Ruger 327 GP100 

When Ruger first chambered its compact SP101 in the hot .327 Federal Magnum, everyone I knew who had the opportunity to shoot one was suitably impressed. And why not?

With a 100-grain Speer GDHP at 1,400 fps (and a 115 grainer at 1,300) from the three-inch barrel of the SP101, it was instantly the hottest .32 around, beating out the venerable .32-20 and the more recent .32 H&R Magnum.

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Its future as a defensive round in small revolvers seemed assured. But among gunwriter types shooting it for the first time, the healthy whack of the SP101 had scarcely faded when the inevitable “if only”s began. Most of them I heard sounded something like this:

“Great round! If only you could get it in a full-size revolver, with a longer barrel and serious high-profile, fully adjustable sights. Jeez, what a varmint/small-game rig that would be!”

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