327 magnum vs 38 special+P for ccw

[4gunfun]

What do you think? Does the 327 Magnum have enough stoppping power? Seems like it has the same stats as a 9mm, 1400 fps 375 ft lbs energy. Is it going to be more accurate with less kick than the wifes Airweight 442? The Taurus 327 mag revolver. They are giving these away at bud's (well almost) for $238 shipped. I know they have $$$$ ammo but I can reload it so I am not worried about that. Just wonder if it's worth the investment in another round. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=taurus+327+mag&osCsid=o2eu8r6k6tqvrdsvc2plmqmd46&x=23&y=7

[Omicron]

Personally I steer away from the newer rounds until they gain widespread acceptance, especially for a CCW piece I may have to bet my life on. More accurate out of a 2" revolver is a "so what" kinda thing, that's never going to be a target piece anyway.

With a little patience you can pick up a good used revolver for $300 or under in the proven stopper .357 magnum caliber. If recoil is a problem for practice you can shoot .38 special rounds out of this same revolver. And while I have had no problem with them, many people don't like Taurus stuff.

If you're going to pick it up for a new toy to play with at the range, why not? I'd just not go with it for a CCW piece. IMHO.... YMMV. :)

[CO-Exprs]

+1 Stay away from off caliber stuff for CCW. 38sp has plenty of power for point blank personal protection and there is a significantly better selection of ammo. You can get 38 anywhere and it is less expensive than 327. Also, if you buy your 38 as a 357, you have the option for the extra power if you carry it hunting, fishing or backpacking.

[4gunfun]

My wife carries her S&W airweight 38 special +p and seems to be happy with it. It does kick a bit with full power +p loads and a 1 7/8" barrel. I load her some lighter 125 grn. loads to practice with. I might just buy the 327 mag just for a cheap toy and see where it takes me. Decisions, decisions.....

[ray1970]

I had a GP100 in .327 mag. It was a neat little round. Very accurate. Recoil was "snappy" would be the best way to describe it. Not sure if it would make a good CCW round. Personally, I prefer a bit heavier bullets myself. But for that price, what the heck. Why not try one out. You could probably recover most, if not all, of your money if you don't like it.

[jarodml]

Just dont' stop shootin'. empty it on 'em and most likely it won't matter what the caliber is. Just my $.02

[CO-Exprs]

I come from the camp that you should shoot the most powerfull round you can handle... well. If you want some nice light loads for your wife to practice with, get some heavy 158gr bullets and load them with a fast powder like Titegroup, Bullseye or Clays. 3gr of Titegroup will be subsonic in a snubnose so it will be quiet and it will feel like she's shooting marshmellows. I like Titegroup in this application because it's not possition sensitive and will still burn well, even though there will be lots of empty space in the case. There are very few people who don't have the strength for 38+p. My 12yr old daughter can shoot it great. You're wife just needs confidence and needs to know which muscles to turn on and how to use her physical structure to manage the recoil. The soft practice loads will help with confidence, but she might be benefitted with a good shooting class and an instructor who knows how to break down the grip frame and stance in a way that teaches her what muscles to use, when to use them and why.

[pikes_peak]

I'd go for the .38 +p the other round is too new and hard to find

[spqrzilla]

This is an old discussion but I thought I would point out that it looks overall like the .327 Magnum round is going to be a market failure. I'd not buy a gun in this caliber at this point since I think ammo will become scarcer.

[eadgbe194]

I really wanted a ruger SP101 in 327 federal magnum but I could never find one and I never saw any ammo. Finally got the SP101 in 357 and love it but wish i had that 6th round. Still never see any 327 ammo around but the 357 and 38 special is easy to find.

[kidicarus13]

This is an old discussion but I thought I would point out that it looks overall like the .327 Magnum round is going to be a market failure.

Based on...?

[TFOGGER]

Keep in mind a .327 revolver will also accept .32 S&W and .32 H&R Mag ammo (like .357 Maximum accepts .357 Mag, .38 Special, and .38 S&W.

[4gunfun]

If you reload your own, then ammo like the .327 and 10mm are not scarce or expensive. :)

[spqrzilla]

Based on...?
Based on the fact that several of the manufacturers dropped chambering revolvers in that caliber. There was some brief interest in concealed carry revolvers in that caliber but it was just a short term interest based on some magazine coverage. Does not seem to have panned out in sustained sales.