327 Blackhawks

[Flash]

There is one on gunbroker that's about to break $1,500. When did this start happening? I can't understand why that was even introduced if they were going to drop it so fast. I know all about being sales driven but the Blackhawk has always been a seller and the tooling change over for different calibers can't possibly make the gun cost prohibitive. Hell, the Buckeye would have been fine to reintroduce, unless there were legal tangles with Buckeye Sports. I don't get it.

 

[SBH4628]

A month ago they would max out around $800-$850
The "gotta have it" thing going on. Wonder how many Ruger made?

 

[Hondo44]

Ruger made a few bad decisions on the 327. Most would have preferred a 6 or even seven shot on the mid-frame Blackhawk and New Vaquero. Also, they should have offered it in blue. The result was a too heavy gun-for-caliber that didn't sell well. They also should have offered it in a 327/32-20 convertible and more barrel length options!

And $1500 is ridiculous. Check the bid list for two bidders duking it out for this one. Morons are usually the reason for a stupid auction price. For that price or less, a guy could have his mid frame converted and have the gun we all want.

My preference is on the Single Six Magnum frame and have made several with all Ruger parts:

NM w/cyl punched to 327 and a convertible cyl in 32-20; yes I have to seat 32-20 bullets deeper to fit the cyl.

EDIT: Had wrong photo of NM 327 conversion above.

OM in 327:

 

[Flash]

Ruger made a few bad decisions on the 327. Most would have preferred a 6 or even seven shot on the mid-frame Blackhawk and New Vaquero. Also, they should have offered it in blue. The result was a too heavy gun-for-caliber that didn't sell well. They also should have offered it in a 327/32-20 convertible and more barrel length options!

And $1500 is ridiculous. Check the bid list for two bidders duking it out for this one. Morons are usually the reason for a stupid auction price. For that price or less, a guy could have his mid frame converted and have the gun we all want.

My preference is on the Single Six Magnum frame and have made several with all Ruger parts:

NM w/cyl punched to 327 and a convertible cyl in 32-20; yes I have to seat 32-20 bullets deeper to fit the cyl.

OM in 327:

I wouldn't call them bad decisions because frankly, I like everything about the 327 Blackhawk, just the same as I do the other Blackhawks I own. My SSM is like holding a toy, compared to my 327 and Buckeye so I'd much prefer the larger gun that fits my hand. The SSM was dropped and it offered all the desirable attributes you mention, other than the convertible. As I said, I don't get it.

 

[Flash]

A month ago they would max out around $800-$850
The "gotta have it" thing going on. Wonder how many Ruger made?

I don't think it's so much the "Gotta have it" mentality as much as "I want it and this is what's it's going to cost me". The 327 Blackhawk could wind up being in the ranks as the original Hawkeye and the Maximum.

 

[Hondo44]

I wouldn't call them bad decisions because frankly, I like everything about the 327 Blackhawk, just the same as I do the other Blackhawks I own. My SSM is like holding a toy, compared to my 327 and Buckeye so I'd much prefer the larger gun that fits my hand. The SSM was dropped and it offered all the desirable attributes you mention, other than the convertible. As I said, I don't get it.

But it's quite a feisty toy with the 327 or 32-20. And a great carry gun.

You're probably right about it becoming the next Hawkeye or Max. if they don't make anymore.

 

[contender]

I have seen where a lot of folks feel Ruger built the 327 "wrong" for their tastes.
Well, I own several 30 Carbines, several 32 H&R mags, and a 327 Mag Blackhawk. I happen to feel the 8 shot, full sized .327 is an excellent gun as is. The weight & balance makes shooting it very easy & mild. The loads can be up or down & do excellent on small to medium game. Packing it is no problem in the Barranti shuck I have. And when you sit with a bunch of folks who are plinking away at clay pigeons at 100 yds with their 22 rifles, occasionally hitting one, Pull out the 327 & start busting more then they are, it raises more than a few eyebrows. One guy actually quit shooting in disgust, (or maybe embarrassment.)
I'd love it if they become like the Hawkeyes or the Maxi's.

 

[Flash]

I'm not saying anyone here is right or wrong but I lean in your direction Contender. I load my 327 pretty hot and can easily hold my own with the Contenders, no pun intended. I've always liked the 32's and the 327 to me, is just another fun gun.

 

[Kevin]

Oh yeah Contender got it right. The weight .makes it very mild to shoot and accurate? Oh boy is it. I'm just happy for finally buying the right gun.

 

[Green Frog]

Well, when I saw that price on the 327 BH on GB, I wondered if I should clean mine up real well and advertise it for sale at around a grand (starting price.) Then I remembered how much I missed my Buckeye Special 32 convertible and the idea didn't seem quite so attractive. It looks like I'll just have to sit on it for a couple of years and sell it to pay for my next car! :roll:

Froggie

 

[varminter22]

Right for some folks and not right for others.

I tend to agree with Hondo.

When the .327 was announced, I thought I would HAVE TO HAVE one.

But the large frame 8-shot kind of turned me off. So I'm still loving my .32 H&R mag Single Sixes.

 

[Green Frog]

Oddly enough, what doesn't suit me about the 327 Blackhawk is not the oversized (for the caliber) frame, it is the undersized, at least for my hand, grip frame! I don't like having a gun that big and having my pinky wrapped around the bottom of the grip because there is no place for it up on the grip with the big boys! That just doesn't suit me at all and I can hold onto my K-frame S&W with smooth finger grip type combat grips much better. If I were dealing with a smaller gun, I could understand it, but why build a man-sized revolver with girly-sized grips! JMHO, YMMV - I guess I'll clean her up real well and then put her back into the safe until the spirit moves me to shoot her, or the price gets so high I can't resist.

Froggie

 

[Hondo44]

Froggie,

You are so right about the large frames, they need the large grip frame. Your 327 is a perfect candidate for the Hunter grip; stainless steel and round guard like this large frame Vaq:

I can't believe how good it feels, especially with the 5 1/2" barrel just like your 327. You might even like the full length ejection of the 5" ejector rod.

 

[contender]

Grip frames are built for the masses. It's EASY to get a different set of grips to fit anybody's hands. Or, you can swap around grip frames & grips to give you something different.
Ruger builds a gun designed to fit the masses, with "average" sizes in mind. Yet, other offerings allow us to tinker with things to fit our needs.
Why not add a Bisley grip frame & grips to the gun to fill a hand? Or, as suggested, add a Hunter grip frame. And then the Blackhawk will feel better no matter what caliber it is.
Just a few thoughts,,,!

 

[Flash]

The grip frame has always been comfortable to me and I struggle to find gloves that fit but that's not my issue. I find the extra 20 oz. of the Blackhawk to be more balanced in my hand, then the SSM. Don't get me wrong, I like my 32 mag but that platform wouldn't suit me with a 327. It's interesting to hear that four members, have four slightly different likes and dislikes with the 327 so with that, the reason it was discontinued still evades me. There are rifle calibers that are older than dirt and still being chambered, for what must be limited sales. I'm starting to believe that if something doesn't instantly do well east of the Mississippi, manufacturers drop it for fear of being in economic peril.
Maybe in another 20 years, someone will lengthen the case another .300 and give shooters a 32 Super? That would be a screamer.

 

[32shooter]

I picked this one up last summer. Haven't been able to shoot it much but when the weather breaks I plan on giving it a workout. Just ordered 1000 pcs of brass from Starline due to ship later this week. If anyone needs brass it will be available from them this week. Can someone tell me how many of the blue/stainless guns were produced??

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for the heads up on the brass. I have been just buying factory ammo as a way of getting more brass.

I didn't even know they made a blue stainless combo like your gun. If this model does become infamous something like what you have will be even more rare.

 

[Hondo44]

I picked this one up last summer. Haven't been able to shoot it much but when the weather breaks I plan on giving it a workout. Just ordered 1000 pcs of brass from Starline due to ship later this week. If anyone needs brass it will be available from them this week. Can someone tell me how many of the blue/stainless guns were produced??

Not many! These showed up after production of the all stainless model ended. There was a thread about them on this forum. My sense is the discussion concluded that there were darned few! And it was a mystery as to why they were made. It's not like they had left over blued cylinders because this model was never produced in blue!

But occasionally SS and standard alloy steel raw material have been confused at the factory during machining. With no blue guns to put blue cylinders in, rather then waste them, Ruger just assembled them and shipped them out. These anomalies always sell well. Buyers have learned to spot future collectibles.

Much more recently a small group of Bearcats shipped with non-matching barrels. One buyer that snatched one up called Ruger and was told that less than 10 were made! You might want to make a call to Ruger.

 

[MacEntyre]

I much prefer the stock grip frame of the Buckeye Blackhawk in 327. It's great for point shooting. The pinkie serves a crucial role tucked underneath, resting on the angled bottom face.

One day soon I hope to convert a Single Six 32 to 327 so I can compare.

 

[contender]

Those two-toned 327's are few & far between. I wish I could add one to my stable.

 

[Hondo44]

I much prefer the stock grip frame of the Buckeye Blackhawk in 327. It's great for point shooting. The pinkie serves a crucial role tucked underneath, resting on the angled bottom face.

One day soon I hope to convert a Single Six 32 to 327 so I can compare.

Simplest conversion there is. Just extend the chamber neck 1/10" with a reamer. Can be done by hand turning because so little material is removed.

 

[MacEntyre]

One day soon I hope to convert a Single Six 32 to 327 so I can compare.

Simplest conversion there is. Just extend the chamber neck 1/10" with a reamer. Can be done by hand turning because so little material is removed.

But then I have to shorten the bullets, like you do. I want to shoot spec length 327.

 

[kodiakisland]

I much prefer the stock grip frame of the Buckeye Blackhawk in 327. It's great for point shooting. The pinkie serves a crucial role tucked underneath, resting on the angled bottom face.

One day soon I hope to convert a Single Six 32 to 327 so I can compare.

My pinkie fits under the bisley and the FA frames just as well. I thought that's were it belongs on a SA. :wink:

Really, the only reason I am using my 327 cylinder in the FA is for shooting 130gr bullets. The H&R case does everything I need with the 115/118gr bullets. It also shoots the 130s OK but I do like the extra speed the 327 gives them.

I too have cases on order from starline. Should be ready next week.

It's no wonder the people who use the H&R or 327 like them. The old timers liked their 32-20s even when much bigger, powerful handguns were around as well.

 

[Hondo44]

One day soon I hope to convert a Single Six 32 to 327 so I can compare.

Simplest conversion there is. Just extend the chamber neck 1/10" with a reamer. Can be done by hand turning because so little material is removed.

But then I have to shorten the bullets, like you do. I want to shoot spec length 327.

Every single six .32 I've re-chambered shoots off the shelf spec length .327 factory loads!

Only the .32-20 in the single six need to have the cases shortened or the bullets seated deeper.

 

[Green Frog]

OK, so having my pinky finger wrapped under the grip frame is supposed to be a desirable feature of the Ruger Single Action experience? I guess I've been shooting too many DA revolvers, because this seems just plain weird to me! :?

I guess I'll have to put in some more range time with it after all and see whether it grows on me, or whether I'm destined to be a DA man. :wink:

Froggie

 

[MacEntyre]

Every single six .32 I've re-chambered shoots off the shelf spec length .327 factory loads!

Only the .32-20 in the single six need to have the cases shortened or the bullets seated deeper.

Yes, I got it mixed up with your 32-20 conversion.

I'll try the simple 327 conversion myself! Thank you!

OK, so having my pinky finger wrapped under the grip frame is supposed to be a desirable feature of the Ruger Single Action experience?

Where else are you going to put it?

Here is how point shooting with Colt and Ruger plough handle grips works for me:

First, the bottom of your palm, opposite your thumb, naturally presses down on the lower, flared part of the back strap. This tension opposes the weight of the barrel, and gives you a kinetic feel for where to point. With Bisley or Birdshead grips, this tension is absent.

Second, your pinky wraps under the grip, on the angled face of the wood, and provides a reference point. With your pinky in that position, and your index finger on the trigger, the rest of your hand is in the proper place.

I suppose one other thing is that I push the gun out in front of me. I don't do well point shooting from the hip.

That's how it works for me.

 

[contender]

The pinky under the grip is not ALWAYS the best. Different hand sizes and how a person holds the grip affect where the pinky goes. I have made some flat bottomed custom grips & my pinky enjoys full contact with the rest of my fingers.

 

[mhblaw]

I was shooting my Buckeye 32 and my NMBH 327 at the range yesterday. Did not notice any difference in the grip frame. Is there?

 

[MacEntyre]

I was shooting my Buckeye 32 and my NMBH 327 at the range yesterday. Did not notice any difference in the grip frame. Is there?

Your Buckeye 32 is a NMBH. They use the same grip frame.

 

[cristofori]

32shooter...
When I ordered mine there were 30 in stock...but my serial number is 47 before yours...and there was one online were the owner claimed 60 were made. Bottom line...not many around!

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=178307