Opinions on Charter Patriot Target .327M sought

[Stainz]

I liked my .32's, a 4" SP101 & BHG SSM in .32 H&RM, of a few years back. What I didn't care for was the cheesy windage only adj rear sight on the SP101 & fixed sights on the SSM - among other things. Anyone have experience with the relatively new Charter revolver? It has a 4" 'target' barrel and fully adjustable rear sight. Thanks!

Stainz

 

[MMCSRET]

I bought one early in 2009, have been casting Lyman 311316, 115 gr. gas checked boolit and loading over a healthy charge of A#9. Well over a thousand rounds of that 327 and about a thousand rounds of hand loaded 32 Magnum in about 28 months. Good gun, have had no problems other than the screws shooting loose, but that happens on my Rugers and Smiffs too. The front sight is integral with the barrel, stainless and needs some color or it disappears in bright light. Good gun, I'm very satisfied with it. Incidentally; I bought it for all the reasons that you mentioned were found on the other 327 offerings at the time, short barrel and fixed sights, I wanted and got the adjustable sights and the longest barrel on the market at the time. Go to the CA website and buy the 19.95 holster, it is worth much more than that and fits the gun very well.
Last problem; the CA Target Patriot is out of production, you'll have to look to find one in old stock or used.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Don't forget about the GP100 version, much better sights than either the SP101 or Charter, though it is a larger gun.

 

[MMCSRET]

A question for someone in the know; does the GP-100 in 327 come in a blue, 4" configuration?

 

[Chuck Perry]

Nope, there is only a single GP available in 327, stainless 4". Really wish they would do a 6".

 

[David E]

Doubt they'll make any .327 much longer.

 

[MMCSRET]

The Black hawk is available with a longer barrel.

 

[David E]

Let me rephrase: I doubt that Ruger will chamber any gun in .327 in the near future.

If you want one, buy it now.

 

[Stainz]

S&W announced the 632 Pro, a 2 1/8" internal hammer .327 Magnum nearly a year and a half before they would be able to start shipping them last month. I began calling S&W re their expected delivery only to be constantly put off. Well, it's here - I've had mine for a month now.



Note the tritium 'Night Sights' front and rear - and the absence of the IL! The wood grips are '60 Pro' grips, $43 extras from S&W. It hits pretty much coincident POA/POI at 7-12 yd with Speer 115gr Gold Dots in .327 Magnum. It's about 1.5-2" low with 85gr American SP's and Fed JHP's (Hydra Shok's)alike at those distances. My wimpy 96gr LRNFP .32 S&WL's hit 2.5" low. All sighting was with the NS orbs lined up, the front orb over, ie, coaxial, to the bullseye. Good enough accuracy for a CCW for 'close support' - not a target gun, to be sure. I was able to ping the SPC plates reliably at 10-15 yd with the .32 S&WL homebrews, however. HKS #32-J speedloaders, leftover from my SP101 days, work great.

I mention my new S&W to illustrate a counterpoint - S&W considers the .327 Magnum round to be viable. After all, it took two decades for the .32 H&RM to die... and then it begot the Zombie .32 round - the .327 Magnum. The little S&W 632 Pro is a neat package - and as costly as most newer production S&W. My cost - with s/t and a couple percent for using a check card (My bad - I was too lazy to drive home for the checkbook.) Was $700 - pretty steep - but it culminated 18 months of lust.

Stainz

 

[Triggernosis]

If S&W would just make a 3" or 4" version w/ adjustable sights they'd have a winner!

 

[David E]

They do, a 3" power-ported model that costs nearly $1000

 

[oldfool]

I think a S&W 6" k-frame just might be the cat's whiskers, and some others maybe do too. Ham Bowen has apparently done one. Ain't holding my breath though. Maybe a good thing, re: budget strain.

32 H&R strikes me as boost enough for a snubbie class gun in 32 caliber; 327 just seems to me a tad much for 2-3" barrels (like the 357). But J-size seems to be what the marketeers are set on, other than the Blackhawk.

I believe David. I wouldn't bet on anybody bringing out more 327s, Ruger or other.