The Ruger LCR is easily the most modern double-action revolver in production. The LCR features a combination of polymer and aluminum construction to offer a lightweight, but nice shooting, handgun. Short-barrel revolvers designed for concealed carry are a popular choice and do a good job keeping Americans safe.

Sometimes called belly guns, these revolvers are best suited for close-range defense. The term belly gun comes from the notion that these revolvers were good only for shoving into an opponent’s belly and firing. They were not accurate enough for much else. I don’t agree with this assessment, as the short-barrel revolver is effective well past conversational range — if the shooter has practiced.

The Ruger LCR has been offered in .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum calibers. The example illustrated is chambered in .327 Federal Magnum. This is an interesting caliber, hotter than the ill named .32 H&R Magnum, which is hardly a magnum cartridge. I will allow that the .32 H&R Magnum is stronger than the shorter .32 revolver cartridges.

The how and why of the .327 Federal will be explored. As for carrying a revolver in the modern age, I do not feel ‘under gunned’ with this reliable and effective handgun.

The revolver offers simplicity. Load, close the cylinder, draw, and fire. The revolver will fire normally — even without a proper grip — and continue to fire. The smooth rolling action of the Ruger helps avoid flinch when firing magnum loads. You don’t know exactly when the handgun is going to fire, which helps prevent involuntary muscle contraction. As it turns out, there is some kick back with the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge…

Ruger’s Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR) is a proven revolver with many thousands of units in service. While I like the Ruger SP101, I find the LCR better suited for pocket or backup carry (in a zippered pocket when hiking).

The LCR features a hammerless-frame design. The revolver’s internal-hammer design allows the shooter to draw the LCR from a pocket without danger of snagging. This is a slick, smooth-handling revolver with much to recommend.

The steel cylinder is plenty strong to contain .357 Magnum pressure. The relatively thick cylinder of the .327, then, is proportionately even stronger. The cylinder is fluted and well finished. The barrel, like most snub nose barrels, is just shy of 2.0 inches long. That isn’t a lot of tube to burn gun powder, but as we will see, the .327 gets plenty of horsepower in this short barrel.

Ruger engineers designed the LCR with a friction reducing cam. The action is very smooth, short, and crisp. The action features the safety of a transfer bar safety system.

The front sight is a simple ramp while the rear sight is a notch — like most small frame revolvers. The revolver features Hogue grips. These grips help ensure a good grip and lower the effect of heavy magnum loads on the palm.

.327 Magnum

While I have used the .38 Special and .357 Magnum in small revolvers for decades, I kept an open mind in evaluating the .327 Magnum cartridge. The cartridge is a comparative newcomer, introduced in 2008. The .32 H&R Magnum is the parent case.

The lengthened .327 Federal Magnum is far more powerful. Most .32 H&R Magnum loads using an 85-grain JHP, break at about 900 fps in a two-inch barrel, perhaps 1,050 fps in a four-inch barrel. That is hardly a magnum load.

The .327 Magnum may chamber the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, and .32 H&R Magnum. These low recoil loads are useful for practice and small game hunting. The .32 S&W Long in particular is a pleasant and accurate small game load.

The .327 Federal Magnum is set at 45,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure by SAAMI. That is about 10,000 PSI above the .357 Magnum. The .327 cylinder allows for six chambers, one more than most the .38/.357 guns.

Folks have long wished to own a revolver kicking less than the .38 Special but offering good wound ballistics. That is a difficult bill to fill. You could simply load a 148-grain/700 fps .38 Special wadcutter in the .38, and have a load with superior wound ballistics to most any old school .32, but folks like high velocity. The .327 Federal’s wound ballistics are impressive compared to any revolver cartridge.

It took a few weeks to collect enough ammunition for a formal test period. Some of the loads were not necessarily anything most shooters would value for training or personal defense. However, they are interesting and provide a sense of perspective to the more powerful .327 Magnum.

I have a few case files where the old short .32 was used in a defensive shooting. They results were dismal to say the least. A 600 fps .32 simply isn’t very effective.

Range Time

I fired .327 Federal loads over a chronograph and measured velocity. I was surprised, very surprised by the .327 Federal. Most magnum loads lose a high portion of their velocity in short barrels.  However, the .327 Federal was designed from the beginning to offer good performance in a defensive-handgun barrel. Velocity from a four-inch barrel was even more impressive. However, we are concerned with the 1.87-inch barrel Ruger LCR.

I fired the loads for combat groups, firing at man-sized targets. Like most Ruger LCR revolvers, the six o’clock hold gave good results at 7 to 10 yards. I was able to center punch the target to 15 yards and would not be helpless at 25 yards.

Mechanical accuracy is greater than practical accuracy. If I was able to practice a bit more, I predict even better results. The six-shot Ruger LCR would be a great hiking and trekking gun with enough power to anchor most predators in the big cat and feral dog range. It also seems to have promise against motivated assailants.

As an example, the cartridge is hotter than most commercial 7.62x25mm Tokarev ammunition and my .32-20 WCF handloads. The .32 H&R Magnum is best as a small game cartridge or sub load. As for recoil, I fired the .327 beside a Smith & Wesson 640 .357 Magnum, which is a steel-frame revolver that was heavier than the Ruger LCR.

Blast and muzzle signature were similar, but the .327 definitely had less recoil energy. It was comfortable to fire, although some of the loads demand acclimation and considerable effort to master. The .327 is no joke. I see the cartridge as well suited for those who want a handgun with wound potential superior to the .38 Special without .357 Magnum recoil.

Ammunition Testing

The .327 Federal delivers on every count. Let’s look at some of the ammunition tested.

.32 Smith & Wesson Magtech

This is the original short .32 for use in break top revolvers, introduced in the 1880s. Velocity is mild and accuracy poor.

Velocity: 560 fps

.32 Smith & Wesson Long

I have taken a good bit of small game with the .32 S&W Long. It is among the most accurate revolver cartridges.

Magtech 98-grain JHP: 755 fps

Accuracy was fair, but the JHP wasn’t going to open.

Fiocchi 98-grain wadcutter: 701 fps

Designed for international competition this is easily the single most accurate load tested.

Winchester 98-grain RNL: 670 fps

Accuracy was excellent.

Buffalo Bore 100-grain Wadcutter: 860 fps

This is a stab at a suitable defense load in this hoary old caliber. It is accurate and would be a fine small game load. While not hot by modern standards, it is a huge improvement in the .32 S&W Long.

Buffalo Bore 115-grain SWC: 790 fps

If you have a swing-out cylinder .32 S&W Long that you must put into defensive service, this is the load. The heavy bullet offers good penetration and superb accuracy in the right gun.

.32 Harrington & Richardson Magnum

This is an underloaded cartridge but there are still a number of cheap revolvers in circulation, if not in production in this caliber. If you are lucky enough to own a Ruger Single Six handloads will offer a considerable improvement.

Buffalo Bore 100-grain JHP: 1,050 fps

This load is about 200 fps faster than most .32 H&R Magnum loads. For someone having difficulty with .38 Special recoil, the .32 H&R Magnum with this loading is a reasonable compromise.

Buffalo Bore 100-grain WC: 890 fps

This is a load developed expressly for use in the new S&W Ultimate Carry in .32 H&R Magnum. Accuracy was excellent, penetration good, and recoil light. This load will raise your expectation of .32 H&R Magnum loads. The flat point will not bounce off bone and cuts a full wound channel.

.327 Federal Magnum

So, we arrive at the nitty gritty. The ne plus ultra of .32s. I was surprised to find .327 Federal loads breaking at over 1,300 fps in the Ruger LCR’s short barrel.

Double Tap 75-grain all copper JHP: 1,343 fps

This is a fast load with high deviation in velocity (shot to shot). Recoil was modest.

Hornady 80-grain Critical Defense: 1,292 fps

This is a loading with good velocity and modest recoil. Firing double-action-only from a rest, the Critical Defense loading offers excellent accuracy. For Critical Defense fans, this is a good choice in .327 Federal.

Federal American Eagle 100-grain JSP: 1,399 fps

This load is fast, very fast, and powerful. Yet, it is offered in 50-round boxes as a training load. I clocked the American Eagle over two different chronographs, a Competition Electronics and an RCBS. This is a good, hot load that doesn’t feel so hot due to intelligent powder selection.

Federal 85-grain Hydra-Shok: 1,331 fps

This load has plenty of velocity and uses the proven Hydra-Shok bullet. Recoil was modest and accuracy excellent. Muzzle flash was subdued. This is a good carry load and home defense loading.

Speer 115-grain Gold Dot: 1,321 fps

A heavy-bullet load, slightly more recoil than the Hydra-Shok. If you need more penetration in certain environments this is a good choice.

Buffalo Bore 100-grain JHP: 1,292 fps

This .327 Federal load is among the most powerful in its class. The 100-grain bullet will offer a good balance of expansion and penetration.

Federal 104-grain HST: 1,288 fps

The HST has good weight and excellent accuracy. Good cartridge integrity and a sealed primer, combined with a bonded bullet, ensure reliability, resistance to the elements, and a good balance of expansion and penetration. This is the only load I tested for expansion and penetration.

• Test results: 16 inches of water penetration expansion to .62 inch.
• Federal’s gelatin results: 14.5 inches penetration with .60-inch expansion.

Ruger LCR Specs

After giving the Ruger LCR a good workout, I find a reliable and useful revolver that is easier to use well than older generation revolvers. The action is smooth and short.

Type: Revolver, double-action-only
Caliber: .327 Federal Magnum
Capacity: 6 rounds
Weight: 17 ounces
Overall length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.28 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Frame: Stainless steel, black DLC/polymer, black
Cylinder: Stainless steel, black DLC
Grip: Hogue Tamer
Front sight: Ramped and serrated with white stripe
Rear sight: Square notch, black

Final Thoughts

The .327 Federal is also a winner. I tested several loads. In the end analysis, all seemed well designed — there were standouts. I would choose a loading that isn’t the fastest but plenty fast for good expansion. For those needing heavier penetration, and when animal defense is a consideration, the 100–104 grain bullets seem ideal.

In the end, the .327 Federal should never be overlooked. It is a viable choice for many shooters. If recoil is too much, the new .32 H&R Magnum defense loads are crackerjack loads. As for myself, I ordered a Galco Sto-N-Go inside the waistband (IWB) holster for summer carry. The Ruger LCR .327 will be riding with me in choice territory this summer, where lightweight is a definite plus and power is more than just a desirable concept.

The Ruger LCR hit the range running from its first introduction. The platform is certainly proven. How do you feel about the .327 Federal Magnum? What experience do you have with the caliber? Share your answers in the Comment section.

 

Don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.