See, I didn't like the SP101 or the Lipsey Single 7 in 327, for different reasons. The cylinder length and loading gate issues on the early SS got me to sell mine. The 327 SP 101 just didn't fit my hand well, even w different grips.
Now....the 327 8 shot Blackhawk is one of my fave pistols, and with my handloads, is a flat shooter, even out to 100 yards. The 327 Henry I bought had extractor claw issues, but Henry fixed the issue without a hassle, even talked w the owner when I called about it and my LGS handled it superbly. So....another vote for the Henry, and a vote for the BH.
I know the Professional has the fiber optic front sight, I don't remember if the rear sight is adjustable. I have the 6 shot 32 Undercoverette. It has the 2 inch barrel and fixed sights. Using the Arsenal Molds 98 gr Keith bullet, I started working up a 32 Long load for it. I was shooting at 50 feet and all my shots were going low, by a lot, sometimes missing the backer board and clipping my target stand. I wrote to Charter and asked them what weight bullet they used and at what range the sights were regulated for. They told me they used a 98 gr bullet but their range was only 25 ft, so they assumed that's what they regulated the sights for. Someday I might get back to it and try filing the front sight some.
In the mean time, I've picked up 3 three inch SP101s. Two in stainless with fixed sights and one of the Lipsey's Blued guns with the adjustable rear and front brass bead site. Several months back I was able to snag a new, made in 2024, Lipsey's GP100, blued with the same adjustable rear and brass bead front sights, 5 inch barrel and 7 chambers. I haven't had a chance to shoot the GP yet.
I'm using #2 alloy and powder coating that Keith bullet. I am shooting that as 327 rounds and so far, haven't had any problems with it. Once I got my crimp to the right spot, I'm getting better Spread and SD numbers than factory loaded Federal, Underwood, and Gold Dot rounds.
Just in time, I jumped into the 327 pool. Only a few folks had built 327 conversions on the K frame S&W, and things fell in place for me… I was idly speculating on the S&W Forum and was basically told to put up or shut up. I had recently retired and had the time and money to do it, so voila, Project 616 was born.
I’ve never understood Ruger’s stealth release of the Blackhawk 8 shot 327 FM, it came and went so quickly a lot of average shooters never knew it had come out. While P 616 was being built, I found and bought one on Gun Broker at a close out price. This stud hoss of a gun has become my test bed for all things 32 (except 32-20, of course). If I were CEO at Ruger, I’d immediately order a run of Blackhawk combination 32s, like the Buckeye Specials from ca1990 except with a six shot 327 cylinder to go with the 32-20 cylinder. Blue or stainless, they should sell great.
At times I tend to forget what I have gone through over about a decade to be where I am with 327. I guess it would be tough to get where I am if one were to start today. I can only say I personally feel like the 327 is as versatile and useful as any revolver produced. It lacks the brute power of a 44 Rem Mag or a 500 S&W, but doesn’t require a gun carriage to haul it around and an ammo bearer to keep it supplied. And yes, I do own an 8 3/8” Model 29 and have to say, it is cool in its own way, but I haven’t fired it in over 20 years.
There is a bunch of interest here in the 32 family of cartridges. I sincerely believe that there is a market for good, practical 327 revolvers in appropriate size for the round’s power potential. It may be a niche market, but the market is definitely there.
Froggie
"It aint easy being green!"
I have most of the Ruger's in 327 and agree its about the most versatile cartridge I am aware of. I think the "J" and "K" frames are about Ideal for it, even though I do love my Blackhawk a lot too...
What a fun little powerhouse.
I have to say that having had the opportunity to handle the "project 616" I think it is optimal. I thought long and hard about having one made up after seeing the Froggy one's example, regretting that the cost was just too much for my budget, but the Ruger Black Hawk left me cold. I would break open the piggy bank to get a S&W if they would make a K frame 327. But I wouldn't waste a dime on the Blackhawk. I had one for a bit, but it is much too heavy for my taste. It weighed as much as a 6 inch Model 29. That big old cylinder and super thick barrel add quite a few ounces to what is already a fairly heavy revolver. A bucket of concrete is a better boat anchor and it's cheaper. They are very accurate, though. Mine was better than I was on my best day, but it was too heavy. My age and my failing eye sight kind of led me away from heavy guns. My younger brother wanted it more than I did, so I sold it to him.
The Single 7 is cheaper, lighter, and now that they have ironed out the early production difficulties, much better as a plinking, woods walking, companion. It would not be my choice if I were in Grizzly country, but otherwise it is perfectly suitable. It is certainly a step up from the 22 I frequently carry on my out door adventures. With appropriate loads it'll kill just about anything that might want a chunk out of me, while being plenty accurate for me to use to add a bunny or a squirrel to the dinner pot. And the gun and ammo are lighter than a comparable 357 and it's ammo would be.
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Last edited by rintinglen; 01-16-2025 at 02:34 PM.
_________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.
Well RTG, you need to come back to the range with me (come Spring after the weather improves) and try out my Blackhawk with my “serious” 327 Federal Magnum handloads, then shoot a couple in the Single Seven. You’ll very quickly see what I like about my “stud hoss”. I shoot loads in the BH on a regular basis that I won’t even use in my 616. If you stay with factory loads and factory equivalent loads, the smaller platforms are fine, maybe even the J frame Smiths. OTOH, if I want to feel the Earth move and hear thunder, I want the Blackhawk or perhaps my custom Ruger #3 in 327 FM. That’s how to handle lightning in a bottle!
Your Friend the Frog
"It aint easy being green!"
If I want to go big, I break out the Redhawk and go back to 1981 for my loads. The 327 punches above it's weight without loading it to proof load levels. What I like about it is exactly the fact that factory loads and their equivalents make for all the fun I care to handle, with plenty of oomph for just about anything it could be used for. Lately, I've rediscovered the joy of the 32 H&R, which while called "magnum" really is "special." But the beauty of the 32 clan is that there is something for just about everyone, except maybe Ivory Hunters.
But Project 616 leads me into temptation and makes me break the 10th Commandment.
Last edited by rintinglen; 01-17-2025 at 11:54 AM.
_________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.
That's the fun of my Henry rifle. You can shoot the stout .327 loads with very little muzzle jump or felt recoil. I shot in a pistol cartridge lever action silhouette match with it, and it was just darned fun!! In respect for the targets, I didn't use really stout loads for that one.
Mobilemail, will your Henry feed S& W L, H&R, and 327 csrtidges (all 3?). That in itself is impressive!
Froggie
"It aint easy being green!"
I found that the shorter cartridges feed and eject from my Henry, IF it's held level, and cycled smartly. The shorter empties can slide behind the bolt upon ejection otherwise. Some short loaded rounds can get in there as well if your not careful. But the muzzle report of the 327 is so reduced in the rifle, it don't make since to use the short brass. I like to think of it as a lever action 30 carbine.
I think I only tried the S&WL loads once, and had difficulty with it feeding similar to what Thundarstick reported. Of course, my Henry was originally so stiff to cycle I had to send it back to Henry for correction. It works fine now, but in all honesty I don't consider the design of the Henry to be as fluid or fool proof as the Winchester 94 I have. I have never owned or tried 32H&R brass, but everything I have tried in .327 brass except for wadcutters has worked as expected. And really, wadcutters in a rifle??
Probably have posted this...my rendition of a perfect K-Frame .327...converted Model 53. Old shotout barrel rebored to .313 and the .22 rimfire cylinder rechambered to .327...done by Jack Huntington, said it was one of the easiest conversions he ever did. Still have the cylinder and barrel so it can be converted back to .22 Jet...
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Need a "Dear God I love it" emoticon.
RJM52, I would guess you just made every 32 lover here sit up and take notice. I had heard of this conversion being done, but can’t remember ever actually seeing one. That barrel with ejector rod shroud is beyond gorgeous. I’ve always heard it said that a magnum S&W revolver should have this feature and recessed rim chambers, which I’m guessing that has as well due the donor cylinder. It even made my Project 616 get all excited… now I’ll have to give it a trip to the range before it tears the house up!
Froggie
"It aint easy being green!"
Thank you....the gun is very special to me as my friend found it in a shop while we were in college and knew I was looking for a 53 with an extra rimfire cylinder... He passed away in 2010.
I wasn't getting the use out of the Jet because the ammo is really hard on the forcing cone...so the .22 rimfire cylinder was sacrificed. The gun had already been rebarreled so the new barrel and Jet cylinder were saved if someone down the road wants a Jet.
It would REALLY be nice if Smith brought out a .327 with a Model 19 barrel profile instead of the 16 full lug barrel...which is just not needed.
This one gets run with 85-100 grain bullets only because I run out of front sight. Only solution would be to send it to JRH and have a new blade put on...
Bob
Lance,
It was only through the greatest of dumb luck (and kindness of a stranger”) that I got my 16-3 barrel, and I’ve never even looked for a K32 cylinder. On Project 616, both the barrel and cylinder were custom rebores of 617 parts, and the 16-3 homage also used a rebored (K22) cylinder. I wouldn’t even look for 32 parts unless they just fell in my lap.
Froggie
"It aint easy being green!"
..agreed...finding .32 anything K-frame is just blind luck...
Would get a Model 14/15 and then find a Model 17/18/48 barrel and cylinder. Pack it all up and send it to Jack...
Looked over on ebay...tons of 17/18/48 barrels but no K-frame .22 cylinders...
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |