What's the Best .327 Federal Revolver

[Crowman]

Got the urge for a .327 Federal Magnum revolver. The appeal of firing four different cartridges (32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R Magnum & 327 Fed Mag) has strong appeal to me. Currently, I've got a cute little bitty nickel finished Colt Police Positive in .32 Police (.32 S&W Long) with 4" barrel that fits my hip pocket but would like something with a little more oomph that is close in size. I have a lot of S&W J-frames and have a bunch of accessories, grips and holsters available. I have no experience with the Ruger SP101 and don't know anything about the current Charter Patriots. I've got two Taurus revolvers and don't have a problem with them. I am looking for a compact carry gun with 2" or 3" barrel. Prefer adjustable sights and will take the revolver into the woods as a backup. Any thoughts on the Taurus, Charter, S&W or Ruger revolvers as which are better (lighter, accurate, trouble-free)? Anyone got or shot the new S&W .327 mag with 3" barrel and compensator?

 

[nonseven]

I think the S&W 3" is the only one with adjustable sights, unless Taurus has one. So that might be the one you want. I've thought of getting that one myself. I'd really like a scandium frame 327 J-frame.

 

[MMCSRET]

Last year I was looking at 327 revolvers, my favorite revolver caliber is 32. I had all the common ones covered with 32-20, 32 Colt, 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, and 32 Magnum. I looked at Taurus, S&W, and Ruger; all good guns but all short barreled pocket guns with fixed sights and "smallish" grip frames. I looked at Charter Arms Target Patriot and was immediately taken with a larger grip frame with optional over size walnut stocks, 4" barrel with adjustable sights. The revolver felt "healthy" as compared to the others, it balanced well with the 4" barrel and was just right for a 32 caliber cartridge, very much like my Colt Police Positive Specials.
I bought it and have put over a thousand rounds of 327 and "HOT" hand loaded 32 magnums thru it. It just keeps getting better and better, by todays standards it is a fine piece. It will never be as good as my Colts and S&W model 31-1 but it is a great gun and the right size for a 32 caliber revolver.
All this before Ruger brought out their "too large for caliber" offerings this year.

 

[Crowman]

That S&W revolver is their Model 632 Carry Comp and weighs in at 24.5 ounces and is all stainless. I am really looking at that one.

However, I just found out that S&W is also making a model 632 with fixed night sights sorta like what they put on the Night Guards. I really like those sights for low light conditions. The revolver is DAO (looks like the Centennial model), and is all stainless steel at 23 ounces with a 2-1/8" barrel. That one looks better to me for carry! I've already got pancake holsters to fit the snubbies. Haven't seen one in any shops yet.

 

[RJM]

Well, I own the Ruger sp101 and really love it for a carry gun. I think the size and weight of the gun match the .327 federal perfectly, its just a balanced combination.

The best? That is really subjective. To me, the best is the Ruger, but I have never layed eyes on the Smith and Wesson, so I cannot compare I have always liked smith and wesson revolvers, I personally think they are to proud of their new revolvers though. I don't think the rather large premium price is justified over Ruger's products. I like the Ruger enough to have just put a gp100 chambered for the .327 on layaway the other day, the company makes good revolvers.

I would think the absolute best production handgun being made that fires this round would be the Freedom Arms model 97, but that is also based on the fact that FA makes some of the best single actions on the planet.

 

[gizamo]

Guess if you are really adking what is the best 327 Revolver...the answer would be the Freedom Arms single action. Close second would be one of the USFA single actions...


giz

 

[batmann]

How about the Ruger Blackhawk with 8 shots? LOL
Sorry, had to throw that out there. The S&W would make a fine carry pistol and even though I am more of a Ruger guy, I like the J frames for my carry pieces.

 

[rcmodel]

Somebody actually finally found some .327 Federal ammo somewhere?

rc

 

[MMCSRET]

I've got a True Value hardware store in this little town that has it pretty much continuously, the expensive stuff all the time. The 100 gr. American Eagle not as often, but I've got my inventory of cases up to where I can make it until Starline brings it out.