibility mentioned means that you'll find something at the LGS that will work out of the other cartridges listed if you just want to put something through it.

Regarding using it in a defense role, if you're comfortable carrying a 38 special +P, you should be good with this one. And the extra round in the same size gun vs the 38 special is a plus.

The typical 2 inches or so common with carry revolvers isn't it though, agree a little more barrel is needed. A 3" SP101 seems like one of the better available choices, 4 inches even more so if you are comfortable carrying it. That's pushing it for a lot of folks. The port on the 3" 632's is just as blasty as the 2" Taurus to me, they're good looking guns though.

WestKentucky said:

Is that a 32 mag or a 327fm? I wasn’t aware of any S&W guns chambered in .327fm.

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327 Federal mag, only made for 2 years, 632-2 non-ported 2 1/8" barrel.

Kleanbore said:

I wouldn't want to fire one in the house.

I keep my very compact six shot Kimber K6S loaded with .36 Specials.

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When I carry my K6S it has the 38 Federal 130 grain micro HST's in it.

I have the SW SS ported version with the hammer. It's my favorite revolver. It is a handful with full power 327. Quite the boom and significant recoil. Nice and compact. Funny, I shoot it in matches as outlaw and usually shoot 32 SW Longs as they are mild. However, they have a hard time knocking down steel. So I'll plan out a few 327s when I get to the steel poppers. When I shot one the first time, the SO jumped as he thought the gun blew up.

It’s hard to gauge the current popularity of the round as I (and we...the general public) don’t have access to sales numbers of guns manufactured in the cal. If the sheer number of current models available in the .327 is any indication, the round seems to be experiencing somewhat of a resurgence.

With Henry introducing the first rifle in the caliber it filled a void many of us were clamoring for Marlin to fill. As mentioned by others, the round is probably best suited for longer barrels and there are choices out there now which weren’t available at its inception.

As a straight walled case it’s a low maintenance round to reload. It’s also become much easier to find hard cast heavy for caliber bullets (although jacketed is still lagging behind).

I too was an early adopter of the .327 FM and I’m glad I was. It’s a round that makes me smile every time I pull the trigger, regardless of which gun it’s in.

I wouldn't want to fire one in the house.

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Good advice...The 327 mag is a great little round but it is loud and stout out of small guns. I like it and appreciate it for what it is and been shooting it for quite a while. I reload so ammo's not a problem...Starline brass w/Missouri, Meister or Hunters Supply bullets. Range time with the SP 101 or Single Seven is fun but out of the LCR not fun...will spank your hand.
I pocket carry the LCR but loaded with Hornady Critical Defense in 32 H&R...better trigger and one more round than the Smith 432PC in 32 H&R.

I only shoot a few 32 HR mags in them I just load the 327's with lighter loads because the shorter 32's do make the chambers dirty fast. Way more than my 357's and 44's do with 38's and specials. My favorite load right now is Hi-Tek Coated 100 grain bullets from Badman Bullets over 9 grains of 2400. I haven't chronoed them yet but they are accurate at 25 yards. The chambers in the S&W 632 are way tighter than the Rugers. Empties from the Rugers won't go in the Smith all the way. The SP 101 even seems to spit crap back a bit with some factory loads.

Interesting about the comments saying it is better in longer barrels.

Historically, it was introduced in a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel.

I have to agree that out of all the handgun calibers available, the .327 is the most underrated and underappreciated simply because it's a .32 and the preconceived notions that all .32's are incapable of being useful for self defense. The lack of ammo availability doesn't help, people would rather pay the same price for .38 or pay less for .22 figuring that .22 and .32 are about equal.

The .327 loaded to full power in a snub is not pleasant to shoot, but I've looked at and plan to try some handloads that in the Lyman manual say are going 1100 to 1200 fps from a 3" barrel. 1100-1200 is significantly faster than what .32 H&R Mag can do and if .32 Mag is considered adequate for self defense then there's nothing wrong with .327 that's been downloaded for use in a snub.

It's great and all that .327 can go up to 45k PSI, but really that's overkill for the caliber in a handgun. Great in a rifle tho.

It's going to take time for the industry to recognize that .32 revolvers are getting more popular and I thank Lucky Gunner for the videos they did to highlight how practical .32 cal mouse guns are for conceal carry, specifically the .32 revolvers.

I called Berry's last week to ask them about making bullets specifically for .32 revolvers and was told they did make a wadcutter years ago, but the demand wasn't there.Of course that was back during the recession and after Sandy Hook and the gun apocalypse, so that was not a good period to gauge true demand for a less than common caliber, also there was a period where nobody other than Charter was making a .32 revolver.

I told them the market is much different in 2020 than when it was in almost 10 years ago and the excuse of low demand doesn't make sense to me when Berry's is making bullets for 9x18 Mak and .41 Magnum.

dickydalton said:

I only shoot a few 32 HR mags in them I just load the 327's with lighter loads because the shorter 32's do make the chambers dirty fast. Way more than my 357's and 44's do with 38's and specials. My favorite load right now is Hi-Tek Coated 100 grain bullets from Badman Bullets over 9 grains of 2400. I haven't chronoed them yet but they are accurate at 25 yards. The chambers in the S&W 632 are way tighter than the Rugers. Empties from the Rugers won't go in the Smith all the way. The SP 101 even seems to spit crap back a bit with some factory loads.

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What size are the throats on that 632, if you don't mind me asking?

Fiv3r said:

I think it would make a great rifle round.

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I'd like a longer barreled revolver in 327. Maybe a 8.5" bbl 8 shot Redhawk? Blackhawk?