Ruger announced a new version of the LCR chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge. The new revolver is the exact gun that should have been introduced with the round in 2008 – but will it sell in 2015?
The new LCR looks very similar to the company’s existing line of compact revolvers. However, instead of the standard five rounds, Ruger fit six into the cylinder. This is one of the promises made by the cartridge at its introduction more than 7 years ago: you can fit one more round of Magnum-level ammo into a revolver’s cylinder when compared to existing .38/.357 designs.
As with the original LCR, the new gun has a completely shrouded hammer, pinned front sight and notch rear sight. The gun is a combination of steel and polymer with a matte black finish and Hogue grips. The MSRP is $619.
In my opinion, there should have been a lightweight revolver introduced for the .327 Magnum at the same time it was announced. However, 2008 was one year prior to the introduction of the LCR, and since the cartridge was a collaboration between Ruger and Federal, Smith & Wesson didn’t have any time to design a gun in time for launch.
Instead, Ruger offered a 3″ SP101 at launch, and it took S&W more than a year to deliver a handgun similar to the 642 called the 632 Pro Series (longer barrel, dovetailed sights.) The SP101 is a fine gun, but it isn’t light. Nor is it suitable for pocket carry, a method that many people use when toting a small framed revolver.
Consequently, a lot of the early excitement for the cartridge was lost as people waited for a pocket gun from one of the two big revolver companies. While Ruger would eventually offer the .327 Federal Magnum in several handguns, it took until the fall of 2015 for the company to introduce a true pocket gun for the cartridge. Larger guns in this caliber from Ruger included a 4.2″ SP101, a GP100 and a Blackhawk.
Charter Arms offered a pair of Patriot revolvers in .327 Magnum, but eventually discontinued those guns in 2011 due to lackluster sales. The standard Patriot was a rather thick 2.2″ barreled gun, while the Target Patriot added a longer barrel (4″) and an adjustable rear sight.
There is a lot of speculation that the .327 Federal Magnum round would perform very well in a carbine. The additional barrel length, as compared to a typical revolver, may give the round a substantial velocity boost. If true, the cartridge could perform very well on small game. From a 4″ test barrel, the 100 grain Speer Gold Dot load makes for 1,500 fps at the muzzle. A 16″ barrel could increase that to the 2,000 fps neighborhood.
Will the new LCR in .327 Magnum be successful? I think so, but I don’t expect a runaway hit. In 2008, this could have been the next big thing. In 2015, however, I think it becomes an interesting niche gun that devotees of the caliber will buy and be very happy with.
9 replies on “Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum”
Love the .327 Federal. Packs a big punch but guns chambered for it can also shoot the milder versions of the .32. Great for those of us that sometimes have problems with their hands.
Excellent point about the milder ammo. As a guy who has arthritis setting in, I have a greater appreciation for softer shooting loads. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
-Richard
If shops carry it people will buy it. I had the original SP101 in 327. I have the Ruger Single Seven. As soon as I can find one the LCR .327 will be my carry gun.
I love the .327 round (SP101) and I love the Ruger LCR (.38 Spec.) With the 2 joined it’s a “match made in….”). I’ll buy one as soon as I can get my hands on one and not even “bargain shop.”
Two points:
1) In the video he annoyingly says, “Available at your local gun shop.” The ones I’ve asked don’t even know it’s been announced much less have one in stock.
2) The chambers in the cylinder shown on the gun in the video sure look like .38 Spec. sized chamber holes. I’m wondering if they didn’t substitute a .38 for the video because even he couldn’t get one to test? Look close. What do you think?
Local gun shops are a mixed bag. Those that stay on top of their industry will certainly know about the gun just as you do. Those that don’t, don’t. Ruger’s done a fairly good job of making sure distributors have the guns in hand when they are announced. So, a local shop should be able to order one for you from Davidson’s or whoever they order through.
I took a look at the video and the LCR has 6 charge holes, so I’m fairly sure it is the gun in question.
Thanks for reading!
Richard
I’ve been carrying the .357 model for quite some time. Got one of these for my wife. With some arthritis and Carpal Tunnel syndrome, much easier for her to tolerate the reduced recoil. It’s not only the recoil of a cylinder or two….it’s being able to comfortably practice with the gun for several cylinders full.
Nope, six chambers in the cylinder.
i would have been jumping up and down about this gun, and the new ammo, if both had been introduced together…but the thud of the market not getting giggly about the .327 fed, the lack of handguns chambered for it, commiefornia (with the clown car that is “state” government) have doomed this beautiful cartridge…the best i can do is hope to find some kind of .32 ammo (not acp) and a decent firearm to shoot what i can find. arthritis be damned…yeah, me too…