The compact SR9 I can see - the market these days is geared towards smaller autos for CCW. I don't have any problem with that at all.
When the .327 was introduced I thought it had great potential as a compact kit or concealed carry/home defense gun. Hence the SP101, 1 which unfortunately I haven't been able to get my paws on yet. Sounds like a collector's item now....
A gun needs to be proportional, as does any tool. If the .327 Blackhawk had been introduced in the mid sized frame with 6-7 shots, I could see potential. As it is, nearly 3 lbs. for a gun that shoots a .32 cal bullet? The extra shots in either model do nothing for me personally. If I can't hit what I'm aiming at with 5 shots, :shock: another couple ain't gonna to make any difference!
As for the GP100, I love my .357. As I do my SP101 in .357. They are proportional to the cartridges used, and even a tad bit on the heavy side there. Without looking, I believe that at 40 oz., the .327 GP is about 6 oz. heavier than my .357, iirc. Mr. March says the .327 loads Mr. Quinn tested approach .357 energy levels, which I don't doubt in the least. But it's still a .32.
Granted, both guns are built like tanks, and will probably outlive their purchasers by a considerable margin. The older I get, the less I like to carry, as far as weight goes. Call me a pansy, whatever. Just a fact, and I'd wager most out there are in the same category.
It seems to me that Ruger took the easy way out with these revolvers. The problems associated with the .327 SP101 seem to have scared their engineers where power to weight ratios are concerned. Those extolling the virtues of either gun are correct - they will sell, and probably fairly well.
BUT - if the engineering staff involved had taken the time to re-engineer the SP101 from a tooling standpoint, it would have outsold either of these by quite a bit. If the SP101 is strong enough for a .357, it's strong enough for a .327! The same goes for a mid-framed Blackhawk.
As a machinist since 1977, and a current shop owner, I
KNOW that the problems were either tooling or machinery related. OK, there's the possibility of a metallurgy issue as well. Either trying to stretch the tooling or the production machinery beyond their capabilities, cost cutting on alloys, and a good possibility of a combination of all 3.
PRODUCTION is where you need to 'over-build', not in the finished product.
Inexperienced engineers have a tendency to try and make 'cuts' in the wrong part of the processes involved, and I strongly believe that's what happened here. Some things can't be pushed, tooling and machinery corners can't be cut, if you want a consistently accurate finished product. Sure, it costs just little bit more per unit, but think of all the issues related to the .327 SP101 that could have been avoided! Any costs involved with that? Not to mention scaring off and completely losing potential buyers that were chompin' at the bit to get their hands on 1? Another $1.00 per gun in tooling, and $2.50 in machine time probably wouldn't have affected sales, as these aren't exactly bargain basement priced guns to start with, at least as far as my wallet's concerned!
How many posts has anyone on here seen where the OP wanted and couldn't find a good .327 SP101? Hell, I'd like to find a 'junk' 1 so I could rework the cylinder to where it's reliable..... All it takes are time and $$$$!
IF the Blackhawk was the mid frame model, and instead of just poking smaller holes in the GP100, the SP101 problems had been addressed, I say they'd have 2
BIG winners on their hands. As it is, they'll probably sell fairly well. At least marketing did their jobs in relation to the cartridge, they just blew it on the delivery platform.
Either a 6-7 shot mid-sized Blackhawk, or a reliable SP101 in .327 Federal would have sold like hotcakes. That's what most people want - a gun proportional to the cartridge. There are those who like the .475 Linebaugh in a 24 oz. gun, but not me, or the majority of other buyers.
The only saving grace I can see here is a larger segment of those sensitive to recoil will consider the GP100 as a HD gun. If you can't handle the recoil of a .357 in the GP, you're not going to want to carry a heavier model concealed, that's for sure. And many may be attracted to the Blackhawk as well for some of the various competitive sports they enjoy, for the same reason, and that's fine. The Blackhawk in a Hunter model may do pretty well too.
Me, I'm still waiting for a 4-5/8" or 5-1/2" .327 Single Six , and 3"- 4" SP101s in .327 and .22 mag. I won't even mention the GP100 in .41... :lol: Think I oughta hold my breath?