Ruger Introduces SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum

Ruger SP101 327 Federal 4 inch

(editor’s note: I swear, someone at Ruger must be reading the blog. Just a month and a half ago I wrote a post bemoaning the lack of good .327 Federal revolvers, and today Ruger drops a six shot, 4 inch SP101 on us. TAKE MY MONEY)

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is pleased to introduce the SP101® in .327 Federal Magnum. The Ruger® SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum is a six-round, small frame, double-action revolver with a 4.2 inch barrel and adjustable sights. Built from stainless steel, this new model features a light-gathering front sight, windage and elevation adjustable rear sight, and a rubber grip with checkered hardwood inserts.

“The SP101 has a reputation for being a very strong and reliable revolver and combining it with the powerful .327 Federal Magnum cartridge creates a perfect “kit gun” package,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger President and Chief Operating Officer. “The compact size of the SP101 makes it the ideal companion while in the woods or afield, and the longer barrel helps the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge reach its velocity potential,” he concluded.

Ruger SP101 327 Federal 4 inch right side

The 29.5-ounce, SP101 can be fired in either a double-action or single-action mode, and includes Ruger’s triple locking cylinder that locks the cylinder from the front, rear and bottom for reliability and durability. The rubber grip assures positive control while reducing recoil, and the Ruger transfer bar mechanism provides a measure of security against accidental discharge.

  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Finish: Satin Stainless
  • Front Sight: Fiber Optic
  • Rear Sight: Adjustable
  • Barrel Length: 4.20″
  • Overall Length: 9.12″
  • Weight: 29.50 oz.
  • Grips: Black Rubber, Engraved Wood
  • Twist: 1:16″
  • RH Grooves: 6
  • MA Approved & Certified: No
  • CA Approved: No
  • Capacity: 6
  • Suggested Retail: $719.00

28 Comments

  1. With a 3 inch or 2.5 inch barrel, I would own one. 4 inch seems out of proportion and weird.

    1. Really? With a cartridge that tops 40,000 PSI you wouldn’t want to shoot it. Short barrels are dumb with cartridges like this. A 2.5″ barrel would blind and deafen you and totally neuter the cartridge.

    2. It seems like one of the main marketing strategies is to push it for small game. There, a 4″ would make sense. It’s probably, and hopefully, just a test-bed, that they’ll spring the defensive line off of.

  2. Isn’t this a RE-introduction?

    I was quickly able to find a 2008 review of a .327 SP101 (3″, simpler iron sights, tho.)

    I would have thought they’d bring it back as a 7-shot. If being compact is not the goal (and the 4″ BBL suggests that), you get the benefits of an extra shot and being able to put the index cuts between cylinders, possibly allowing a reduced OD on the cyl.

    If the new model has any advantages over a .357, they aren’t obvious to me. The .327 Mag is a very interesting concept for compact wheelguns, but only if fully exploited.

    1. It’s technically a new gun since, to my memory, they’ve never done the SP101 with 4 inch tube and adjustable sights before.

  3. Quick Caleb, write an article bemoaning the lack of a 4″ 5 shot GP-100 chambered in .45 ACP and set up for moonclips with the capability of being bored out to .460 Rowland.

    1. Actually I was going to write an article about how they need to make a six shot 10mm cut for moonclips.

  4. I bought one of their 3″ SP-101s in .327 Federal back a few years ago when they were cataloging that model. Great, accurate gun. People around me don’t like it because the muzzle blast is so loud, but you can’t argue with the accuracy. I’ve been able to split playing cards placed on edge with it from about 12-15 feet. Still waiting for Ruger to chamber a rifle in this caliber–like the 77/357…one can only hope!

    1. Yes, this please. A 77/327 would be great. As would a lever action. Marlin, Henry, you listening out there?

  5. I’m calling the ruse on this one. Those pictures don’t stand up to the google search by image test, and they only exist on this page. If this was an actual Ruger release they would also be found elsewhere.

    Very clever Claeb

  6. This gun weights 28 onces and has a smaller caliber compared to a .38 colt police positive that only weights 23 onches. Besides this gun has a horse on the side! He..he..

  7. I dont know if its possible, but a six shot LCR in 327 would be ideal (to me anyway).

  8. Makes sense in a couple of ways. 1 It fills the role for Ruger that the smaller frame Colts did and the K frame Smiths did: a small or moderately sized 6 shot revolver.. Further for a back packer more concerned with feral people and dogs then bears it makes a lot of sense

  9. At 29.5 ounces it is not a KIT GUN. And who has 327 Federal ammo? And if they do at what price? And what bullet weight? I will pass on this one !!!!

  10. Well, I’ll be in line for one. And you don’t just need 327 ammo. It will be a charm to shoot with 32 S&W Long ammo, more like shooting a .22.

  11. 7-chambered GP100 in .357. 6-chambered GP100 in 10mm. Ruger, why the hell aren’t you cranking these out?

  12. I’ll stick with my common caliber 4.2″ SP101 5-shot 357 magnum, that takes 38+P & 38’s as well……& 357shotshell. But since you have Ruger’s “ear”, please order me up an LCRx 3″ barrel, 8-shot cylinder in 22lr. I’d be much obliged. Thanks.

  13. Could be a fun little IDPA wheelgun for small hands as long as you’re handloading. Something for the junior shooter going ‘Old School’ maybe. I wonder if Safariland makes a comp III speedloader in the right spacing.

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