S&W in .327 Fed Mag

[Johnnu2]

I have a couple of questions re: 32's of recent manufacture by S&W.
1) Did they ever chamber a rev. for 327 Fed Mag. (seems I remember one). If so, are they available anywhere?
2) I'm trending down in recoil/caliber and am interested in getting an S&W in either .327 or .32 mag (H&R?) for some casual shooting (prefer 6" L or K frames). Is there any such beast available these days. I did check the S&W website but couldn't find anything.
Any thoughts always appreciated....THANKS,
John

 

[challer61]

Get a 16-4 - not cheap but works great for your purpose and can be reamed to .327

 

[22hipower]

The 16-4s are the only K frames available in 32 H&R Mag and as challer61 says should meet your need nicely. While they can be reamed to .327 I wouldn't do it as the 32 H&R mag does everything I want it to do. Not sure you'll find a lot of difference between the four and six inch barrel versions; they shoot about the same for me. Good luck, I've seen a couple for sale recently, I think one of them was right here on the "for sale" side of the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Thomas.Sommerfeldt]

I would like to see an 8 shot K or L frame in 327 Federal.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

 

[kscharlie]

The Model 632 Pro Series was available in .327 Federal for a short time. When one comes up for sale occasionally, it usually takes around $1500 to buy it. .32 H&R was produced in the 631/632, 431/432 and 331/332. These were, again, produced for only a short time. When you can find one, expect to pay in the vicinity of $1000. As stated, the only other option is the K frame Model 16-4. Expect to pay a minimum of $1000, if you are really lucky.

The only other option for a S&W revolver is to purchase a decent 30-1 or 31-1 chambered in .32 S&W Long. The cylinder in the dash 1 can be reamed to accept .32 H&R. And that's as far as you can go.

If you do not have any objection to carrying around a tank, the Ruger SP-101 can be had in .327. Or if you don't mind carrying ugly, the LCR in .327.

Lastly, if a .32 H&R is on the table, Charter Arms produces a few. I, for one, am tired of waiting for S&W to come out with a decent concealable revolver in .327. Looks like a Ruger is in my future.

Edit to add: I forgot that the Ruger GP100 can be had in .327, if you want an even heavier tank.

 

[22hipower]

There's also the 632-1 three inch in 327 Fed but they aren't often seen for sale. However, for the OP's purposes and wanting a K frame the 16-4 seems the best option.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[505Gibbs]

The 632-1 came in at least two versions. A black stainless and the traditional satin stainless.
Here's the black stainless one:

 

[Green Frog]

Johnnu2,

It would appear that you are yet another enthusiast who has discovered that the ideal platform for the relatively small but very powerful 327 Federal Magnum is the "mid-sized" K-frame or even the heavy medium L-frame. Once I determined that there is not now and apparently no planned gun like this in the works, I built one in Project 616. The discussion of it on this forum of this and similar projects exposed the interest that exists for such a "new model" shows you aren't the first, nor will you likely be the last to figure out what a great idea this would be.

There seem to have been quite a few Model 16-4s modified by the simple expedient of running a chamber reamer into each chamber to extend them to 327 depth, much to the horror of collecting purists... but the results have apparently been gratifyingly successful. The problem is finding a 16-4 to buy and modify.

I agree that the L-frame with more than 6 round capacity presents a very promising possibility. The 8 shot Ruger Blackhawk and Single Seven models show that this can be a very successful configuration. I own one of the 8-shooters and find it, even with 5 1/2" barrel, to be about as handy as my 4" barrel on the K-frame "616."

I wonder if a letter writing campaign to S&W would do any good at all?

Froggie

 

[DB404]

I managed to talk myself out of the 3" barreled version by reasoning it would likely be as loud or louder than my 60-10 .357, and would be less powerful, too. I hate it when I do that.

 

[Green Frog]

I managed to talk myself out of the 3" barreled version by reasoning it would likely be as loud or louder than my 60-10 .357, and would be less powerful, too. I hate it when I do that.

If it makes you feel any better, you were probably right about the noise. A full house 327 FM is a fire breathing ground stomper! OTOH, as far as power is concerned, that same full house 327 is about the ballistic equivalent of a +P 38 Spl.

Froggie

 

[peyton]

I agree with you that the 3 inch barrel would
be loud with the stupid power port in front. I relented and have bought 5 ruger's in 327, as well as cornering the USFA market in 327.

 

[wrangler5]

If it makes you feel any better, you were probably right about the noise. A full house 327 FM is a fire breathing ground stomper! OTOH, as far as power is concerned, that same full house 327 is about the ballistic equivalent of a +P 38 Spl.

Froggie

The hottest 327 Mag loads, the 100g AE and Speer Gold Dots are WAY beyond +P 38 Special level. In a 2" S&W 49, Remington's 158g LSWCHP +P 38 Special (the current "FBI Load equivalent?) showed 820fps and 236 lb/ft of energy. In a 2" Ruger LCR, Speer's 100g Gold Dot JHP showed 1259fps and 352 lb/ft of energy. (I did not chronograph the AE round with the LCR, but the AE and Gold Dot rounds were essentially identical out of a 4 3/4" Ruger Single Seven.) BTW, Froggie's description of a full house 327 load as a fire breathing ground stomper is absolutely correct. Shooting one without good hearing protection risks serious hearing damage. And I suspect letting one off indoors without hearing protection would guarantee at least some permanent damage.

You can exceed the energy of Remington's +P 38 Special with Buffalo Bore's 100g JHP round in 32 H&R Magnum - 1100fps and 269 lb/ft of energy out of a 2" S&W 432. Physics being what it is, it kicks as much as the +P 38 Special, but this has become my daily carry package. I get one extra shot, and have a LOT more fun shooting more "normal" 32 H&R rounds for practice.

BTW, I have both a 30-1 and 31-1 that have been reamed to take 32 H&R. Buffalo Bore has advised that their 100g +P round is safe for "unlimited use" in both of those guns. And both of those guns are a pleasure to shoot, even for up to a dozen or so of the BB hotties. But the LCR is NO fun to shoot with the hot 327 rounds. From my experience with it I have NO interest in a J frame in 327 Federal, and I'll get rid of the 327 LCR one of these days.

 

[SuperMan]

I know you want a S&W but since they have determined that the .327 is a worthless cartridge you may want to try a GP100... They are every bit as nicely made as currently made Smiths and they at least they are listening to those who want .327s and .41 Magnums... If it wasn't for Ruger both rounds would be about dead....so that is where my "new" gun revolver money goes...

I've had or have .327s/.32 H&Rs in:
Freedom Arms 97 6.5"
S&W Model 53 6" converted to .327
Ruger GP-100 4" stainless
Ruger LCR 2"
Ruger SP-101 3" AS
S&W 632-2 PRO
Single-Six .32 H&R (about a half dozen of them over the years)
S&W 16-4 4"

Would suggest you look at the limited edition Ruger GP-100 in blue with a 5" barrel and 1/2 underlug barrel....very nice balance and the 5" barrel is "just right"....it is the next .32 on my list...

Bob

ps...this is what you are looking for...but S&W never bothered making them...

 

[challer61]

Inspired by Green Frog and a 2009 article in American Handgunner, I built a 616 myself and couldn't be happier. I also have the 16-4/reamed. That said, an L frame 8 round is the gun SW should build.

Have a GP100 .327 and just don't like it. Same with the Ruger Blackhawk 8 shot. Both are coming up for sale.

Johnnu2,

It would appear that you are yet another enthusiast who has discovered that the ideal platform for the relatively small but very powerful 327 Federal Magnum is the "mid-sized" K-frame or even the heavy medium L-frame. Once I determined that there is not now and apparently no planned gun like this in the works, I built one in Project 616. The discussion of it on this forum of this and similar projects exposed the interest that exists for such a "new model" shows you aren't the first, nor will you likely be the last to figure out what a great idea this would be.

There seem to have been quite a few Model 16-4s modified by the simple expedient of running a chamber reamer into each chamber to extend them to 327 depth, much to the horror of collecting purists... but the results have apparently been gratifyingly successful. The problem is finding a 16-4 to buy and modify.

I agree that the L-frame with more than 6 round capacity presents a very promising possibility. The 8 shot Ruger Blackhawk and Single Seven models show that this can be a very successful configuration. I own one of the 8-shooters and find it, even with 5 1/2" barrel, to be about as handy as my 4" barrel on the K-frame "616."

I wonder if a letter writing campaign to S&W would do any good at all?

Froggie

 

[Johnnu2]

.327 mag

Many thanks for the replies; that's the info I was hoping for. Looks like I'm looking for that 16-4 6". I have to admit that I'm looking at S&W primarily because I like the looks over the other makers offerings; I'm a big Ruger fan since the early 70's. I have an FA mod.97 with dual cyls (.32-30... another favorite cartridge of mine) and just thought an S&W would be a nice addition. I do hand-load so I'm OK for ammo. Thanks again for all the very helpful responses....
John

 

[jaymoore]

I like the .32 Magnum much more than the .327. Just the right power level for everything but "combat duty". And for that, I have lots of other choices.

 

[Green Frog]

Unfortunately, the day of revolver dominance is past and bottom feeders get all the love in most factories, including even S&W and Colt, who built their respective empires on revolvers.

Add to that the fact that the 32 family of cartridges never got got that much love in the first place (with a few notable exceptions like TR's NYC-PD) and the likelihood of seeing major manufacturers releasing a broad selection of 327s is unfortunately low. It remains for the enthusiasts to track down and enjoy the few that are available, but don't look for mass production. More's the pity.

Froggie

 

[Bullseye Smith]

The ones that like bottom feeders most of the time can't shoot very well, where the revolver is a gun for the one shot one hit guy!

 

[Terrel48]

There's no recent activity on this thread about the 327 fed Mag, but I just found you, I have a S&W carry Comp 3" in 327 Fed Mag and someone made the comment that this round is the equivalent of a 38+P, obviously that person has not shot this round. I also have a Ruger LCRX in same caliber in the short barreled version and also a Airweight frame S&W 32 H&R mag in the hammered SA/DA version. In addition I have shot a model 60 357 Mag and I also have other J frames in 38 Spec as well as one in 38 Spec +P. I do not have a chrono to check velosities and all I have are my eyes , ears and hands to evaluate what I shoot. there was a article done by Shooting times , its on the internet, that discussed this Model 632 carry comp and they did compare ballistic data on these cartridges and the data specifically stated that the muzzle energy of the 327 exceeded the 357 date by 10% at the muzzle. I have shot them and that little 327 Carry comp weighs 24 1/2 ozs and the felt muzzle energy is every bit as much as the 158 grain feelt muzzle energy, granted the model 60 barrel is about an inch shorter but it did not have a Port in the barrel to reduce the muzzle flip the 327 did. I truly believe from shooting them the 3227 has every bit as much energy as the 357, and even though the 327 carry's only one more round the one extra round is a 20% increase on ammo over the 357 so it gets my vote. I agree with the assesment that the K frame would be an ideal choice for this great little round, but honestly the 32 S&W Longs and the 32 H&R rounds are more fun to shoot in my set up in both the S&W as well as that Ruger

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I have a sp101 in 327 and a single seven in 327. I really like the cartridge. Very versatile guns because there's so many different types of ammo. 32,32 long,32 mag,327 even 32 acp. The short comings is that all the 32 calibers are hard to find local or expensive. Need some dies for it. I would love to have a k frame snub nose with fixed sights in 327. Id like a Henry in that caliber too.