Answers to Questions Nobody Asked

[LoneCoon]

There's a lot of calibers and firearms out there that don't seem to have a purpose, or are an answer to an non-existent problem.

The best example I can think of at the moment is .327 Magnum, though .45 GAP comes to mind.

What firearms out there seem to be the answers to questions no body asked?

 

[22-rimfire]

I believe both the .327 and .45 GAP have a purpose. They would not have been created if there was no purpose. The purpose may not be credible to you, but they do have a purpose.

Many would say that the 41 magnum would fit into your group. It just depends on what you are interested in.

Would you say that the 30 RAR fits into your group?

Outdated calibers or chamberings is another matter.....

 

[ScotZ]

I am a BIG fan of the 32-20 but I am also sure it would fit on your list.

 

[DSAPT9]

The 45 Gap was designed to give you the power of the 45 auto in a grip (or frame) of the 9mm so you could double stack and fit most hands. Ok Idea but never went anywhere.

No nothing about the .327

The one I liked was the .357 SIG great power but no following.

 

[Ed Ames]

I think a lot of people have been looking for things in the .327 mag range. That's why .32-20 is still alive.

.327 mag is a high velocity small .32 that fits somewhere between the .32 H&R and the .32-20 in terms of power and is suitable for small revolvers. Considering that .32-20 is one of those useful but obsolete rounds, and the .32 H&R is pretty mild compared to what it could be, that's a promising niche if anyone starts making small carbines and other "field" guns chambered for .327. No other round lands exactly on top of it in performance and it is well suited to a roll some people value. I would have one on my "buy" list if I could get a matched repeating carbine.

.45 GAP was pincered between the .40S&W and the .45 ACP... one offers identical performance at a lower price per round with hundreds of well respected weapons to choose from in a long case form factor (that, while longer than a 9mm, isn't so long as to make a grip frame uncomfortable), and the other does the same in a short case form factor. Between those two GAP really doesn't offer anything particularly novel. The argument comes down to perceptions of recoil and the like and that's hard sell.

 

[Kleanbore]

One little advantage the .45 GAP has right now: there's ammo on the shelves.

I went out looking for 9MM and .38 Special the other day, and they had some .38 S&W, .4g GAP ,and .40 S&W. No .38 Spl. , no .357, no .45 ACP.

Looked for a while as if to buy ammo I would have to get a new gun.

Please pardon the diversion, but one of the reasons I would not have opted to buy a .45 GAP sometime back was a concern over ammo availability.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think the 327 Mag will likely really catch on. Honestly, I still haven't seen one in a gun shop and I look. Heck I still have only seen one Ruger LCP and they have been out for a year now. The 327 mag will likely be pretty highly regarded in the home defense and revolver carry camps.

I opted not to buy a Glock in 45 GAP because of ammo issue too. Funny.

If I had felt that way about the 41 mag and listening to the doom & gloom anti-41 caliber types on the fourms, I'd still not have one. It is a great match between caliber and weapon into a very powerful effective package. I dumped my 44's, but still have a few 357's.

The funny part for me is that it really doesn't matter that much if 45 GAP ammo is hard to find. I probably wouldn't shoot it that much anyway. My guess is that I'd run thorugh a few hundred rounds the first month and then settle into about 100 to 200 rounds per year mode. Too many calibers and too little time....

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Maybe the .41 magnum. I don't think it can really meet any standard the .357 or .44 can't.

 

[Joe Demko]

Since you aren't required to purchase any of these "controversial" cartridges, I don't see the problem.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

It still makes for a discussion though.

 

[BhmBill]

.50 GI? .256 magnum? I don't know of a single person who particularly cares for any of the WSM line.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

To learn the thinking behind the developement of the .41 Remington magnum, read Bill Jordan's book "No Second Place Winner".

 

[VA27]

The 45GAP was a good idea that was born too late. If it had come out before the 40S&W, the 40 might have fallen by the wayside. Kahr still might have rescued the round if they'd made a PM40-sized gun in 45GAP instead of making a bigger gun in 45ACP.

I'm interested in the .327. A round with paper ballistics similar to the 30USC/7.62Tokarev in a J-frame sized gun? Bring it on! If Ruger will make the LCR in a 6-shot .327 they'll sell like bottled water. If Marlin will make the 1894 in it the same thing will happen.

The 41Mag was done before it started. Same size guns, same noise, flash and recoil as the 44Mag...what's it for? Coming out just as the auto pistol was begining to make a showing in police service didn't help either.

You want an answer to a question that nobody asked? Go look at the Benelli Vinci...and ask yourself this question, "What would a 'Planet of the Apes' shotgun look like?"

 

[10-Ring]

45 GAP is a prize winner in my book --

 

[jimmyraythomason]

.260 Remington...why?

 

[LancerMW]

what about 32 short? is this even in production anymore?

 

[Captain Kyle]

I buy the most common available calibers, Im actually very glad ive done this NOW.
My Guns:
9mm Luger
45 ACP
357 Magnum
38 Special
.308 Winchester Deer Rifle
Good ole 12 gauge shotgun

 

[peyton]

I think my pistol/revolver purchased are planned with what ammo will be available 20 years from now. I am waiting to handle a .327 revolver, I will probably buy one. Saying that I am prepared to reload for that cartridge and willing to take the risk it will not be available. As to auto calibers I think the market will weed out the poor sellers. I always wanted a 10mm auto but the 40S&W is the more available choice.

 

[Kind of Blued]

If you can't figure out the question, the answer won't make sense.

Everything mentioned thus far seems incredibly useful to me, some of it does the job better than anything else.

.260 Remington...why?

Like that one.

 

[moooose102]

IMO the "short magnums"! if they were being used in an AR platform, then, i could see the point. but in a bolt gun, it makes no sence to me.

 

[bikerdoc]

The one I liked was the .357 SIG great power but no following.

Virginia State Police seem to like them

 

[statelineblues]

.41 Action Express (.41 AE) - Big flash in the pan 20 years ago (even Uzi made a .41 AE conversion for their guns), now nowhere to be found.

 

[kirkcdl]

357sig has a big following...Not a "forgotten caliber" by anybodys definition...

 

[Superlite27]

.41 Action Express (.41 AE) - Big flash in the pan 20 years ago (even Uzi made a .41 AE conversion for their guns), now nowhere to be found.

I was under the impression that .41 AE was the original chambering for the UZI (and the Jericho 941: now "Baby Eagle") from Israel and 9mm was the Americanized conversion. I could be wrong.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Okay,King of Blued. What CAN a .260 Remington DO better than a .270 win,6.5x55 swede or even a 7mm-08? Seriously.