About ready to pick up a 327

[somethingbenign]

So looking for a smaller carry pistol for those times when I can't carry on my waist for one reason or another. Started of expecting to take home a LCP or something but on a whim I asked to put a LCR in my pocket to test the fit. Very impressed.

Now for me to be comfortable in my carry gun I'd like to at least have half a dozen rounds available. That brings me to the 327 but I don't really know anything about it but it is a screamer and gets up to the power levels of 357. What else should I know before I pick one up? Are the 32 H&R rounds viable defense rounds? Is there anyway to get moon clips to work in a LCR? This would be my first wheelgun so any advice for them in general would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note I hear Henry has a rifle in 327 as well. How does the caliber do out of those longer barrels? What can you hunt with them?

 

[SteadyD]

For 327, I like the 85 grain 327 Federal Hydra Shok low recoil rounds. It is quite manageable, something akin to a +p 38 in terms of recoil (at least in my opinion). The 85 grain American Eagle soft point is its approximate ballistic equal for practice. I don’t think I would personally enjoy shooting many 100 grain 327 loads in the LCR. Just be warned that all of the 327 loads, including the Hydra Shok, are LOUD.

I typically carry mine with 32 H&R Magnums. Either the HSM XTP load (I buy them from PSA) or Hornady Critical Defense. After discussing it with Varminterror and doing some research, it would appear 32 H&R will provide better penetration than a 380, and that seems ok to me, but perhaps not to others. Best of luck. It’s hard to find much out there on the 327 and 32 H&R. I feel like these two cartridges deserve much more attention than they receive.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Solid under appreciate round!

 

[bluetopper]

I wish a 327 Mag was manufactured in a double action 6 inch barrel with adjustable target sights platform. Like in a K frame S&W.

 

[TTv2]

.32 H&R is viable, if loaded to its max it has 9mm power. The only reason it fell out of favor 30 years ago was the ammo manufacturers were loading their .32 H&R very weak because H&R/NEF's .32 Mag revolvers were pieces of crap that couldn't take the max .32 Mag loads.

The only factory .32 H&R Mag that I know have good power is the Buffalo Bore and Hornady Critical Defense. Don't bother with Federal, their .32 Mag is like their 10mm Auto: expensive and weak. Given that you're looking at .327, I think you should start to consider reloading. It's pretty much a necessity if you want to shoot it more than once a year and not break the bank.

Henry .327 is great, just a bit too big for the cartridge. I mean, this is the same frame that shoots .44 Magnum. I have no doubts that with a 125 grain bullet out of the 20 inch barrel it will hit 2000 fps. Within 150 yards, deer are the largest game it can effectively hunt. Could probably kill a moose with a headshot out to 50 yards.

That's pushing the .327 to it's limit though, I think where a .327 Henry really shines is loaded to .32-20 levels of 1000 fps with a 90-100 grain bullet. Great for small to medium game. Accurate too as it shoots very flat.

Don't know what to recommend to you for the .327 revolver. The LCR is for CCW only, the Single Seven is limited to plinking and open carrying in the field, the SP101 has the standard Shoddy Poor 101 pound trigger, the GP100's are dumb when you can get them with 7 round cylinders in .357 now. I've been waiting for the 3 inch LCRx to come out in .327 before I finally made a purchase, but Ruger seems hesitant to make them. I would say if you're willing to spend the money on a trigger job, go with the SP101. It's the perfect size for the .327.

 

[Alte Schule]

I liked the DA only LCR .327 but it was difficult for me to get accurate follow up shots when using .327 and .32 H&R. .32 S&W Long was a decent practice round but, IMO, a little anemic for self defense. I carried the LCR with full loads for awhile but finally realized that it just wasn't a good fit for me.
I bought the DA/SA 3" SP 101 in .327 a few months ago. The larger frame and Hogue grips really make a difference but the trigger isn't where I would like it to be but that can be (hopefully) fixed. I find the Buffalo Bore .32 H&R + P 100 gr JHP and Federal .327 85 gr Personal Defense Low Recoil JHP more than adequate for this old dude but I need some more practice time before I make a decision on placing the SP 101 in my EDC rotation.
Finding decent ammo on line can be challenging and the prices, IMO, are a little inflated. Agree that both the .32 H&R and the .327 are underappreciated.

 

[somethingbenign]

I'm definitely tempted by a SP 101 and don't find the trigger atrocious, don't mind a trigger job though either just a matter of allocating resources. The LCR for CC is just the practical argument to myself since I'll use that more than a field/woods gun at the moment. I'm working towards reloading and I hear the 327 is a dream caliber for reloaders, what sparked my interest in the first place.
Would you expect excessive damage to the fur of a coyote with a 32 cal bullet?

 

[TTv2]

I'm definitely tempted by a SP 101 and don't find the trigger atrocious, don't mind a trigger job though either just a matter of allocating resources. The LCR for CC is just the practical argument to myself since I'll use that more than a field/woods gun at the moment. I'm working towards reloading and I hear the 327 is a dream caliber for reloaders, what sparked my interest in the first place.
Would you expect excessive damage to the fur of a coyote with a 32 cal bullet?

Can't answer the fur to a coyote question, but my opinion is it will be damaged less than a .357 would. The real diameter of the .327 is .313", quite a bit smaller than .38/.357.

I hear you on the LCR for CC. Hard to beat that for the weight and trigger. Ruger makes a 2 inch LCRx in .327, so if you want that light SA pull, you have it available. Been thinking about getting that myself, but I feel the 3 inch LCRx would be a better all around .327 revolver.

.327 and .45 Colt are what got me into reloading. You may only do it for a few hours on the weekend, but reloading is great when you have the time.

 

[somethingbenign]

If Ruger made a shrouded hammer like S&W does for their carry revolver I would have walked out of the store that day with one. I'd rather get a LCRx for the better sights too. Just not convinced for carry that hammer will work how I want.

 

[ThomasT]

Are the 32 H&R rounds viable defense rounds? Is there anyway to get moon clips to work in a LCR? This would be my first wheelgun so any advice for them in general would be greatly appreciated.

People have been using 32s for SD since the late 1800s. It was an extremely popular round for that role. Was it a barn burner. Nope, no way but it did the job. I don't have a 327 but I have several 32 mag guns including a Marlin 1894CB in 32 mag. i don't think I would like the extra blast of the 327. If I need more power than the 32 mag provides I would just go up to the 357. The extra round doesn't mean much to me.

Here is a good read. Jump to the last paragraph. http://www.gunblast.com/WBell_SW32s.htm

 

[TTv2]

People have been using 32s for SD since the late 1800s. It was an extremely popular round for that role. Was it a barn burner. Nope, no way but it did the job. I don't have a 327 but I have several 32 mag guns including a Marlin 1894CB in 32 mag. i don't think I would like the extra blast of the 327. If I need more power than the 32 mag provides I would just go up to the 357. The extra round doesn't mean much to me.

Here is a good read. Jump to the last paragraph. http://www.gunblast.com/WBell_SW32s.htm

I generally agree here, but the .327 is like 4 wheel drive on a truck that you never take off paved roads: nice to have, but you don't have to use it all the time. .32 H&R, so long as it's good ammo that's not loaded down will work fine.

 

[SteadyD]

Georgia Arms has a 100 grain 32 H&R that recoils about like the 85 grain 327 Federal Hydra Shok. I’ve no idea how effective the hollow point is, nor any of its ballistic properties from a snub nose barrel, but it certainly feels hotter than any other 32 H&R round I’ve shot so far.

Given that I typically step down from the 327 to a 32 H&R in order to mitigate recoil I think I would skip it, but I wanted to mention it given the lack of factory loads available. Black Hills also loads an XTP 32 H&R, though I personally found the HSM load to be more accurate in both of my LCRs and more affordable to boot.

 

[khari]

The LCR in .327 is the one I grab most often for CCW. Hydra Shoks are what I carry most.

I wish a 327 Mag was manufactured in a double action 6 inch barrel with adjustable target sights platform. Like in a K frame S&W.

Lipsey's site shows 2-6inch GP100s with adjustable sights in .327FM

 

[Armybrat]

My new 3" SP in .327 is a very nice compact 6 shot hand cannon... (added Altamont "snakeskin" patter grip panels):

 

[Armybrat]

I wish a 327 Mag was manufactured in a double action 6 inch barrel with adjustable target sights platform. Like in a K frame S&W.

As Khari mentioned, Ruger makes one in that configuration :

https://ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1764.html

They also make it with 2.5", 4.2", & 5 " barrels - the latter in blue with half lug barrel.
All are 7 shots.

 

[Tallball]

"Agree that both the .32 H&R and the .327 are underappreciated."

Me too. I got the 4.2" SP101 in 327 when they first came out. The trigger is terrible. I'm paying to get trigger jobs on two handguns this summer. It will definitely be one of them.

 

[TTv2]

"Agree that both the .32 H&R and the .327 are underappreciated."

Me too. I got the 4.2" SP101 in 327 when they first came out. The trigger is terrible. I'm paying to get trigger jobs on two handguns this summer. It will definitely be one of them.

I want a detailed report on how much the trigger improved and if it's worth buying a .327 SP and paying for a trigger job on top of it.

 

[Tallball]

"I want a detailed report on how much the trigger improved and if it's worth buying a .327 SP and paying for a trigger job on top of it."

I'll be happy to do so. I was going to take a different handgun to the smith first, but since you asked, I'll take the Ruger in first. I have a doctor's appointment near the gunsmith tomorrow morning, so I'll take it to him then. I'll start a thread as soon as I get it back and take it to the range.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the .327 Magnum would shine in a Carbine with a SA revolver companion.

It never got popular because ammo was never readily available. For the first year or two factory ammo was just not available. Nothing will kill a new cartridge than no ammo available. I also feel Ruger introduced it in the wrong platform.

 

[ThomasT]

Ask and ye shall receive. https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/henry-big-boy-steel/

They have several versions in 327 mag.

 

[somethingbenign]

A bunch of great information and thanks for that guys. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is being able to convert a revolver to using moon clips. I assume this is something I'll have to get a smith involved in but I'm not even sure if that is even possible as I'm extremely new to wheelguns. Of course after all this I'm getting tempted to hold off on a LCR and save for a SP 101 or even a GP 100 not that I'd have a practical use for the GP outside the range with my current lifestyle.

 

[SwampWolf]

Now for me to be comfortable in my carry gun I'd like to at least have half a dozen rounds available.

This is probably one of the best reasons for opting for the .327 Magnum cartridge over a similar sized revolver chambered in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. And, imo, anything much larger or heavier than an LCR is too big and/or too heavy for an "ideal" concealed carry gun that is being toted in the pocket or in an iwb holster or some other "deep cover" area. Finally, I prefer my edc, concealed revolver to not have an exposed hammer.