Why 32 h&r?

Styx said:

I do under why those who already reload, have lots of ammo for, and who already own revolvers chambered in 327 and 32H&R like the round. I can't see why anyone just starting out would buy one of the S&W 632UC or 432UC.

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I’m seeing your question much better now and I agree. The sales will probably be higher for the 38 than the 32. Us folks who are all in with various 32 caliber handguns are rightly excited, I have already placed my order for one. But like the 30 Super Carry, many will simply say, why another caliber especially one so expensive. As to chambering it for 327, it would probably be brutal recoil. I can go through a cylinder or two of 327’s in my LCR but don’t look forward to it.

Let’s face it, most of us have an attraction to things that sparkle, but it is different things for different folks. I believe the marketplace will sort this out and it may be that in a year or two these new 32’s will be selling cheaper. Yet if you look at the market, folks are selling the older Smith’s at a premium price now and have been for several years.

Styx said:

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Seems like okay velocity for what it is out of a 327 Federal magnum LCR and SP101. Even still, I don't get it. Yes, I know there's reloading, but even still, the ammo options and availability are extremely low. The cost of per round is higher than rifle rounds. The performance is unimpressive. I just looked at the numbers for 90gr and 110gr 38 Special, and the velocity and foot pounds aren't much different than the .32 H&R loads shown above. Heck, even the 158 and lower non +p 38 Special is moving slower and has simular foot pounds to 32 H&R, so I don't understand the recoil angle. Others have mentioned weight, but the weight and size of a 32 H&R and a 38 Special revolver seems to be just about identical.

It just seems like the new S&W Ultimate Carry Centennials chambered in .32 H&R would have made more logical sense if it were chambered in 327 mag.... Other than someone already has been reloading 32H&R and still have a lot of supplies, I am not seeing why anyone would buy a sub 2" snubnose .32 for self-defense or even plinking purposes. I do under why those who already reload, have lots of ammo for, and who already own revolvers chambered in 327 and 32H&R like the round. I can't see why anyone just starting out would buy one of the S&W 632UC or 432UC.

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My comment was regarding .32 ACP shot in a .327

Styx said:

What's so special about 32hr? I've just watched a few YouTube ballistics and barrier penetration test, and I looked up Lucky Gunner's ammo testing. I wasn't impressed at all and I don't understand why anyone would choose a 32hr over a 38 special especially being that ammo availability and selection with 38 special is more plentiful. It doesn't seem like it makes sense for self-defense or plinking purposes over 38 special.

I don't understand the hype over the new S&W uc 32h&r offering. Is this a case of people just wanting it because it's new or the grass is greener on the other side? Heck, on AmmoSeek.com, the cheapest ammo I see is over $1 per round! It doesn't make sense.

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Why any cartridge? I punch holes in paper. What would make sense is simply going to Office Depot and buying a hole punch. However, I sometimes enjoy punching bigger holes than what they offer.

People like new things, companies like to sell new products. Keeps the world spinning 'round and it's a big world with maybe just enough room for one more option...

Styx said:

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Seems like okay velocity for what it is out of a 327 Federal magnum LCR and SP101. Even still, I don't get it. Yes, I know there's reloading, but even still, the ammo options and availability are extremely low. The cost of per round is higher than rifle rounds. The performance is unimpressive. I just looked at the numbers for 90gr and 110gr 38 Special, and the velocity and foot pounds aren't much different than the .32 H&R loads shown above. Heck, even the 158 and lower non +p 38 Special is moving slower and has simular foot pounds to 32 H&R, so I don't understand the recoil angle. Others have mentioned weight, but the weight and size of a 32 H&R and a 38 Special revolver seems to be just about identical.

It just seems like the new S&W Ultimate Carry Centennials chambered in .32 H&R would have made more logical sense if it were chambered in 327 mag.... Other than someone already has been reloading 32H&R and still have a lot of supplies, I am not seeing why anyone would buy a sub 2" snubnose .32 for self-defense or even plinking purposes. I do under why those who already reload, have lots of ammo for, and who already own revolvers chambered in 327 and 32H&R like the round. I can't see why anyone just starting out would buy one of the S&W 632UC or 432UC.

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The last bit of information that you are missing is ft lbs of recoil. In a 16 oz snub nose revolver that Hornady 80gr .32h&r magnum round is getting almost identical penetration (14 inches) and similar amount of expansion (.40 vs .48) that the Hornady 110gr .38 special load gets but for approximately 2lbs less felt recoil (2.2 ft lbs .32 h&r magnum vs 4.2 ft lbs .38 special).

The difference in recoil, similarity in ballistic performance, and the additional shot are what gets people excited enough to be happy to spend $1.07 a shot vs $.87 a shot.

That kind of recoil difference can really help someone continue to control such a small gun, with small grips, on followup shots which matter even more when capacity is so limited.

This has been an excellent question and I hope we have been able to help you out.

Styx said:

I honestly believe that 2 or 4 ft lb of muzzle energy is negligible and wouldn't be noticeable even out of a 16oz revolver. Also That's an average out of 5 rounds. The velocity can fluctuate with any given times from one round of to the next, so some shots can be virtually equal. The 32H&R and some loads of 38 special are very close. So close that I can't imagine anything who was shooting blind folded could tell the difference. All that said, the extra round of the 32H&R would be the tie breaker, so 32H&R still wins.

Cost on the otherhand: .20 cpr is an extra $20 per 100 rounds or an extra $200 per 1k, plus .38 special range ammo can be had for as low as $.32 cpr and the lowest of any ammo that I see in 32H&R is $1.06 ($32 a box vs $106). That's a huge difference for anyone who doesn't reload like me.

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That's certainly a valid perspective and for you it might not be a noticeable difference. However to those who can feel the difference it is can be very noticeable.

(A quick note about 32 h&r mag, most people use .32 long as their range ammo for revolvers chambered for it and that can usually be gotten for between $.30-40 a round.)

To me a negligible yet noticible difference is between .22 wmr and .32 long, or .380 acp and .32 h&r magnum. The difference in recoil between .32 h&r and .38 spc is certainly not negligible and is very noticable for me.

I personally find 38 spc/9mm/327 fed mag to be unpleasant from sub 20 oz revolvers, while .32 h&r and 380 acp is an almost pleasent shooting experience and .22 lr, .22wmr, and .32 long are pretty boring. Oddly enough I also find 45 colt/45 acp, & 44 mag to be a different kind of comfortable feeling, but those are almost always fired from revolvers that weigh more than twice the weight we are talking about. We won't talk about the weird realm that I find .357 magnum fits into for me.

Basically it seems like you are a person who doesn't have the recoil sensitivities that many who turn to pocket pistol calibers have. That's great for you, but you still miss out on a 6th (or 7th) shot which at those capacities still might make a difference.

My Taurus 85UL firing .38+P was my hardest hand smacking handgun for a long time. My CA Undercovette and my wife’s LCRx 327 are substantially softer shooting while firing typical JHP .32 H&R magnum.

My .32 H&R Mag / 32-20 Buckeye Special Blackhawk. I really only use the .32 H&R cylinder.

Armored farmer once opined that he considered his .32's as a sort of reloadable .22 LR, IIRC. I'd agree with that assessment but add, that any loading with it about doubles the .22's smack on targets or game. It's a fun cartridge in my usage, but a .38 Spl or .357 makes more sense to me for CC, defensive use.

That said; for carry around our farm, I have a trio of Ruger Single Sixes in .32 H&R that are an absolute joy to tote. Light in the holster, accurate as any of my .22's, they do nicely as small game guns or just plain fun plinkers. My Smith M-16 in that same caliber, conversely suffers from the full length under bbl. lug. The darned thing is far too heavy for the caliber and also a bit too muzzle weighty as well. It's superbly accurate but seldom gets out beyond the range in our side meadow.

Easy to handload, economical in powder, brass and lead, the .32 in either "Long" or "H&R" persuasion is a near perfect solution to, "What'll I tote on today's adventures through the woods." Here's a pair that get out frequently....

Best Regards, Rod

Rodfac...love that case hardened birds head. She's a looker

Styx said:

I honestly believe that 2 or 4 ft lb of muzzle energy is negligible and wouldn't be noticeable even out of a 16oz revolver. Also That's an average out of 5 rounds. The velocity can fluctuate with any given times from one round of to the next, so some shots can be virtually equal. The 32H&R and some loads of 38 special are very close. So close that I can't imagine anything who was shooting blind folded could tell the difference. All that said, the extra round of the 32H&R would be the tie breaker, so 32H&R still wins.

Cost on the otherhand: .20 cpr is an extra $20 per 100 rounds or an extra $200 per 1k, plus .38 special range ammo can be had for as low as $.32 cpr and the lowest of any ammo that I see in 32H&R is $1.06 ($32 a box vs $106). That's a huge difference for anyone who doesn't reload like me.

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Seems when people want to write off the .32 Mag it always comes down to ammo cost, specifically range ammo. The .32 Mag is not something you buy 1000 rounds of to blast at the range, that's what .32 S&W Long is for. Not as powerful, but neither is the .38 or 9mm that most shoot at the range and then carry +P ammo.

Practice with the cheaper .32 S&W Long, carry the .32 H&R Mag.

Styx said:

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Seems like okay velocity for what it is out of a 327 Federal magnum LCR and SP101. Even still, I don't get it. Yes, I know there's reloading, but even still, the ammo options and availability are extremely low. The cost of per round is higher than rifle rounds. The performance is unimpressive. I just looked at the numbers for 90gr and 110gr 38 Special, and the velocity and foot pounds aren't much different than the .32 H&R loads shown above. Heck, even the 158 and lower non +p 38 Special is moving slower and has simular foot pounds to 32 H&R, so I don't understand the recoil angle. Others have mentioned weight, but the weight and size of a 32 H&R and a 38 Special revolver seems to be just about identical.

It just seems like the new S&W Ultimate Carry Centennials chambered in .32 H&R would have made more logical sense if it were chambered in 327 mag.... Other than someone already has been reloading 32H&R and still have a lot of supplies, I am not seeing why anyone would buy a sub 2" snubnose .32 for self-defense or even plinking purposes. I do under why those who already reload, have lots of ammo for, and who already own revolvers chambered in 327 and 32H&R like the round. I can't see why anyone just starting out would buy one of the S&W 632UC or 432UC.

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To cure the high cost problem, here are some great spicy recipes:

.32 H&R Magnum (Pet Loads)​

.32 s&w long/.32 h&r/.327 is like a reloadable .22lr in whatever power level you like. .32 s&w long is known for its inherent accuracy, recoil is mild, and the cartridges are very thrifty on lead and powder if you reload. In short, it’s just about perfect as a woods gun for small game, or bigger game/self-defense in a pinch.

I want one but thus far the right gun at the right price when I have a pocket full of money has not happened.

What a boring world it would be if only chamberings that made sense logically existed.

jski said:

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My .32 H&R Mag / 32-20 Buckeye Special Blackhawk. I really only use the .32 H&R cylinder.

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Nice revolver.

A 32-20 Blackhawk would be cool. I have a 32-20 Winchester 1873 and a 32-20 S&W Hand Ejector.

I've shot plenty of 32 and 38 revolvers.

The recoil of 32 H&R magnum is very noticeably less than 38 special, with the revolvers and ammo I've shot, anyway.

If you can't shoot 38's, 32 is WAY better than 22.

Here is a video that covers that exact Hornady .32 h&r 80 gr to Hornady .38 spc 110 gr comparison that I was talking about earlier in the thread.

My interest was initiated seeing that a J-frame can hold 6 of these rounds instead of 5... but I shortly lost interest after doing more research on the round for many of the reasons stated in the original post. I'll stick with my 5 shot 38Spl +P for now.

I don't really see the point in a .32 H&R only gun now that the .327 Federal is out, reason being at least in factory loaded ammo, .327 is actually cheaper than the older .32 H&R. I think both really are reloaders cartridges though, they aren't cheap to buy factory ammo for, much more expensive than .38special/.357 magnum. The public just hasn't embraced the modern .32s it seems. I kind of wish they had as both rounds would probably be more available and less expensive if more people were into them (supply and demand etc.).

Power level of a .380, less recoil than a .38spl, more ammo on tap than a .38spl in the same sized gun.
.32h&r for the win in a J frame for a lot of ccw'ers.

Mercy Me said:

I don't really see the point in a .32 H&R only gun now that the .327 Federal is out, reason being at least in factory loaded ammo, .327 is actually cheaper than the older .32 H&R. I think both really are reloaders cartridges though, they aren't cheap to buy factory ammo for, much more expensive than .38special/.357 magnum. The public just hasn't embraced the modern .32s it seems. I kind of wish they had as both rounds would probably be more available and less expensive if more people were into them (supply and demand etc.).

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Read post #64 above.

Using recipes from:

.32 H&R Magnum (Pet Loads)​

1) 85 gr XTP with 6.7 gr of True Blue
1230+ FPS
85 gr. @ 1230 fps = 285.5 ft-lbs KE.


2) 100 gr XTP with 6.3 gr of True Blue.
1080+ FPS
100 gr. @ 1080 fps = 259 ft-lbs KE.

That’s a hell of a lot more the any 22. I’ll also point out that they pack a punch out of the 17 oz LCR. I wear weight lifting gloves when I plough thru 100 rounds at the range.