Ruger revolvers question

[Texas Star]

I don't see where the .32's fill a role, other than maybe for a trapline or for a backpacker worried about ammo weight.

The .327 may be "fun" to shoot, but that high pressure has to wear guns at an accelerated pace. Yes, you can wear ear protection, but not in the wild, although few "real" shots will be needed at a time when shooting a coyote, etc.

Magnum revolvers are not really range toys. They cause more wear than needed for that role and slam your hand. Their purpose is KILLING things. Two legged, four legged, and no legged. (Snakes).

But if someone wants a .327, it's fine by me. If enough sell, it'll benefit the firearms and ammo industry. And that's a good thing.

 

[BB57]

I don't see where the .32's fill a role, other than maybe for a trapline or for a backpacker worried about ammo weight.

The .327 may be "fun" to shoot, but that high pressure has to wear guns at an accelerated pace. Yes, you can wear ear protection, but not in the wild, although few "real" shots will be needed at a time when shooting a coyote, etc.

Magnum revolvers are not really range toys. They cause more wear than needed for that role and slam your hand. Their purpose is KILLING things. Two legged, four legged, and no legged. (Snakes).

But if someone wants a .327, it's fine by me. If enough sell, it'll benefit the firearms and ammo industry. And that's a good thing.

It's a good point about magnums not being good range toys. However the same applies to the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum. With the .44 Mag you have 44 Special, with the .357 Mag you have have .38 Special and with the .327 Federal, you have the .32 H&R Magnum, the .32 S&W Long and even the .32 ACP.

That's not really a surprise as Federal was a co-developer of the .32 H&R which was itself designed to achieve .38 Special energy levels in a format that allowed 6 shots in a small revolver rather than 5. From that perspective, the .327 Federal just extends those same attributes but in reference to the .357 Magnum.

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Personally, legitimate role or not, I like the .32s when it comes to just plain fun shooting, including the 7.62 Nagant. The .32 ACP is also a near ideal round to start a new shooter out on a semi-auto pistol. Low recoil, but still more substantial than a .22 LR, and a passable self defense round, with decent bullet placement.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I really do like shooting my .32 (surplus) Beretta. It seems to find the targets at 25 yds. a lot better than my 9mm EC9s, but the 9 is my carry because of weight mainly. For self defense though I'm not shooting that far away, I hope. The GP 100 in .327 FM may be an alternative for open carry to my Model 10 when I walk my Weimaraner Daisy at night, or whenever. Sounds like I'm going to jump on the growing .327 band wagon. BB57 & dr. mordo, and everyone else, thanks for all the info. It's Christmas. I suppose I can buy myself something instead of the wife, right? Well, that took guts just typing it! My birthday & retirement in March would justify a present to me from me!

 

[msauter]

This photo can serve as a size comparison ... top is a Ruger GP100 5” barrel 7-shot in .327 Fed Mag. Below that is a Ruger SP101 4.2” barrel 6-shot, also in .327. Next is a S&W 431PD, a 6-shot J frame in .32 H&R Mag. The bottom three are various models of the Single Six in .32 H&R Mag.

 

[oddshooter]

First Issue: Caliber
If you are a handloader, you quickly realize you can make most calibers into mouse farts or fire breathing dragons. The range of weights and velocities then makes all calibers have a "crossover" between them which makes them essentially the same.


The .32 is the epitome of this idea going from 60gr to 150gr bullets and going from 600fps to 1800fps. Doesn't that sound like a 38spl and a 357mag? Even 44 special can be loaded in that same range.

The silliest argument I hear is about not needing one caliber because another caliber can already do the same. If that was the criteria, we would only need one caliber.
I love all calibers and handload a huge range of capabilities for each.

On to the second issue: the .32 Guns
I have the GP100, the SP101, Single Sixes, S&W Hand Ejectors, Colt Army Special, the Ruger Buckeye Convertible in 32-20 and 32 H&Rmag, Ruger Blackhawk 8, and the Lipsey Ruger Single Seven Bisley.

I will no longer buy NEW Rugers without it being in hand and returnable (bad QC). I will buy an old Ruger in a flash. The GP100 is a tank, but it looks like it and is heavy. The GP100 has no problem shooting the hottest 327. The SP101 consistently has the worst trigger ever shipped. I like the Single Sixes that have had a .32 conversion. The old Hand Ejectors that are in good condition are a joy to shoot lighter loads as is the old Colt Army Special. Both have a lot of steel around the cylinder, but were not heat treated until the 1920's. The Ruger Buckeye is the sturdiest 32-20 ever made. I shoot 135gr cast at 1330fps. The Blackhawk 8 is the toughest of the lot shooting 327.

Like all guns, each seems to have a place where they shine. I shoot mostly 100 yard silhouette steel so I prefer the 327 for knock down at distance. Having said that, I find myself shooting 32-20 and fellow 32 fans shooting mostly 32 H&R mag after a while. A round with great accuracy, low recoil, lower sound, and shoots 135gr beautifully.

You really need to shoot them to find you own path in the world.

Prescut

 

[pawngal]

This was my intro to .32 cal. Bought one at a local live auction about 5 years ago. In original box & both cylinders, if I remember correctly I paid a little under $300 for it.

Lightning 32-20/.32 H and R Dual Cylinder, 3 1/2 in. Case Hardened Pre-War, 1 Piece Walnut Smooth or Checkered, Standard Blue, Model CA3000

Next came the Ruger Blackhawk .327 mag, another local live auction, paid $420, stainless, as new in case.
Then S&W 30-1, a Beretta 81, a Ruger LCR .327, a S&W 632 .327, and another Beretta 81.

My 2 S&W M66 are still my favorites but I really like all the options in the .32 family.

 

[jeffrefrig]

pawngal, it looks like you have a helluva nice collection, and a wealth of info. I appreciate that. msauter, that one on top is the one I hope they still make, or that I can find when the time is right. It's at the top of my list. If not, then the stainless GP 100, which I see more often on the sites when I have time to "window shop" will be what I may settle on. The Lipsey Ruger Single Seven Bisley is also a nice-looking gun if I remember right. In fact, it is probably my second choice. Of course, I'm going to have to find a place to try at least 2 of these before I purchase, if possible. I believe there are a couple ranges in Pittsburgh/Western PA area that will rent a gun. If they want to sell one, I gotta test drive one.