A while back I was inquiring about the .327 Magnum. I learned that it has quite a bit of power if you want, and it'll shoot I think 5 different variations of the .32. Then Joe K. turned me onto the Lipsey version Ruger revolver, which also makes a .357 mag. and a .44magnum. I want a Ruger revolver (For price and strength and reliability), and the .327 Lipsey is what I wanna try out. My youngest, Sarah, aged 18 in a couple weeks, or my son, John, will get it when my expiration date arrives...maybe I should buy 2! Leaving out the price of ammo, Can anyone tell me why NOT to get the .327 magnum? I'm open to any & all help. I no nothing of this cartridge. I don't reload, yet! Thanks all.
.327 magnum, still on my mind
- Thread starter jeffrefrig
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Jeff—it's truly a great idea that never really seemd to take off. It's basically the rebirth of the 32-20 which back in the day was a much used, popular cartridge. I am no firearms marketing expert, but can't help but wonder if the decline in wheelgun use in favor of the polymer semi-autos we have been seeing over the years did not really hurt the cartridge. Plus folks dedicated to revolvers probably were alreday set up with a full house of reloading components and revolvers in .38/.357.
Some great articles.
https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/is-the-327-federal-magnum-the-best-all-purpose-magnum
Shooting Illustrated | 7 Reasons to Use .327 Federal Magnum for Self-Defense
The Small Miracle of the .327 Federal Magnum | Gun Digest
10 things to know about the 10-year-old .327 Federal Magnum cartridge
Some great articles.
https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/is-the-327-federal-magnum-the-best-all-purpose-magnum
Shooting Illustrated | 7 Reasons to Use .327 Federal Magnum for Self-Defense
The Small Miracle of the .327 Federal Magnum | Gun Digest
10 things to know about the 10-year-old .327 Federal Magnum cartridge
Wee Hooker
Member
The only thing I can think of is that .327 cal revolvers seem to have horrible resale in our shop should you fall out of love with it. ( Most sit with us over a year before finding a new home.) Maybe the multi caliber option would remedy that. Then again (not being familiar with this specific revolver) the multi caliber options must surely add expense that would likely be hard to recoup as well.
IF it were me, I'd shop for a used 327 in the configuration you like.
I would also plan on reloading if you plan to shoot it regularly. (unless you can find a source for re manufactured ammo. ) 38 special is allot easier and less expensive to find .
IF it were me, I'd shop for a used 327 in the configuration you like.
I would also plan on reloading if you plan to shoot it regularly. (unless you can find a source for re manufactured ammo. ) 38 special is allot easier and less expensive to find .
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I had Andy Horvath build me two K Frame guns in .327 Federal. I really enjoy loading for them and shooting them. But then I also enjoy shooting my Model 53 in .22 Jet. I guess it comes down to just being different than the crowd. As far as resale value, well it will be a long time before they are worth what it cost me to build them. But they do put a smile on my face.
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A smile on your face is plenty of reason to buy or have produced a revolver that you will enjoy. Personally, I'd be very happy w/ a J-Frame ... 3 inch barrel ... .327 Magnum. Stainless steel. Three dot tritium night sights. Same set up in a K-Frame w/ adjustable rear sight ... just about ideal. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.
Bruce51
Member
FWIW I will tell the story of my own Ruger Single Seven so this information is available to others considering purchasing this model.
Having wanted a Single six .32 H&R for a long time and watching them priced out of reach the new model Single Seven was going to be the revolver for me.
It looked great right out of the box and some range time with various .32 ammunition was going to be great fun.
Well right from the start the cylinder was hard to load as it had to be indexed perfectly to insert cartridges. This problem was well known and the fix for mine was to relieve the gate opening until there was enough clearance for loading and ejecting.
The next problem was every single primer on any round less than full power .327 had the primer pierced. As you might imagine that was very disturbing to see.
The next problem occurred while shooting .327 Federal factory loads. While shooting the gun would jam up on the sixteenth round. At the time I was not sure why this was happening but the reason would become clear later.
After the above problems I sent the gun back to Ruger to see if they could determine why it was jamming and piercing primers. Upon return of the revolver a range test resulted in the exact same problems. I'm pretty sure Ruger did not shoot sixteen rounds until the jam nor did they shoot .32 SWL to note that the primers were pierced.
At this point I'm not happy with my purchase and I needed to figure out the problem on my own.
First back to the range to shoot .327 Federal until the jam. Bingo it jams up on round sixteen. During disassembly it is very apparent that the firing pin is stuck into the primer and with some wiggling of the cylinder it lets go. What has happened is the firing pin has pierced the primer and has been spot welded to the metal.
Ok why did this happen?It is because the firing pin is way too long. I found this out when I ordered a new firing pin and bushing but the only parts available were for the Single Six. The SS bushing is much deeper but the FP is exactly the same. When Ruger opened up the frame and shortened the barrel they also removed metal at the rear. However they used the same length firing pin as the Six.
So I could not use the FP bushing unless it was shortened.
To make this long story a bit shorter I had a similar problem on another Ruger Blackhawk and eventually reduced the FP protrusion to about .025" which resolved the problem.
So with a dremel I shortened the FP on the SS to .028" protrusion about .010" less than original. Earlier a smaller amount was removed but the problem with jamming and piercing was not resolved.
A range test resulted in zero pierced primers and zero jams and a revolver that is now a pleasure to shoot.
I may have the only Ruger that has had these issues as I have never seen another post from any other owner. Bottom line is the firing pin was just too long.
I have waited a long time to put this in writing and hope that this information is helpful.
BLM
Having wanted a Single six .32 H&R for a long time and watching them priced out of reach the new model Single Seven was going to be the revolver for me.
It looked great right out of the box and some range time with various .32 ammunition was going to be great fun.
Well right from the start the cylinder was hard to load as it had to be indexed perfectly to insert cartridges. This problem was well known and the fix for mine was to relieve the gate opening until there was enough clearance for loading and ejecting.
The next problem was every single primer on any round less than full power .327 had the primer pierced. As you might imagine that was very disturbing to see.
The next problem occurred while shooting .327 Federal factory loads. While shooting the gun would jam up on the sixteenth round. At the time I was not sure why this was happening but the reason would become clear later.
After the above problems I sent the gun back to Ruger to see if they could determine why it was jamming and piercing primers. Upon return of the revolver a range test resulted in the exact same problems. I'm pretty sure Ruger did not shoot sixteen rounds until the jam nor did they shoot .32 SWL to note that the primers were pierced.
At this point I'm not happy with my purchase and I needed to figure out the problem on my own.
First back to the range to shoot .327 Federal until the jam. Bingo it jams up on round sixteen. During disassembly it is very apparent that the firing pin is stuck into the primer and with some wiggling of the cylinder it lets go. What has happened is the firing pin has pierced the primer and has been spot welded to the metal.
Ok why did this happen?It is because the firing pin is way too long. I found this out when I ordered a new firing pin and bushing but the only parts available were for the Single Six. The SS bushing is much deeper but the FP is exactly the same. When Ruger opened up the frame and shortened the barrel they also removed metal at the rear. However they used the same length firing pin as the Six.
So I could not use the FP bushing unless it was shortened.
To make this long story a bit shorter I had a similar problem on another Ruger Blackhawk and eventually reduced the FP protrusion to about .025" which resolved the problem.
So with a dremel I shortened the FP on the SS to .028" protrusion about .010" less than original. Earlier a smaller amount was removed but the problem with jamming and piercing was not resolved.
A range test resulted in zero pierced primers and zero jams and a revolver that is now a pleasure to shoot.
I may have the only Ruger that has had these issues as I have never seen another post from any other owner. Bottom line is the firing pin was just too long.
I have waited a long time to put this in writing and hope that this information is helpful.
BLM
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The .32 cal is addicting and fun to shoot in all forms from .32 S&W to the .327 Fed Mag. I have 5.
I don't own the 327, but I do have a bakers dozen 32 caliber S&W's. I currently have 3 S&W in 32 H&R Mag. The 16-4, a 431PD and a 432PD. I have done a fair amount of load development, and settled on a combination with AA#5 and the Hornady 100 Gr XTP which yields 1224 fps from the 6" 16-4 and just over 1000 fps from either of the 431 or 432PD's. I have given some thought to opening up the chambers on the 16-4 to handle the 327, but decided to leave alone. I have plenty of other calibers if I need something more potent rounds.
I find that hard to believe. I never see .327 cal in gun shops.
Or were you referring to .32 cal in general?
Guns chambered for the .327 Fed Mag will shoot ALL .32 cal ammo with exception of .32-20.
That's a surprise - my LGS can't keep any .32 revolver in stock. Granted they don't order a bunch of them, but whenever one hits the shelves it is gone very quickly.
If you listed them on this site and you are asking a fair price, I bet they'd sell quickly.
OP
pawngal, this is exactly why I am very interested in the .327 Magnum: the multiple different cartridges I can shoot from one revolver. Now, if I can only talk the love of my life into just one more gun! I don't believe in sneaking one in, although it would be very possible! Jeff T. PGH PA (I just love revolvers, don't know why I've only got a few!)
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Jeff-I own several guns chambered in various .32 caliber loadings. I have a GP100 in .327 (the older stainless model 4"). The GP100 is a perfect match for the .327 cartridge and is a delight to shoot with any of the .32 loadings (well I have not shot .32 short out of it). I am thinking seriously about getting one of the Lipsey guns and probably selling the 4". You will like the gun and the cartridge
ShivasIrons
Member
I would be all over a 327 Magnum J Frame. Just sayin S&W...
You could get all over one for around $1200., just sayin'
I suspect S&W's attitude is a bit like the Colt vs S&W caliber wars in the late 1800s / early 1900s. S&W doesn't see any value in offering a caliber created by a competitor, especially because it is kind of a niche caliber.
Frankly, I think S&W is done with new revolver development. They are going to maintain their historic lines and spend money developing autos. However, I'll add I think that attitude is a misstep in an era where retirees (in Florida, at least) are getting licensed and buying CCW at a increasing rate and a 327 revolver is absolutely perfect for them.
I don't really mind because I like the LCR at least as much as any of my j frames. I'm right now tossing a coin about buying a LCRx 327 because I found them for about $50 off online...
BigBill
Absent Comrade
327 magmun what's the draw to it? Seems to me it mcfizzled out?
Its an application of different modern advances in metallurgy, gunpowder, and frame construction to maximize the J frame format - you get a 6 shot J frame that's as powerful as a light 357 load but somehow has significantly less felt recoil at the same time. I don't understand it, but I'm a fan!
My experience with my Lipsey's Ruger Single-Seven Bisley in .327 has been nothing but a joy.
Here's another thread about the .327 from this forum, started a week ago:
GP 100 in .327 Win Mag?
Here's another thread about the .327 from this forum, started a week ago:
GP 100 in .327 Win Mag?
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