SP101 .327 Federal

[Matt Almeda]

I just got off the line with Ruger Sales Department.
The guns should be hitting the distributors possible sometime in late March to early April.

Can't wait to try it out.

 

[GunNut]

sounds like a neat gun, but not much better than just a normal sp101 in .357mag, if any.

 

[MortalWombat]

You get one more round in the cylinder, if that is of a concern or interest to you.

 

[cyanide]

Not for me the tried and tested .357 is just fine plus it will shoot .38/spec and + P or even +P+

This ( the 327) is going to fail big time IMO

 

[jimbob86]

Not for me the tried and tested .357 is just fine plus it will shoot .38/spec and + P or even +P+

This ( the 327) is going to fail big time IMO

And the .327 won't fire the various .32s?

The fact that it was only a 5 shot was the only reason I did not purchase a SP101 in .357 for my carry piece.

 

[cyanide]

Why does one need a 32 if one can shoot a low load wad cutter 38 ?

As for needing more than 5 shots , I suppose some feel the need for it. I don't .

 

[461]

The .327 is already shipping, several folks already have them. Ammo is becoming available as well.

I've got a custom one being made right now as who knows when or if the Ruger will be available in California.

The .327 will outclass all but the very hottest .38Spl +P. Early reports show very good performance and for those of us that already love the .32's it is very exciting.

I'll buy at least one of every gun chambered in .327 that becomes available in California. Preference given to a Ruger Single-Six and a Marlin carbine if the manufacturers are listening.

 

[Matt Almeda]

Tim wrote: I've got a custom one being made right now.....

Who do you have making it?

 

[461]

Alan Harton is redoing a .32 H&R, SP-101 for me. I was going to have work done on it anyhow but figured while he had it he may as well deepen the chambers. I've got a couple .32 H&R Single-Sixes that may be next.

 

[shooter429]

Cyanide, I disagree on all points

The .32s have their place and a cult following already (like the 10mm). It is going to succeed in a big way. One can shoot the .32 H&R, .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long ammunition as well as the .32 Federal in the guns, giving one the accuracy of the .38 wadcutter, while being even easier to shoot well with much reduced recoil (not much more than a .22 mag) and at the same time, being able to reach near .357 magnum ballistics on the top end and having a higher ammo capacity to boot.

This is a very accurate, easy shooting and versatile caliber. It gives people another real choice in a small magnum wheelie.

Shooter429

 

[Diamondback]

: The .32s have their place and a cult following already (like the 10mm). It is going to succeed in a big way. One can shoot the .32 H&R, .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long ammunition as well as the .32 Federal in the guns, giving one the accuracy of the .38 wadcutter, while being even easier to shoot well with much reduced recoil (not much more than a .22 mag) and at the same time, being able to reach near .357 magnum ballistics on the top end and having a higher ammo capacity to boot.

This is a very accurate, easy shooting and versatile caliber. It gives people another real choice in a small magnum wheelie

I agree 100 % !!..........choices are good.....and the .327 is a versatile choice
as shooter429 explains above .

- regards

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I agree as well.
Not everyone can handle the the buck and thunder of a 357 in a small package. The 327 seems to be a good middle ground with good terminal performance and a manageable recoil for people who, unlike myself, are the sworn enemy of recoil.
Different strokes for different folks. I'd like one to have as a carry weapon or BUG.

 

[Library Guy]

Catch 32

Catch thirty-two:

No round will be adopted by police/military without evidence of effectiveness. (Exception: The 10mm and we saw how long that lasted as an issue round.)

Without adoption by police/military it will be almost impossible to determine real world effectiveness. (Solution: avoid the real world. Gun writers do!)

It’s gonna be a hard sell for most of us who have more than one proven platform in our collection.

Having said that, my grandfather trusted his Colt’s Official Police in .32-20

 

[Seafarer12]

I don't see the round doing much. Most people feel fine with 5 shots of 38+p or .357. Not to mention finding ammo for it.

 

[Fishman777]

Here is your evidence...

If you want evidence, go to the Ruger website and download the 2008 DA revolver catalog. You will find this exact information in the catalog.

.327 FEDERAL BALLISTICS (3 1/16’’ REVOLVER)

Caliber Bullet Wgt. Pressure Velocity Energy Free Recoil
[gr] [psi] [fps] [ft/lb] [ft/lb]
.32 85 20,500 990 185 1.46
H&R
Mag.

.327 85 35,000 1330 334 3.08
Federal 100 45,000 1400 435 5.58
Mag. 115 45,000 1300 431 5.62

.38 129 20,000 925 245 3
Spl.+P

.357 125 35,000 1300 470 7.22


Based on the ballistics, .327 magnum is superior to the .38 special +p. With the smaller bullet diameter, these rounds would have a better sectional density than the .38 special round and the .357 magnum round. Given the sectional density and the velocity, I would expect that the .327 magnum would out penetrate both of those rounds. If you look at the Gunblast review on the .327 magnum sp101, you'll see that Jeff Quinn shot completely through a 16" wide pork shoulder with the FMJ version of these Federal rounds.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SP101-327.htm

The .327 magnum will not be as effective as 125 grain .357 magnum rounds, but what round is? The 125 grain .357 magnum round is the king of hand gun "stopping power". By the numbers, it the .327 magnum is a very formidable round. I want to get this gun for the wife, but if I do, I will shot the darn thing a lot after I get set up for reloading. This is one of the guns that I am really excited about.

 

[SeanSw]

I find it interesting that one of the three standard factory loads introduced with this caliber uses a jacketed soft point bullet. Is there another premium self defense load using JSP bullets? This caliber is actually being marketed as a self defense caliber and non-magnum handguns just don't have enough velocity to make the JSP any more worthwhile than flat nosed slug. This should say something in favor of the .327.

If the preceding calibers were gimmicks then this one begins the course ahead of the game with a better possibility of becoming truly mainstream. The .38spcl is a good caliber and is surviving with a century of tools and technology behind it, despite, IMO, suffering in comparison against other calibers. There is no need to "pass the torch" but the numbers and possibilities of the .327 magnum appear to make it a more compact all-around caliber, filling the pocket gun role better than the .38 special.

 

[Cosmoline]

I actually think it's a cool idea and I'm tentatively going to snag one. That's a very rare thing for me these days, since I haven't bought a brand new firearm in years. But I love the .32-20's ballistics and this sucker is the closest I've seen yet in a modern cartridge to recreate it. But it won't suffer from the .32-20's archaic brass design and more importantly will come fresh and clear of any SAAMI pressure problems. I want a LEVERGUN chambered for the little zapper!

Without adoption by police/military it will be almost impossible to determine real world effectiveness.

The ballistics are very close to the .32-20, as noted. And that round has a great deal of real world track record, from police wheelguns to hunting rifles. Natives used to drop brown bears with that round up here, though I wouldn't advise trying it. The round will "cut you half in two" as Robert Johnson put it. This is the same thing, only cranked up to where it should be velocity wise, and with a nice straight-walled case that will be easier to produce and reload.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Yeah Cosmoline, I was thinking the same thing in regard to a levergun.
That would be a great combination for the woods, pairing the sp101 and a marlin 336 chambered for this round.

 

[Joe the Redneck]

I am the last person on Earth who believe that a gun can be used for more than killing? I don't buy a gun based soley on how well it will kill somebody. I hope to God I never have to take the life of another person.

If you go back to the BP days you will see that the 32 and the 38 have lived side by side for 100years. The 32 has only recently fallen out of favor with shooters. Not enough flash and power for the modern shooter.

That's why the marketing for the so-called 327 is so stupid. They have to make it look like the next big thing in defense rounds.

Reality, 32s use less powder, use less lead, don't bark so lound and are a lot more fun than a 22. That's enough for me.

My opinion, worth what you paid for it.

Joe

 

[Cosmoline]

Self defense is a valid concern, but I agree if this round's ballistics are as good as claimed it could be a very nice woods and meat bag round. The flat trajectory combined with a long barreled hunting revolver or levergun would be excellent for a wider range of game than the .22LR.

 

[Fishman777]

Hi Joe...

Let me assure you, people on this forum are not itching for excuses to shoot people. I personally believe that life is a gift from God, and I hope to never have to take that gift from anyone, ever. I would only shoot another human being if they were threatening someone else's life, period. I don't even hunt, because I value animal life as well. I eat meat and I would hunt for food if I had to, but I would never hunt for sport. Taking life is not on my "to do" list.

I got into guns *after* I got married and a few crimes occured in my neighboorhood. One involved a guy that beat up an old woman with a handgun while he was trying to rob her store. The other one involved a relative that had their house broken into. I have limited funds to pour into guns, so I need to make wise decisions and consider what would be reliable, safe, and effective. I enjoy shooting, but in a perfect world, I would not even own any weapons. I would find a different hobby.

 

[P. Plainsman]

As a .32 H&R Magnum fan who reluctantly sold his .32 H&R SP101 due to ammo cost, I am interested in the new .327 Fed Mag round and hope it does well.

Only problem with the SP101 as a vehicle for the .327 is its short barrel length. I think the guns the .327 cartridge really belongs in are small game, field revolvers. A S&W K-frame double action and a Single Six-sized single action, both with a 5" or 6" barrel, would be awfully sweet.

This test of the .327 in a custom single action revolver suggests that you can get some excellent velocity from a longer barrel, even with factory .327 ammo.

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom-Harton327.htm

It's like a red-hot handload .32-20, but in factory form, with no annoying bottleneck case. That's neat.

 

[DawgFvr]

I am the last person on Earth who believe that a gun can be used for more than killing? I don't buy a gun based soley on how well it will kill somebody.

Actually that is the only criteria I use when researching/purchasing a side arm. I have no other use for a pistol/revolver aside from this. Now my rifle and shotgun are multi-purpose tools and wear many hats.

 

[DawgFvr]

I am the last person on Earth who believe that a gun can be used for more than killing? I don't buy a gun based soley on how well it will kill somebody.

Actually that is the only criteria I use when researching/purchasing a side arm. I have no other use for a pistol/revolver aside from this. Now my rifle and shotgun are multi-purpose tools and wear many hats.

 

[280shooter]

I want one too.I might trade off my 44 mag,