Question for reaming the cylinder to accept the .327 Magnum

[smitholdtimer]

I am asking for a definitive answer to what I need to do to allow the .32 H&R Mag. cylinder to accept a .327 Magnum Cartridge? Should I attempt to accomplish this or is this something better left for competent revolver smith?
Big Cholla, you have been nice enough to offer your opinion from your experience as a Gunsmith for other projects I had in mind and it would be great if you can comment on yet another one. Thanks!

 

[Big Cholla]

Sam: All you would need is a finish reamer for the .327 Mag. They are available from most any chamber reamer manufacturer. Brownell's sell them at the same price the manufacturer sells to the public. When you have it, just follow the same procedure that I have outlined in a prior post for reaming the .32 Long to the .32 H&R Mag. and you will have no problems. If you don't want to do the job yourself, send the cylinder with extractor and the reamer to me and I will do it for you a very slight charge for an old friend. ........

 

[mnrivrat]

My first question would be what gun are you going to ream out , and will it withstand the higher pressures of the .327 ?

 

[smitholdtimer]

mnrivrat

Model-16-4 would be the candidate.

 

[cgt4570]

When I had Hamilton Bowman build mine, I used a Mod 17 cylinder on a Mod 15 frame with a 16-4 barrel 'so the case heads would be recessed like all good magnums are supposed to be.'

 

[H Richard]

The 16-4 chamber are more than sufficient to handle the 327. I have been debating the same question myself, and so far have decided to keep it original in 32 H&R mag. I am contemplating the reaming out of a 431PD snubby lightweight to 327, but I'm still on the fence about that. I am well pleased with the 32 mag in the 431PD, and can't decide if "more power" is really needed.

 

[smitholdtimer]

.327 Magnum Discussion

I have been contemplating this conversion but have heard the voices telling me not to convert a 4" revolver. Have thought this over and decided not to make any changes to this revolver although the second cylinder chambered and countersunk for the .327 Federal magnum is an attractive idea if only for the purpose of maintaining the originality of the revolver. The idea of a "K" frame S&W revolver chambered in .327 Mag. is an opportunity I think the Smith & Wesson Powers That Be missed the boat on but they did not and likely will not ask for my opinion.

 

[F75gunslinger]

How does a 327 magnum compare to a 357 magnum recoil wise ? Is it something that , in a K frame , like the 357 will over time loosen the cylinder up or is it a better match for a K frame ?

 

[H Richard]

The 327 is using a nearly 50% (95-100 grain vs. 125-158 grain) bullet, so the felt recoil would be less.

 

[Muley Gil]

I would like a K frame .327 also. I had a 6" M16-4 and it was EXTREMELY accurate, even in my hands. Had to sell mine.

If I still had mine, I would convert a 2nd cylinder to .327, as I wouldn't want to risk messing up that accuracy. Of course, in an ideal world, mine would have a half lug, 5" barrel and THREE cylinders: the original .32 Magnum, the .327 Federal AND a .32-20!

 

[trea]

Hope I'm not too far off target but I've got a mod 30 70's gun great shape. But if I ream the cyl. to take the 32mag. or even the 327 is the pressure still in the safe zone. And is the cyl. long enough for the 327mag. I have no experience with the 327 Thanks

 

[smitholdtimer]

Not based on fact but.....

The accounts I have read from this and other forums are that the M-31's and M-30's are substantially enough built to handle the .32 H&R Magnum but the .327 Magnum cartridge is a little too long for their cylinders, hope those who have already tried this can and will speak up and answer this question with facts. Thanks to all who have replied and to those who have questions, the more we discuss this caliber the more ammunition we have to evaluate our options. Please feel free to make contributions or ask questions.

 

[H Richard]

Along those same lines, would a current cylinder already factory issued in 32 H&R Mag have sufficient length for 327 Fed? (Specifically the 431PD / 432PD). It would appear so.

 

[Green Frog]

I like stainless myself. See;

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/260686-project-616-a.html

for my suggestions.

Froggie