327 MAG - need some input please.

[Ladobe]

I let a local friend talk me out of my old Taurus 606 357 MAG 2" ported, and think I want to use that as an excuse to try a 327 MAG.  Blue is preferred, I'd consider stainless, but I'm not interested in an alloy frame.   Cost is not too important.   Doesn't matter whether fixed or adjustable sights, but want to stay with a 2"-3" barrel and 6 shots for a more compact revolver.   
 
So I'd appreciate what the ins and outs of the models available along these lines are from those who have them.
 
Thanks.
 
L.
 
 

[longwinters]

I am a 686 fan but also have been looking hard at the model 60 Pro. (although it is only a five shot).  Have fun doing your research.
 
Long

[Ladobe]

 
From the lact of response it doesn't look like anybody here is shooting the 327MAG, at least not in a compact revolver.   
 
 

[LunaticFringeInc]

Sorry about that...if I was looking for a revolver in 327 I would be looking at something in the 6 inch barrel range and I would prefer SS so I am pretty much about as far oppisite of what your looking for as I could probably get.

[S A Webbx1]

Not too many choices in blue, but Smith has a 632 with a 3" ported barrel in blackened stainless and a 2+" concealed hammer in stainless that looks good to me.
I'm down to a couple 32 mag revolvers and a 327 blackhawk.  I've looked into converting the 4" SP 101 to a 327; Hamilton Bowen quoted $100 to re-chamber the cylinder and no need to send the frame, just cylinder and crane. The 327 I bought just because. 
Unfortunately, most of the shooting here involves killing goats or sheep for sales and the 32 mag or the 357 SP 101 both work, so I haven't even loaded any of my new 327 brass yet.
I'm afraid a lack of choices in guns (none in a production Rifle) and iffy availability on ammo and limited selection there too will likely doom a good cartridge. I do fantasize about shooting some one in the gizmockiss when they dismiss any 32 as a pop gun.


Essay W.

[canon6]

I have three 327's.had a NEF(custom) made up. I sold the rifle, now have a  Charter Arms  4 inch, Ruger Sp101 3 1/16. and a S&W 632 3inch. I flat love this cartridge and of the three the S&W is my favorite.HTH     Doug

[Ladobe]

Essay W, thanks for the input.   A Blackhawk 327MAG would be a great addition to my SA stable for other uses, but I only have/shoot old school old model Ruger SA's - don't like the new models.   Got a kick out of your "...when they dismiss any 32 as a pop gun.   Guess they forget that long ago some 32's were a favorite service revolver of law enforcement, and they got the job done for them.   An old Colt Police Positive Special 32-20 I had for many years long ago easily earned its place taking a couple of mule deer and lots of medium and small game for me.   Same with most of the other 32's I've had (except for deer).   Even the IJ Safety Automatics and SA Hammerless revolvers I had in the 50's-60's (both 32S&W and 38S&W) where serviceable until I could afford better.   Favorite of them was a circa 1900 SAH 32 S&W that was like new when I bought it for something like $5.  So I agree, the 32's are under rated these days and are still a viable choice for many uses.
 
 
Doug, thanks for chiming in with real world experience that fits the niche I am asking about.   What is the basis for your preference of the Smith over the other two if I may ask?   Also, how would you rate the CA against a Taurus just for S&G?    I've had a lot of Smith's and Ruger's in my lifetime, a few Taurus but only one CA, and that was years ago.   So I know little about the quality of the CA's now days.   All the Taurus revolvers I bought in the 90's were also great revolvers.    Seems to be a lot of smut said about them now days though... why I wasn't leaning towards them.
 
Just based on personal long experience with their arms, a S&W Pro Series 2" or a Ruger SP101 3" was getting the nod (I don't want a GP-100) even though they are stainless.   

Thanks again folks, 
 
Larry

[Mohawk]

Hey, Ladobe. Curious on your experience with the .32-20 on deer. I have used the .38 Spl to good effect and was thinking of using a .32-20 rifle. I have a S&W hand ejector 4" .32-20 that has taken small game, but nothing larger. It was my grandfather's duty revolver when he was a detective with the Dallas PD.

[canon6]

Ladobe,why do I perfer the S&W over the other, good question.First I do not like stainless revolvers for CCW. The Smith is blackened stainless.,Second, the muzzle comp really does keep the muzzle whip to a minimum.Third it is the lightest of the three.Which without the muzzle comp could be problematic.
If I had to choose between the Charter Arms and a Taurus I would go with the Charter Arms, just because of the customer service.I had a problem  with my Charter Arms (timing was off) sent it back to CA , on their dime, had the revolver back in 8 days. HTH   Doug

[Ladobe]

Hey, Ladobe. Curious on your experience with the .32-20 on deer...

Way back in the 60's the first year I went from using my old Thirty Gun (Win 94) for deer/elk to a scoped bolt action, I was carrying the PPS for smaller cook pot possibilities and predators.   Turned out it got used as a backup for deer jumped close in black timber (thick cover), IOW too close and dark for the scope and where in a couple of bounds they could be gone and out of sight.    The range was less than 30 yards for both I shot with it that year, and both were small bucks.   The PPS did put them down, one a standing and facing away shot to the base of the skull, the other a quartering away heart/lung shot that took two follow ups to keep it down right there.   My ability with a handgun was pretty good then, I'd been using them for small game and predators for about 8-10 years.   But in a "pumped" situation I felt the 32-20 and I barely got it done on the one deer to prevent a long tracking job. 
 
So is the 32-20 a viable choice for deer?  Obviously in a rifle more so than in a handgun.   But, we had 22 rimfire rifles or handguns on all the ranch vehicles that commonly killed deer, so even a 32-20 handgun should easily be capable with good shot placement within its and the shooters effective range with it (IOW, if the "juices" aren't flowing too strong in both the predator and prey).    
 
L.
 
 
 

[Ladobe]

Doug - Thanks for the additional insight on the compacts, it says a lot.   I'll probably go look at the Smiths and compare the 632 Pro Series 2" hammerless and 3" Carry Comp.   I have a couple of gun shops here where I can probably test fire both of them (and any others for that matter).   Just wanted some real world input before doing so.
 
I haven't had a CCW for about 13-14 years... don't feel the need to carry where I've lived since then.   In fact I seldom carried concealed in towns after I left CA in the mid 70's.   Had the guns and the permits, just didn't feel the need.   A fully loaded weapon is legal in vehicles here, even out of sight as long as not concealed on your person if you don't have a CCW.  So if I ever felt the need here that would suffice for my lifestyle now and with no family to protect.   
 
So a 327 MAG would just be an around the house gun to replace the 357 MAG snubbie I sold.   Have other full size handguns and lots of long guns I could use, just thought it a good excuse to try out the 327 MAG and something different.

Thanks again folks,
 
Larry