357 Magnum vs 327 Federal

[KentuckyLevrgunr]

I've started to move away from the Ruger LCR and started looking at the SP101 357 Mag as my first carry gun. It's heavier and kicks harder, but it fills my hand better and..... well it's a 357 Mag. The new question is about the .327 Federal. The Fed allows one more round in the cylinder but the heaviest bullet I could find for it was 125 grains. I really like the idea of having five 158 grain Gold Dots ready to heave towards an attacker. Is one extra round in the cylinder really worth losing 33 grains bullet weight?

(I think I know what most everybody's gona say, but heck, this should be interesting )

[piller]

I like the .327 Federal, but it is not a .357 Magnum. If I had to defend myself with the .327 Federal, I would not be worried, but if I had a choice, it would be the .357 Magnum.

[bsaride]

I think the 357 is better.
I bought mom a 327 SP101 only because at 70 and arthritis can make shooting painful,
(practice here) cuz if she needs it then she won't even think about the recoil,
Only because of the lighter load options.

[madman4570]

http://www.impactguns.com/store/736676057207.html

Of the two--------This one for me!

[Old Ironsights]

Go .357. More ammo choices - from light to OMG! (think 180gr @ 1200fps...)

[SoftwarePro]

I can't speak to .327 vs. .357 caliber effectiveness but for carry I prefer the fixed sight 2.25" DAO .357 for snag-free draw and good concealability along with the magnum power.

It looks like the .327 only comes in 3.06" and has a hammer spur and adjustable rear sight. Still doable I guess but not my preference for CC.

[madman4570]

How bout in your future a 6 Shot 2.5 " 44mag weighing only 27 ounces.
Just pulling it, the bad guy will wet himself.
http://www.taurus-handguns.com/item/712 ... S_6RD.aspx

[BrianSH]

My first impression about the 327 is that it has all the blast of the 357, and about 2/3 the recoil.

With the new defense bullets being made, the 327 should be dropping skels real quick. If nothing else, it'll be hair-on-fire ala Paco. flash blindness, flamengewehr, ja ja.

- Brian

[stretch]

Well, the 327 is an intriguing cartridge, and it would certainly be
fine in a carry gun.

The 357 is MUCH more versatile, and it makes a bigger hole. Even with
38 Special loads.

I'd buy the 357, I think.

-Stretch

[Marlin32]

I liked the 32H&R, but Ruger only made it in a few configuratins, none of which I wanted!
Give me 2" barrel, fixed sights!

I have small hands, short stubby fingers, smaller guns I handle better. I think .327 in the LCR would be nice carry gun. The BEST carry gun, maybe not. Ballistically, .357 going to win. (I might be using 180gr bullets in it, not the wimpy 158's)

I would be carrying the .327 when it was not convienent to carry a larger gun.
Mostly carry the Springfield XD .40S&W, smaller grip frame, fits me better than glock's kimber's etc.

Bonus for the 357 ( I do own one, SP101 6" barrel) is that I have a Marlin that shoots the .357 also!!

[AJMD429]

I prefer big but slow, like .44 Special or .45 ACP - but if I have to have something smaller than that, I'll go with the 5-shot SP101 in .357 Mag, or if smaller yet, one of those tiny 9mm semiautos or a NAA revolver in .22 WMR.

Now, I WOULD like a SA revolver in .327 FedMag, to do what a modern-steel .32-20 can do only with sturdier brass...

[76/444]

I haven't held one yet,... but I believe the .327 is the answer to every complaint I have ever heard about the .357 snubby.

It ain't as light as a 9mm revo,... and sounds like it is just as good a belly gun as the .357. I think .357 is just too much in a snubnose.

If I didn't carry an AirLitePD in 44,...the . 327 would be my choice in fixed sights, double action.





one man's opinion

[KWK]

Now, I WOULD like a SA revolver in .327 FedMag, to do what a modern-steel .32-20 can do only with sturdier brass.

USFA has your gun; it's an 8-shooter.

[86er]

It seems these days more and more mopes travel in pair (or more). I'd rather have the 1 extra round and give up a wee bit of power. At point blank range either is going to have nearly the same effect (whatever it may be). The .357 is a handful in a short revolver and to me, the Ruger's grip is a little short to be able to control the recoil for fast follow-up shots. I have some faith in the 357 where I don't really know much about 327 Federal. Somewhere in that realm would be a 6 shot 38 Spl properly loaded. It's a tough decision so good luck!

[afish4570]

I would select a used S & W the hammerless 2" variety preferred. All steel or SS or alum frame(Airweight) The heavier they are the more fun to shoot, the titinium is the lightest and no joy to shoot with any heavy loads. But if carried and shot in practice with what you expect to shoot as carry ammo you will be prepared. Remember the 38+P 150gr SWC Lead (old FBI load) is probably a great choice for carry. A 327 will cost you more to setup a press, dies, components etc. Stick with a 38, my choice. J frames for pockets, K frames (6 shot) IWB holsters or big pockets. I like my adj. sights on my 3" 66 but it weights at least 25 oz. and is SS to......Just some thoughts. Keltec 32 is proven too and less problems than the 380 version and is cheaper too. Lack of real sights make it a close range proposition only and 60gr Win. Silver tips or the 60 gr. Fiochi or Magteck if you can find them.afish4570

[Bullard4075]

Use a 45 , shooting twice is silly.

[firefuzz]

How bout in your future a 6 Shot 2.5 " 44mag weighing only 27 ounces.
Just pulling it, the bad guy will wet himself.

I think I'd wet myself just thinking about pulling the trigger on that.

I know nothing about the .327, but am very familiar with, and fond of, the .357. My summer carry gun is a 5-shot Taurus 905 ported .357 that I carry with Glasser Silver tip Safety slugs. I have no doubt that it will carry the mail in a bad situation if I do my part.

I'm not bad mouthing the .327, as I said I know nothing about it, but IMHO most of the new "concealed carry" cartridges and guns accomplish very little as far as improvements over the ones that existed 20 years ago. If it ain't broke don't be a tryin' to fix it.

Rob

[Hobie]

If this is the platform you want, the SP101, and the 125 gr. .327 Fed is about the same as the 125 .357 Fed (and the 125 is THE load for the .357, NOT the 158...) and the additional round interests/attracts you, then that is the gun to get.

I have been carrying a Colt Cobra rather than my 642 and the extra round was a big reason as the 642 being stainless has a more durable finish.