New .327 Magnum
 

Gents,
I have seen a couple of articles lately about the new .327 magnum and the Ruger SP101 version built around it. Anyone contemplating this as a next gun? From the ballistics and reports (Shooting Times) it looks like it is a good revolver option. Too early and and the reports are unfortunately sometimes tainted by $ and the reviewers being too close to the industry.
Anyone have one of these yet and if so, what are your opinions on the round? Anyone contemplating getting one?
thanks in advance

.327 magnum
 

OK, a supercharged .32. I'm not going to rush out and get one. i do not see the need.

.327 <gag> magnum
 

They're trying to reinvent the .30 Carbine. The supposed reason(s) why they didn't just use the .30 Carbine was that it would require full or half moon clips for extraction (which seem to work just fine for .45 ACP revolvers and Ruger actually offers them for a 9mm setup..PN#90078) and most .30 Carbine ammo comes in FMJ which isn't the best for self-defense.

Ruger already has a .30 Carbine Blackhawk, it's been around for ages.
It's NOT known for it's accuracy, but it has earned a reputation as a real flamethrower! (and it's loud too)
You don't need a rim for extraction in a single action with an ejector rod.
However, you're right about available ammo in this caliber, 110 grain FMJ is pretty lame stuff for anything bigger than a coyote.

.30 Carbine vs .327 Federal
 

I was referring to the fact that what they are trying to get out of the .327 Magnum, powerwise, already exists as the .30 Carbine. All they had to do was load it with bullets better suited for self defense, which Federal is surely capable of doing; and Ruger develop full-moon clips for the SP101, which they already do for a 9mm version. Besides, a Ruger .30 Carbine SP101 and the M1 semi-auto carbine would make a nice "combo carry" package. Marketting is everything and the quickest way to get a new self-defense firearm off and running is to either connect it to military/law enforcement use or to an already existing, and popular, long gun.

I have a feeling this will fall the same way the .32 H&R went. A really good idea that will never really catch on. (Ask Charter arms about the 9mm Federal!!) The .327 still will not do anything a .38 Special plus p won't do. I even own a Single Six in .32 H&R, and I like the gun, it is not really that special of a shell. And you can thank Ruger and Ruger alone for somehow keeping it alive, I guess marketing it to the Cowboy Action shooters. It would have died years ago if not for this. It is just hard to beat the good old .38 special or .357 mag.

327 Magnum for my next gun
 

I'll tell you what the practicality of the .327 magnum is. If you were to own a revolver like the SP101, it would be quite a jolt shooting a full load, 158 gr. cartridge through it. This is why most guys will shoot the 110 gr round in the 357 mag version of this gun. So, this puts it on a pretty good playing field with the .327 federal magnum. The 357 will still have a more power at this level, but the 327 wins on a few points; round capacity, felt recoil, and the versatility of shooting four different cartidges. Less recoil makes it easier to manage and more accurate for multiple shots. It is MUCH better than the .32 H&R magnum. Comparing the two would be like comparing the .357 mag against the 38 Special. In summary, if you are looking for a small, powerful self defense revolver, the SP101 in 327 magnum will be a good choice and it will be with us for a while, so get used to it. I might buy one and teach my wife how to use it. She is afraid of semi autos.

Yeah, that was my thinking too. After putting a few hundred rounds through mine, I had to send it back to Ruger for repairs. Apparently they had some manufacturing problems with the cylinders. After a fairly long wait while they retooled, I'm expecting it's return within the next couple of weeks.

My original plan was to use the 85gr Hydra-shoks as my self defense round. For some weird reason that I don't understand, I shoot the 115gr Gold Dots in a tighter grouping, despite the heavier kick.

The ability to shoot low recoil .32's as well as the relatively light, compared to the .327 rounds, H&R .32 Magnum makes a great introduction and step up for new shooters.

Ironically, my wife has very weak hand strength and has trouble working the revolver double action trigger more than a few times before she quits in frustration. Now I'm thinking I may need a semi for her.

By the way, I got it back from Ruger. I dropped in a 9 lb. Wolff spring and put the Hogue grip back on. It's really nice now. :)

I looked at it, shot it, and gave it back... You'd be way better off investing your money in a .357.