Future .32 Snub Revolvers

[Kleanbore]

like another poster stated I wish S&W would make one of the alloy framed 32 mags with a 3-4" barrel and adjustable sights. What a nice plinker/trailgun that would be. It would ride lightly on your belt or disappear in a backpack. I wouldn't even mind if it was just in 32 Long.

I can certainly relate to that.

The first time I ever saw a civilian carrying a revolver openly outside a rodeo, the gun was on the belt of a groundskeeper who was driving a Ford tractor above the Missouri River near Lexington, MO. The gun was a Smith and Wesson .22-32 Kit Gun. The year was 1957.

I have often thought that a 32 would be a better choice.

Snubbies have a place. Even in .32

Yep. I would prefer one more inch of sight radius and one more inch of barrel.

I wish more people could have growed up where the concrete don't cover every inch of the earth.

So do I. But where I am now, I do not drive a tractor, or work around cattle, and the most likely targets are big, mean, dangerous, and fast. I don't carry for fun today.

I started a thread in General Handguns a while back on musing about handguns for reasons other than SD. I started by listing the guns I would not want. That's the shorter list by far.

A .32 would be near the top of the other list.

 

[.38 Special]

In my world, a snub is primarily about self defense - and last-ditch, back-up, things-have-really-gone-to-hell self defense at that. I'd really rather not be counting on a .32 of any sort in that scenario, so I personally am not a big fan of the ".32 snub" concept.

The .327 Magnum maybe fills a better role in a full-size carry gun, but again, in a full-size carry gun, I'd still rather have a bigger cartridge.

When it comes to the .32 bore size, I believe the old .32 Long is still the best of the bunch, and I would dearly love for S&W to add one to their "Classic" range of revolvers. (Considering the availability of .32 Long ammunition that seems like a longshot, but hey, a guy can dream). As a small game round, as a plinker, and as a target cartridge, I believe the .32 Long is superior even to the .38 Special. The .38 is so well established, though - and the .32 so poorly - that there really is no reason to try to swim up that stream. (I'm still buying one if it happens, though...)

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I can certainly relate to that.

The first time I ever saw a civilian carrying a revolver openly outside a rodeo, the gun was on the belt of a groundskeeper who was driving a Ford tractor above the Missouri River near Lexington, MO. The gun was a Smith and Wesson .22-32 Kit Gun. The year was 1957.

I have often thought that a 32 would be a better choice.

Yep. I would prefer one more inch of sight radius and one more inch of barrel.

So do I. But where I am now, I do not drive a tractor, or work around cattle, and the most likely targets are big, mean, dangerous, and fast. I don't carry for fun today.

I started a thread in General Handguns a while back on musing about handguns for reasons other than SD. I started by listing the guns I would not want. That's the shorter list by far.

A .32 would be near the top of the other list.

Yup. I posted to it. IIRC, said the one thing I'd hate is to have to carry anything made of plastic and in 9mm.
I do work in something kind of like a "city" around 40 miles plus a few maybe from where I live. My employer legally forbids firearms on their property - immediate termination and arrest - so carrying a firearm is out of the question for me. Then again, where I work is relatively safe. Still, I am allowed by law and do carry a "pocket knife" - yes, I am very well trained in its use and fearless in its application, please don't bother insulting me by questioning that choice - and it's all I really want for close-quarters fighting.
Freedom means having to live with other people's choices, even the ones with which we disagree. Our Founders knew this when they wrote the Second Amendment and, I believe, intended it as the final remedy for a despot intent on changing those choices by use of force.

 

[Kleanbore]

Beyond snubbies, a school chum's dad was a physician who liked target shooting. He said he had a ".32 on a .38 frame"--a K-32.

Back in 1968, I was in a canoe on the Current River in MO We saw a cottonmouth getting close to some kids in he water, and we shouted to warn them.

A fisherman in a johnboat took out a K-22 and fired one shot, killing the snake. It would have been a good shot with a rifle.

...which brings to mind the idea that the .32 H&R may have some advantage in terms of trajectory.

 

[lincen]

I’m always pleased to see posts about any 32 caliber handguns, semi-automatics or revolvers. I enjoy and own handguns in at least a dozen calibers.
Below are my 2 and 3 inch barrel revolvers in 32 long, 32 magnum, and 327 magnum. Not pictured are my Ruger Single Seven Birdshead and the 4” barrel SP101.

Left column is Ruger LCR 327, LCRx 327, Taurus 327, and Smith 30-1.
Right column is Ruger SP101, Charter Professional, Taurus 32mag, Colt Detective Special.

For target shooting the longer barrel revolvers are extremely satisfying !

Top is the Ruger GP100 that holds 7 rounds of 327 magnum. Middle is a Taurus model 76 in 32 long, very good trigger and accurate. Bottom is the Ruger Single Six Bisley in 32 magnum.

Yes, I really like shooting the various 32 rounds and at times carry the LCR in my pocket. The LCRx is a glove box gun for my wife. Both are loaded with the 32 H&R magnums .

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m always pleased to see posts about any 32 caliber handguns, semi-automatics or revolvers. I enjoy and own handguns in at least a dozen calibers.
Below are my 2 and 3 inch barrel revolvers in 32 long, 32 magnum, and 327 magnum. Not pictured are my Ruger Single Seven Birdshead and the 4” barrel SP101.
View attachment 1020507
Left column is Ruger LCR 327, LCRx 327, Taurus 327, and Smith 30-1.
Right column is Ruger SP101, Charter Professional, Taurus 32mag, Colt Detective Special.

For target shooting the longer barrel revolvers are extremely satisfying !
View attachment 1020508
Top is the Ruger GP100 that holds 7 rounds of 327 magnum. Middle is a Taurus model 76 in 32 long, very good trigger and accurate. Bottom is the Ruger Single Six Bisley in 32 magnum.

Yes, I really like shooting the various 32 rounds and at times carry the LCR in my pocket. The LCRx is a glove box gun for my wife. Both are loaded with the 32 H&R magnums .

Wow. Now I feel .32 poor.

 

[ThomasT]

Still, I am allowed by law and do carry a "pocket knife" - yes, I am very well trained in its use and fearless in its application, please don't bother insulting me by questioning that choice - and it's all I really want for close-quarters fighting.

I will never question your choice. I think its a good one. I have said before that in a nose to nose encounter a knife can be just about as good as a snub 38. Especially if the knife is carried properly so it is in the correct position when drawn. And that is sharp edge up. Thats so you can grab with your left hand and pull your opponent towards while you draw, stab and then rip up with your knife. Its more natural to lift your arm and slice the whole time you are doing it. That was the proper way to use a Bowie knife.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I will never question your choice. I think its a good one. I have said before that in a nose to nose encounter a knife can be just about as good as a snub 38. Especially if the knife is carried properly so it is in the correct position when drawn. And that is sharp edge up. Thats so you can grab with your left hand and pull your opponent towards while you draw, stab and then rip up with your knife. Its more natural to lift your arm and slice the whole time you are doing it. That was the proper way to use a Bowie knife.

I’m ambidextrous.

 

[Monac]

I’m ambidextrous.

You are? Oh, man, that must be wonderful. I envy you so much. I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!

 

[Sistema1927]

You are only allowed to have a .32 gun in your pocket for fun if you also have a razor in your shoe. It's the law.

 

[ThomasT]

You are? Oh, man, that must be wonderful. I envy you so much. I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!

If you gave your right arm you would be ambidextrous before you knew it.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

If you gave your right arm you would be ambidextrous before you knew it.

One of the things I really appreciate about the .32 Long is it's flexibility as a trainer. I went through a LOT of .32 Long wadcutter in an H&R 732 teaching myself to hit a small moving object - tennis balls - with either hand and switch off for eject, load, reload, single-action fire, draw, re-holster, etc. Having a light, easy to use and accurate revolver helped tremendously. I used a 2-1/2" slab-side barrel H&R. I don't recall the model but it had to be a variation of the 732. This was right after I turned 22 and had been working for a little while on the big milling machines. I decided it would be a good idea to be as proficient with either hand at anything and everything since there was a possibility I could lose one. I seen it happen to a guy across the shop and it rattled me. Where the shop was located we had access to the back 10 acres of the MacDac testing range. Those were some days!