Rebirth of the 32s?

Status
Not open for further replies.
The 327 and 32 h&r have a loyal following around here. This is also where the gun nerds hang out so this may not be a trend in the general public. Most guys find my 327s fun to shoot and impressed with the versatility between the different 32 cartridges. I haven't convinced them to buy one yet but they also don't have much interest in revolvers period so that is an uphill battle. I personally have a LCR in 327 as my minimum carry gun.
 
Last edited:
I bought a(nother) Kel-tek p32 in cerakote for when I need the absolute lightest gun that also meets min. self defense requirements for when my p365 is just too heavy (I did also get extended mags for it) :

index.php
 
jski- thanks for sharing. Made the transition from a .38 snub nose to a Charter Arms Undercoverette that handles up to the 32 H&R Magnum. Can shoot it much better than the .38SPL, and that's the main attraction for me. And like somethingbenign points out a 32 revolver has the versatility to shoot a variety of cartridges.

If you check out the Lucky Gunner ballistics testing, you will find plenty of data on the 32 family of cartridges.
 
It sure would be nice if S&W reintroduced their Model 332. It was chambered in 32 H&R but still that makes an excellent carry gun. It’s more than a match for the 380.

upload_2020-9-24_16-49-41.jpeg
Titanium cylinder and scandium frame. What’s not to like about it?
 
I have recently fallen in love with .32 revolvers. It started with a 3" SP101 in .327 fed mag. Full house loads are acceptable for self-defense use, but the real fun begins when you shoot .32 S&W Long out of it. I have been loading lots of little .32 pills to shoot. Took another step, and purchased a 4" S&W Model 31-1 just to have another platform to shoot those rounds through.

The added benefit is that the .32 Regulation Police makes an ideal "kit gun" with a little more "oomph" than .22 LR. What's not to like? Simply-Rugged-4-J.jpg
 
Frulk said:
And like somethingbenign points out a 32 revolver has the versatility to shoot a variety of cartridges.
Click to expand...

You can shoot a variety of cartridges out of a 38 Special (or 357 Mag) revolver, too. They are 38 Long Colt, and 38 Short Colt.
 
fxvr5 said:
You can shoot a variety of cartridges out of a 38 Special (or 357 Mag) revolver, too. They are 38 Long Colt, and 38 Short Colt.
Click to expand...
I too am a 38/357 fan but it’d be nice to have a really light weight pocket wheelgun that wouldn’t leave my hands bruised and battered after an outing at the range. And the 32 H&R magnum seems like the answer.

I just bought one of these:
upload_2020-9-24_17-50-49.jpeg
S&W 357 Carry Comp
 
Not sure why that quote two replies above mine is attributed to me...I didn’t make it in this thread
 
Last edited:
fxvr5 said:
You can shoot a variety of cartridges out of a 38 Special (or 357 Mag) revolver, too. They are 38 Long Colt, and 38 Short Colt.
Click to expand...
I always forget there are other options in the 38 family. I don't believe I have seen either 38 Colts on the shelf like I see 32 S&Ws. To be fair I'm not looking for them as hard either but generally if I see a cartridge I don't know I read the basics on it just to be as aware as possible.
 
fxvr5 said:
Your 38/357 wish has been granted. There is now a extra low recoil 38 Special round made just for shooting in light weight revolvers.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com...atts-bullets-comfort-plinker-38-special-ammo/
Click to expand...
Those look like something I load myself, Berry’s plated 158 grainers + some light charge of Unique, usually 7 grains.

I think I’d really like the 32 H&R mag in a light weight scandium frame wheelgun. Just not Ruger’s plastic LCR. When it comes to wheelguns, I want 100% metal, except for the grips.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LEP
A S&W Bodyguard in 38 takes care of my snubby carry needs. But I really enjoy target work with an old Ruger Single-Six in 32 H&R, especially with 32 long wadcutters. Accurate, comfortable even for my tiny wife, and very cheap to reload once you have the brass. If I were starting over, I would seriously look at a snubby in 327 or 32 H&R.

I don't know if 32s are making a come back but they should. In my opinion they are underappreciated as target and defense rounds.

Jeff
 
jski said:
Those look like something I load myself, Berry’s plated 158 grainers + some light charge of Unique, usually 7 grains.
Click to expand...

Not even close. Matt's ammo uses 3 grains of powder and a 110 grain bullet. They run less than 600 fps from a 4" barrel and produce 1/3 the recoil of a Remington 148 grain wadcutter.
 
I have carried the 38 Special for many years. I also own a LCR 357, but my 38 carry and practice loads gradually got lighter and lighter in bullet weight/power to manage the recoil. I guess i have become old. I never considered the 32 family till i tried one. I was hooked and now I tend to agree with the Lucky Gunner on the 32 family in regards to a snub. I carry the 32 H&R Hornady load. I like the mild recoil and the sixth shot. 32 Longs are fun and accurate.

I have only tried one 327 load in that LCR and that was the 100 gr gold dot. It was too much for me in that snub to practice a lot with. Eventually I would like to try the Federal reduced recoil load and the Double Tap 75 gr load.

If I have to fault the LCR 327, it is the lack of speed loaders and fiber optic sights that shoot poa/poi. I use speed strips for concealed carry. But some loaders would still be nice.
 
contender said:
I have carried the 38 Special for many years. I also own a LCR 357, but my 38 carry and practice loads gradually got lighter and lighter in bullet weight/power to manage the recoil. I guess i have become old. I never considered the 32 family till i tried one. I was hooked and now I tend to agree with the Lucky Gunner on the 32 family in regards to a snub. I carry the 32 H&R Hornady load. I like the mild recoil and the sixth shot. 32 Longs are fun and accurate.

I have only tried one 327 load in that LCR and that was the 100 gr gold dot. It was too much for me in that snub to practice a lot with. Eventually I would like to try the Federal reduced recoil load and the Double Tap 75 gr load.

If I have to fault the LCR 327, it is the lack of speed loaders and fiber optic sights that shoot poa/poi. I use speed strips for concealed carry. But some loaders would still be nice.
Click to expand...

5 star firearms makes excellent speed loaders for the LCR 327.
 
jski said:
Those look like something I load myself, Berry’s plated 158 grainers + some light charge of Unique, usually 7 grains.

I think I’d really like the 32 H&R mag in a light weight scandium frame wheelgun. Just not Ruger’s plastic LCR. When it comes to wheelguns, I want 100% metal, except for the grips.
Click to expand...
7 grains of Unique under a 158 gr bullet isn’t a light load for the .38 Spl. at all. I’ll pass on that in a .38 Spl. revolver. :what:

Stay safe.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

jski
  • Locked
S&W and Federal 327 Magnum
Replies
20
Views
2K
TTv2
TTv2
Gordon
  • Locked
An eclectic mix!
Replies
2
Views
354
JEB
JEB
L
  • Locked
Dan Wesson .357 for carry?
Replies
7
Views
488
FM12
F
sturmgewehr
  • Locked
Some prototype Krebs rifles, shooting with Ken Hackathorn, and more.
Replies
2
Views
375
sturmgewehr
sturmgewehr
D
  • Locked
How much is a S&W Model 1 1/2 (lemonsqueezer) worth?
Replies
4
Views
3K
XxWINxX94
X
Back
Top