Any .327 Federal Magnum fans here?

Often people bring up ammo choices and availability in regard to the federal 327. To me, if a gun like the LCR 327 "fits" you in terms of concealibility, life style etc, then those other things all become secondary if carry is why you have the gun. I can pick up the Federal 327 bullets in both target and defensive load over the counter where I live, as well has 32 H&R Magnums and 32 S&W Longs. Whether or not it costs more than say a 38 Special to run doesn't concern me; I want that 6th bullet in my revolver, and I want a snub nose to carry as primary. My life is worth more than the pennies extra I have to spend. The LCR 327 fits me and my life style perfectly for carry; it's so comfortable, slips into my pocket or belt with hoster. It will go bang if I pull the trigger. What's not to love?

It's a 32mag rather than .327, but Charter Arms is putting out a 7 shot 3in barrelled revolver soon/now; https://gundigest.com/handguns/concealed-carry/charter-arms-professional-to-debut-soon

I'm interested in the Charter version and will check one out when possible.

I like the .32 family a lot and suggest it to others looking for a revolver these days. Still a big .38/357 fan but .38 ammo is not as cheap as it once was.

The SP101 I don't think have been mentioned and that is nice in the .327, with the 4+in barrel I think it is a great modern "kit" gun. Light and easy to carry with the ability to go from mild plinking ammo to rather stout .327.

AlabamaYankee said:

Often people bring up ammo choices and availability in regard to the federal 327. To me, if a gun like the LCR 327 "fits" you in terms of concealibility, life style etc, then those other things all become secondary if carry is why you have the gun. I can pick up the Federal 327 bullets in both target and defensive load over the counter where I live, as well has 32 H&R Magnums and 32 S&W Longs. Whether or not it costs more than say a 38 Special to run doesn't concern me; I want that 6th bullet in my revolver, and I want a snub nose to carry as primary. My life is worth more than the pennies extra I have to spend. The LCR 327 fits me and my life style perfectly for carry; it's so comfortable, slips into my pocket or belt with hoster. It will go bang if I pull the trigger. What's not to love?

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You asked, what's not to love? That would be having to actually fire the gun, when using real 327 Federal Magnum ammo. These smaller, concealable guns do not do well with magnum ammo, and the blast and noise could be very counterproductive in a defensive situation.

I wish I had bought a 632 when they were clearing them out for $400.

I've never owned a 32 of any caliber, but I really like the 327 and 32 in general. I'm considering getting my Mom an LCR in 327 (for her to use with 32 H&R mags) since she likes the action of the LCR so much.

As someone else said an 8 shot L frame sized 327 sounds like a great idea, and being able to have a long gun and hand gun chambered in the same round is always a good thing

RealGun said:

You asked, what's not to love? That would be having to actually fire the gun, when using real 327 Federal Magnum ammo. These smaller, concealable guns do not do well with magnum ammo, and the blast and noise could be very counterproductive in a defensive situation.

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I do agree about blast noise as well as muzzle blast. For that, the Federal 327 and the 357 magnum share this common issue. My work around for that, and I've yet to meet a single person who has thought this a good idea, is to load the first 3 bullets with 32 H&R Magnum (has about the punch of a 38 standard pressure) followed by 3 Federal 327's. I use low recoil Doubletap non-lead ammo for that.

I am quite an able shooter and the recoil does not bother me. It's the noise I'm trying to side step with the work around.

The thinking is since most defensive situations are resolved with only a few shots, I'd never reach the 327's. But if I have to reach the 327's, I'll be happy to have the extra power and who knows, maybe the noise will scare the bad guys away.

But over all, the LCR 327 is a fantastic carry gun that at least for me allows me to carry inside the house or out without ever forgetting to take it along because it's a part of me.

I guess my experience has been a bit different from other posters. I have used 72 and 76 grain bullets in my Single Seven and they are very accurate. Mostly in H&R cases. I agree that the 90 and 100 grain bullets are very accurate also. My GP100 doesn't particularly like lead bullets, but it is screaming accurate with plated and coated. I really like the versatility of this caliber and regularly take the Single Seven, GP100 or a S&W 632 to the range for fun low-recoil shooting or to teach new shooters. If I had to sell a bunch of my guns, the 32s would be some of the last to go.

AlabamaYankee said:

I do agree about blast noise as well as muzzle blast. For that, the Federal 327 and the 357 magnum share this common issue. My work around for that, and I've yet to meet a single person who has thought this a good idea, is to load the first 3 bullets with 32 H&R Magnum (has about the punch of a 38 standard pressure) followed by 3 Federal 327's. I use low recoil Doubletap non-lead ammo for that.

I am quite an able shooter and the recoil does not bother me. It's the noise I'm trying to side step with the work around.

The thinking is since most defensive situations are resolved with only a few shots, I'd never reach the 327's. But if I have to reach the 327's, I'll be happy to have the extra power and who knows, maybe the noise will scare the bad guys away.

But over all, the LCR 327 is a fantastic carry gun that at least for me allows me to carry inside the house or out without ever forgetting to take it along because it's a part of me.

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I don't see what's wrong with your idea and would actually do the same if I had a 327 LCR. Have the first 3 or 4 HR mags and the rest 327.

I used to do something similar with my 340PD. The first 4 were 38s and the last one was 357

I use Hornady dies for the 32 H&R with no issues. I set the expander for 32 H&R and use a .125 spacer for the Fed. I guess I am naïve with the bullet choices, finding the 85 and 100 gr XTP's acceptable along with the MO bullet coated for a lead choice.

I have one of the discontinued SS SW 632 with the comp'ed barrel, 3 inch with the hammer. I put a fiber optic front sight on it. Shot it in a match this weekend. My favorite 6 shot revolver. With a full power 327 is has a real kick.

BTW, I have a 432 which I got cheaply when SW discontinued them. Favorite pocket J frame with 32 HR Mag. Light weight and shootable. Should have bought two.

Earlier, a poster mentioned poor accuracy with bullets lighter than 85gr.
That’s because they are .311” or smaller! I’ve had similar results. My gun demands .312” jacketed bullets, .313 or .314” cast.
Smaller bullets shoot ok in the .30Carbine, but that’s a “horse of another color”...

I use the 100gr Hornady XTP. But only because it’s the only show in town. Speer discontinued the 115gr GoldDot before I had a .327.
I currently have a Ruger Single7, but have been a bit disappointed with it. It’s got the typical tight chambers, loose bore, and thread-choke characteristic of Rugers (every Ruger revolver I’ve ever owned- several...)

However, patient polishing of the cylinder, and repeated fire lapping of the barrel, as well as several hundred max loads of 100gr XTP’s has generally improved the accuracy. Now my favorite load is the Lee .311” 113gr RFN-GC sized .313” over 10gr of #2400. It now delivers groups instead of patterns...

If Ruger makes a 3” adj. sight LCR-X, I’ll buy one.

And, I’ll DEFINITELY buy an S&W Model 16, if they make another run..hopefully in .327mag.
I hope it’s a thin barrel Classic instead of the underlug barrel, as I’ll likely carry it extensively hunting.

GooseGestapo said:

Earlier, a poster mentioned poor accuracy with bullets lighter than 85gr.
That’s because they are .311” or smaller! I’ve had similar results. My gun demands .312” jacketed bullets, .313 or .314” cast.

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I've checked the lead bullets and they measure out to .312 or .313, depending on which bullets I bought. I just get the feeling the bullets aren't long enough and the twist rate isn't copacetic with them.

I use the 100gr Hornady XTP. But only because it’s the only show in town. Speer discontinued the 115gr GoldDot before I had a .327.
I currently have a Ruger Single7, but have been a bit disappointed with it. It’s got the typical tight chambers, loose bore, and thread-choke characteristic of Rugers (every Ruger revolver I’ve ever owned- several...)]/quote]I wish they would bring the 115 gr Gold Dot back. Heck, make a 125 grain Gold Dot, I'd buy it. The .327 is capable of using a 125 grain bullet, not a jacketed one, but lower the pressure a bit and you'll have a smaller diameter bullet that's the same weight as light .357 and similar velocity, so penetration will be very good.

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Ohen Cepel said:

It's a 32mag rather than .327, but Charter Arms is putting out a 7 shot 3in barrelled revolver soon/now; https://gundigest.com/handguns/concealed-carry/charter-arms-professional-to-debut-soon

I'm interested in the Charter version and will check one out when possible.

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I am too and I'm going to keep my ears and eyes open for one in the future. Minus the adj sights, I think it's going to be superior to the SP101.

The SP101 I don't think have been mentioned and that is nice in the .327, with the 4+in barrel I think it is a great modern "kit" gun. Light and easy to carry with the ability to go from mild plinking ammo to rather stout .327.

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That was the idea I had years ago for it. I think the LCRx would be better, but I wouldn't want to shoot much full power .327 from it.

I don’t think twist rate is an issue with the .327.
Thread choke IS a big issue with the Rugers.
It essentially sizes down the bullet at the forcing cone rendering it undersized. Less a problem with jacketed bullets, but a big deal with softer lead bullets. The GoldDot is a plated bullet, so acts somewhat like a cast bullet.

GooseGestapo said:

I don’t think twist rate is an issue with the .327.
Thread choke IS a big issue with the Rugers.
It essentially sizes down the bullet at the forcing cone rendering it undersized. Less a problem with jacketed bullets, but a big deal with softer lead bullets. The GoldDot is a plated bullet, so acts somewhat like a cast bullet.

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You do know the throats for Ruger .327's are .314", yes? The gas blow by is going to heat up and soften the lead and lead the bore as most lead bullets are too small.

The throat isn’t the issue, it’s where the barrel is threaded into the frame.
Ruger uses a “crush” fit to index the barrel to the frame. This excess metal has to go somewhere!
That somewhere is to constrict the bore causing the well documented “Thread choke” phenomenon. My slugging of MY bore resulted in a bore diameter of .3075” using a .315” unsized bullet driven through bore from the muzzle end. Mine was bad enough to cause accuracy problems, but not enough to get Ruger to replace the barrel, which may, or may not still be a problem. Ruger customer service, as good as it is, is well known not to warranty accuracy issues.

I suggest you go over to rugerforumcom and research “thread choke”, and Ruger cylinder problems with the .327FedMag. Polishing my cylinder has mostly cured the sticky extraction problems. Fire lapping and normal throat erosion is fixing the thread choke problem.

GooseGestapo said:

The throat isn’t the issue, it’s where the barrel is threaded into the frame.
Ruger uses a “crush” fit to index the barrel to the frame. This excess metal has to go somewhere!
That somewhere is to constrict the bore causing the well documented “Thread choke” phenomenon. My slugging of MY bore resulted in a bore diameter of .3075” using a .315” unsized bullet driven through bore from the muzzle end. Mine was bad enough to cause accuracy problems, but not enough to get Ruger to replace the barrel, which may, or may not still be a problem. Ruger customer service, as good as it is, is well known not to warranty accuracy issues.

I suggest you go over to rugerforumcom and research “thread choke”, and Ruger cylinder problems with the .327FedMag. Polishing my cylinder has mostly cured the sticky extraction problems. Fire lapping and normal throat erosion is fixing the thread choke problem.

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I'll slug mine and see what's what.

If you have thread choke, you’ll feel it as the resistance will increase just before the slug exits the throat. Mine was quite noticeable.
Now, not so much, but I can still feel it if using a tight patch when cleaning.

85 grain Hornady XTPs are my favorite bullets in my converted 53, SP-101, LCR and the 632-2 PRO I had... The group above is DA at 15 yards with the 85s.

10.0 AAC-7
1575 fps/6"
1380 fps/3"
1275 fps/2"

10.5 AAC-7
1684 fps/6"
1330 fps/2"

25 yards...


50 yards...

RJM52 said:

85 grain Hornady XTPs are my favorite bullets in my converted 53, SP-101, LCR and the 632-2 PRO I had... The group above is DA at 15 yards with the 85s.

10.0 AAC-7
1575 fps/6"
1380 fps/3"
1275 fps/2"

10.5 AAC-7
1684 fps/6"
1330 fps/2"

25 yards...
View attachment 838422

50 yards...

View attachment 838423

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What revolver is that? It looks like a 640 pro, but chambered in 327? Was it custom built or is that a model I’ve not seen?

My brother carries his S&W in .327 magnum and likes the round. It does seem to have a bit of muzzle blast and noise. (3 inch ported I think) . I purchased a Taurus in .32 H&R before the .327's came on the market. It is a Total Titanium Model 731 with a 2 inch barrel. Bought .32 S&W Long ammo at that time for $.8.20 a box of 50 . So you know it's been awhile. (before the so called ammo shortage when I could buy .22rf for under $10 a brick) This is my carry gun and I believe a good match for each other with the ..32 H&R. If I was shooting the .327 Mag I would prefer a 3 or 4 inch barrel. Non ported.

SteadyD said:

What revolver is that? It looks like a 640 pro, but chambered in 327? Was it custom built or is that a model I’ve not seen?

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Previous page about halfway down....

The 53 started off life as a .22 Jet with an extra .22 Long Rifle cylinder. I burned the barrel out with a 1000+ Jets and had a new barrel put on. Once I decided I liked shooting .327 and didn't care to burn any more Jets I sent the .22 LR cylinder, original barrel and the gun to Jack Huntington of JRH Precision Gunsmithing... He rechambered the .22 LR cylinder to .327 and had the old barrel rebored to .313 and put the whole thing back together... I still have the original Jet cylinder and new barrel so it can be put back to original. Only thing lost is the .22 LR cylinder but I have gotten a lot more use from the gun than I have in the past...

The 632-2 PRO was a very limited run of .327s from the Performance Center...they now sell for in the $1500 area...

I've occasionally thought about getting a .327 LCR, just for the sixth shot, but if I really feel the need for more rounds in a pocket gun I think I'm better off going to a small auto (or finding a gently used Detective Special) and sticking with .38/.357 for my revolvers.