Ruger GP100 and Blackhawk now in .327 Federal Magnum

Ruger is offering two new revolvers chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum: the New Model Blackhawk and the GP100.  These two revolvers shows the commitment of Ruger to the new Magnum caliber.

The Blackhawk is a single-action revolver with a 5 1/2″ barrel.  It will hold eight rounds of the powerful .327 Magnum cartridges.  The GP100 is a standard double action revolver that will hold seven of the .327 Federal Magnum rounds.  Barrel length is 4.2″.

Shooting a Federal 100 grain soft-point bullet in the American Eagle line of ammunition, Ruger states the Blackhawk achieves 1655 fps, while the GP100 manages 1525 fps.

I’ve had a number of readers write that this cartridge made more sense as a hunting round, than that of a defensive round.  With these revolvers, the .327 can now be taken to the field to harvest game.

Update – October 2013

Ruger dropped the single action Blackhawk chambered for the .327 Magnum cartridge at some point prior to this date.  I can only assume that sales were low and not profitable for the company to continue the line.

Ruger has still continued the GP100 in the .32 caliber cartridge.  While this is good for the long term viability of the cartridge, I do find it to be surprising.  I would have expected the single-action Blackhawk to be a better seller.  Why?  I don’t think the .327 Magnum will catch on as a full-size defensive firearm.  A small-frame, concealed carry gun – sure.  I can definitely see that.  But not a full, duty-sized gun.

On the other hand, I can see the cartridge as being a good hunting cartridge.  And for a hunting handgun, the Blackhawk is clearly a much better choice than the GP100.  The GP100 is a very good firearm, but for hunting, the Blackhawk is infinitely better.  So, from my perspective (which is clearly wrong, haha), I would have figured the Ruger Blackhawk in .327 Magnum would have lasted longer than it did.

Update – March 2015

Ruger re-introduced the SP101 in .327 Mag. The revised revolver has a 4.2″ barrel and a capacity of six rounds. Check it out here.