Ruger LCR .327

Saw a used one FS at Cabela's this a.m. sitting alongside a used LCRx in .38+p. I have an LCR .38 and love it, and the LCRx is attractive, but I would like to hear from those who have experience with the .327. Do you like the gun in that caliber?

 

I have the magnum frame LCR's in 357 and 327.

I prefer the 32 caliber format for carry and extensive range practice. It offers that sixth round, and the 32 H&R magnum Hornady is my chosen carry load. It has less recoil and muzzle blast for me compared to 38's in the other LCR. It makes range practice accurate and fun instead of painful. My LCR 32 wears the boot grip for pocket carry.

The 327 federal magnum brings more recoil and a lot of muzzle blast and is not enjoyable for me. I can say the same thing about the 357.

Main dislike is a lack of factory loads. The 38 is much more mainstream. I reload to take care of that problem. Starline offers the 32 H&R brass. Lead bullets from casters are available.

32 S&W Long in general seems more available in my region that the 327 or 32 H&R. But the Long has a much longer history by decades, and more guns out there chambered for it. The Long out of the LCR is very tame.

 

It's better than .22 in the LCR and with the right ammo will have much lower recoil than .38 does. If that's what you're looking for go for it.

Don't expect .32 ACP to work.

 

So which LCRs are you considering?

Have you committed to the 2 in stock at you HS, or are you committed to .327 and you’re trying to decided hammer or no?

I guess it probably comes down to how you carry it. If pocket carry is part of your practice, it’s easy I would avoid the hammer. If you’re committed to belt-only then I can see the appear of the external hammer.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I am "kicking tires" at this point. I reload .38/.357 and so the 3" .38 has greater appeal. I have gotten used to the recoil of the .38, so it is not an issue. I shoot a variety of loads from mine, my favorites being a 200 gr lyman 358430 RN, and a 160 gr lyman 358432 WC.

 

I would take the 327 in a heartbeat. You can plink or casually practice with very pleasant 32 longs, then carry 32 magnum or 327.

I don't mind shooting 327 at all, but I seem to be in the minority. 32 magnum is a pussycat. My wife can shoot it easily even with her damaged wrists.

My most common carry piece is an LCR in 38 special. If I had the 327 version, I would probably carry it instead, for the extra round.

 

I have the LCRx in .38, I like it, I am not a fan of DAO hammerless revolvers, so the LCRx works for me. it is lightweight and kicks a bit with +P but you say your not recoil sensitive so should not be an issue.

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I know two people who bought them and both had ejection problems with the .327 mag rounds. Both guns were sent back to Ruger for repair.

 

I've mentioned before that the 327 LCRs are having a surge in popular in the trainer world as BUG or pocket gun when dress demands such. I would be interested except that I have a 432 and that will do. Shooting a 327 is a small gun doesn't appeal to me after shooting them in a steel gun.

 

Wife and I each have one. Great snubs! Better than most due to 6 shots and light-recoiling practice ammo. Trigger is superior to S&W J-Frames, too. Much lighter.

I've had the .38 and .357 LCR's too. They kick enough that most won't fire them much. You can fire .32 short, .32 Long, or .32 mag all day if you like.

It got even better when I started reloading.

I reccomend the DAO models. The ones with a hammer spur block about half of the front sight.

That gun you saw in the store is probably gone by now. Ruger makes a batch only every few months and they are uncommon.

 

I have the LCR in .357 magnum. I agree with others, it’s no range toy. But it’s a weapon for a special purpose, when the chips are down and there can be no question as to efficacy.

 

I have had the 327 LCR for about five years. I carry it when I need deep concealment, but I still cannot shoot it as accurately as subcompact semi-autos. I don't have any other snub revolvers. I reload and enjoy shooting different loads. I bought a great 120gr hollow point bullet mold from NOE, and the bullets have tested very well concerning accuracy and expansion. I don't like the 100gr xtps and cannot find the 115gr gdhp. the 120 grainers kick a lot more but have great penetration and expansion. So I think the only downside is the availability of .312 bullets for the very short barrel; and user really needs to reload to get the best performance. The gun is totally reliable and gives me about the same muzzle energy as a 9m +p

 

Whelp, the .32 is not selling like hotcakes here. It is still in the case.

The 3" LCRx is still available, too. The price is 500, and the .32 is 25 or 30 bucks more. Are these fair prices?

 

If new those are excellent prices!

If used but in excellent shape those are still very good prices.

 

My carry load is a .32 mag 100 gr XTP at 1050 fps from my gun.

But I dont believe the JHP will open at this speed. I'm honestly not sure how fast it needs to go but I'm sure .327 fed. can get it there.

But that would mean quite a bit more blast and recoil.

 

The gun is a good one. You’ll enjoy it.

 

Time to get the 327 and start reloading 32 H&R. Your lead will make twice as many bullets. Also, there may come a time when the 38 LCR recoil is no longer comfortable.

 

Even if he buys bullets, like me, they are about $80/1000 shipped.

 

Mine won’t reliably ignite .32 acp.

6 shots is better than 5.

Can load it from mild to wild.

Been very happy with mine.

 

The you tube channel Gun Sam Revolver Affectionato has done several videos with the LCR 327. One surprising water jug test showed ever 32 S&W long lead HP ammo showing modest expansion.

 

I love having 20% more ammunition in a small frame revolver (as compared to Smith J-frames and their ilk or other LCR revolvers) intended for self-defense that the .327 Magnum affords. I like its flexibility in terms of different ammunition types. I hate that they are hard to find, at least in my neck of the woods and, when and if you do, the over $600.00 price tag gives me sticker shock pause.

 

Geco & S&B did not ignite often in mine either.

But Fiocchi and I think Blazer, did!

Must be in the rim thickness, I guess.

Have to poke them out, though.

Also only accurate at close range. By 10-15 yds it will sometimes throw them wild.

 

Wait for when Midway has a sale on Berry's .32 bullets and offers free shipping. Then the price goes to $60/1000 and there is loading data for those bullets in .32 H&R.

 

For comparison's sake, how much are the .357 and 9mm LCR's going for? My guess is because there are more of them out there (popular calibers) the used market keeps NIB prices honest.

It's gonna take a very long time to get the ammunition makers to support the caliber. They're already hesitant to spend money to expand when there are millions of new gun owners, so getting them to increase their output for a handgun caliber that isn't 9mm, .45, .38, or .357 is like asking them to spit quarters.

It'd probably be easier just to give up and abandon the 32, but doing that ensures its demise. The more people shoot it and see just how nice it is, the more they will buy into the caliber and buy ammo and when so many of those new gun owners are fine with paying $30 for a box of 9mm, for them to pay that same price for .32 won't be any different than what they're use to.

 

32 magnum is an excellent caliber for new shooters and people with hand/wrist problems.

It's a shame that 32 long, 32 magnum, and 327 aren't more common.

There are tons of people who can't shoot a small 380/38/9mm easily or well, but who would do just fine with a 32 magnum.