No more SP101s in 327 Federal Mag?

[JellyJar]

I just checked the Ruger website and I see that it no longer lists the SP101 in 327 Fed Mag:

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html

Do you suppose that means the end is nigh for the 327 Fed Mag in production guns?

Still there for the GP100 but that could just be old stock until they all sell.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Doesn't surprise me.

 

[PabloJ]

While never as bad as S&W Strum & Ruger is now going to be making guns they can sell easily. At one time they made 101 in 32H&R...... when I looked at one yesterday I didn't even know what the cartridge was.

 

[Mayvik]

S&W still seems to have 632s listed.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57775_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[urbaneruralite]

The GP100s aren't old stock. You'll have a real hard time finding a new one for sale anywhere.

I personally would've gone for the SP101 instead were it not for the shorter barrel. The .327 really shines with a 4" barrel. The only reason I can see for going shorter than 4" is straight down to 2" for pocket carry. The SP101 is a tad heavy for my pocket. S&W owns that part of the market with the 632; which is still on their web.

 

[urbaneruralite]

I'd like to add that the only company that seemed to have a hard time selling .327s is Taurus. That probably has more to do with the revolvers than the cartridge.

 

[steveno]

a S & W "K" frame in 327 mag with a 6 or 8 3/8 would have been nice to have

 

[Deer_Freak]

The SP101 is hard to find anymore. This a bad time to buy a gun. I am really happy I am in a position that I don't need anything firearms wise. I hope nothing breaks!

 

[snooperman]

It could be that the niche for this caliber is too small for it to be successful in the market place. Just a thought.

 

[Cosmoline]

I have yet to see a box of .327 Federal in person. I've seen several firearms chambered for it, but production of the ammo seems to have been forgotten.

 

[BCCL]

Until about a year ago, my local LGS had Federal .327 Federal JHP ammo in good quantity most of the time, and priced decent, and they wold have some guns chambered in it, but it just seems to have vanished in the last year.

 

[silicosys4]

unfortunately, I don't see a lot of future for the .327 federal magnum. It does nothing that other cartridges don't, other than fit 6 where 5 would go, and is very hard to find.

 

[Trad Archer]

I have no problem finding 327 ammo and as well as brass and bullets.

I have the SP101 and the GP100, never did get the Blackhawk which too is now discontinued.

Recently, there have been a few SP101s in 327 sell for more than $800 on Gunbroker.

 

[CraigC]

It does nothing that other cartridges don't...

It fits into a six shot Single Six and is a blistering 1600-1700fps varmint cartridge. Those are two things that no other factory revolver cartridge do.

The problem with the .32's is not the cartridges, it's the narrow minded shooters who don't get it.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

I think that means the only production .327 still running is out of Taurus. Ruger, Taurus, and Charter were the big three shooting .327. Charter dropped and now Ruger. Great little cartridge and good prices on ammo. I was able to find 50rnd boxes of AE ammo for around 22 or 23 bucks.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Due to Obamanomics I doubt many people want to fork over money now on a odd ball cartridge gun.

But the funny thing is about the only ammo I see alot now of IS .327 Federal! All because so few people buy the guns.

Deaf

 

[GJgo]

I bought a Smith 327 in December, got an awesome deal on it on clearance at Cabela's. Since then they always have Federal in stock, which is funny because they're out of most everything else. I figure I'll get a big stash of brass now & I should be good to go.

What does it do that others don't? Well, in addition to what's been said it shoots 5 calibers. 327, 32 H&R, 32 S&W long, 32 S&W, and 32 ACP. What do you have that has that kind of versatility?

 

[mj246]

I haven't seen any of the guns for sale in a while, but BassPro had some Federal 327 JHP when I went a couple days ago.

I was very interested in the 327 when it first came out as something in between 38 and 357 as far as power and recoil are concerned, but now that I finally have a decent reloading set-up, I opted to go for 44 special instead because of the lack of guns and ammo/components available in 327 (usually).

 

[2zulu1]

It's an excellent caliber that never caught on. I have 4 boxes of 115gr Gold Dots, very hard hitting from a Taurus snub. I prefer the 327 to the 38 Special, hits harder and penetrates deeper.

 

[ATLDave]

Light-and-fast is out of fashion for social work at the moment. Bad timing for that cartridge to hit the market.

 

[SlowFuse]

This is definitely a niche cartridge, I'd say trying to fill a spot that's not desired. I wish it would have caught on, I'm a big fan and thoroughly enjoy reloading this cartridge.

 

[BlackSky]

I've always longed for a 6 shot J frame that packed a punch. This fits the bill perfectly.

 

[sthomper]

does every revolver cartridge shine better in a longer barrel than a shorter one?

 

[sthomper]

seems to have or actually does?

 

[shadow9]

It fits into a six shot Single Six and is a blistering 1600-1700fps varmint cartridge. Those are two things that no other factory revolver cartridge do.

I fail to see the point of that...yes, it makes a QUICK varmint cartridge for a revolver, but that purpose seems a little..niche...itself, IMHO. If I'm varmint hunting, I want 2200fps+ (gets there sooner, flatter), and I'd prefer a rifle for better use of optics and a more stable platform.


Also, in terms of versatility of the .32 - sure, it can shoot .32 S&W Short, Long, .32 H&R, .327 FM, and .32 ACP (though this is simply passable, not recommended and discussed in other threads), most of those calibers you simply won't find outside of a well-supplied wal-mart or a gun store. I haven't seen .32 S&W short or long for a bit, and never a box of H&R in a reputable SD load.

OTOH, the .35-series is also very versatile, have been used for years, and between .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38 Special and .357 Mag, you're guaranteed to find a .38-something a LOT easier than a .32-something.

Did I mention I can buy a box of .38's at my local True Value?

I see the .327 FM the same as a 6.5x55 - it'll do 80% of the tricks of it's bigger brethren with 20-30% less recoil, but you're paying for it with a much smaller market, and I think this smaller market is what kills sales.