I'd really like a 6" N-frame 327 Fed. I expect 9 rounds would be possible.

The velocity data I've seen suggests the round really likes longer barrels.

I might be the only one, but I'd buy two.

The only round that I have seen to compare with the .327 Federal Magnum is the 7.62 X 25 Tokarev (pronounced, toke-uh-rev, not toke-uh-rove as some of the less inforemed are wont to do). The 1642 fps, 85 grain FMJ pill produces 511 fpe from a Russian TT33 or Yugo M57 pistol (I happen to have the latter, and enjoy it).

The .327 Federal Magnum can shoot heavier slugs with al longer revolver barrel and still outperform the .30 Tokarev to beat the band.

Green Frog I followed your build 7 years ago and have spent that much time watching for the right parts for my own build. Much like Captain O I wanted an 8 3/8" barrel and was lucky to find a Model 16 8 3/8" full underlug barrel on ebay for way too much money but after years of looking I bought it anyway. So the whole lot is now at Andy's waiting for his attention. This should be the gun S&W could build.

Yes sir! This is what should have happened in 2007/2008. The "powers that be" at S&W could learn a lot from the people that are willing to build the handguns with this much enthusiasm and fervor.

Agreed?

Not buying any more guns. Got WAY too many now. But, if I could get a 616 with 6" barrel, I might reconsider. Oh, and a square butt frame, please, if it's not too much trouble. Chambered in .327 of course.

To be a little contrarian to the direction of this thread, I am coming to believe that there is only a limited number of true believers who will commit to this, and they would not be interested in a cast framed, MIM-equipped current revolver with an internal lock and laminated grips. I'm seeing more of a movement toward custom builds such as series guy and others have described.

Maybe in addition to their normal offerings from the so-called "Performance Center" S&W could develop a true "Custom Shop" for those willing to pay the price for old fashioned quality revolvers built to order... no, that doesn't fit the current business model for manufacturers in America. I guess we'll have to resort to the independent custom shops for our desires. Long live the likes of Bowen and Horvath!

There are literally millions of solid J-, K-, L- and N-frame guns out there that can serve as platforms for custom builds (yes, I hear the collectors lighting torches and sharpening pitchforks) that could satisfy this niche demand for special guns. I don't think we will run out of guns that could be used for such projects. Am I the only one having these thoughts??

Froggie

In reality,that's the only way you're going to get one.

For those of you who seem to want to denigrate the .32 caliber family, probably never having shot one, I urge you to look at the ballistic data of the .32 H&R mag versus the .380 and the .38 Special. You will probably be surprised. I currently have both a Smith 331 and 432 in .32 Mag and am looking for a third one. They are very hard to find and very pricey when you do find them. I would buy a .327 if Smith decided to produce a new J frame. Incidentally, these guns will also shoot .32 S&W long, .32 S&W, and some say .32 ACP, although I would never try that myself. Somewhere along the way we seem to have developed a "bigger is better" mentality. We have gone from a .32, which served well for decades as the police and military choice, to a .38, then a 9MM, then .40, then .45ACP, etc. Where do we stop? What is the next, new "ultimate" caliber?

No doubt the 327 Fed has far more than enough power for SD:

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .327 Mag Results

The 32-20 was and I suppose still is considered to be an adequate SD round. The .327 is certainly on par or above par with the 32-20. I haven't bothered to look up the ballistics of each. It's no magic bullet. It does provide the opportunity to get more rounds in a smaller cylinder than the .38/.357. A J frame will hold six chambers. A K frame will likely do seven, and I suspect a L frame would have room for eight. Don't know any of this for fact, just speculating. It's all theoretical, since I doubt S&W is listening.

They both are scarce & not easy to find, however, but they are out there at a ($) premium !! Took me a year of almost daily searches to find my satin s/s 632-1, like new with less than 200 rounds fired & Crimson Trace green laser grips.

Within a week of purchase, I was, also, able to score <online> 100 rounds of Federal Premium 85 gr. HYDRA-Shok JHP as well as another 20 rnds. each of Speer Gold Dot 115 gr. JHP & Hornady XTP 100 gr. JHP as well as another 50 rounds of American Eagle 100 gr. JSP for practice = 190 rounds @ avg. cost of $0.73 <to include S&H> delivered to my door !!!

Previous owner advised that he successfully chambered & fired .32 S&W, .32 S&W long, .32 H&R mag, as well as .327 fed mag, of course!

P.S. - If you check the specs, you'll find that the .327 mag & .357 mag are very comparable as regards velocity & energy ... the only significant/major difference is Recoil !!! . . . Mo' Bigga is NOT Always Mo' Betta !!! . . .


.327 Mag........ 115 GDJHP.......1300 fps.....431 ft-lbs of energy
.327 Mag.........100 JSP...........1400 fps.....435 ft-lbs of energy
.357 Mag.........110 JHP...........1300 fps.....410 ft-lbs of energy

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TejanoViejo

Only because I can't pass up a chance to whip on a dead equine I will add this. I own a Ruger Single Seven with a 7-1/2'' barrel. It will shoot all of the above with the addition of .32 ACP. One versatile firearm no doubt.