I posted about finding a 632 pro and was wondering if I should just get a 357/38. Like the looks of the gun, but the price and avalibility of the ammo sucks. Can't get it just anywhere.

Yeah, just get the .38/.357. The .327 is on its way out.

The .357 is a great all around cartridge, but I absolutely love the .32s. Particularly fond of the 32 H&R Mag. Been shooting & reloading these for 20 years. Pure joy to shoot! One of my biggest regrets is not buying a model 16-4 in the 80s when demand was almost nonexistent. Now is a different story.

The 327 can be a hand-loaders delight as it shoots the 327, 32 Long, Short and H&R magnum as well as a 32acp in a tight. I bought one to teach the wife how to shoot larger calibers and worked her up to a 32-magnum at which point I sold it when she graduated to the light 38-special loads. Ammo can be had, but it's usually mail-order and the full blown 327's are close to $1 a pop last time I bought any.

I certainly think the H&R Mag and the 327-Mags are adequate SD loads and it is a very versatile gun, just not cheap to shoot as a range-gun, unless you want to accumulate enough brass and get into reloading. If you reload, you can shoot the 32 -Long and Short about as cheaply as 22 if you cast your own slugs.

Good little gun and will do all the jobs, but I think the 38/357 is a better choice when it comes to ammo availability. People tried to tell me that before I bought a 327.....so I had to learn that I could do without it.

Frankly, I cannot imagine a serious shooter who doesn't reload. I am a bald, fat, old man but started reloading when I was about 14 years old. My father got me Elmer Keith's little blue book "Sixgun Cartridges and Load" and I followed Elmer's directions faithfully. I had excellent results right out of the box and have been reloading ever since.

I can load a box of fifty big bore handgun cartridges for just a fraction of the factory loads. I have won my share of matches using reloaded ammo.

I also, in addition to my big bores, have a fondness for the .32's. Currently, I have four .32's:
1 - .32 S&W Long snubbie
2 - S&W Model 631 (4" .32 H&R Magnum with adjustable sights)
3 - S&W Model 16-4 with 6" barrel (my most shot .32)
4 - Ruger SP 101 with 4" barrel

The 16-4 and the Ruger have Red Dot sights (a GREAT help to aging eyes).

I also cast my own bullets (have around 80 bullet moulds for pistols and rifles) but that is another subject.

You can get set up in reloading for an excellent turret press with all you need for a couple of hundred dollars. The first thousand rounds you load will pay for it.

I thoroughly enjoy reloading as well as bullet casting and greatly adds to the pleasure.

When you win a match or harvest a head of big game with your own cast bullets and reloads, you have ARRIVED!

Don't limit yourself to "just" shooting, add greater enjoyment to this great past time, Ladies and Gentlemen..

Dale53

Nothing like friends gathering around the casting pot with a bucket full of wheel-weights to work thru. Almost like a family BBQ.

I load 38-special (and did load 32-Long) for around 5-6 cents a round. That would be the primer and the powder.

Several threads about the .32's and .327's lately, so obviously they're pretty popular. I have revolvers chambered in .32 long and .32 magnum but no .327 yet. Think I'm going to follow the lead of several forum members here and have an extra cylinder rechambered in .327 for one of my 16-4's.

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The .32's sure have a following but I am too heavily invested in the .38 Special and .357 Magnum to get into any other calibers. I don't think the new .327 will do anything for me that my current guns can't handle. JMHO.

I like the cartridge and do not think it's going anywhere. Both Ruger and S&W are expanding their offerings in the caliber next year. I gave both my wife and my elderly father a .327. They can practice with no recoil .32's, which since I reload is no big deal and load up the .327 for defense, which is 80% of a .357 magnum, a far better round than the .38 spl. Speer makes a 115 grain, 455mve, 1335fps round...that's a 9mm on steroids.

JMO

If you do not reload though, it's pricey.

I am also too heavily invested in 38 Special to own one. (Subject to Change) I have a few friends who have them however.
If I wanted one, I would pick up a Big Box of new Starline 32 H&R Brass, and a Carbide Die set. Cast bullets are cheap. It uses very little powder. Low Recoil with plinking loads. With Factory 327 HP ammo it has enough Fizz for self defense.

The Pro should be a Great Gun in 327.

Everyone I know who owns a 32 really likes it.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Well.....they (whoever they are) have said for years now that the 327-Mag was not going anywhere and it was just another attempt to resurrect the 32-20, but it's still around. It served my purpose well while I had one and I would have kept it, but there is just no use in having another weapon that the 38-special can duplicate....(save the full-blown 115-grain 327 loading) for all intents and purposes.

I do not know why but I really like the little 32's. I have carried a 332 Ti in an ankle rig for over ten years. I also have a 431PD and a 632-2 .327 Pro. Then last weekend I walked into my LGS and saw a 31-1. I asked the owner if I could look at it and when I cocked it the hammer fell out, when he saw this he asked me if I was still interested. I said yes but explained that the price he had on it was not going to work. He then asked if I would be intrested if the price was $75.00. I said I'll take it and after getting a hammer nose rivet from Numrich's I have one more 32.

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For EDC/CCW I cannot see an advantage of the .32 or .327 mag. Why not just stick with the .38 +P or .357? This tried and true round has stood the test of time and has good "street creds."

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Here's my custom K-327 Mag that Mr. Bowen put together for me a couple years ago. Luv it!

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

SP101 - 3 1/16 barrel, Simply Rugged pancake. Shoot 85 gr Hydra-Shok and 100 gr JHP in carry mode - Fiocchi 100 gr LWC for plinking.

Shoots good and Ruger quality though a little heavy. I'll attach a pix at 1 o'clock with a couple of 3" K frames..I like full length extractor rods. See;

I've always been a 38/357 guy but when I bought my 632 I became very impressed with the 327 Magnum. I had 4 friends who were so impressed shooting mine they all went out and bought one. When qualifying for our retired officers CC we shoot both revolvers and semi autos. We all shot our 632s loaded with 32 S&W rounds which are not as loud as 22 shorts. The range officer inquired "What are you guys shooting?" After qualifying we let him shoot a 632 and he too ended up buying one. I really like the idea of a 6 shot J frame and in this calibre you can go from super mild to very hot, I'm hooked. If you buy a 632 you will be too.

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I own a ruger SP101 327 mag. IMO the 327 mag is louder and has just as much felt recoil as the 357 mag. The 327 mag will not do anything the 357 mag cannnot do better.

I sure hope the 32s are here to stay... I know they are at the Frog Pad! My everyday CCW is a 32 HE Snub that is nearly as old as I am, and with my other I-frames I really enjoy shooting the 6" Regulation Police Target in 32 S&W Long that I bought back in the Spring.

The really telling testimony to my love for the 32s is the Model 66 that I am currently having converted to a custom 327. I wanted one that badly! Yeah, I sure hope the 32s are here to stay!

Froggie

I agree that the 32's are here to stay. S&W needs to step up and make a K or L frame in 327!! It is a shame I had to buy a ruger blackhawk to get a 8 shot capacity revolver!!!!!!!!

Except add an extra round to the cylinder.

Personally, I think the .327 Mag looks good on paper and I would like to see it take off. I'm waiting to see where it goes though. I'd like to have a couple of guns chambered in it.... starting with a J Frame six shot snub.

I fear you have a lot of company... and until there is more demand, they won't go anywhere, and until they "go somewhere" there won't be a great demand for them. Again, I felt like I would go boldly and get one, so that's why I'm having it built. YMMV, but a man's gotta do...

Froggie

Having thought it over for a couple days, I could be persuaded to buy a .327 if it came in a four inch, K-frame, square butt with full-underlug barrel. A scaled down 586/686. I'd buy one, lock and MIM parts included. I'd pay $850-1000 for a factory version but I just can't afford $2500 for a Bowen custom including the price of a donor 66.

Well, if all goes according to plan, I'll be into mine at right around $1000-1200, but only because I bought my early police trade-in Model 66 no dash about 20 years ago... with careful shopping today I could probably duplicate the project today for around $1500, which you have to admit would be a screaming deal for a pinned and recessed custom stainless steel revolver with all forged and machined parts and of course no lock!

Realize of course that you couldn't just pick up the phone and order exactly this from one source, it is a process that involves a lot of work on your part, a bunch of searching and scrounging, and of course some waiting for what you need to turn up and for the work to be done. JMHO, YMMV!

Froggie

You are correct, sir!

I was going by what Bowen lists as his prices for the necessary parts if you don't provide them for the project. I figured about $500 for the donor 66. However, with time and patience you could certainly get what you need and be into it for much less than my estimate.

Regrettably, time and patience seem to be in short supply around my place!

If and when you get your gun together I'd love to see a pic of the finished project.

I'm sorry guys......I just feel that the 38/357 can do everything the 32 can do, and more......

I'm just not feeling the love for something that the ammo is really expensive compared the everything else (to get cases, you have to usually buy the ammo first, and it's expensive in my little part of the world). I can purchase swaged bullets for my 38s fairly cheap, and 3.1 grains of HP 38 with primers is pretty easy on the wallet. I shot this fairly regularly, and to quote from above, I too, and heavily invested in the 38.

I've owned many, many handguns over the years, but I have yet to own a 32 of any kind. I just can't justify it in my own mind.

The .327 Magnum's saving grace is it is available in a S&W Revolver, and as such you can theoretically have S&W build whatever you wish. Additionally, people with good taste and common sense like S&W revolvers and might buy the .327 Magnum in a S&W Revolver to round out a collection.

As a cartridge, I see .327 Magnum much as a I see the .45 GAP; a solution to a problem that does not exist.

But...since it can be had in our beloved S&W Revolvers it is likely here to stay.

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Ralph J.

I have a love for the little 32. I've had an SP101 in 327 for over 5 years, and have yet to fire 327 in it (have three boxes of 327). I shoot 32 Long in it and my two HR Mag/32-20 Vaqueros and my Mod 31 all the time. I find the 32 Long and HR Mag very easy to reload (only the 38/357 is easier). If you never plan to reload go 38/357, but if you are looking for FUN try a 32/327.

I don't carry a 32 but I wouldn't feel naked if that's all I had either.

I would love to have a quality lever gun in .327. Something like a Marlin 1894 or a Rossi 1892 clone would be great.

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- Change it back -

It always tickles me when naysayers have never even owned one. My affection for the 32s is deep. If I "had to have only one" , it probably wouldn't be a 32. But I don't expect that to happen in my lifetime. If I had to thin the herd, my many 32s would be among the last to go.
P.S. love the screen name KarmannGhia. My first car was a 1969 convertible. Miss it.

I guess that's the reason we have different calibers available, to suit different people. I've had one 38/357 or another for well over 25 years as well as other caliber handguns from 22 short to 44 magnum, but the ones I enjoy shooting the most at this stage in my life are mainly the 32s. Are they right for everyone? Of course not. But they are right for me right now and I am willing to do the reloading I need to get the performance I want.

It's kinda like the difference between fly fishing and fishing with worms... both are effective at putting dinner on the table if you do your part, but the making of the fly and development of the skills to use it effectively hold an attraction for some enthusiasts that others don't have. This doesn't make the fly fisherman better or worse than the worm fisherman, just different. It's the same with the 32 vs 357... there's no right or wrong choice, just different options.

As to cost, if you cast your own bullets, the 32s come out ahead by virtue of using less lead, and the same powder and primer would be used, so price would be the same or less for equal performance. BTW, I talked to the folks at Starline today and they are on schedule to ship 327 Fed Mag brass again in about 2 weeks. I don't know how long it will last because I haven't had time to wear out any!

Froggie

I am right now on the verge of making a trade-deal for a Model 632. I have had a 327 Mag in the past and I did reload for it. I cast my own slugs and could reload in the neighborhood of a nickel a round. The problem is building-up the brass supply. if you are a re-loader....once you get past the brass accumulation, you're home free.

I have not been nudged off the fence yet, as I struggle with the same age-old question that we have all talked about here. Why in the world do I need a 327 when I can do anything I want with the 38-Special. I'll probably have nightmares tonight thinking about what mistake I am about to make. Yes.....No....Flip a coin I guess.

It's really not a question of "NEED". If it were, there are better cartridges out there than the .38/.357 as well. It is a question of "WANT".
Do I want one? Hell yes! I just made a deal on a NIB Model 16-4 w/ 4" barrel yesterday morning. Could have bought two revolvers & 500 rds of ammo in 1989 for what I paid yesterday.

One of my self-imposed golden rules is.....to always have guns in which you can find ammo for under just about any bush like Wally-World. That encompasses the 38-Special, 357-Mag, 380ACP, 32ACP, 22LR, 12 and 20 gauge shotgun shells, 9mm, probably 45ACP and whatever the current NATO round is...and I likely left out one or two.

I did a quick check on ammunition to go.com and I don't see where the ammo for a 327 is anymore expensive than it is for a 357. Of course, the choices for the 357 are much more abundant, but as for price...I see it as a wash.

Also...being a reloader, I don't see ammo as a problem once I get a nice supply of brass built up.

With all that said...I guess it's pretty obvious I'm getting into 327 Federal myself. I traded off a G19 and special ordered an SP101 that they made me a sweet deal on at the LGS. So it won't be long before I get to see the potential of this little round.

My LGS carries American Eagle, Speer GD and Federal Hydra shoks. Ammo is available online...and I can roll my own.

I just wanted something different. It doesn't have anything to do with need...it's just the desire to shoot something other than a gun or caliber that I can get any day of the week and twice on Sunday if I wanted.

Succeeded in not caring enough up until now. Now I'm intrigued. Another freaking caliber to buy guns for and deal with! Dammit!

Me....as well as some others here, have reloaded for the 32 stuff. Piece-of-cake and you can do it for just a few cents a pop. As far as I know, nobody makes a 327-Mag specific die-set. The 32-Magnum set will load the Longs, 32-Mag and the 327-Mag. As I recall...the 327-Mag brass is very heavy-duty stuff.

PS: I failed to also mention that I think the 327 slug can be had in a .312 thru .314. You cannot use the 32ACP slugs as they are .311. Ask me how I know.

This caught my attention. Does anyone else agree the report is that quiet? If so this would be an ideal next step for my daughter. She won't admit it but she seems to be afraid of the boom my non rimfires have. Yes we always wear hearing protectionin case anyone was wondering.


Sent from a tiny keyboard with the assistance of a proof reader whose English is dubious at best. Tapatalk via Android

Not to be in disagreement, because we make comparisons based on our individual hearing and memory (and my memory is getting worse every day). I would say it depends on which 22-Short you're using. My wife likes the CCI stuff and maybe the 32-Short is close to that IMHO. BUT, the 32-Short definitely has less report than the other 32 rounds. Another "but" is that the 32 S&W (Short) is one of the most expensive 32 loads there is. They generally run $10-$12 per box higher than 32-Long in my neck-of-the-woods and they are a bit hard to find as well.

For training purposes....you bet the 32-Short is great. Better yet, a downloaded 32-Long would be cheaper.....if you reload.

I can definitely confirm that the 32-Short seems quieter than the 22LR from a 2-inch barrel.

The 327 is a neat round, 6 instead of 5 if that is a difference,You also have the ability too shoot 2-3 other rounds? what is not to like, you do not have to shoot 327s all the time-and if you reload all the better!!
If you ccw great coat pocket carry!!!

I had one and sold it (sp101 heavyyyy), The only .32 I have is a sweet old HE I have been thinning what I load and shoot just simplifying and the 32 will be staying a coffee can of 32s and an afternoon of making a tin can jump, It has been known to go for a ride in a coat pocket when the weather is a bit cooler. I know it is frowned on but my little HE will chamber shoot and eject .32ACP with out a hitch!

My 32 S&W Long plinking loads for the older I-frames use 1.7 grains of Bulls Eye behind a 95 grain bullet. The bang they make is less noticeable through muffs or plugs than the crack or a 22 LR in the same sized gun. This is probably a matter of perception, and I've had a lot of hearing loss on the range over the years, so YMMV.

Froggie

I like the .327 Mag. The one and only reason I do not at this time own one is that every time I start to get a little bit of money together, something always comes up! It may be a fuel pump on the car... or a 1911 that calls out to me by name, but something always comes up!

I would like very much to have a S&W K-frame in .327 Mag. My right hand is starting to develop some pain from arthritis especially in my index finger. The time is coming when I will have to deal with that in terms of recoil, etc. It is already making double-action shooting difficult. Single-action shooting of revolvers or my 1911's is still not a problem. I can shoot my .22 LR Model 18 with no problems. I can shoot my Model 15 and 66 using light loads without real problems. But the heavier loads give me trouble.

I would like a K-framed .327 Mag. with a 3-4" barrel and adjustable sights. I would prefer the square-butt, but if it were only available in round-butt, I'd just have to deal with it. I recognize it would not be the caliber preferred by the cognizant. But it would suit my needs well.

I very much hope that S&W will see fit to bring out the .327 Mag. in a K-frame revolver. And... perhaps if I can save enough money and avoid enough things coming up, maybe I'll be able to buy one. If I really am careful, maybe I can get up a cylinder and barrel that can be used to re-barrel a nice K-frame into a .327 Mag. In fact, that may be just exactly what I end up doing!

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This may or may not be a bit off topic. However, I had my 16-4 to the range Wednesday and the day being beautiful and a bit cooler (high of 87 instead of 107) than we have been seeing, was busy. Most everyone there were shooting snubbie .357's and from the reports were full house factory loads.

I was shooting .32 H&R cases loaded with a Lee 90 gr TL wadcutter (no longer offered, worse the luck) ahead of 2.5 grs of Bullseye. This was a light target load. The report was quite "soft" compared to the .357's as you might imagine. I thought to myself that shooting paper, my load was much more pleasant for me and everyone around me.

Not to rag on the others, they were just practicing with their carry guns and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. Just sayin...

I cannot imagine better center fire training loads for youngsters than a good .32 loaded to target velocities.

Dale53

The Fiocchi 100 grain wadcutter in .32 long is a great factory round for those who are recoil or noise sensitive and want to learn to shoot a centerfire revolver. Very low recoil, and the report is much "softer" than the sharp "crack" of a rimfire cartridge.

UPDATE: The two weeks turned into two months but my 1000 rounds of StarLine brass finally reached my porch this weekend. They are little brass jewels, fully up to the high standards of quality we've come to expect from StarLine. I don't know how long it will be in stock, but if you shoot this caliber, you might want to check into ordering some!

Now if the folks at Delta would just e-mail me that my barrel is being cut...

Froggie

+1 on that. I tested high for lead awhile back so I'm not going to be working with it anymore than necessary. I reload .38/.357 for maybe a dime a bullet buying the LSWC or LSRN.

That said; if you shoot .32 and like it, buy a pile of brass, a lb of powder, some primers, (I started with a $100 Lee kit - quit laughing) - less than 200 beans for the first thousand+ rounds and away you go!

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But then, what do I know?

I bought a S&W 38 Bodyguard about a year ago. Never got on well with it. A couple months ago read about the Model M632 Pro series, was intrigued. Three or four weeks ago acquired a S&W632 with 3" barrel. Then traded my 38 BG for a couple T. Center barrels I wanted. Yesterday I ordered a 640 model 38/357. I needed something for all those 2" holsters. I guess. Besides what about all that 38 ammo I've been gathering up? <G>

I got a 16-4 when they first came out.
For the weight & what I saw test fireing it, a .32 H&R mag. just didn't make it for me in a "K" frame 4" that a .38 or .357 "K" frame.
Sold it several years ago. Don't miss it that much.

My only .32 now is a 32-20 , an old S&W & only for fun.
I reload, so ammo cost is down, but for the weight & size I'll carry a .357 or .38 Spl +P.

Maybe because I grew up around .32 cal revolvers I jumped on the .327's as soon as they
hit the scene back in 2008, getting a Ruger SP101 chambered for the .327 Federal Mag.

I followed that up with a Charter Arms Partiot in .327, then a S&W Model 632-1.

The 632-1 shown with it's, original, stock cylinder.



The dash one after sending it back, twice, for tight extraction issues, which are now fixed.





As soon as I seen that S&W was coming out with the M632-2 I put some money
down on one and it was worth the 18 month wait when it finally came in....





So far the only one I've sold was the Charter Arms, even though it was, by far, the
lightest of the bunch. A friend bought it and just loves it for concealed carry.
I did too..........

For those who may not be familiar with the versatility of revolvers
chambered for .327 Fed. Mag., here are the rounds it handles.

From left to right:
.32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum & .327 Fed. Mag.



Now if S&W would just offer a 7-shot K, or 8-shot L Frame in .327 Fed Mag....

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Ogy