.327 or .357?

[Eric05]

Looking at getting a S&W J frame. Just not sure which one I want. Anybody know the advantages/disadvantages between the .327 vs. the .357?

 

[GoDawgs]

I'm a novice firearm owner, but I'd shy away from any non-common caliber like .327 and get the .357. It's going to be a lot easier to find ammunition and I'd expect it to be less expensive. For example, I did a quick comparison and the .357 selection is much bigger and it's less expensive (see the american eagle 50 round box of soft point.

327 FEDERAL MAGNUM : Ammunition To Go

Jacketed Soft Point Ammo : Ammunition To Go

 

[Constructionist]

I'm a novice firearm owner, but I'd shy away from any non-common caliber like .327 and get the .357. It's going to be a lot easier to find ammunition and I'd expect it to be less expensive. For example, I did a quick comparison and the .357 selection is much bigger and it's less expensive (see the american eagle 50 round box of soft point.

327 FEDERAL MAGNUM : Ammunition To Go

Jacketed Soft Point Ammo : Ammunition To Go

^^this^^

Plus you can practice with .38spl ammo

 

[buford t justice]

357 for all reasons above and in ten years 327 may be long forgotten.

 

[Mgderf]

.357 wil fire .38sp; & .357mag

.327 will fire .327 fed/mag - .32 S&W Long - .32 S&W - .32 H&R mag

You actually have more choices withg the .327

.32H&R mag and .32 S&W have both been around longer than the .357

 

[geronimojoe85]

Well, ammo supply aside, you do get six instead of five in a j frame, it is slightly more controllable, and 327 is nothing to snuff at, for folks that are recoil sensitive you can down load to 32H&R, 32 long, or 32 short. Does that offer a significant advantage over a 357? For me not really, but to some maybe.

Not trying to sway you either way, just something to think about.
Whichever way you go practice practice practice.

 

[Kitty]

I have a 327 and I love it! She's my carry gun and I have a great time at the range with it.

 

[geronimojoe85]

32H&R came out in 84
357 came out in 35

 

[buford t justice]

And when was the last time you saw someone with a 32 s&w at the range.

 

[gabrigger]

While both are viable defensive choices, I would go with .357. Ammunition availability and cost are better with the .357, as are choices of handloading components. You can find .38 and .357 about anywhere that sells ammo, but you can't always find .327 or .32 Mag.

 

[geronimojoe85]

And when was the last time you saw someone with a 32 s&w at the range.

I've shot mine a few times, but I'm weird.

 

[teddy12b]

Here's another angle.... Do you ever want to at least be able to hunt with the caliber?

You can hunt with a 357mag, not the 327. I'm sure it's a great caliber cabable of a lot of different things, but I don't see why someone would choose a 327 over a 357. The 327 may be able to shoot all those other smaller calibers but what the cost of that ammo going to run? Certainly won't be as cheap nor as plentiful as the 38 special.

The 327mag is the answer to a question that wasn't asked and there's no tangible benefit to owning it over a 357mag. If 5 rounds of 357mag won't take care of the job at hand then you should have brought a rifle.

 

[geronimojoe85]

Hunting with a j-frame?

 

[INyooper]

Unless you're recoil sensitive, I'd go with the .357. Even if you're looking for lower recoil, the 38 and 38+P are likely more common, and practical, than any variety of the 32.

 

[Femme Assise]

.357 would be the way to go. For one, you'll save yourself the headache of buying ammo.

 

[malern28us]

Hate to say it but, my vote is for the .357. I really think the .357 (158 grain) is a soft Shooting round.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

I'm gonna go against the grain here. For one daughter I set up a .38 special Charter Off Duty. The other is a little recoil sensitive, so I went with a .32 H&R mag. Lots less recoil, but acceptably close ballistics. These both being snubbies, I don't expect either to shoot hundreds of rounds at the range, so ammo cost is somewhat mitigated.

 

[yenningcomity]

What is it being used for is the more important question.

Is it a nightstand gun? If so I would say 357 loaded with 38 special or even 38 special +P. Why? because while the 357 is more effective you will kill your eardrums firing indoors. The added muzzle flash will blind your eyes as well. After the first shot you will be less effective for follow up shots.

Hunting? 357 most likely. you have a wider range of bullets and could take down deer depending on the gun.

Carry? 327. Can fit into a smaller, lighter frame. It is easier to conceal and easier to carry. It is a viable round, but may not always be readily available. Not sure what it will cost but I wouldnt be surprised if it is more expensive to shoot then 357.

 

[Drakkule]

.357, it worked for my grandfathers generation, that and the fact i love shooting mine. By the way my 11 year old son has no problem with it either, it's one of his favorites to shoot, and he is average to small for his age.

 

[kludge]

I dunno, the .32's are sweet little plinking rounds.

I can reload the .327 for the same price as .357 ($6-$10/50), i.e. I don't rely on anyone for "ammo availability". (.38 SPL brass is "somewhat" common for range pickups, so reloading .38s are cheap and then you can load cat fart loads if you want and the recoil issue is kind of moot, at least for practice.)

I saw a S&W .327 six-shot tonight at the 1500 at the PSS booth, so maybe it's not dead yet, if S&W is now making one. It had a NICE trigger on it BTW.

Charter makes a .32 H&R - I think that would make a better gun for many people than a pocket .32 ACP or maybe even a pocket .380