I was hoping that Smith and Wesson would introduce a six-shot revolver chambered in .327 Magnum this year. They did, but this is not what I had in mind. However, I found myself liking the gun more that I thought I would.
The S&W 632 is a small framed revolver chambered in the hot new .32 introduced by Ruger and ATK last year. It has a 3″ ported barrel, is blued steel, and has the same rubber Uncle Mike’s grips on it that have been standard on many other small frame Smith’s.
The first thing that struck me is the cylinder seemed much thinner than what I was expecting. I thought I would pick up the gun and see a cylinder roughly the same size as a Model 10 in .38 Special. Not so. The cylinder is definitely less bulky, and it still puts six of the magnum rounds at your disposal.
It had a decent trigger, good sight picture, and felt good in my hand.
Two major problems I have with it. First, like most Smith and Wesson revolvers, it has the internal lock. Sorry, guys, but I won’t buy one of your revolvers with those things installed.
The other problem, for me anyway, is the ported barrel. Yes, porting can help with recoil, but having gasses shoot out of the top of my revolver in a low-light, self-defense shooting is not my idea of enhancing my odds.
If S&W made this (without the lock) in a plain 2″ or 3″ barrel with the internal hammer, they would not be able to keep the dealers in stock. In this configuration, I am less optimistic.
Other articles that will amaze you:
- Smith and Wesson Introduces Model 632 Revolver in .327 Magnum
- Smith and Wesson Introduces the Model 57 Classic in .41 Magnum
- Smith and Wesson Introduces Model 357 Night Guard in .41 Magnum
- Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter Revolver in .44 Magnum
- Smith and Wesson Model 310 Night Guard Revolver in 10mm and .40 S&W
I too was hoping S&W would come out with a .327 Mag. I don’t care for the porting in this caliber and would have preferred a 2.5″ barrel, but I do want to try it out at my dealer .
make it in stainless steel and come out witha 7 round cylinder and it will sell like hot cakes!,put me down for one!..
I like it! Very versatile and the porting makes it ideal for my daughter’s use as a personal defense weapon. She can dial in the recoil by shooting .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R, or .327 Federal.
four problems for me. the price is more than what i expected. a 2.5 barrel and stainless steel options.
and most importantly, its 24 oz. weight. i was expecting its weight to fall between my S&W 640 .357 mag 2″ 23ozs & my 637 .38+p, 1 & 7/8″ .15 ozs
I like it ! However, 3″ barrel, nix the porting and make it in stainless. Less maintance. Better yet a black finish.
Sabass
I have been praying for S$W to chamber a revolver in .327 Magnum-but this isn’t quite what I envisioned. How about in stainless with a 7-shot cylinder and lose the porting? If not, I can always get someone to re-chamber my older S&W Model 632(.32 H&R Magnum).
I have a 640 that my wife uses and think that a combination of the new M&P 340 in the .327 Magnum 6-shot cylinder weighing in at 11-12 ounces would be the best ankle or boot gun ever!
Close but no cigar. 1] loose the port. It causes too much vision interference in low light situations, 2] Produde with a 7 shot cylinder, 3] Make in stainless steel with black polymer or ceramic finish on frame barrel, brushed finish on cylinder, 4] Get rid of the internal lock and 5] LaserGrips.
Also offer a Performance Center model (?? 632PC ??) with
K frame,
8 shot cylinder,
no internal lock,
DA/SA, Master Revolver Performance Center package,
Hogue/Rist/et al custom stocks or LaserGrips,
Novak/Mepro/S&W night sites or adjustable target sites with front gold bead,
Stainless construction with brushed/beaded or polished finish or
Stainless barrel/frame with black finish or NP3 finish and cylinder stainless with
brushed/beaded finish.
Offer accessories a DeSantis/Milt Sparks/Knoll/5 Shot holsters in IWB and OWB, Speed Loader holders to match the holsters,
They wouldn’t be able to produce the 632 or the 632PC fast enough,
I recently purchased a Tauras 327 mag and I must say that I am very pleased with the weapon over all. I do not regret my purchase.
Perfect! So excited when I saw it, would’nt change a thing! Weight, barrel length, color, handle, everything.
James,
Any chance you bought it? I’d love to hear what you thought of it if you did.
–Richard
Well S&W is making the Model 632 Pro Series Revolver with night sights. All they need to do is change that from all stainless 23 oz. to Scandium Alloy, Frame, Barrel shroud/Matte Stainless cylinder and barrel insert about 14 oz. and I think they will have it covered.
I hope Smith and Wesson is listening. The public is interested in personal defense and products that solve problems will be supported, big-time. S&W is getting closer and I think USA citizens would rather buy American than overseas. The .327 has much potential but S&W will need to take chances to develop more configurations (i.e. shorter barrel, 7/8 shots, lighter weight, etc.). Porting for a personal defense weapon is quite questionable.
They may have been listening! In their latest catalog, product #178046 is the Model 632 Pro Series revolver. Stainless, dovetail night sights, 23.0 oz., 2.125″ barrel. These are some crucial carry gun improvements I’d say.
Oh, and the catalog says “No internal lock.”
I am hoping for a 5 round cylinder for a narrower profile and easier draw from deep concealment. I agree, lose the porting and black finished stainless with laser grips would be ideal. Also, they need to lose the internal lock. I have had the .38 5 shot model lock up. Not what you want to have happen when you really need it!
Rudd,
I got a chance to handle the ‘new’ 632 Pro that S&W was showing at the 2010 SHOT Show. It is a lot more like a 640/642 in size/profile, with very good sights, and no internal lock. It is a six shot instead of five, but I think it hits everything else you might like. I’m pretty sure any of the Crimson Trace J-frame grips would fit this, but CT could confirm that.
I really like this new gun.
–Richard
I bought it and I love it. The port gas has not been a problem. It is fun to shoot. Soon, there will be brass for it, so shooting will get cheaper. Perfect for what I wanted: a fun-to-shoot handgun, easy to carry when hiking and camping, black, good grips and sights. I don’t use the lock, but it doesn’t bother me. Someday I might want to use it. I don’t know how I’d improve it.
Paladin,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I imagine the larger, ported version would be a lot of fun to shoot. As a trail gun (except bear country!) that is probably a great choice.
Richard
Great caliber, I own 2 rugers and a taurus. Problem is lack of ammo at the big box stores that carry the .327 Fed. Mag. and expense and rarity of HR Magnum and S&W long. The SP 101 is the answer to many of the above requests save 7 shot, and you must have Smith..
I bought one and I love it. It is perfect for what I want to do with it, e.g., shoot 50 rounds for fun, carry when hiking/camping. The recoil is light enough to still be fun to shoot, but there is enough stopping power to inspire some confidence. The porting has been no problem for me at all. I suppose you can invent a scenario in which it wouldn’t be the best gun; same is true for every gun. As for the lock, I just ignore it. The lack of brass is the only negative I can think of.
Just ran into the 327 fed mag looking for a slim wheel gun (reliability, concealability, capacity and confidence). I also like “6 shooters” and 25oz loaded would be sweeet. just to bad the plinking rds aren’t cheaper or readily available.
I have a Tarus total titanium in 38 special. I like the magna ported barrel. I also own a Marlin 1894CP with a ported barrel. I don’t understand why people complain about them. It tames the recoil of lightweight guns and makes them shootable. If the flash bothers you use an airgun. As for the lock, don’t use it if it bothers you. Maybe you should take the time to understand how it works.