32 revolvers, why no more?

[Josey]

32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, 32-20, 32 H&R Magnum and even 32-44 revolvers used to be plentiful. They were good defense weapons. There were hunting versions, target versions and many vest or pocket pistols. The 38 Special seems to be the common cartridge today. Why? What caused the demise of the 32? I would like to see new 32 revolvers. I would RUSH to my toystore to buy a 9 shot S&W 686+ in 32 S&W Long. I would buy a Taurus Tracker in 32-20. Who blew out the 32s shining star?

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Uh, how about a 10 shot .32 H&R Mag? In 2002 one gentleman used exactly that to compete in the International Revolver Championship. The year before he had a nine shot. The .32 H&R Mag meets the minimum power factor.

The down side is that these were probably one-off revolvers. Maybe you could convince him to ramp up for production?

 

[RUT]

>>What caused the demise of the 32?<<

Cuz they're "mouse guns"!!

 

[Old Fuff]

RUT has a point of sorts. The popular gunrags have branded .32 revolvers as "inadequate" for self defense use. However for some reason the .32ACP is O.K. This is an arrangement I can live with because one can sometimes find high-quality older Smith & Wesson's and Colt's selling for very attractive prices.

Taurus has plans to eventually offer their new small frame "IB" revolver in .32 H&R Magnum. If and when they do I'll probably get one.

 

[Tamara]

.32 Mag, while being largely supplanted by .38 Spl for defense work, is still kicking, and is actually experiencing something of a renaissance. Available guns include the defense-oriented 731 from Taurus and the Smith 331 & 332. Also available, but targeted towards li'l cowpokes, is the "Vaquerito"-style Single Six. Marlin has just released a companion carbine, too.

These magnum guns, of course, allow the use of .32 S&W Long cartridges for plinking, which may be the raison d'etre of the little cartridges. As pleasant as a K-38 is to shoot, a 4" Model 31 makes an even better introductory handgun to the small of hand or easily startled.

 

[Majic]

Most of the so called experts of the gun rags look down their noses at anything less than a .357mag in a revolver. They just tolerate a .38sp, but nothing else is even considered. Unfortunately most of the industry seem to be either listening to them or controlling them. We the consumer lose out on some fine choices of the past that still have the same qualities that was appreciated in the days gone by.

 

[Ala Dan]

.32 S&W Long

Speaking of days gone by, I have a 1971 vintage
Smith & Wesson 2" barrel, blue model 30. When
my dad finally decided to carry a firearm; this was
his choice. With approximately 12 rounds having
been fired, it remains in pristine condition! NIB
in 1971, it cost $92.00.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Old Fuff]

At the recent SHOT Show I was looking at a European target pistol that used .32 S&W long wadcutters. The five-shot/25 meters machine rest test group tagged to the trigger guard could be covered by a dime! In target grade handguns – both revolvers and automatics – the .32 S&W long is an exceptionally accurate cartridge.

The .32 H&R Magnum was developed by Harrington & Richardson for use in their inexpensive line of revolvers. Because of this it was not loaded to its full potential. When it is, it becomes a serious personal defense round, and six of them will fit in an S&W “J†frame cylinder or similar Taurus.

Manufacturers build guns for certain markets. Lacking demand results in little or no interest. I have bugged both S&W and Taurus to build more .32’s. Both tell me that they’ve tried during the recent past, and didn’t find much of a market.

Oh well … That leaves us with older Colt’s and Smith & Wesson’s, which are great guns that often sell for depressed prices. Like I said before, I can live with that.

Incidentally, Numrich/The Parts Corporation (www.e-gunparts.com) have (or had) Colt Police Positive cylinders rechambered to use the .32 Magnum.

 

[Josey]

I found an interesting single action recently. Cimmaron Arms has a dual cylnder revolver 32 H&R Magnum and 32 S&W long fit in one and 32-20 is the second cylinder. I like that set up. If I could buy a Bisley with those cylinders in a flattop target, I would buy a few.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I am reminded of an article in Gun Digest entitled "The 32-20: Never Say Die!"

And it featured all kinds of reloading data for the 32-20.

I passed up a chance at a Ruger bearcat in .32HR mag, Garts was getting rid of them for $150 a piece back in the early '80s. I wanted one, dad din't think it was a good idea, after all a 32 'wasn't much gun'. '

Collector value of the 32 Bearcat is pretty good, no?

Ah well, I'll just keep my eyes open for a Colt Pocket Positive in 32 new Police.

 

[mec]

The .32 long seems to have been replaced by the .32 H&R. The old colt and Smith .32's are still available in pretty good numbers and it seems that components are easier to find than they were when these revolvers were in production.

The cartridge produces more energy than the .22 long rifle in hunting sized guns and is more efficient in the three and four inch small revolvers. There is still quite a bit of interests in them as casual field revolvers

 

[Tamara]

Collecto's avlue of the 32 bearcat is pretty good, no?

Considering that the Bearcat is a .22, I'd say so.

 

[mec]

I believe Linebaugh has done some 32 bearcat conversions. very tired of the process and will probably do only one more for a local attorney.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Ok, so you are saying it was a single six?


Nobody hates a smartass more than another smartass.

 

[simonp]

Unfortunately the S&W 331 & 332 are both being discontinued as well

 

[RatFink]

Ruger has 2 versions of the single-six in .32 H&R mag, both in stainless, one with a black micarta birdshead grip, and the other with a sim ivory standard/short grip. Both are very pretty and feel great in my hand, I've been wanting the black micarta birdshead for a while now, it just seems like it would be a blast to shoot.

Black micarta birdshead


Ivory standard short grip

 

[Josey]

My limited experience with the Vaquero full size birdshead grips has been positive. They don't come in 44-40 or I would buy a pair. The Vaquerito/Single Six is a little tight in fit for my comfort. They are great for people with small hands though.

 

[RatFink]

I don't think my hands are too small, but one of the reasons I bought a Cimarron instead of a ruger was the grip, I just found the vaquero grips a little thick, the original colt style grips that are on the cimarron are one of the best feeling grips ever made IMHO. I also find the small birdshead grips in the single six very nice.

I guess that's why they make more than just one gun, everybody like different things.