Dan Wesson 32 H&R Mag to 327 Mag

[nhithaca]

A number of years ago I bought a Dan Wesson SS revolver in 32 H&R at a gun show. Came with the tool and 2 barrels; a 4" and an 8". Have only shot it a few times but it does shoot great. Almost no recoil with factory loads. Since I have an 8 shot Ruger Blackhawk in 327 I have some factory ammo and decided to see how close the existing chambers are to taking the 327.  They are all extremely close. I believe that only a light touch of a reamer would allow me to shoot 327's no problem.  Cylinder length is more than plenty; looks like long nose 120 grain SWCs would fit with room to spare.

The million dollar question is should I have the cylinder reamed?  Considering that I can load 32 H&R to +P levels (per Brian Pierce's Handloader article) at approximately 1.300 fps in a 6" barrel using 115-120 grain cast bullets do I really need to do this?  Based on the auction numbers I have seen on GunBroker in the last year Dan Wesson's are going for fantastic numbers and I would not want to hurt the value of a good condition specimen.  Especially since the 32 H&R chambered guns don't seem to be too common (at least from what I see on the auctions sites).

Would welcome any and all comments.

[bushog]

I wouldn’t and I cut everything up….

Ive got the same pistol and have thought if I could find a .22lr cylinder Id have it rechambered to .327.

[potatojudge]

If you can seat heavy bullets long to 327 Federal length and increase the powder charge accordingly, then you essentially have a 327 already without cutting the chambers. Might need to throat the cylinder to make that work, and given enough cylinder length you could ream to 327 AND seat bullets long for more performance still- within reason.

[oddshooter]

I'm with bushog,

I have a DW 32 H&Rmag and have bonded solidly with it. I promised her that I wouldn't carve her up to get a longer case down her throat. She does everything I ask of her now with the 32 H&Rmag. I have several of the 327 fm's and I see no reason to push above 1300fps with a 32.   The crack alone from that 327 is just right at my limit and I got my new hearing aids last week.

Being candid, I often shoot H&Rmag in my fedmag as a preference.

However, reaming a new cylinder to 327 couldn't hurt.

Prescut

[contender]

Due to the rarity of the Dan Wesson's,, I doubt I'd ream one to 327. My personal opinion. But as noted,, you can load the 32 Mag to very good levels.

[oddshooter]

I just checked GB completed auctions and was surprised at the low prices 2 of the DW 32's brought in November. Both were under $1500. Last year, several sold for north of $2,000.

I think I would have tried to snag both of those if I had known it.

These DW's are beasts with interchangeable barrels; what's not to like?
Mine aren't going anywhere!

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[rjm52]

...it is too bad that DW doesn't bring them back...

[gregs]

I've reamed a 32-20/32 H&R Blackhawk to 327 but i feel Ruger SA is a stronger gun for the added pressure.

As mentioned above, go between the H&R and FM by loading long. I might spend the money if I had an extra cylinder and crane fitted to maintain the original pistol cause there wasn't a boatload of the 32 H&R DWs made.

[bushog]

They pop up from time to time...

[taffin]

DAN WESSON .327

postimg.cc/HjZT7XX4

[oddshooter]

Thanks for that pic.
Was that DW 327 originally a 32 H&Rmag ?
Looks to be a 8 3/8" barrel in stainless steel.

I didn't realize they made them for the .32 in SS. That's a first for me.


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[nhithaca]

My gun looks like the pictured gun except for the non-fluted cylinder and the grips. Barrel is 8" +/- not 8.375" and the grips are aftermarket rubber + the original wood grip.

Not going to cut the cylinder for 327, just leaving it alone. It just plain shoots too good as is. Even with 32 S&W Longs loaded light with 120 grain cast bullets slightly under sized.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[taffin]

Dec 30, 2021 14:08:04 GMT -5 oddshooter said:

Thanks for that pic.
Was that DW 327 originally a 32 H&Rmag ?
Looks to be a 8 3/8" barrel in stainless steel.

I didn't realize they made them for the .32 in SS. That's a first for me.


Prescut

DW NEVER MADE 8-3/8", ONLY 8"-- ORIGINALLY A .32 MAGNUM STAINLESS

[onegoodshot]

I like those!!! Don’t have a DW 32. I sent one of my DW 41’s to Reeder and had it converted to 41GNR. Don’t feel like it hurt the value of it any.

[DiamondD]

It’s your gun and you can do anything to it you like. Personally I’d load the H&R mag hot and leave it alone. In a strong handgun the H&R mag does about all I want out of a .32. Out of a rifle or carbine the .327 is a little more versatile .