LCR .327

[GJM]

For the longest time, they seemed almost unobtanium, but GunBroker has a bunch of them now.

[Up1911Fan]

I keep being tempted by one. Seems most carry 32H&R in them?

[Joe in PNG]

I think the LCR is cool, but I really want a Single 7.

[oregon45]

I think the LCR is cool, but I really want a Single 7.

I had one when they were first released, in the 7.5" barrel length. Very fun little gun with a hefty muzzle blast with full .327 loads; reminded me of my Blackhawk in .30 Carbine.

[awp_101]

I had one when they were first released, in the 7.5" barrel length. Very fun little gun with a hefty muzzle blast with full .327 loads; reminded me of my Blackhawk in .30 Carbine.

Agreed on blasty. Mine was a 5.5" and the concussion punched my sinus cavities every single shot.

[GJM]

Now that I have one inbound, what are folks doing for ammo. I see LuckyGunner is a buck a round for practice ammo.

[alohadoug]

I wanted to like mine, I really did. I got one and loaded it with BB .32S&WLong (at the recommendation of DB) due to hand issues which make small frame revolvers painful. With standard size grips it was ok but not great in the pocket. With pocket grips, it was still uncomfortable beyond a level I felt I could train with.
Even more of an issue was how it felt. It just seemed....cheap. Maybe it's because the rest of my revolvers are pre WWII S&W and Colts and my one mid-70s Model 36.
I wanted to like it, I did.
Guess I'm going to have to try the 43C.

[GJM]

I wanted to like mine, I really did. I got one and loaded it with BB .32S&WLong (at the recommendation of DB) due to hand issues which make small frame revolvers painful. With standard size grips it was ok but not great in the pocket. With pocket grips, it was still uncomfortable beyond a level I felt I could train with.
Even more of an issue was how it felt. It just seemed....cheap. Maybe it's because the rest of my revolvers are pre WWII S&W and Colts and my one mid-70s Model 36.
I wanted to like it, I did.
Guess I'm going to have to try the 43C.

I agree, it is hard to compare an older Smith J frame with the LCR. The LCR appears like it was made by a committee that tried to make a revolver as cheaply as possible. However, when I shoot my 43C and the LCR in 22, the LCR shoots circles around the 43C.

[alohadoug]

I agree, it is hard to compare an older Smith J frame with the LCR. The LCR appears like it was made by a committee that tried to make a revolver as cheaply as possible. However, when I shoot my 43C and the LCR in 22, the LCR shoots circles around the 43C.
"By a committee.." lol...since I work for the US Army on the R&D side...I definitely identify with the statement.

What about the LCR do you feel makes it better than the 43C? I'm curious because I have no experience with the 43C and since they're not Mass Compliant, they're hard to find around here.

[Salamander]

Now that I have one inbound, what are folks doing for ammo. I see LuckyGunner is a buck a round for practice ammo.

I pretty regularly see a few boxes of 32 H&R and 32 Long on the shelf at the local Sportsman's Warehouse, they had a little as recently as last week. Another LGS sometimes stocks 32 Long wadcutters. The nice thing is it doesn't sell quickly.

I also saved some 32 H&R brass and dies, mostly because I keep thinking about acquiring a LCR one of these days.

[GJM]

How are the LG-415 laser grips for the LCR?

[Clusterfrack]

How are the LG-415 laser grips for the LCR?

Big.

[GJM]

Big.

Were there smaller ones that were discontinued?

[Clusterfrack]

Were there smaller ones that were discontinued?

I'm not sure. I don't think so. I got a set for Mrs. CF, and they work great for a novice shooter to be able to hit stuff with a snubby. But for pocket carry, they are unnecessarily and annoyingly long. I have a Bantam on it right now.

[Clusterfrack]

GJM, if you want to try my green LaserGrip PM or email me. I'll put in the mail for you. We aren't going to need it for at least a month or two.

[Chuck Whitlock]

How are the LG-415 laser grips for the LCR?

Just surfing around, I see that Hogue makes a laser grip for the LCR.

https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruger-grips/lcr/enclosed/legrips

[tlong17]

The Black Hills 32 H&R was on Midway USA for around 70 cents a round recently. Not showing in stock right now but seems to come back in stock every few weeks in a small amount.

[jetfire]

Now that I have one inbound, what are folks doing for ammo. I see LuckyGunner is a buck a round for practice ammo.

All the cool kids, and by all the cool kids I mean me and DB, are running Buffalo Bore 32 Longs

[jetfire]

Just surfing around, I see that Hogue makes a laser grip for the LCR.

https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruger-grips/lcr/enclosed/legrips

I had one and was very underwhelmed

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Outdoor Limited has various 100gr Long wadcutters.

[Gun Mutt]

All the cool kids, and by all the cool kids I mean me and DB, are running Buffalo Bore 32 Longs

I heard DB praise this round on a podcast and was stoked to find them in stock, my .327 is loaded with them as well. I'm signed up for alerts for .32H&R mag everywhere I could think of...guess I need to check out Sportsman's Warehouse.

I want to like the Hogue boot grips, but I just don't. I tried undercutting them behind the trigger guard and promptly ruined them. I also want to like pocket carry, but again (lawn work aside), I just don't, so I'm not too concerned with how the grip affects this method.

I bought one of the Roger's grips direct from their site and I really like it. I understand that people don't like it for anything with harsh recoil, but it works wonderfully with the soft recoiling .32's.

My #1 reason for buying one one is for summertime concealment and I'm on the hunt for the perfect (for me) AIWB holster for it.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Just surfing around, I see that Hogue makes a laser grip for the LCR.

https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruger-grips/lcr/enclosed/legrips


I had one and was very underwhelmed

jetfire

Would you be willing to elaborate on the specifics?

[jetfire]

jetfire

Would you be willing to elaborate on the specifics?

The green beam was so weak that it was hardly visible in a mildly well lit room, it was actually dimmer than my red Crimson Trace laser on my other LCR

[EricM]

The green beam was so weak that it was hardly visible in a mildly well lit room, it was actually dimmer than my red Crimson Trace laser on my other LCR

Sorry if it's a dumb question to ask, but did you try changing the brightness level? If I hadn't seen it mentioned when I was researching grips a while back I'd never have known such a setting would be a thing.

I didn't end up getting one of the Hogues myself, I found a used green Crimson Trace grip here on PF...haven't had a chance to shoot with it yet but brightness seems as expected, can't tell a difference between it and a TLR-8 AG.

[john c]

I agree, it is hard to compare an older Smith J frame with the LCR. The LCR appears like it was made by a committee that tried to make a revolver as cheaply as possible. However, when I shoot my 43C and the LCR in 22, the LCR shoots circles around the 43C.



Can you please elaborate on how the LCR shoots circles around the 43C? I have a 3 inch S&W 317 that I like a lot. I look at the LCRx 3 inch in .22, but figure it’s mostly a duplicate of what I have. Is it worth the upgrade?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GJM]

Can you please elaborate on how the LCR shoots circles around the 43C? I have a 3 inch S&W 317 that I like a lot. I look at the LCRx 3 inch in .22, but figure it’s mostly a duplicate of what I have. Is it worth the upgrade?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My pre lock 317 is my favorite small .22 revolver. The 43C is smaller than the LCR and can use CT laser grips. Otherwise the LCR feels more substantial, has more usable sights, and allows me better performance than the 43C on the shooting tasks I have tried.

[Up1911Fan]

Did CT stop making the boot grip size lasergrip?

[jtcarm]

That’s just what I need.

Another frickin round to reload[emoji849]

[PNWTO]

Did CT stop making the boot grip size lasergrip?

Some time after S&W bought them, IIRC.

[camel]

I have no idea why I traded my lcr’s in 327. They really worked for me for a variety of reasons. Stupidly I traded them on I can’t even remember.

[Tokarev]

Here's a bit of gel info

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-underappreciated-32-magnums/

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Up1911Fan]

Some time after S&W bought them, IIRC.

Dang, was seriously considering trying them out again. Had a 38 when they first came out, but wasn't a revolver shooter and couldn't shoot it worth a damn. It had that really short smooth boot grip, making practice painful, so I moved on.

[alohadoug]

Damn you guys! I'd given up on my .327 LCR and put it up at my LGS. Now in fairness, I didn't really give it a fair shake and enough effort. I also had my LGS list it for too much (subconsciously of course) and since it hasn't sold yet, I guess I'll go pick it up and give it another go.

Damn enablers...

[jtcarm]

What’s the draw on these?

Is it the 6-rounds in a pocket revolver?
Superior SD round to the .38 Special?
All the above?

[threefiveseven]

What’s the draw on these?

Is it the 6-rounds in a pocket revolver?
Superior SD round to the .38 Special?
All the above?

- 6 rounds, easy reloads with HKS 32-J
- range of ammo choices, mild-to-wild
- jframe size, pocket carry or IWB-OWB
- reloading is where it really shines... at least it used to when components where available.
- Superior SD to 38 special? for me, it's not worth the debate as there are too many factors to consider for both calibers.

86857

[Duelist]

What’s the draw on these?

Is it the 6-rounds in a pocket revolver?
Superior SD round to the .38 Special?
All the above?

To it expand on the ammunition choices in a .327 vs a .38 or .357:

in an Airweight or lighter snubby chambered for .38 Special or .357, there are few commercial ammunition choices that allow for truly comfortable shooting. Standard 158 gr loads will draw blood from my hand after less than a box. 125 gr +p JHPs are only tolerable for a cylinder or two. 125 gr standard velocity GDHP were my carry load for years because they were match accurate and had tolerable recoil, but they are not made anymore. 110 gr Hornady standard pressure are comfortable but rarely seen, 148 gr FGMM wadcutters have a bit more recoil but seem to be the school answer for a .38 snub load that is normally available and will work on tissue without beating up the shooter. They are what I normally carry in the guns now, with a speedstrip or two of Ranger bonded JHP because they work more smoothly when reloading.

I load a 105gr moly coated lead bullet + 2.5-2.7 gr Bullseye practice load for my Airweights. That’s very nearly the same ballistics and recoil level of a standard .32 Long: barely more nudge than a .22 Magnum. I’ve only seen one iof them shot into a clear gel block (through denim, IIRC) and it ran a straight track for ~11”. Which is about the same as what the .22 Magnum and .32 Long did.

To feed a .327 with that level of comfortable recoil, you buy and shoot .32 Longs, or load standard .32 Long, and if needed you can go as hot as the .327 Federal. To get that in .38 Special requires more work, and commercial loads like mine aren’t readily available.

This all really does matter if you have gimpy/old person hands and/or elbows. And drawing blood from the skin of a 30-50 yo person’s hands with just .38 handgun recoil takes a bit of work (such as me stubbornly going through an entire box of 158 gr full power loads even after it started hurting because I was freaking going to finish the whole kittening box). An 80 yo person’s skin tends to be much more fragile.

[JCN]

Duelist

I have some Hornady Critical defense lite that’s basically like 380ACP in a 38 special case.

It’s super mild.

And the 380 Taurus revolver is very pleasant to shoot despite the light weight.


https://youtu.be/xmNMjZKKn-A

[Buckeye63]

87491

Great little revolver

[frozentundra]

For those who own these guns, do they shoot to the sights? Are you seeing much point of impact shift between .32 Long target WC, .32 Long Buffalo Bore WC, and .32 H&R magnum 85 grain JHP?

Also, what kind of recoil impulse and blast are you perceiving with the .32 BB WC and the .32 magnum defensive loads? How do you think they would compare to a J frame or LCR firing FGMM .38 wadcutters?


I've never owned a revolver. Lately I've developed a strong urge to buy a .327 LCR, but they aren't cheap. I'd be in it over $700 after shipping and transfer fees, and then I still need to feed the little monster. A .38 LCR or 3" LCRx is about $150 cheaper and a basic J frame closer to $300 cheaper. I do have some single stage Lee reloading equipment that I picked up at a sale before everything went crazy. I've been meaning to take up the practice, but have been waiting for component price and availability to normalize. I'd only need to buy dies and consumables. I suppose this could be a good way to learn reloading.

Does it make sense to buy a .327 LCR as a first revolver right now, or would I be smarter to stick with a .38? I've never tried pocket carry and would kind of like to give it a try, even though those adjustable sights on the LCRx look appealing too. Perhaps after a decade reading P-F, I am finally ready to graduate to a pocket snubby. The .38 is nearly 1/4 pound lighter than the .327. That could be good and/or bad.

Going to send up the revolver Bat Signal here jetfire

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Saw a 327 Ruger snubby with a hammer at the local Cabelas for $499. That's a great price and I wonder if it was a mistake. They previously had a hammerless one for $609. Tempted but since I have a 432 and 632 (in 327) plus dropping a good buck in a new Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS and an SRO, I guess I'll pass on it.

Also went to the coin show. Discretionary money - buh bye!

[Stephanie B]

Also went to the coin show. Discretionary money - buh bye!

So, you spent some serious coin at the coin show?

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Two hobbies that cost something. Both maintain value over time if you purchase wisely. Coin show had a raffle to support Ukraine. Bought a ticket but didn't win. Bought a couple of classic commemorative classic age half dollars.

To 327 topic, both my SW guns have appreciated in value.

[TheNewbie]

A .327 LCR is not an everything gun maybe, but to a lot of things gun. Except for ammo prices.


Are you all finding affordable ammo in any of the rounds it can fire?

[frozentundra]

A .327 LCR is not an everything gun maybe, but to a lot of things gun. Except for ammo prices.


Are you all finding affordable ammo in any of the rounds it can fire?

Just from looking on ammoseek, it seems that the .32 S&W Long wadcutters are about the same general price as .38 wadcutters presently, and the .32s are actually available from more sources. I've read that these .32 loads are fairly popular in target shooting circles, especially in Europe, and perhaps Cowboy Action shooters.

The .32 S&W Long round nose lead are similar price to the wadcutters and fairly available online as well.

.32 H&R magnum and .327 Federal seem much harder to come by. Buffalo Bore sells directly some specialty loads that don't seem to be listed on ammoseek, but it's certainly not what I think of as affordable.

I think reloading may be the only way to get truly affordable .32 ammo compared to more popular calibers.

[jetfire]

For those who own these guns, do they shoot to the sights? Are you seeing much point of impact shift between .32 Long target WC, .32 Long Buffalo Bore WC, and .32 H&R magnum 85 grain JHP?

Also, what kind of recoil impulse and blast are you perceiving with the .32 BB WC and the .32 magnum defensive loads? How do you think they would compare to a J frame or LCR firing FGMM .38 wadcutters?


I've never owned a revolver. Lately I've developed a strong urge to buy a .327 LCR, but they aren't cheap. I'd be in it over $700 after shipping and transfer fees, and then I still need to feed the little monster. A .38 LCR or 3" LCRx is about $150 cheaper and a basic J frame closer to $300 cheaper. I do have some single stage Lee reloading equipment that I picked up at a sale before everything went crazy. I've been meaning to take up the practice, but have been waiting for component price and availability to normalize. I'd only need to buy dies and consumables. I suppose this could be a good way to learn reloading.

Does it make sense to buy a .327 LCR as a first revolver right now, or would I be smarter to stick with a .38? I've never tried pocket carry and would kind of like to give it a try, even though those adjustable sights on the LCRx look appealing too. Perhaps after a decade reading P-F, I am finally ready to graduate to a pocket snubby. The .38 is nearly 1/4 pound lighter than the .327. That could be good and/or bad.

Going to send up the revolver Bat Signal here jetfire

My 327 LCR shoots to the sights out to 100 yards with Federal 85 grain JHP in 32 Magnum. With the Fiocchi 32 S&W it shoots about 1 inch low at 15 yards, and I've not had the opportunity to get it really cranked out to extreme distances. Darryl said his shoots dead nuts with the Buffalo Bore 32 wadcutters, which I believe since they're loaded closer to 32 Magnum pressures.

[Cecil Burch]

For those who own these guns, do they shoot to the sights? Are you seeing much point of impact shift between .32 Long target WC, .32 Long Buffalo Bore WC, and .32 H&R magnum 85 grain JHP?

Also, what kind of recoil impulse and blast are you perceiving with the .32 BB WC and the .32 magnum defensive loads? How do you think they would compare to a J frame or LCR firing FGMM .38 wadcutters?


I've never owned a revolver. Lately I've developed a strong urge to buy a .327 LCR, but they aren't cheap. I'd be in it over $700 after shipping and transfer fees, and then I still need to feed the little monster. A .38 LCR or 3" LCRx is about $150 cheaper and a basic J frame closer to $300 cheaper. I do have some single stage Lee reloading equipment that I picked up at a sale before everything went crazy. I've been meaning to take up the practice, but have been waiting for component price and availability to normalize. I'd only need to buy dies and consumables. I suppose this could be a good way to learn reloading.

Does it make sense to buy a .327 LCR as a first revolver right now, or would I be smarter to stick with a .38? I've never tried pocket carry and would kind of like to give it a try, even though those adjustable sights on the LCRx look appealing too. Perhaps after a decade reading P-F, I am finally ready to graduate to a pocket snubby. The .38 is nearly 1/4 pound lighter than the .327. That could be good and/or bad.

Going to send up the revolver Bat Signal here jetfire


The recoil and blast of the 32 wc is fairly minimal to me. The 32 h&r is a bit more, probably close to or slightly above a 38wc. But a lot depends on your stocks too. The really small boot grips make even 32wc a bit spicy, while going up to the Rogers, the 32h&r is easy to shoot.

My advice for choosing 38 vs 32 would be if you already have a 38sp gun, then go for that as a snub. If you don't, then you amy as well get the 327. Ammo is about the same as 38sp, and gear will be equal, so all you are extra paying out is the gun cost. And if you don't like it, you can probably sell it here for close to what you paid.

[frozentundra]

I finally ordered one of these.

There must have been a recent shipment of the 327 LCRs from Ruger. More online retailers have them in stock, and prices often seem to be running about $60 to $100 less than I'd been seeing previously.

Also, LuckyGunner currently has Black Hills .32 H&R Magnum and some .32 S&W Long Wadcutter offerings at about the lowest prices I've seen in a while.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

The first time I fired a full bore 327 in my SS 632 I was surprised at the recoil. I don't recall the brand as it was 2019. Some commercial brand - probably Federal. It was a bit of a slap and boom. I adapted to it though without a problem. It did startle folks.

[frozentundra]

Here's a couple good LCR 327 articles from RevolverGuy.com

The first covers some available accessories and shooting impressions with various factory loads.
https://revolverguy.com/the-327-federal-magnum-ruger-lcr/

The second gets into reloading for the LCR 327. Of particular interest to me, he describes a budget practice load based on .32 H&R magnum, and a relatively light recoiling, hard cast trail load based on the .327, among others.
https://revolverguy.com/homebrewing-for-the-327-ruger-lcr/


The low-end .327 has me curious. Something in this range might be very handy in the LCR as an ultralight Midwestern trail gun. Buffalo Bore makes what they refer to as "HEAVY 32 H&R MAG. +P OUTDOORSMAN", but I've seen people having extraction problems on the YouTubes. Perhaps low-end .327 would do this job somewhat better.

A quote from the article:

"115 grain RNFP’s at 1000 fps from the LCR make a great outdoorsman load. Sasquatch studies ballistic tables, and won’t scoff at the .327 Federal Magnum with flat point cast bullets."

[UNM1136]

Now that I have one inbound, what are folks doing for ammo. I see LuckyGunner is a buck a round for practice ammo.


Here's a couple good LCR 327 articles from RevolverGuy.com

The first covers some available accessories and shooting impressions with various factory loads.
https://revolverguy.com/the-327-federal-magnum-ruger-lcr/

The second gets into reloading for the LCR 327. Of particular interest to me, he describes a budget practice load based on .32 H&R magnum, and a relatively light recoiling, hard cast trail load based on the .327, among others.
https://revolverguy.com/homebrewing-for-the-327-ruger-lcr/


The low-end .327 has me curious. Something in this range might be very handy in the LCR as an ultralight Midwestern trail gun. Buffalo Bore makes what they refer to as "HEAVY 32 H&R MAG. +P OUTDOORSMAN", but I've seen people having extraction problems on the YouTubes. Perhaps low-end .327 would do this job somewhat better.

A quote from the article:

"115 grain RNFP’s at 1000 fps from the LCR make a great outdoorsman load. Sasquatch studies ballistic tables, and won’t scoff at the .327 Federal Magnum with flat point cast bullets."

K-Mac is one of my favorite people in the world. I have and do trust him with my life, and the lives of my children...those pages are now bookmarked....

pat

[Gonzo]

The long, and short of it. If you reload, best round ever thought up. If not, the worse, unless you want to practice with 2 dollar a round, hand breaking SD loads out of the LCR. Speaking of which, Federal just came out with a VERY hot HST round. I stick to the Hydro-Shoks out of the LCR for SD. Not a pleasure to shoot, but totally controllable, and shootable at SD distances. I also have a 3" sp-101 which is the same size as the LCR, but about 10 ounces heavier with the stainless steel. A total joy to shoot with the adj sights, long sight radius, and heavier weight. Hoping this round makes a come back, and the gun manufacturers start making some more different guns with it. The LCR, is a good sign.

Gonzo

[Polecat]

It seems like a good idea, the you have to shoot it! It is brisk, but I like the flexibility. .32 long are so mild, and HR mags arent bad in the LCR. I wish they would try a lighter frame amd 7 rounds of Magnum.

I think they are missing the boat on with the lack of a 2” SP!

[Guerrero]

The long, and short of it. If you reload, best round ever thought up. If not, the worse, unless you want to practice with 2 dollar a round, hand breaking SD loads out of the LCR. Speaking of which, Federal just came out with a VERY hot HST round. I stick to the Hydro-Shoks out of the LCR for SD. Not a pleasure to shoot, but totally controllable, and shootable at SD distances. I also have a 3" sp-101 which is the same size as the LCR, but about 10 ounces heavier with the stainless steel. A total joy to shoot with the adj sights, long sight radius, and heavier weight. Hoping this round makes a come back, and the gun manufacturers start making some more different guns with it. The LCR, is a good sign.

Gonzo

And that right there is why I don't own a .327. I keep looking at it thinking (in concept) it's a great idea, but since I don't reload...

[PTSDog]

Just a retired guy that likes his snubbies, watched too many 70s detective shows. But I just couldn’t warm up to my LCR327. I do reload, but I didn’t find the 32 calibers anything better than what my reloads in 38 special already did for my tolerance levels. Hands are damaged, so was never going to use 327 Mags in it. I like the 32 H&R in a lighter snub, just think the LCR is too heavy for it and the 32SW Longs. The Longs are all I could find in factory loadings. They were a hoot in my old Rossi, though. I understand why some really like the LCR327, but it’s just too much work for me. The LCR357 is just plug and go for me.

Plus I have a small tackle box full of 38 snap caps, speedloaders, and speed strips for training. And the 38 caliber cases and snap caps are easier for my damaged and arthritic hands to hand and train with. I like speed strips, and found out that 22 caliber and 32 calibers give me problems using them in classes and training. The 38s are a sweet spot for me. Well, until someone comes out with a 44 special snubbie I can’t live without.

Jerry

[PTSDog]

Well, just got my LCR327 back. I’m going to run it all of July, using Claude Werner’s excellent snubbie course which I did with two Taurus 856 and it really slicked the pistols up and polished off my revolver shooting skills. Just going to go back and follow his course from the beginning and then shoot the tests once a week at a local outdoor range and then shoot a longer course at another range. Extra speed strips and snap caps ordered for the 327.

My goals are to get back into being proficient with the LCR327 and LCR22lr pistols at longer ranges, and to master Big Dot sights I have one them. Will give the sights two weeks and if no improvement then will swap back to OEM sight and a paint job.

[Up1911Fan]

I have a pair of these and really like them. I'll echo I really wish they were 32H&R and on the aluminum frame. They just get a bit heavy in the pocket by the end of the day. They are great as an around the house Enigma gun. One is probably going to end up in a small safe tethered under the seat of my truck.