SP101 or S&W 632 for .327 magnum

[jehicks87]

I think I really want a .327 magnum. I should have bought one years ago when they first came out, but I just never got around to it.

Anyway, what are your opinions on these two firearms? Please keep the discussion just pertaining to these two, I don't want a SA .327 or a taurus.

Thanks!

 

[palmetto99]

The SP101 is a pretty good platform.

 

[savit260]

I don't think they are making the SP-101 in .327 any more.

Good luck finding any version in the current climate.

 

[CZ223]

I was just thinking about this myself

I would go with the Smith. It seems a little more compact and lighter too. The SP101's that I have owned in the past were just too heavy to be carried on a regular basis compared to all the J-frames that I have had over the years. Apparently Ruger made a GP-100 in 327 and that holds eight rounds, just a thought.

 

[GEM]

I have the J frame comp'ed SS 632. Fine gun in size and trigger. Haven't shot the Ruger.

It's a sweetheart for plinking the lesser power 32 rounds, like Longs.

 

[Fuzzball]

.327 revolver

S&W nice but way too costly for some of us (me, especially at fixed income retiree).

GP-100 will be my next .327. I have a .327 Ruger Black Hawk and Taurus in the same caliber. The versatility of shooting four different bullets makes hunting for ammo a lot easier than looking for my .45 acp ammo.

Fuzzball

 

[Stainz]

I had two Rugers in .32 H&RM - a 4 5/8" BHG SSM and a 4" SP-101. I sold them both along with the reloading dies, etc, nearly five years ago. Oh, I had cleaned up their actions - but their oversized chamber bores, which gave very short brass life, were irrepairable. I had no interest in their .327 Federal Magnum offerings. I was interested since it's early announcement in the snub-nosed S&W 2 1/8" 632 Pro, with it's enclosed hammer. Unlike the two 3" models, it wasn't comped - another plus. By the time it finally became available - and my order arrived - 9/11 - both Charter Arms and Taurus had dropped the caliber. Here it is sporting S&W Accessories' '60 Pro' grips:





Sadly, now that model is off S&W's site. Those 115gr Speer Gold Dots in .327 Federal Magnum are stout. Like a 'Medusa', of sorts, the little S&W will chamber and fire .32 ACP, .32 S&W, .32 S&WL, .32 H&RM, and .327 Federal Magnum. Oh... and I bought it a year after starting my SS retirement.

Stainz

 

[jehicks87]

The shorter barrel wouldn't interest me too terribly. I'm not a fan of the comp on the 632, either. Interesting about the oversized chambers on the sp101. I hadn't heard that before.

 

[Mayvik]

GP100 is a 7 shooter, and excellent. Unfortunately as it's a 7 shooter you're pretty much stuck with 5star speedloaders or strips unless you want to drop the coin on a moonclip conversion.

I'd say the SP101 simply based on price (assuming you can find one) and barrel length. My understanding is they are "temporarily discontinued" That extra inch or so will get you better performance. The Smith is nice but the compensator sucks up valuable barrel real-estate, and I'm not a huge fan of the goofy barrel/lug profiles on either model.

 

[Stainz]

A black and silver a 3" comped 632 are your only other S&W choices in .327 Federal Magnum. Cut off the comp and you're 1/8"-1/4" longer - at the most - than my 2 1/8" 632 Pro. The 3" comp models do have an adjustable rear sight, while my 632 Pro is windage-only - and that's by drifting the sights. The elevation is on for 100/115gr SPJHP/GDJHP at 7-12yd with a combat target picture. The SP-101, if it's like my 4" .32 H&RM version, has a rather cheesy windage-only adjustable rear sight. Reportedly, the initial Ruger .327 Fed Magnum 3" SP-101 were just .32 H&RM units reamed to longer chambers and restruck as to caliber. If you want a DA .327 Federal Magnum revolver, look quickly - and don't be too selective!

Stainz