I like .32 cal revolvers as fun guns. I wish S&W still made K-32's/Model 16's... but they don't. I'm kind of tempted by the notion of a SP-101 in .327, though not really for concealment or carry... just pure shooting enjoyment and plinking. How are these as shooters? Can the trigger be gotten to a pretty decent state?
Thoughts on .327 SP-101?
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Zaydok Allen
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I've got a 357 with a 3" barrel. It's a great carry gun accept for the hard to see front site. A little paint fixes that though. The trigger on mine is decent and I've been shooting it for a long time. It does seem a little stagey to me, but very serviceable and smooth. I suspect it could be tuned nicely by someone with the know how.
I had a 22 version and really didn't like it manly because of the very stiff trigger pull. I traded it for my reloading press in a big box store.
I too am interested in the 327 version, but I want a 3" barrel for carry. The longer barrel seems out of place to me on a small gun. I wish they would just make an 8 shot GP100 already. So for me the longer barrel makes no sense.
If you have larger hands, you may want to consider the Pachmayr grip. It's the only one I have found to be comfortable, AND attractive.
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I had a 22 version and really didn't like it manly because of the very stiff trigger pull. I traded it for my reloading press in a big box store.
I too am interested in the 327 version, but I want a 3" barrel for carry. The longer barrel seems out of place to me on a small gun. I wish they would just make an 8 shot GP100 already. So for me the longer barrel makes no sense.
If you have larger hands, you may want to consider the Pachmayr grip. It's the only one I have found to be comfortable, AND attractive.
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RealGun
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I don't think any Ruger is going to have the trigger and action of your dreams. You pretty much just have to learn to shoot them. You might do well with Federal primers, supposedly softer anvils, but on my 4" SP101 in 327 Fed Mag I had to go back to the tougher mainspring to get reliable ignition. The guns are great at the range, because pretty stout loads are still enjoyable to shoot. One of my 327s goes with me almost every outing.
I have the 3" SP101 in 327 also and like that it makes the SP101 carry gun a six shooter.
Lastly, I have the Single Seven. It is certified by a trip to Ruger as very accurate with boxed Federal 100, but I don't have a load of my own with 32-20 bullets that groups well. Still working on it. I love that gun but would have a stronger bond if it made me look like a better shot.
SteadyD
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I dry fired my 2.25 inch 357 like crazy and it smoothed out, but I've done nothing else to it. It has been my second most accurate snub nose revolver (in my hands), despite having the "worst" trigger among them (j frames, LCRs, K6S). The grip just fits my hand exceptionally well and I shoot it well.
For a self defense gun the double action trigger is fine, and for more precise shooting at greater distances, the single action trigger is fine, at least in my opinion. They obviously aren't as nice as their Smith and Wesson counterparts but it's not like they're unshootable.
For a self defense gun the double action trigger is fine, and for more precise shooting at greater distances, the single action trigger is fine, at least in my opinion. They obviously aren't as nice as their Smith and Wesson counterparts but it's not like they're unshootable.
Ohen Cepel
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For plinking their Single Seven in .327 may be a better option, longer barrels to be hand and I find their triggers to be better (SA, they should be).
MedWheeler
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RealGun writes:
This is how I'd want it. I have an older Taurus 85 in stainless, with the 3-inch barrel, kind of a "poor man's SP-101." I love this gun for its weight, balance, and appearance., and it's a surprisingly nice shooter. Having something as handsome in the same size that would give me another round would be cool. I've never seen a .327 SP "in the flesh", though.
This is how I'd want it. I have an older Taurus 85 in stainless, with the 3-inch barrel, kind of a "poor man's SP-101." I love this gun for its weight, balance, and appearance., and it's a surprisingly nice shooter. Having something as handsome in the same size that would give me another round would be cool. I've never seen a .327 SP "in the flesh", though.
I have a 5-1/2" Single Seven and took delivery of one of Henry's 327 Fed Magnum rifles a month or so ago. Nice pair.
I also have a 4-1/4" SP101 in 327 Fed Magnum and it shoots well. While very manageable with factory ammunition, I load it down some with my reloads. In my advance years, I'm not as much interested in wrist snapping recoil. If I want recoil, I drag out the 460 S&W Magnum.
I'm happy with the 327 Mag SP101 enough that I just bought the recently released 9x19 SP101.
Me too, but I'm not holding my breath. I wish I could just see a K-32 in the "metal" and not buy it because I could not afford it but, alas, that has not happened. (I did find and buy a 6" Model 16-4 a year or do ago but it is just not the same as a K-32.)
Armybrat
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I put a new 3" Sp101 .327 on layaway two weeks ago at GaG - $509 plus $7.99 shipping. Hope it's as nice as my 1993 production SP in .357.
Bush Pilot
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You scored at that price, I paid about $50.00 more for mine. I haven't had a chance to shoot the gun yet, maybe this weekend.
Monster Zero
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What's important is if you like it. Personally, my wife has an SP-101 in .357 with the 3" barrel and I think the same thing loading six .32 H&R Magnum loads would just be the bee's knees.
If I wanted something in .327 just to shoot, I'd give the single-seven a look, but that's just me. Or one could see how the 4" SP-101 might be fun too. It's your boat, whatever floats it, y'know?
(On a related point, how about them 7-shooter GP-100's? What a tradeoff to think about, five rounds of .44 special or seven rounds of .357 in a GP-100 with either a 3" or 2.5" barrel, respectively? I think seven rounds of Golden Sabers or even the plain ol' Winchester 110 grain load in a stainless GP-100 with a 2.5" barrel, adjustable sights, and original Ruger grips would just totally be da bomb for a concealed/discreet carry piece, especially in the winter. Just the thing for some party or workplace crasher hollerin' somethin' about Allah, y'know what I mean? I might opt for something a big more Glock42-ish in the summer, though.)
Monster Zero
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Please let us know how you like it. My wife might want a sibling to her SP in .357.
bannockburn
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Have always been fond of smaller frame revolvers (like a S&W J frame), with a 3" barrel. Might have to give this new 3" barrel SP101 in .327 a look.
I'm interested in picking up a 3" SP101 and the choice is down to a .357 and .327.
If a chief concern is a low recoil, soft shooting gun. How would shooting .32H&R magnums stack up against .38 wadcutters from a 3" sp101? How about .32 Long?
I'm new to revolvers has anyone shot both?
If a chief concern is a low recoil, soft shooting gun. How would shooting .32H&R magnums stack up against .38 wadcutters from a 3" sp101? How about .32 Long?
I'm new to revolvers has anyone shot both?
.32 S&W Long (or, even more so, .32 S&W) is comically soft in almost any gun. You can get factory wadcutter ammo in the .32 that is almost 50% lighter in bullet weight. See, e.g., https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...and-w-long-100-grain-lead-wadcutter-box-of-50
At about the same velocity, and 50% less thrown weight, actual recoil is going to be... well, about 2/3 of a 38 wadcutter.
At about the same velocity, and 50% less thrown weight, actual recoil is going to be... well, about 2/3 of a 38 wadcutter.
RealGun
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The 327's cartridge capability range would allow you to find the recoil (and noise) level you prefer.
TfflHndn
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I have a Single Seven, and shoot mostly .32 H&R brass, with Rim Rock 78 grain round nose bullets over about 3.8 grains of AutoComp. It is supremely accurate, and very soft shooting. Recoil is far less than a .38 wadcutter from most revolvers. One of my favorite loads for competitions. The Single Seven is one of the last guns I would ever sell if I had to sell all but a few of what I have. A big part of the reason is the versatility to go from the bunny-fart loads to a roaring 100 grain bullet at 1500 feet per second.
If1HitU
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Awesome revolver!
Tallball
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32 H&R magnum has very soft recoil. 32 S&W long doesn't feel much different to me than a 22.
I have quite a few 32 caliber revolvers. The best shooter is definitely my 6.5" Single Six in 32 H&R magnum. I shoot it just as well (or poorly) as its otherwise identical 22 caliber cousin.
I have quite a few 32 caliber revolvers. The best shooter is definitely my 6.5" Single Six in 32 H&R magnum. I shoot it just as well (or poorly) as its otherwise identical 22 caliber cousin.
GBExpat
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As a carry piece, the thought of a ~3" SP101 has intrigued me for quite awhile.
For target/plinking I will use one of my .32-20s as the reduced report & recoil is more pleasant for me.
i read today that Ruger is also coming out with the GP 100 in .327 again with a 7 round capacity through Lipseys
http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUGP32751
http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUGP32751
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