bigfreakinrevolver
Member
What's the deal with the 327 magnum? What models take this round and what's your opinions on it?
Odd caliber S&W
- Thread starter bigfreakinrevolver
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If you like the 32S&W long ctg., going for more power
will bring you to 32H&R Mag. Then there's the jump up to
327 Fed Mag. Puts you around 38 Spl +p or so.
The only S&W I know of that takes this round is the 632PRO,
IIRC. And I think that model has been discontinued.
Hope this helps.
TACC1
will bring you to 32H&R Mag. Then there's the jump up to
327 Fed Mag. Puts you around 38 Spl +p or so.
The only S&W I know of that takes this round is the 632PRO,
IIRC. And I think that model has been discontinued.
Hope this helps.
TACC1
LaVistaBill
Member
The S&W web site shows the Model 632 with a 3" barrel and 6-shot cylinder is the only .327 Magnum in the Smith line. I have shot the .327 Federal Magnum in a 4" barrel Charter Arms Patriot and in a 5-1/2" barrel 8-shot Ruger SA. I have chronographed it and shot it into ballistic gellatin and it's a nasty little pill. My favorite load was the 115 gr. Speer Gold Dot JHP as I recall velocity in a 4" barrel was around 1400 FPS and the bullet made a truly impressive wound channel in the gellatin. Unfortunately, like the .32 H&R Magnum, I don't think it has a very bright future. The ammo is hard to find and expensive.
Green Frog
Member
Well, it's time for me to chime in here! 
As the S&W Forum's ranking 327 FM nut, I'll say that it is probably the best cartridge ever developed for the K-frame as a platform. I don't make that statement lightly and am fully aware that it is a Johnny-come-lately of a cartridge compared to the 38 Spl and 32-20 and even the 357 in this platform, but I speak with confidence borne of having built and shot mine (see thread, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/260686-project-616-a.html) and experienced its potential.
If the 327 had been introduced at the same time as (or instead of) the 32 H&R "almost-magnum" it would have attracted a more lasting following. There were lots of folks shooting revolvers at that time and the concept of high performance cartridges was well established. Instead, the powers that be gave the shooting fraternity a rather wimpy little round to be safe in small revolvers and the response was at best tepid. Federal was slow to produce quality ammo and brass and the whole thing just fizzled. Smart folks picked up and held on to S&W 16-4s and Ruger Blackhawks in the caliber though, and something like 5-6000 or so total guns appropriate for a serious 32 load were born and shot by the true aficionados. They could ignore the limits set for the cartridge by the smaller guns.
By the time Federal got around to introducing a real magnum in 32 caliber, interest in almost all revolvers had waned severely, and the 32 had been relegated in the public consciousness to the role of small caliber for a small gun. Only the discontinued Ruger Blackhawk 8-shooter and perhaps the Ruger SP101 could really take advantage of the potential of the cartridge, and Federal, in its continuing corporate rut, made too little of the ammo, and didn't really push its power potential so it would still be suitable for Single Sixes and 632s.
As I said, I wanted to really get the potential from this cartridge, so with near-religious fervor, I bought the Ruger 8-shooter and had my "prototype" Model 616 built, and I bought Federal ammo and brass and 1000 rounds of StarLine brass, along with loading dies and several different bullet moulds. Now I'm more convinced than ever that this caliber is both viable and desirable in a mid-frame platform. The 32-20 had its adherents from the 1800s until today, and the 327 will do everything it could do and more... I just wish S&W and Federal would give it a chance to really prove itself. Vain wish, I'm sure, so I'll just continue to be the strange guy shooting a funny S&W in that "odd caliber."
Froggie
As the S&W Forum's ranking 327 FM nut, I'll say that it is probably the best cartridge ever developed for the K-frame as a platform. I don't make that statement lightly and am fully aware that it is a Johnny-come-lately of a cartridge compared to the 38 Spl and 32-20 and even the 357 in this platform, but I speak with confidence borne of having built and shot mine (see thread, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/260686-project-616-a.html) and experienced its potential.If the 327 had been introduced at the same time as (or instead of) the 32 H&R "almost-magnum" it would have attracted a more lasting following. There were lots of folks shooting revolvers at that time and the concept of high performance cartridges was well established. Instead, the powers that be gave the shooting fraternity a rather wimpy little round to be safe in small revolvers and the response was at best tepid. Federal was slow to produce quality ammo and brass and the whole thing just fizzled. Smart folks picked up and held on to S&W 16-4s and Ruger Blackhawks in the caliber though, and something like 5-6000 or so total guns appropriate for a serious 32 load were born and shot by the true aficionados. They could ignore the limits set for the cartridge by the smaller guns.
By the time Federal got around to introducing a real magnum in 32 caliber, interest in almost all revolvers had waned severely, and the 32 had been relegated in the public consciousness to the role of small caliber for a small gun. Only the discontinued Ruger Blackhawk 8-shooter and perhaps the Ruger SP101 could really take advantage of the potential of the cartridge, and Federal, in its continuing corporate rut, made too little of the ammo, and didn't really push its power potential so it would still be suitable for Single Sixes and 632s.
As I said, I wanted to really get the potential from this cartridge, so with near-religious fervor, I bought the Ruger 8-shooter and had my "prototype" Model 616 built, and I bought Federal ammo and brass and 1000 rounds of StarLine brass, along with loading dies and several different bullet moulds. Now I'm more convinced than ever that this caliber is both viable and desirable in a mid-frame platform. The 32-20 had its adherents from the 1800s until today, and the 327 will do everything it could do and more... I just wish S&W and Federal would give it a chance to really prove itself. Vain wish, I'm sure, so I'll just continue to be the strange guy shooting a funny S&W in that "odd caliber."
Froggie
The only guy I've seen shooting it uses his in the .38/.357 class at the local pin matches. It seems to move the pins back nicely, probably akin to a .38, but not as briskly as a .38 Super or a .357.
Just my unscientific observation.
Papa
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I have the 3 inch 632 pro carry comp and the 632 stainless with night sights and no lock which is my everyday pocket carry. Works great in a pair of shorts or my bib overalls. a lot nicer to shoot than my 340pd and as I reload not that bad on ammo price.
OP
bigfreakinrevolver
Member
I read that it was equal to or better then the 357.
Green Frog
Member
There is/was a high performance loading of 357 Magnum built on a 125 grain bullet driven at very high (for a handgun) velocity. Unfortunately, though it was effective, it was best known for excessive flame cutting and forcing cone damage in K-frame S&Ws. My personal load for the 327 FM is a hard cast 125 grain RNFP running at about 1200 fps. BC will be a bit different since diameter is smaller and length greater, but it sounds like a pretty good approximation of a high performance 357 Mag to me! It is not going to be as tough on the gun though, so that's why it seems like there is a good match between the 327 FM and the K-frame Smith & Wesson. JMHO, YMMV
Froggie
Froggie
OP
bigfreakinrevolver
Member
I went and looked at some of the ammo. Does it recoil bad? I might have to just buy one and check it out. Is the ammo hard to find and expensive?
Green Frog
Member
I'm not sure that I would say it recoils "bad" but it is noticeable with the factory level loadings... not like shooting those cute little 32 S&W "Longs" in my I-frames. I feel, as stated, that the K-frame is the perfect platform for this caliber in its full power load. JMHO, YMMV.
Froggie
I just sent in my 632-1 to S&W for timing issues and they deemed it un-fixable. They don't make anything in 327 anymore, so I was offered a J frame of choice as a replacement.
Sucks because I loved the black stainless of the 632, and I had bought 3 boxes of ammo. If you get one, baby it because they don't make them or parts anymore.
OP
bigfreakinrevolver
Member
Well **** I guess getting an older one it is.
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If you want a 38 Special, buy one!
I see absolutely no use for a .32 that can, in theory, equal a 38 Special, especially when I can just buy the 38 Special.
I am not a fan of the .327 Federal cartridge.
Green Frog
Member
If you want a 38 Special, buy one!
I see absolutely no use for a .32 that can, in theory, equal a 38 Special, especially when I can just buy the 38 Special.
I am not a fan of the .327 Federal cartridge.
That's why they make Fords and Chevys. I am a fan of the 327 FM and anyway, I already had a couple of 38 Specials.
I would not expect anyone to buy this as a first gun nor to have it as their only gun, but what it does, it does well, and as the overused cliche says, "It is what it is!" It so happens that I like what it does and what it is. JMHO, YMMV.
Froggie
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