Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in 327 Federal Mag Review

By Bob Shell

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in 327 Federal Mag
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in 327 Federal Mag

Bob Shell

Apache Junction, AZ -(Ammoland.com)- The 327 Federal magnum round is popular enough that Ruger has come out with a double action model to go along with the SA models that are and were offered.

The Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver resembles the 357 magnum but has a smaller frame.

From Ruger:

“The Ruger SP101® revolver boasts the strength to handle the powerful 357 Magnum cartridge in a controllable, small-framed double-action revolver. Among the most powerful small-frame revolvers on the market, they are engineered for solid performance. Featuring a recoil-reducing grip, the SP101® is comfortable to shoot and perfect for personal defense or field use.” (note we are testing the one chambered for the 327 Federal Magnum )

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver

The grip is really small even for me and I have average size hands at best. If I were going to keep it, a custom size grip would find its way on it.

For someone with small hands it should be perfect. It would be a good pocket or purse gun due to its size and power.

The double action trigger is the only features I can criticize. I would take it to a gunsmith and have the trigger worked on if I was going to keep it.

The SA breaks at just over 4 LBS. according to my Trigger Pull Gauge. Due to the hammer shape it is more difficult to cock then the SA model I have. In my view with a good trigger, accuracy would be outstanding. With that thought I did all of my shooting SA. For full disclosure I don’t have strong hands which affects the way I shoot. The sights are adjustable and easy to pick up with the front being a fiber optic. Recoil with a heavy load is very manageable.

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver, note the fiber optic front sight.
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver, note the fiber optic front sight.
357 (left) and 327 Rounds
357 (left) and 327 Rounds: The secret is the 327 operates at a high pressure for a handgun. So in spite of its small size it packs a punch

The 327 Federal Magnum round is a potent round with the capability of providing self-protection.

In addition you can fire several other rounds including the 32 S & W, 32 Long, 32 H & R mag as well as the 327. Other then the 327 Federal Magnum the rest are anemic including the 32 H & R. However, they can make light target loads though the older 32 rounds may be difficult to find. Various companies make ammo and they are easy to handload for as there is a large selection of cast and jacketed bullets.

With a full power load, energy can be close to 500 FT LBS. which is pretty impressive especially in a 32 caliber revolver. The secret is the 327 operates at a high pressure for a handgun. So in spite of its small size it packs a punch. That would be close to a 357 with a 125 grain JHP at 1400 FPS which is a highly regarded self-defense load. While suitable for small game and pests, it would not be a good choice for larger game.

It displays good accuracy and with its size and weight, it would be a good trail gun unless you came upon a bear.

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver vs Ruger Blackhawk Single Action Revolver
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver vs Ruger Blackhawk Single Action Revolver (bottom)

From an earlier T&E revolver review I have a single action Ruger Blackhawk Revolver chambered for the 327, It is a large frame 8 shot so it should be instructive to compare the two. The Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver has a 4” barrel as opposed to the 6 & 1/2” on the larger single action. That should produce a difference in velocity. There is an average of 80 to 100 FPS between the two guns. If I were going out on a trail or a hunting trip, the SA Ruger Blackhawk would be my companion unless room was a consideration.

The smaller Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver would be a nice carry gun since it is smaller. With the modern bullets, available self-defense is a viable option. The SA Ruger Blackhawk is an 8 shot while the smaller Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver carries 6 rounds.

In between Ruger produces a 7 shot SA on a limited basis and the obvious question is why? The idea is to produce a smaller and lighter SA as the eight shot is based on the Blackhawk 357 frame. While a great shooter some would find it heavy to carry so the seven shot is based on the 22 SA frame.

from left 327, 32 H & R , 32 long, 32 auto & 32 S & W short Ammo
from left 327, 32 H & R , 32 long, 32 auto & 32 S & W short Ammo

There are at least 5 rounds that can be safely fired in the Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver.

They include:

  • 32 S & W
  • 32 auto
  • 32 long
  • 32 H & R mag
  • and the 327 Federal

Most of them are anemic though they may beat a stick in a social encounter. The 32 auto will work but with the small rim, it may not always extract. The only reason to use it would be in a pinch if nothing else were available. The 32 auto rounds are decently accurate in the guns tested. The 32 round has been around for over 130 years starting with the short and the 32-20, which takes the same diameter bullet.

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver top, Old Colt 32 long Revolver bottom
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver top, Old Colt 32 long Revolver bottom

The question may come up as to the 32 Colt rounds. They made a short and long version to compete with the S & W rounds however; they never caught on and are not common today. They can be fired though, they have a slightly smaller diameter so will split if fired in the S & W chamber. While not dangerous results will be poor and I don’t recommend it. The original 32 Colt bullet was a .299 diameter hollow base.

Remington 71 grain FMJ bullets
I took some Remington 71 grain FMJ bullets and installed a cannelure. Such a bullet would not destroy much meat, which would be desirable in a critter that you wanted to cook and eat.

There are a verity of bullets and powders so handloading isn’t much of an issue. I took some Remington 71 grain FMJ bullets and installed a cannelure. Such a bullet would not destroy much meat, which would be desirable in a critter that you wanted to cook and eat. They are screamers and relatively flat shooting. Moderately loaded cast bullets will produce good accuracy.

Even today, the 32 long is used in competition due to its superior accuracy and low recoil. A wad cutter would be a good choice for someone looking for target type of accuracy. I have shot some 32 short and long and they are ok for target shooting since the noise and muzzle blast are mild.

Double Tap provided two types of ammo. Federal also produces 327 ammo for this chambering.

LOAD BULLET VELOCITY COMMENT

  • 7.5 grains 231 71 grain FMJ 1587 consistent
  • Double Tap 75 grain Barnes 1457 high ES
  • 3 grains 231 85 grain Berry 713 accurate
  • 4 grains Trail Boss 100 gr WC 32 mag 797.4 high es
  • 11 grains 2400 100 grain Hornady HP 1376 ok
  • 11 grains 2400 100 grain Speer HP 1359 consistent
  • Double Tap 115 grain hard cast 1373 high es
  • 4 grains Unique 115 grain cast FP 1005 accurate

The ammo sent from Double Tap has a high ES and SD, which is unusual. I fired it in my eight shot SA Ruger Blackhawk and there wasn’t a lot of difference in velocity between the two guns. The SA was more consistent which shows that each gun has its preferences in ammo. Even if you use only factory ammo there is differences in how they perform. Like most other ammo, factory loads have improved a lot over the last 20 years though the 327 hasn’t been around that long. In addition, I have been finding that Trail Boss generally gives high standard deviations in many of the handguns tried. For light and target loads, WW-231 is good choice.

As far as I know there is no rifle available for the 327. An inexpensive single shot would be a nifty little rifle. With full power loads, you would get in the neighborhood of an additional 400 FPS. The normal diameter is .311 though a .308 would work. They may be loose in the case and produce poor accuracy but will do in a pinch. You could neck the first ¼” case down to hold the 30-caliber bullet but I don’t see any upside to that procedure.

Cameron, with broken wrist, shooting the Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in 327 Federal Mag.
Cameron, with broken wrist, shooting the Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in 327 Federal Mag.

As is my normal practice I have several other shooters try it. A fellow writer’s son shot the Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in 327 Federal Mag some. He is recovering from a broken wrist so he isn’t 100% but he managed it for the most part. The only difficulty was that he had trouble shooting it double action due to his wrist. Anyway, he liked the light weight and the sights as they are easy to pick up. He found it accurate and pleasant to shoot and would buy one. Other shooters have liked it especially its weight and handling characteristics.

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver An Excellent Choice

If you want a flexible handgun smaller then a 38 caliber, the Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver would be an excellent choice. With the quality available, it will be a lifetime gun. I would definitely recommend both the 327 caliber and a Ruger handgun. They offer a single action but it is a distributor exclusive, which makes me glad I bought my eight shot when they were available.

For info, you can go to https://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html for any info.

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver

Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver Resources

  • Ruger SP101 Instruction Manual : https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/sp101.pdf
  • Ruger SP101 Videos : https://www.youtube.com/
  • Used Ruger SP101 Revolvers for sale
  • Ruger SP101 Parts : https://goo.gl/J8nDgj
  • Books on the Ruger SP101 Revolver

About Bob Shell:

A Custom Reloader of Obsolete and Antique Ammo, Bob Shell, writes about the subject of Guns, Ammo, Shooting and Related Subjects. Visit: www.bobshellsblog.blogspot.com

11 Comments
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Blayn

Just bought the 3 inch sp-101 and I am now waiting on ammunition from C.T.D. as no one locally sells it and my LGS claims their supplier has it backordered. I did find S&W long but that just wasn’t what I wanted for the first time shooting the new revolver.

LazrBeam

I’ve got the Ruger LCR in .327 Fed Mag and love it. Perfect CC piece. Just recently picked up a Ruger SP 101 in ,327 Fed Mag with a 3″ barrel. It carries well, too. Haven’t fired it yet but I expect to love it as well. On a side note, the author stated that as far as he knows there is not a rifle in .327. Well, there is. Henry makes one and I have one of those as well. So, with my SP 101 and Henry, both in .327 Fed Mag, I have that companion combination of caliber… Read more »

James

Lcr 327 magnum perfect cc piece? It gives up a lot of velocity and muzzle energy with its 1.875 inch barrel.
I’m waiting for Ruger to offer the lcr 327 magnum with a 3 inch barrel, as they have already in most of the lcr line. The extra length makes that handgun a lethal weapon, truly, with half (?) the recoil of the lcr 357 magnum. When Lehigh gets around to offering the caliber, the recoil will be even less, and the lethality even greater.
Now, that marriage, makes the lcr 327 an ideal cc weapon. Can’t wait.

Max Rust

I recently purchased an SP101 in 327 Fed mag. It has proved to be a near perfect field gun; small and light enough to be unobtrusive, surprisingly accurate and fun to shoot for recreation, yet having more than enough power for serious self-defense. Smith & Wesson made a number of J frame revolvers in 32 S&W. Small and light enough, but lacking in power. The 327 Fed mag solves that problem. It also allows the shooter an extra round (which might be a life saver) in compact revolvers. Thus, the SP101 is an ideal field gun, whereas the LCR is… Read more »

James Peterson

I think the 32 h&r magnified out of a handgun framed for the 327 magnum is the ideal balance between lethality and quick follow up shots. The recoil is 1/3-12 of a 38 special, same grain, and the knockdown and penetration is very comparable. The difference is that one would easily make quick and accurate follow up shots due to the significantly reduced recoil. The perfect CCI, therefore would be the ruger lcr 327 magnum loaded with 32 h&r magnum. Additionally, it is a six shot, rather than the typical five shot found in almost all 357 magnums and 38… Read more »

CAS

Would like to share a bit of something to blog participants here. In the first installment of the movie Death Wish, Charles Bronson carried inside his trench coat pocket an inconspicuous Old Colt 32 revolver firing a diminutive .32 S&W round. We all know that it was only a movie but it had elements of credibility as the principal character was just an ordinary citizen who successfully dispatched violent criminals who frequently terrorized the people in the city he was living in. Today’s gung-ho movies that glorify heavy caliber/powerful cartridges that are instinctively difficult to shoot comfortably due to massive… Read more »

Joe

Well said. The .32 has a good, solid record for self defense. My grand father defended his farm house for 50yrs with one.

James

CCI 22lr cartridges are just as reliable, purportedly, as centerfire cartridges. The advantage of the centerfire cartridge is that it lends itself to the architecture of modern technology, e.g., Lehigh ammo, who has yet to get around to offering a 327,or 32 magnum, but, will, soon enough.

Azarchangel55

I think I’ve just found the PERFECT side arm for my little wife!!

Michael

I’ve got a SP101 in 357 and did the trigger work myself. Ruger uses many stamped parts that they don’t finish. Because the parts are so rough, Ruger uses extra heavy springs in the gun. Once you polish and grease the internals, you can drop the trigger spring from 10 lbs to 8 lbs and the hammer spring from 14 lbs to 9 lbs. Once the work is done, the gun is a slick shooter.

https://www.sp101trigger.com/index.html

Mike Davis

A few months ago l got the sp 101 in
. 327. Heavy trigger in both single and double and not very accurate. Cold outside so used 50 ft. indoor range. Got spring kit from Wolfe, changed both which helped operation nicely but no improvement in accuracy. Warmer out so shooting from 25 yd. outdoor range. Hitting paper plate 3 or 4 out of 6 best l can do. Come on, l shoot better than that generally, have come in 1st at small club shoots twice. Think l should send back to maker after spring swap back to originals.