.327 Federal Magnum

[cstarr3]

I've got the California Blues

So, false alarm... After further inspection, it looks like my collection will still be short a .327 Federal Magnum. You see, I live in K alifornistan, and all new guns being sold here have to be on a list of approved firearms. Getting a gun on this list takes a lot of money, and even a superficial difference in a model (e.g. brushed stainless vs. polished stainless) requires each version to be drop tested a number of times that makes even DMV bureaucrats scratch their heads in bewilderment. Essentially, it is an institutionalized bribe payment.

Anyway, I did some looking around and neither of the two guns on the list are in production. They were the 4.2" GP100 and the 3.06" SP101. None of the currently produced .327 Mags are on the roster. :banghead:

The guys at the gun store say that sometimes when a manufacturer puts an item back on the list that means the gun might be going back into production. But the license ends in January 2016, so I'm not holding my breath on that one. However, hope springs eternal. If I could get the 4.2" bbl GP100, that would be awesome.

When the .327 Mags were originally produced, I wanted one quite bad. But finding one was like finding Bigfoot. Everybody knew somebody who knew somebody who owned, shot or had seen one. There were pictures and videos on the internet. Many people claimed to have seen or shot one themselves, and were now firm believers in the caliber. I even saw .327 ammo on the LGS's shelves. But no gun store could ever find me one, and I have never seen one with my own eyes before. I guess it will stay that way for a while yet.

Thanks for all the posts, pictures, comments, etc. Maybe somebody at Ruger will find discussions like this thread and take a hint.

 

[Ed Ames]

You may find a used one.

I had exactly the same experience with the first release of the .327. Saw plenty of ammo but never saw a gun.

When the single seven was released I ordered one. Then I saw a 4" sp101 in a store. Then, more amazing, I saw a New/Old Stock 3" Sp-101 for $450.

The 3" was obviously completely new, down to the unmarked yellow disc behind the cylinder to show it is unloaded. So I bought it...and had a "guess I didn't really inspect that closely" moment when I realized it didn't have a firing pin. Ruger took care of it, but even better the store was embarrassed enough that I walked away with a $50 discount and 2 boxes of factory ammo. Not complaining.

I am still getting used to them (less than 250rds fired through the two guns) but they are both keepers. Had I known I would find the sp101 I would have bought the 7" single seven but that's my only "regret".

 

[Saleen322]

This is one of my favorite moderate-heavier loads. 113 cast gas check that does 1626 fps from the Blackhawk and 1559 fps from the GP100. That is about 663 and 610 ft/lbs of energy respectively. It will group under 2" @ 25 yards as well. The 327 is good round with respectable power.

 

[JustsayMo]

That load is scooting right along Saleen. Impressive. Have you used other powders? I may just have to keep my eye out for some AA9. With Lil'Gun and a 115 grain Cast bullet gets me into the 1400+ fps with the 5.5" Single Seven which is about the same velocity I run that same bullet in my 32-20 Marlin 1894 using Unique.

 

[HexHead]

Has anyone tried .32 S&W shorts in their .327?

 

[JustsayMo]

Has anyone tried .32 S&W shorts in their .327?

I have. They shot surprisingly well at least to ten yards - I didn't try them beyond that. The point of impact at that range was just a little lower than the 327 loads so it could be useful as a vermin and plinking load. I prefer using the S&W longs just because they are easier to handle and reload.

I didn't chronograph but based on load data and the sounds of the report and impact of the round on the target board I'd guess it's only going 5-600 fps. It did pass through 7/16" OSB. I'm not certain it would make it through a 2x4.

Probably too light for most game. With 30 caliber and below I prefer a load that gets over 800 fps for the small game I hunt and at least 1,000 fps for Coyotes.

 

[dragon813gt]

I have two Single 7s and a SP101. The trigger on the SP101 is horrendous. The geometry of the pull in general is part of the issue. I'm sure it will smooth out over time but it is really bad out of the box. I prefer the Single 7s. Their shortcoming is the short cylinder. You can load heavyweight bullets but they need to be seated deep.

I love the round in general. It packs quite a punch. And is more controllable and comfortable to shoot compared to a 357. It a reloaders round for sure. I currently have eight different molds and am going through the testing phase. All of them have performed. Just like 357 I enjoy that you can download the round or ramp it up to full magnum level.

 

[RJM]

So, is the Single 7 cylinder shorter than the Blackhawks?

 

[SeanSw]

How many rounds of .327 can be stuffed into a k frame? I wish I'd come across a 3" sp101 in this caliber sooner but I am not lusting after one in the lcr just yet.

 

[SlowFuse]

SeanSw my patriot is about the size of a K frame (bulldog frame) but still just holds 6.

 

[Rodentman]

I have the S&W 632:



and the Ruger G100:



I usually shoot 327 Fed out of the Ruger and use 32 H&R Mag out of the Smith. I like the round, and reload them both. No issues with either gun. I dunno why they are discontinued, well I guess not big sellers.....

 

[Saleen322]

Have you used other powders?

I have tried 2400 which seemed a little fast for faster loads given the size of case and H110 which seemed just a little slow. AA9 is the best performer I found so far.

 

[Barry the Bear]

That new lcr would make a neat back up gun, though I'd still probably load with the .32 h&r mag.

 

[bluetopper]

A K frame 6" S&W in 327 would be something I'd have to get.

 

[SwampWolf]

I'm planning on buying a Ruger LCR chambered in .327 Federal Magnum as a ccw revolver as soon as my lgs gets them in. I like the idea of a compact, light-weight revolver carrying six shots of a fairly potent cartridge. I only wish they'd offer it with a 3" barrel but that will probably never happen.

 

[dragon813gt]

So, is the Single 7 cylinder shorter than the Blackhawks?

Yes, because it's built on the smaller frame. It does limit the loads you can develop for it.

 

[ditmo]

Well I'm on the .32 bandwagon. Bought the 32 H&R Vaquerito & SP101 3" many years ago. When the single seven came out I had to have one. Mine's the 5.5" bbl. Then the 4.2" SP101 came out and I got that. Just bought the LCR in 327. I haven't shot any cast in them, but I have tried hornady's 85 & 100 grain bullets with 296. They shoot well. I keep the lead for the .32 H&R. I'm really enjoying the .327 and am waiting for the 3" LCRx to come out.

 

[cfullgraf]

So, is the Single 7 cylinder shorter than the Blackhawks?

The Single Seven cylinder is shorter than the SP101 cylinder.

 

[zb338]

I went out and bought a Ruger Single Seven. The .327 is
a snotty little round and accurate too. I haven't shot anyone
with it, but I killed a lot of steel and paper.

Zeke

 

[W.E.G.]

.32 caliber revolvers have always "spoken" to me - probably from nostalgia from reading articles by beloved gun writers who pre-date the internet.

I've got 4 .32 revolvers, and a .32 autopistol.

That confession out of the way, do any of you REALLY think the .32 is a good idea for a self-defense weapon?

Possibly a REALLY HOT round that would equal a hot .357 in muzzle blast.

Otherwise, I regret to tell you that you are most likely just going to get a .32 caliber hole, and possibly overpenetration if you juice it hard enough.

Until an outfit like Hornady makes a Critical Defense load, you aren't going to get expansion to speak of from your .327 pocket pistol.

Its better than a sharp stick, but there are bigger sticks available for the same money. Once you go blasty super-sonic with the .32, I don't think you've gained anything over the much better-vetted light-bullet .357 performance ammo.

Performance ammo which has been proven to deliver when called upon.

Meanwhile, your non-expanding .32 bullet is great for small game (if you have the need to take a shot at critters with a small handgun).

 

[khari]

I have no concerns whatsoever about .327 Fed Mag as a defense round. The Hydra Shoks and Speer Gold Dots expand nicely.

 

[C0untZer0]

The Critical Defense loads all have limited expansion, that is it to say they expand to a point, the petals fold back, and any velocity past that point results only in deeper penetration.

The Speer Gold Dot on the other hand continues to mushroom out. The Underwood loadings of the Gold Dots end up looking like meteors.

 

[W.E.G.]

Gelatin tests from short-barrel?

 

[C0untZer0]

Brass Fetcher's tests:

Out of a 3" barrel the 327 Magnum Speer 115gr Gold Dot JHP had a muzzle velocity > 1326 fps, (he measured impact velocity 10 feet from the muzzle), penetrated 14.9 inches in bare gel with a recovered diameter of .505

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4801169&highlight=.327#post4801169

You can still get the 115gr Gold Dot at Able Ammo, Bulk Ammo, and Natchez.

 

[W.E.G.]

Thanks for the link.

Has anybody tested these loads by shooting through 4 layers of denim (the "standard" intermediary medium for defensive ammo testing)?

I'm quite sure a .327 would be fatal if delivered anywhere inside the 8-ring.

I'm just trying to figure what it could offer to shooters who already own .357 guns.
Not that a reason is really necessary to buy a new gun.
But if a 115-grain .327 pretty much does the same thing a 125-grain .357 does (especially the muzzle blast from a snubnose), I'm not sure the appeal will be very broad.

Its too bad there's not a good lever-gun companion in this caliber.