Thoughts on the Ruger .327 magnum

[Harvster]

I was thinking about the SP101 in .327 magnum. Now I know it may be more cost effective to be able to use the same chunks of steel to make a gun in a couple different calibers, however, I would rather see a smaller revolver in this caliber. I've decided five shots is enough based on my S&W 642. So why would I want another revolver of similar size with just one more shot? I would rather see a five-shot smaller/more concealable weapon. A more effective round in a smaller package (albeit a little more kick) would get me much more excited than the offering at hand.

 

[tinygnat219]

Unproven, not needed,expensive ammo.

 

[9x19sig]

For me, the 3" SP101 chambered in .357 isn't that difficult to control with full power loads. I'm assuming that the six shot 3" SP101 in .327 would be even easier to keep on target.

Maybe if they could scale down the SP101 for a five shot .327? Wonder how long the waiting list would be, possibly like the LCP?

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

My worry is that with a small diameter, they will of course fill up with lighter bullets, which coupled with high velocity and fast expanding bullets may lead to little penetration?

 

[Seafarer12]

If they would make one in a six shot j frame I would think about it but not in a big clunky ruger. I would stick with a 357 for that.

 

[Cosmoline]

I don't think much of about 95% of the new chamberings out there, but this one interests me. There is a gap in the current selection of .32 revolver rounds that the H&R Mag is not powerful enough to fill. The hot .32-20 loads of old were there, but SAAMI has clamped down on them and the .32-20's odd bottleneck, thin wall design is not ideal. Think of these as a hot, .32-20 improved and you'll understand. In a levergun these pups are going to REALLY shine.

I can't see penetration being a big problem given the sectional density and velocity of the potential loads. It might be a problem with a .32 ACP HP but this is going to be cooking twice as hot. It's on par with the rifle loads for the .32-20.

 

[MCgunner]

I was thinking about the SP101 in .327 magnum. Now I know it may be more cost effective to be able to use the same chunks of steel to make a gun in a couple different calibers, however, I would rather see a smaller revolver in this caliber. I've decided five shots is enough based on my S&W 642. So why would I want another revolver of similar size with just one more shot? I would rather see a five-shot smaller/more concealable weapon. A more effective round in a smaller package (albeit a little more kick) would get me much more excited than the offering at hand.

I'm with ya. I think it could be a neat outdoor revolver in 3", but I still prefer .357 in the platform. The .327 or .32 mag would be better served in a much smaller, lighter gun for defense/concealed carry.

 

[Cosmoline]

I think you guys are seriously underestimating the recoil level. A hot .32-20 is a boomer that will cut you half in two.

 

[stiletto raggio]

Hmm... how small do you think you can go with this? I think the only significant reduction in size you might get would be in cylinder diameter, and that would be by very little. Is it worth having a funky cartridge? I agree that the .327 sounds promising--ballistics like a 9mm, right between .38 and .357--but it is still going to be an expensive proposition.

 

[Bob79]

They keep touting this as a low recoil round for small guns. Well, when they say "low recoil", they are comparing it to .357 mag recoil. The self defense loads in .327 federal mag are going to recoil harder than 99% of the 38+P loads out there.

NRA's Rifleman magazine just had an article about the .327 federal mag & the SP101 3" chambered for it. I don't have it in front of me, but I believe the 115 grain Gold Dot load was clocked at 1300 FPS out of the Ruger.

That is pretty fast, and if you figure about 50 FPS loss of velocity for every inch of barrel, out of a 2" snub it will do about 1250 FPS. The Cor Bon DPX .38+P 110 grain load does about 975-1000 FPS out of a 2" barrel, and recoils fairly hard out of Airweight S&W J-frame. If you figure these bullet speeds, then the .327 mag results in 399 ft lbs of energy, and the 38+p is at 244 ft lbs. That is a big difference.

I think its a good option, but I feel the advertising is a bit misleading. I think it would be a good option for people if made in a J-frame, but don't think its going to recoil less than your 38+P rounds. But you can also shoot 32 HR mag as well, and that is great. Also, 32 long for practice.

 

[Seafarer12]

I would be game for the 327 just not in a ruger da.
Now a blackhawk with a 327 and 32-20 convertable model, I'm there dude.
That would save me from having to buy a buckeye special or whatever they were called that came in 32 h&r and 32-20. Those things are getting pretty high.