327 and it's untapped potential...

[dickydalton]

What size are the throats on that 632, if you don't mind me asking?

On the 632 all the throats are .312 and all the cartridge chambers are .340. On my SP 101 the throats range from.311 to .314 and the chambers 5, .343 and one .342.
My Single Seven had 5 throats at .314 and 2 at .315. Chambers were .338, .339 and .340. My Taurus had throats at half .315 and half .316 with chambers from .340 to .343.
I don't have a proper pin gauge so I was using a normal caliper and may be off a bit.
I'm sure of one thing though, Smith & Wesson really did a better job on their cylinder.

 

[pairof44sp]

I do not recommend this, nor do I intend to imply that it’s an idea worth chasing, BUT, jacketed bullets exist in the .312 variety and are heavy, but not overly heavy for caliber. I have considered loading some just to see how it does but I always talk myself out of it. Assuming it would work, a person could easily modify the pointy rifle bullets to be more squared off to better fit a cylinder and then they could potentially be onto something because bullet selection is pretty poor for 32 caliber handguns.

Wow, I was trying to get an answer to this just hours ago, but couldnt find anything.

Why cant you use rifle bullets in a pistol cartridge? If the oal will fit in the cylinder, whats the problem?

 

[dickydalton]

I have some Buffalo Bore Heavy Outdoorsman 130 grain Kieth semiwadcutters to try. I wish I could buy the bullets only.View media item 3187

 

[MaxP]

I have some Buffalo Bore Heavy Outdoorsman 130 grain Kieth semiwadcutters to try. I wish I could buy the bullets only.View media item 3187

Buffalo Bore buys their cast bullets from Rim Rock...

 

[WestKentucky]

Wow, I was trying to get an answer to this just hours ago, but couldnt find anything.

Why cant you use rifle bullets in a pistol cartridge? If the oal will fit in the cylinder, whats the problem?

There is no data for them to begin with. Also the slight size difference can cause problems with pressure and/or leading.

 

[TTv2]

On the 632 all the throats are .312 and all the cartridge chambers are .340. On my SP 101 the throats range from.311 to .314 and the chambers 5, .343 and one .342.
My Single Seven had 5 throats at .314 and 2 at .315. Chambers were .338, .339 and .340. My Taurus had throats at half .315 and half .316 with chambers from .340 to .343.
I don't have a proper pin gauge so I was using a normal caliper and may be off a bit.
I'm sure of one thing though, Smith & Wesson really did a better job on their cylinder.

S&W absolutely did a better job with their cylinder. Too bad that they aren't making any .32 caliber revolvers anymore as I'm not willing to pay $1500 for a used one.

I'm not surprised to hear that Ruger's throats are coming in at .314, others have found that to be the case with their .327 Rugers as have I with my SP. Hearing that the Single Seven has some measuring .315 is very disconcerting.

I think the bottom line for me is, other than the LCR, to never buy a .32 Ruger revolver again.

Thanks for measuring your throats.

 

[BobWright]

You're bringing up .357, but only mentioning large frame revolvers, not snubs, especially lightweight ones like the LCR. It's the small, light revolvers where .32's (not just .327) excel and yeah, it's the large, heavy revolver where the .32 does not. Ruger recently dropped the .327 GP100 because it wasn't selling because why buy a .327 in a 36oz gun when you can get a .357 instead? Capacity was 7 rds for either, so you didn't get the extra round like you normally would.

When I mentioned the Ruger Blackhawk .357 I had in mind the early Three Screw Blackhawks and the current Flat Tops, both are on the mid-sized frame and equal to the Colt Single Action Army. My point is, the .357 overwhelms the little .32s in practical usage. That, I believe, is the reason we don't see a greater popularity for the little guns.

Bob Wright

 

[TTv2]

When I mentioned the Ruger Blackhawk .357 I had in mind the early Three Screw Blackhawks and the current Flat Tops, both are on the mid-sized frame and equal to the Colt Single Action Army. My point is, the .357 overwhelms the little .32s in practical usage. That, I believe, is the reason we don't see a greater popularity for the little guns.

Bob Wright

Well, Ruger isn't making Three Screw BH's anymore and the only .32's they're making now are either the LCR, SP101, or are built on the Single Six frame. Ruger clearly understands now what niche the .32 fills and are filling it. It would be nice if S&W and Taurus would get off their butts and start doing the same making .32's in J and K frames.

Not sure how a .357 is more practical in such a small gun. The goal of self defense is to stop an attack, not walk around always loaded for bear or hunt a deer with.

The reason the popularity isn't there for the .32 is ammo availability and price. Every gun store in the country has .38 or .357 on the shelf, but inquire about .32 and the clerk will say "that costs a buck a round!"

 

[SlowFuse]

It would be nice if S&W and Taurus would get off their butts and start doing the same making .32's in J and K frames.

Taurus has been there done that with the 327 J-frame. I'd be all over a K-frame smith in 327 though. 4 inch heavy barrel and adjustable sights like a model 19...

 

[TTv2]

Taurus has been there done that with the 327 J-frame. I'd be all over a K-frame smith in 327 though. 4 inch heavy barrel and adjustable sights like a model 19...

Well, Taurus needs to go back because if they were making .327's for $400 it would interest people to try a different caliber, but not have to pay Ruger's $550 price tag. Shoot, if Taurus started making the 605 in .32 Mag and not .327, made it a 7 rd cylinder... dude, they could not make enough of them to meet demand.

 

[silvermane_1]

Good advice...The 327 mag is a great little round but it is loud and stout out of small guns. I like it and appreciate it for what it is and been shooting it for quite a while. I reload so ammo's not a problem...Starline brass w/Missouri, Meister or Hunters Supply bullets. Range time with the SP 101 or Single Seven is fun but out of the LCR not fun...will spank your hand.
I pocket carry the LCR but loaded with Hornady Critical Defense in 32 H&R...better trigger and one more round than the Smith 432PC in 32 H&R.
View attachment 933796
View attachment 933797 View attachment 933800 View attachment 933801 View attachment 933804

That's a nice collection of 327 Fed. Mags there ArkieVol, especially the 4 inch SP-101.

 

[pairof44sp]

There is no data for them to begin with. Also the slight size difference can cause problems with pressure and/or leading.

But presumably if it’s .313 diameter (or .312 or whatever it needs to be) and you don’t seat it any deeper than a pistol bullet, it ought to work, right?

This all came up for me recently when I couldn’t find pistol bullets but rifle bullets were plentiful.

 

[pairof44sp]

Well, Taurus needs to go back because if they were making .327's for $400 it would interest people to try a different caliber, but not have to pay Ruger's $550 price tag. Shoot, if Taurus started making the 605 in .32 Mag and not .327, made it a 7 rd cylinder... dude, they could not make enough of them to meet demand.

I have an idle fantasy of teaming up with Tisas to manufacture and import high-quality revolvers in rare configurations. It’s crazy that any revolver selling for less than 550 means a severe compromise on quality. If they can make good semis in Turkey for 200, they should be able to do good revolvers for say 300.

It would be a hard sell, given how unpopular revolvers are, but look what happens any time a company offers something new:

- LCR: sold a zillion units and made a lot of money
- K6: ditto
- Rhino: apparently ditto
- Charter Professional: these are going for $520 on GB

Tisas ultralight j-frame-size 8-shot .32 H&R DAO with #9 stock trigger? I’ll take a pair.

6” target model .22 TCM full-size? Yes, please.

 

[BobWright]

Once more I will try to make my point: The .357 Magnum is the more practical of the two, .327 vs. .357.

The .357 Magnum is available in mid-size framed Single Action revolvers. In these revolvers, the gun/caliber combination is suitable for small to medium sized game up to and including deer. Also, very small framed (S&W J-Framed guns) are available for personal protection. And, any .357 Magnum revolver is capable of handling all .38 Special ammunition.

It is my observation most men, and women, would prefer such a revolver. The popularity of such gun/cartridge combinations is obvious.

TTv2 stated:
"The reason the popularity isn't there for the .32 is ammo availability and price. Every gun store in the country has .38 or .357 on the shelf, but inquire about .32 and the clerk will say "that costs a buck a round!"

BINGO! If .327 revolvers were as numerous on the market as the .38/.357, ammunition would be as plentiful.

The lady who used to run my favorite gun shop often summed it up this way: "If you were going about which would you choose, a little stick or a big stick?"


Bob Wright

 

[pairof44sp]

Once more I will try to make my point: The .357 Magnum is the more practical of the two, .327 vs. .357.

The .357 Magnum is available in mid-size framed Single Action revolvers. In these revolvers, the gun/caliber combination is suitable for small to medium sized game up to and including deer. Also, very small framed (S&W J-Framed guns) are available for personal protection. And, any .357 Magnum revolver is capable of handling all .38 Special ammunition.

It is my observation most men, and women, would prefer such a revolver. The popularity of such gun/cartridge combinations is obvious.

TTv2 stated:
"The reason the popularity isn't there for the .32 is ammo availability and price. Every gun store in the country has .38 or .357 on the shelf, but inquire about .32 and the clerk will say "that costs a buck a round!"

BINGO! If .327 revolvers were as numerous on the market as the .38/.357, ammunition would be as plentiful.

The lady who used to run my favorite gun shop often summed it up this way: "If you were going about which would you choose, a little stick or a big stick?"


Bob Wright

Party pooper.

 

[lincen]

Have posted these before but can’t resist when the 327FM is mentioned. Since this picture I’ve added a Ruger LCRX in 327. To please both sides, here are three of my favorite 357 magnum revolvers, all with 3 inch barrels.

 

[TTv2]

Once more I will try to make my point: The .357 Magnum is the more practical of the two, .327 vs. .357.

The .357 Magnum is available in mid-size framed Single Action revolvers. In these revolvers, the gun/caliber combination is suitable for small to medium sized game up to and including deer. Also, very small framed (S&W J-Framed guns) are available for personal protection. And, any .357 Magnum revolver is capable of handling all .38 Special ammunition.

It is my observation most men, and women, would prefer such a revolver. The popularity of such gun/cartridge combinations is obvious.

TTv2 stated:
"The reason the popularity isn't there for the .32 is ammo availability and price. Every gun store in the country has .38 or .357 on the shelf, but inquire about .32 and the clerk will say "that costs a buck a round!"

BINGO! If .327 revolvers were as numerous on the market as the .38/.357, ammunition would be as plentiful.

The lady who used to run my favorite gun shop often summed it up this way: "If you were going about which would you choose, a little stick or a big stick?"


Bob Wright

I think you're wrong about what the majority of women prefer. In general women do not like recoil and the .357 has recoil, even .38 has recoil with a heavy enough bullet. The .327 has recoil too, but a .32 Mag has less and when it comes to female shooters they're focus is on self defense, not hunting.

I've talked about this before, but for you I'll repeat myself: the reason .327 and .32 revolvers aren't as numerous as .38/.357 is because the lack of ammo available and the reason the ammo isn't as available is because there aren't as many .327 and .32 revolvers as there are .38/.357 ones. It's a vicious cycle that is self fulfilling and the failure isn't on a lack of interest in the public, the failure is on a lack of support by the industry and the industry is often far too slow to respond to changes in the market.

Case in point is the 10mm. It is currently seeing its highest popularity since it's debut in the late 80s, yet outside of Springfield and Hi Point, who is offering new 10mm pistols? S&W, Ruger, Taurus, Kel Tec, and others have failed to bring a polymer pistol to the market to capitalize on this resurgence of the cartridge. They may have put together some $900 1911 or rushed to make some revolvers in the caliber, but the market is not interested in that and no matter who replies to this and says in the past few years they bought x number of 10mm 1911's and a 10mm revolver, they do not represent the majority of the market.

Finally, if your observation was correct about people preferring a versatile caliber like the .357/.38 is, then the .327's that Ruger is producing and the .32 Mag that Charter came out with last year would all have been dropped or never would have been made. Clearly there is a demand and the gun manufacturers are slowly realizing it. Now the ammo companies need to get on board.

 

[Hondo 60]

Another 327 fan boy here.
I have an SP101 3", and a Henry Rifle.

I can't say what most women like or don't like.
But I can say my wife & daughter are recoil sensitive & prefer 327 vs 357

One of the beauties of a 327 revolver is that you can also fire 32 S&W short, 32 S&W Long & 32 H&R Mag AND 327 Fed Mag and probably 32 ACP.
So me that just screams versatile!

 

[jeff-10]

Its time for a Kimber K7 in 327.

 

[Sneakshot92]

Its time for a Kimber K7 in 327.

Put me on top of the list!! Semi exposed hammer please!

 

[somethingbenign]

Its time for a Kimber K7 in 327.

I'd sell a gun or two for that.

 

[Dunross]

I have an SP101 3", and a Henry Rifle.

The exact combination I want.

I have the SP101. If the economy were not so chancy right now I'd have the Henry too.

 

[Dan-O]

Put me on top of the list!! Semi exposed hammer please!

with a shrouded hammer like the 649......

 

[Rock185]

I've followed and enjoyed this discussion. When the .327FM was introduced I thought good; finally a .32 worthy of the name Magnum. The .327 appears to approximate, or exceed, chronographed ballistics of 9MM +P and +P+. Impressive I think. But, I have to admit I'm part of the problem of lack of demand for the .327. Impressed, but never got around to actually buying a firearm chambered in .327...

 

[somethingbenign]

But, I have to admit I'm part of the problem of lack of demand for the .327. Impressed, but never got around to actually buying a firearm chambered in .327...

Always time to change the error of your ways. Carpe diem!