327 mag

[john123456]

ok some people seem crazy about this caliber. to me i dont see the point the 357 can do everything it can and more with more bullet weights what am i missing here? and dont get me wrong im not trying to say bad stuff about it im just trying to figure what role it fills

 

[jsh]

It is a variation in calibers for what one wants to use it for. Smaller framed gun equals lighter to pack, if you carry one. I know several guys that own a half a wheel barrow of pistols, they don't own but 3-4 holsters between them.
357 will do what the 327 does, 41 mag will do what the 357 does, etc.
I am leaning towards the 327, my favorite now is the 32-20/30-20.
These.32 calibers can do some very impressive work. The heavy for caliber bullets 130-145 are impressive but a handload only for now. I think and hope some one starts making ammo of this kind so folks can see the real potential of the round.
The performance you get with less recoil is what makes it interesting.
Jeff

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I see the 327 as a rimmed, straight-wall update to the .30 Carbine and .32-20 . . . easier to reload and not as critical about length and case mouth treatment, and of a size to be chambered in the Single-Six (Single-Seven ?). Should make for a nice packin' piece when the bigger stuff is not warranted.

Also, I believe that if it had been chambered in the smaller single action from the beginning it would have taken right off in popularity.

JMHO

 

[Flash]

I've been a fan of the 32 mag since it's introduction and to me, the Buckeye was a gift from the Gods. To other 32 fans, the 327 is the same thing. What you're missing is the enjoyment of owning a rimmed 32 caliber.

 

[contender]

Yes, it's true that a 357 can do anything & even more than a 32 cal. However,,, it also puts bigger holes in targets, destroys more meat on smaller game, and the 327 has the option of using other cases for different loads. I can load 32 Short, 32 Long, 32 H&R mag, & 327 all in my one 327. Or, I can use my 32 mags & use 3 of these calibers.
The lighter recoil, the "fun" factor, all make the 32 a great addition to my battery of guns!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I think one of the problems is trying to make a direct comparison between the .327 and the .357 mags. They are two different chamberings, each with its strong points as well as its shortcomings. If they were interchangeable there'd be no justification for both of them . . . and I see several benefits to the 327.

Yes, you can load the .357 "down" to 327 levels, but that scenario is also true of many, many "similar" rounds. And with certain components you could likewise load the 327 "up" to nearly .357 levels, at the expense of punishment to shooter and equipment.

IMHO the "big lie" upon the introduction of the .327 was ".357 performance without .357 recoil and flash" . . . which any experienced handgunner knew was, at best, advertising hype.

 

[CraigC]

I really don't understand why it invariably gets compared to the .357. Nor do I understand why so many pretend that there is no performance gap between the .22Mag and .357Mag.

A 110gr .357 is a light varmint load and would be more comparable to an 85gr .327 load. A 115gr .327 load is not a light varmint load and would be more comparable to a 158gr .357. The .327 has a third more pressure to play with and can get a 100gr to 1700fps. So for bullets of the same weight, the .327 will hit harder downrange, shoot flatter and penetrate deeper. For bullets of the same sectional density, the .327 is 300-400fps faster.

Not to mention that the .327 fits neatly into the much lighter, much more packable Single Six package. That alone should be enough but apparently most are just looking for excuses to dismiss the .327, rather than reasons to like it.

 

[caryg]

My main problem with the caliber is that its hard enough to find 357 magnum here in Texas much less 327 Magnum. 38 special no problem. Plus I still like the bigger hole.

 

[fanofthefortyone]

I've been seeing 327 ammo on line and in stores. The American eagle 85 and 100
Ronnie

 

[32magfan]

I also have been a fan of the 32 since my Dad bought me a Single Six in 1985. We also started casting bullets and reloading it and a Super Blackhawk in 44Mag. I was 16 and the big 44 was too much for me. I flinched badly when shooting it. I did better with the 32 and improved as a pistol shot. I took rabbits, squirrels and a groundhog with the 32. I eventually added other 32 handguns to include a Buckeye convertible, S&W 16 & 632, Vaquero convertible and all 3 of the Ruger guns chambered for 327. I have 15 guns chambered in 32 cal.
I have most of the other revolver calibers now also but I go back to the handy 32 often. Find someone who has one ( or some ) 32's and try them out.
AllI can say is that too many sane people are fans of the 32 for there not to be some great qualities that some people just cannot see or ignore.

Try it. You may like it.

Thanks,

32Magfan

 

[Ale-8(1)]

If nothing else, the 327 is what the .32 H&R should have been originally, had it not been limited to the little H&R guns.

 

[kodiakisland]

ok some people seem crazy about this caliber. to me i dont see the point the 357 can do everything it can and more with more bullet weights what am i missing here? and dont get me wrong im not trying to say bad stuff about it im just trying to figure what role it fills

I guess I look at it just the opposite. Why have a 357? It really doesn't do that much more than a hot loaded 32.

There is a reason the old timers all liked the 32-20. A fast 32 offers all you need for small game and will take game a bit bigger if you do your part. Plus they are fairly cheap to feed and fun to shoot.

If my 32s can't get it done, it's time to step up to the 41 or bigger.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

And besides . . . something for everyone.

 

[LaneP]

One of the big selling points of the .327 (as I understand) was that it could allow 6 rounds in a J-frame size revolver and offer energy output comparable to some .357 defense loads but with reduced recoil and blast.

However as you stated, the .357 is already the most versatile medium bore magnum in existence. Handloaders can take the .357 up to levels the .327 simply can't touch. Reloading components abound for the .357 inch bore. .38 Special +P is commonplace and can serve well for those that fear the mighty fireball of a .357 at close quarters.

Add into the mix the rise of the single stack 9mm for EDC and the lure of a six shot snubby in .327 drops even further.

When the .327 hit the gun rags I simply had no interest. Not saying it doesn't have a place for those that like its virtues but I don't think it's going anywhere.

 

[kodiakisland]

Yeah, you can load the 357 hotter with heavier bullets, but for what? I've yet to shoot a 357 pushed hard that I enjoyed shooting. I've yet to shoot a 32 or 327 I didn't enjoy shooting, even loaded hotter than they should have been. I'll put 200 rounds a day through my 32s. I would not want to do that with most 357s.

I'd much rather have my 32s and jump to the 41 or 45 if I need more.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I think it will be interesting to actually experience a fast, heavy-bullet 327 load in a relatively light gun like the Single-Six. Not expecting anything horrible, but there's all that ".357 performance without the .357 reactions" thing to experience . . . or not.

 

[Green Frog]

I think it will be interesting to actually experience a fast, heavy-bullet 327 load in a relatively light gun like the Single-Six. Not expecting anything horrible, but there's all that ".357 performance without the .357 reactions" thing to experience . . . or not.

I can't speak to the fast, heavy-bullet 327 load in a Single-Six, but I have shot such a load (125 gr LSWC over a stout load of H-108 - the equivalent of AA #9) in a custom S&W K-frame. While not for the faint of heart, the recoil was not that bad for one who shoots heavy revolvers, but the flash and noise was something to behold. I'm guessing the SS will be a little "rowdy" with similar loads.

Froggie

 

[Jason at Lipsey's]

I think it will be interesting to actually experience a fast, heavy-bullet 327 load in a relatively light gun like the Single-Six. Not expecting anything horrible, but there's all that ".357 performance without the .357 reactions" thing to experience . . . or not.

It's not bad at all...

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Define "bad" . . .

 

[Jason at Lipsey's]

Way more comfortable than 357 Mag in my opinion. To me the 327 is a better "woods" caliber when I don't need a big bore like the 44 or 45. I could be happy with a 22 LR, 327 Fed, and 45 Colt to handle all my revolver needs.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Appreciate your thoughts. I'm just saying that in spite of what we hear, I cannot believe that identical bullet weights at identical velocities would not produce essentially identical "reactions" in identical guns. Personally, I'd not go for super-heavies at astronomical velocities in either chambering, so perhaps my concerns are unwarranted. That said, I also cannot see the 327 having anything special with respect to these characteristics.

 

[kodiakisland]

Way more comfortable than 357 Mag in my opinion. To me the 327 is a better "woods" caliber when I don't need a big bore like the 44 or 45. I could be happy with a 22 LR, 327 Fed, and 45 Colt to handle all my revolver needs.

Of all my handguns, my 22lrs, 32s, and 45s get the most use by a large margin. I find it to be the perfect trio.

 

[mohavesam]

Walking around the mountain behind my home can result in everything from a rabid raccoon to an abandoned dog or two, to a lion or a two-legged cretin. The versatility of the 327 FM chambering is a big plus. I don't need more mass or velocity than the 327FM gives. And a factory 100 gr SP at 1500+ fps is a good penetrator and "enough gun" for such encounters. YMMV.
It's strange that so many try to compare it to the 357 Mag or something else. It is a healthy round in itself. Factory-round impact energy at the muzzle far in excess of any 45 ACP round I'd likely carry. Hmmm...

 

[CraigC]

I've never fired a .327 in my life but I've been shooting .32-20's for some time. I can tell you that with heavy loads in identical platforms, the .32-20's recoil is negligible compared to the .357. Of course, this is comparing 100gr JHP's to standard weight bullets in the .357Mag.

 

[dougader]

Full house 327's in a 3 inch SP101 or S&W 632 are nothing to sneeze at, but nowhere near the same as full power 357's. In fact, I thought the recoil of a 38 Sp +P in a S&W 642 was much worse than the 327.

For defense the 38 special is nowhere near the same power levels as the 327.

For small game, you can download a 357 just like you can download a 44 or a 45, but then you get that rainbow trajectory going on. A little 32 cast bullet zips right along at 1,000 fps and is perfect for squirrels and such.

The 327, especially with a longer barreled revolver, will really stretch out your distance and allow the hunting of even bigger game like groundhogs, coyote and smaller deer.

To those who see no use for it, fine. But I'll keep 32's right next to my 357's. I want both!

I sold my 327's in SP101 and 632, so if the Lipsey's Single Seven works out for me that'll be great. I'll decide after that if I want to go after a Freedom Arms Model 97 in 327 mag as well.

 

[RABULL]

I am a big .32 fan also, like others have said, I would give up the .357 Magnum before I would give up the .327 Fed. Magnums (and .32 H & R Mag). If I had to I could cut dow0n to the .22 (LT & WMR), .32 (.32-20, .32 H & R Mag, .327 Fed Magnum), .44 (Special & Magnum) and the .45 (ACP, Colt and the .454 Casull). I think other posters have done a great job of talking about the positives of the .32 calibers......

 

[Green Frog]

Full house 327's in a 3 inch SP101 or S&W 632 are nothing to sneeze at, but nowhere near the same as full power 357's. In fact, I thought the recoil of a 38 Sp +P in a S&W 642 was much worse than the 327.

For defense the 38 special is nowhere near the same power levels as the 327.

For small game, you can download a 357 just like you can download a 44 or a 45, but then you get that rainbow trajectory going on. A little 32 cast bullet zips right along at 1,000 fps and is perfect for squirrels and such.

The 327, especially with a longer barreled revolver, will really stretch out your distance and allow the hunting of even bigger game like groundhogs, coyote and smaller deer.

To those who see no use for it, fine. But I'll keep 32's right next to my 357's. I want both!

I sold my 327's in SP101 and 632, so if the Lipsey's Single Seven works out for me that'll be great. I'll decide after that if I want to go after a Freedom Arms Model 97 in 327 mag as well.

Just from a purely personal standpoint, I think that for me to comfortably take full advantage of the potential of the 327 FM (or the 32-20 for that matter) I want to use the S&W K-frame or Ruger mid-size BH for my platform. Don't get me wrong, the J-frame and Single Six platforms will safely carry the caliber, but I want a little more to hold onto and a little more strength margin for safety when I want to unleash a full power 327 Mag. JMHO, YMMV.

Froggie

 

[Bucks Owin]

I see it as a little flat shooting varmit blaster that is frugal on the powder and lead. I'd take more barrel if it was available but 7.5" will do... 8)

 

[SBH4628]

I see it as a little flat shooting varmit blaster that is frugal on the powder and lead. I'd take more barrel if it was available but 7.5" will do... 8)

I agree Dennis...Hope I can snag one 8)

 

[Bucks Owin]

I see it as a little flat shooting varmit blaster that is frugal on the powder and lead. I'd take more barrel if it was available but 7.5" will do... 8)

I agree Dennis...Hope I can snag one 8)

Oh, I bet you will... :lol: 8)