Dan-O
Member
I took the plunge. I just wanted an excuse to buy another set of dies. And I also didn't have a .32 HR gun yet. Shooting .32 HR in this thing is kinda fun. Cheap to reload too.
The .327 Federal Magnum~?
- Thread starter Ala Dan
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I always thought a .32 mag would be a nice addition to the family, but it was never very high on my wish list. But after reading the American Rifleman report on the new and improved .32 mag a.k.a. the .327 Ruger, it has moved all the way up to #3 on my list. It would be just the thing for the wife to have when she's out with the horses. We have several packs of coyotes and a cougar that come thru the yard at night on occasion. A 327 would be much better protection than the .22 she uses. She doesn't have the hand strength to rack the slide on my semi-autos.
I've said this before but here it is again. I would love to see this revolver in a 6+ inch barrel for varminting and target. A companion lever action carbine would be icing on the cake. I just don't see this as being any more viable than a .357 (1 extra shot not withstanding)
Dollar An Hour
Member
I must admit I'm interested in this cartridge.
I always wanted a S&W 431/432 in .32 H&R Magnum as I thought having 6 rounds of respectable penetration in a J-Frame was cool.
This looks better power-wise than .32 H&R Magnum, and the SP101 platform should make it very 'shootable'...
I always wanted a S&W 431/432 in .32 H&R Magnum as I thought having 6 rounds of respectable penetration in a J-Frame was cool.
This looks better power-wise than .32 H&R Magnum, and the SP101 platform should make it very 'shootable'...
Stainz
Member
Sadly, S&W still doesn't list a 632... but you made me look, Ala Dan!
The pusher on this side of town has had several '.327 Magnum' SP-101s - and returned several due to defects. They generally have one box of ammo, too.
I had a 4" SP101 in and a 4.6" BHG SSM, both in .32 H&RM. They both went bye-bye this summer - as did my reloading supplies and dies. Simply put, reloading bullets aren't as easy to find as .38s, of course, or generally as cheap. A wimpy .38 load drops the rebounding steel plates, a warm .32 H&RM won't. Then, there are the revolvers I had.
Both Rugers had large chamber IDs (.337+") - causing the low pressure rounds to swell enough that extraction is difficult, as commercial ammo - and sizers - are at .334" OD. Ruger makes 'large', aka 'black powder', chamber bores so their revolvers can be shot a bit longer between cleanings. Such just isn't the case with hot & nasty ammo - like the 100gr XTP JHP GA Arms sells - it makes 1,286 fps - and 24-30 rounds will gum up the SP101.
The worst design feature of the 4" SP101 is the cheesy adjustable windage-only sight. It needs elevation adjustment. Mine, an unshot LNIB purchase - and the only Ruger I've bought that wasn't brand new, was beset with more QC issues than any other Ruger I've ever owned. They were the usual burrs, and, as I am accustomed to working on Rugers, they were all fixed with TLC - and a new Hogue grip and a pair of lighter springs. The result was a lot of fun to shoot - great trigger - just pure misery to dump the empties, find affordable and available ammo components, and make a round that would hit vertically close to where I aimed.
So, my .32 experience ended - I loved it - for a while. To be purely honest, wimpy .38s are more fun - mediocre to +P .38s are likely better protection, too. YMMV.
Stainz
PS I owned a few .22 WMRs - and still have some .22 LR rimfires. I have never wanted a .17 anything... keep that in mind re my .32 remarks!
The pusher on this side of town has had several '.327 Magnum' SP-101s - and returned several due to defects. They generally have one box of ammo, too.
I had a 4" SP101 in and a 4.6" BHG SSM, both in .32 H&RM. They both went bye-bye this summer - as did my reloading supplies and dies. Simply put, reloading bullets aren't as easy to find as .38s, of course, or generally as cheap. A wimpy .38 load drops the rebounding steel plates, a warm .32 H&RM won't. Then, there are the revolvers I had.
Both Rugers had large chamber IDs (.337+") - causing the low pressure rounds to swell enough that extraction is difficult, as commercial ammo - and sizers - are at .334" OD. Ruger makes 'large', aka 'black powder', chamber bores so their revolvers can be shot a bit longer between cleanings. Such just isn't the case with hot & nasty ammo - like the 100gr XTP JHP GA Arms sells - it makes 1,286 fps - and 24-30 rounds will gum up the SP101.
The worst design feature of the 4" SP101 is the cheesy adjustable windage-only sight. It needs elevation adjustment. Mine, an unshot LNIB purchase - and the only Ruger I've bought that wasn't brand new, was beset with more QC issues than any other Ruger I've ever owned. They were the usual burrs, and, as I am accustomed to working on Rugers, they were all fixed with TLC - and a new Hogue grip and a pair of lighter springs. The result was a lot of fun to shoot - great trigger - just pure misery to dump the empties, find affordable and available ammo components, and make a round that would hit vertically close to where I aimed.
So, my .32 experience ended - I loved it - for a while. To be purely honest, wimpy .38s are more fun - mediocre to +P .38s are likely better protection, too. YMMV.
Stainz
PS I owned a few .22 WMRs - and still have some .22 LR rimfires. I have never wanted a .17 anything... keep that in mind re my .32 remarks!
22-rimfire
Member
Interesting Stainz. I was watching the Outdoor Channel for the usual ad on the SP101 in 327 Federal. One thing caught my attention that had not before... They said it was about 20% less power than the 357 mag. The 41 mag that I love was billed as 20% less recoil than the 44 mag. I shoot 41 mags and love them. I would much prefer the GP100 in a 7-shot cylinder than a SP101 which I feel is a tad heavy for my pocket carry. But it is an interesting caliber all the same and I'm glad to hear that there are some guns now around for sale.
On the same show, they showed a guy shooting a Smith Model 357 which is 41 mag. The recoil shocked me. Guess I know why I have never wanted that lightweight in 41 mag.
On the same show, they showed a guy shooting a Smith Model 357 which is 41 mag. The recoil shocked me. Guess I know why I have never wanted that lightweight in 41 mag.
I strongly agree with what Sarvisian had to say. I have a Ruger SP 101 in .32 H&R with the 4" heavy barrel that they unfortunately no longer make, and I am strongly pondering investing in a reamer to lengthen the cylinder chambers to .327 length. I find the .32 H&R a real hoot to shoot, and contrary to others comments, I don't find it difficult to load for. True, not a huge selection of bullets, but adequate. I see the .327 as more of a good thing regarding the .32 H&R. One doesn't need a new set of dies if they already have dies for .32 H&R. I suggest that before a guy trash it too much, he ought to get behind it for a while first. He might well be surprised to find that he actually likes it! Neither you nor anyone knew if they liked rib steak before they tried it. What if you hadn't tried it?
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22-rimfire
Member
Of course you might tout the merits of eating rabbit over rib eye steak, or trout over walleye.
Don't get your drift there, rimfire. I reckon I'd respond by asking, without trying it, how do you know if rabbit is better than rib steak? Or trout better than walleye (or visa versa)? Or we could add, as an analogy to different guns/cartridges, do you ONLY want to eat rabbit and NO rib steak? Or ONLY walleye and NO trout (or again, visa versa)?
22-rimfire
Member
You don't know unless you try it. But most people seem to prefer rib eye steaks but the trout analogy is debatable for me since I'm not entirely fond of trout. It was a stupid statement since it didn't properly illustrate my point. It goes to personal taste only after you try it.
As far as the caliber goes, people use 38's and smaller for self defense. The 357 is arguably the best man stopper made, but it has over penetration. So why not a 327 magnum? I prefer the 41 mag over the 44. I might feel the same way about the 327 if I ever shot one. My problem is that it is only in the SP101 and nobody else is chambering a revolver in the caliber (yet).
As far as the caliber goes, people use 38's and smaller for self defense. The 357 is arguably the best man stopper made, but it has over penetration. So why not a 327 magnum? I prefer the 41 mag over the 44. I might feel the same way about the 327 if I ever shot one. My problem is that it is only in the SP101 and nobody else is chambering a revolver in the caliber (yet).
krs
Member
Isn't it true that the .32 S&W Long rimmed cartridge can be fired in a gun chambered for .32 H&R Magnum? And if true does it mean that a revolver chambered in the new .327 Magnum could fire both the shorter H&R and the mild and very accurate .32 S&W?
Or are my dreams of a tri-power small revolver just that - dreams?
Or are my dreams of a tri-power small revolver just that - dreams?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No. That is exactly the case.
Well three different cases actually!
rcmodel
Well three different cases actually!
rcmodel
oneounceload
member
don't forget about the regular 32 S&W as well - that makes 4 versions....that might be cool - I have a LOT of 32 SWL brass and bullets and only an old H&R sidekick about 50 years old to shoot them in - a newer gun would be fun, especially for plinking
krs
Member
Hmmm, now I'm intriqued. And there is an upcoming S&W revolver to be chambered in this new .327 caliber? A J framed revolver?
Is it something that was displayed at the latest Shot Show but hasn't reached the market as yet?
Is it something that was displayed at the latest Shot Show but hasn't reached the market as yet?
I've seen them locally.
It's an intriguing idea but personally, I think the logistics of the .38/.357 make it a better overall choice.
Maybe if the .327 takes off, it could be a good choice in 10 years or so.
You know... after you can scrounge decent once fired brass up at the range or find it cheap at gun shows (like you can with .38).
FWIW - zeroing a revolver for elevation is easy as long as your gun shoots LOW. In that case, all you have to do is take a few passes at a time off the front sight until your bullets are hitting to point of aim.
It's an intriguing idea but personally, I think the logistics of the .38/.357 make it a better overall choice.
Maybe if the .327 takes off, it could be a good choice in 10 years or so.
You know... after you can scrounge decent once fired brass up at the range or find it cheap at gun shows (like you can with .38).
FWIW - zeroing a revolver for elevation is easy as long as your gun shoots LOW. In that case, all you have to do is take a few passes at a time off the front sight until your bullets are hitting to point of aim.
jjohnson
Member
I don't Care whether S&W makes one.
What, you want a new S&W with a Hillary Hole?
Noooooooooooooooo
I'd maybe buy a Ruger SP101 for my wife, or a New Model Blackhawk for my son in .327, just for grins. If I could get an SP101 with 4" barrel and adjustable sights, I might even have fun at the range with it. I mean, come on, it's a modern, beefed up 32-20, the way I look at it, something to fill the niche between .22 handguns and .38's (if we really need one).
From the reloader's perspective, yeah, I'd find it interesting.
What, you want a new S&W with a Hillary Hole?Noooooooooooooooo
I'd maybe buy a Ruger SP101 for my wife, or a New Model Blackhawk for my son in .327, just for grins. If I could get an SP101 with 4" barrel and adjustable sights, I might even have fun at the range with it. I mean, come on, it's a modern, beefed up 32-20, the way I look at it, something to fill the niche between .22 handguns and .38's (if we really need one).
From the reloader's perspective, yeah, I'd find it interesting.
krs
Member
There you go - with a reamer we can breath new life into assorted .32's,........but I'm thinking it's a lost cause for the old Harrington and Richardson breaktop that I've had around for near 40 years. The cylinder's too short and the gun too weak.
IMHO, the main role I see the .327mag filling is, as someone previously stated, in a S&W snubbie Airweight where the smaller cartridge would allow for 6 or perhaps 7 shots with 30% less recoil in a very effective load. I see almost no roll for it beyond that. However, I'd sure love to have the gun I just described.
Tom
Tom
Mr, krs--I suspicion you already know this, but for the record, don't go boring out just any.32 cylinder. Many (most?) aren't built for .327 presures. If it's not already a .32 H&R, you shouldn't even consider it. I want to get a reamer to use on an SP 101 in .32 H&R Mag--the same gun that Ruger is marketing in the .327.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
If it's the six rounds that has everyone sold there are new revolvers in .38 Special and .357 Magnum currently available. (not to mention the used market like the Colts)
Rossi has .357 Magnum J frame size .357 Magnum revolvers with 2" barrels in Stainless and Blue.
http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=139
Charter Arms has a 20oz 2" .38 Special +P which holds 6 rounds.
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Undercover_73840.html
I think Taurus has one in Magnesium which holds 6 rounds of .38 Special +P too but it's not on their site yet.
For those looking for the S&W M632 it's listed on the RSR Group web site.
Rossi has .357 Magnum J frame size .357 Magnum revolvers with 2" barrels in Stainless and Blue.
http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=139
Charter Arms has a 20oz 2" .38 Special +P which holds 6 rounds.
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Undercover_73840.html
I think Taurus has one in Magnesium which holds 6 rounds of .38 Special +P too but it's not on their site yet.
For those looking for the S&W M632 it's listed on the RSR Group web site.
denfoote
Member
Right off the top of my head, I would say that the .327mag is the .45GAP of revolvers.
Like the infamous Gapper, I'm not gonna run out and buy one because I see no need. I already have a .38spl and .357mag snub, a K-Frame and N-Frame in the celebrated magnum caliber.
Like the infamous Gapper, I'm not gonna run out and buy one because I see no need. I already have a .38spl and .357mag snub, a K-Frame and N-Frame in the celebrated magnum caliber.
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