327 Federal vs 44 special

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nonseven

nonseven

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I've got a S&W nightguard 44 special (2 1/2" barrel), and a S&W 327 federal Pro series J frame with a 3" barrel, with expansion port/compensator.

I love both of them, and am equally accurate with either one. Both of them are similar weight and I can comfortably conceal carry either one. It's one extreme to the other, small light fast bullet vs. large heavy slow bullet.
The 44 is 5 shot, the 327 is 6 shot.

Question: If you only had access to one of these guns, both with equal supplies of ammunition, which one would you carry?

Note: I don't want other caliber suggestions, i.e, 357 mag is arguably more versatle than either one, but you are forced to choose between the 327 and the 44.

Which one?
 
I love the .327 but IMHO it belongs in a sporting sixgun like the Single Six with a longer barrel. So my choice would be the .44Spl. For self defense, I'll take big and slow every time. The sharp crack of the .327 (and .357 for that matter) are enough for me to disregard them for self defense.
 
The 44 is certainly more effective as a man stopper, but the 327 has more versatility.

You can shoot 32 short, 32 long and 32 H&R magnum in it along with the standard 327 federal stuff.

Taking that into account the 327 still makes a better field carry piece than it dose a street carry piece in my opinion.
 
but the 327 has more versatility.

You can shoot 32 short, 32 long and 32 H&R magnum in it along with the standard 327 federal stuff.
Click to expand...

.44 Mag, .44 Special, .44 Russian ... the .327 has it by one cartridge. But if you can point out the value in being able to chose between .32 short and .32 long, you're a more developed revolver shooter than I am! ;)
 
Sam1911 said it before I could,....spooky,...but precisely the same thought.

I would guess the logic to dispute that would be if the .327 is in a J frame sized 6 shot package,...then maybe....but in anything K frame sized and up,...I still prefer the .44 Special round itself over the .327.....(and I AM a .32 H&R Magnum fan!)
 
For well over a hundred years, bigger has almost always been better when it comes to SD cartridges. A .32 beats a .22, all else being equal. A .44 certainly beats a .32, no matter what you call it. Unless you're defending against squirrels and such.
 
"For well over a hundred years, bigger has almost always been better when it comes to SD cartridges."

I would say that the .357 would put a crimp into that argument. I will buck the trend here and take the.327. 100 gr. at 1500 fps is nothing to sneeze at in a j frame size gun. I have seen some pretty impressive penetration numbers for the .327. Just my 2 cents.
 
I bet the 44spl would be less likely to damage your hearing should you have to shoot it inside without hearing protection. Otherwise, which gun can you shoo the best? If you can shoot either equally well then go for the 44spl.
 
I've been looking at the .327 as a maybe for concealed carry. The Charter Arms Patriot is easier to conceal than the 9mm I've been eyeballing.

The ballistics look nic on paper. You can get 11 - 14 inches of penetration from an 85gr hollow point. Plus the velocity is close to 9mm numbers for the 115gr hollow point.

However the bullet only expands to around .43". That is about .2" smaller than a 9mm or .40. I don't know if I trust a bullet that small to get the job done.
 
Well, I carry a Ruger sp101 in .327 fed mag so I am kind of biased. I would rather have a heavier, larger, slower and less noise producing bullet, but the .44 special guns that I have seen have much wider cylinders than my Ruger, and they only have 5 shots compared to the 6. My vote would be for the .327 federal.

All in all, for a bedside gun, the larger slower bullet gets the nod, but for carry I have to go with the slimmer revolver that has one extra round and shoots a powerful round.
 
I'm not sure what frame size the 44 is, but I'll bet it's an N frame.
I have small hands & shoot MUCH better from smaller guns.

So I guess that means I'd take the 327.

I know, I know Duke would probably be ashamed.
 
I have a 5-shot, .44 Special that is only slightly larger then a similar S&W model 10 snubby. I love it dearly. When you have a short barrel that doesn't generate a lot of velocity, a big bullet is better.

Now if you go to a larger revolver with a longer barrel the .327 Magnum can have charms, as it is the ballistic equivalent of a .30 M1 Carbine when that cartridge is used in a handgun. In a woods gun it takes the place of the old .32-20 and gives back loose change.

However I will also point out that a smaller bullet which hits and disables a vital organ will stop an altercation faster then a big one that doesn’t. Bullet placement is more important then bullet caliber.
 
I'm not really gonna choose...both are good calibers.

But I am a convert on what the 327 is capable of. I bought a Taurus model 327 for my Dad to carry hiking (its small, light, and relatively inexpensive....good for the purpose and he's not worried about bears, just people)

Its a fine round for use on 2 legged predators...but it is LOUD.
 
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