Smallest, Lightest, .32 Revolver ...

[Swing]

Hey pallies. Can anyone tell me firearm fits these parameters:

• Double-action revolver.
• Smallest available and/or
• Lightest available.
• Chambered in .32-bore (.32 Long, .32 H&R, or .327).
• Currently being produced or at least recently produced.

Thanks!

P.S. Yes, I'm googling it, but I figured I'd toss it out there.

 

[MikeJackmin]

If you want to go back a hundred years I got just the ticket for you:

http://www.smithandwessonforums.com/forum/s-w-revolvers-1857-1945/20995-finally-found-ladysmith.html

Scroll down, the photos are impressive.

Modern? Nothing smaller than a J-frame Smith, that I know of.

 

[forindooruseonly]

MikeJackmin covers it.

I can't think of anything smaller in the recent (relatively) past than a Smith & Wesson Model 30, a J-frame in .32 S&W Long.

 

[rcmodel]

I have to ask, Why?

You can buy a 10 oz .38 Special, or 7 shot .380 auto pistol and buy ammo at Walmart.

And you would be much much better armed with either one.

rc

 

[Radagast]

S&W Model 331 or 332. Airlite Aluminum frame, titanium cylinder, J frame, .32 H&R magnum six shot. Discontinued in 2004.

 

[evan price]

H&R 732. Swing out cylinder, pinned barrel, recessed chambers, light and small six shot 32 S&W Long.

 

[Monac]

Are any of the Charter Arms 32s made in alloy rather than steel?

 

[JSH1]

The Charter Arm's "Undercoverette" is chambered in .32 H&R Magnum:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...392/Charter+Arms+53230+Pink+Lady+5RD+32H&R+2"

Taurus and Charter recently made DA snubs in .327 but they were discontinued a couple of years ago. Ruger made a 3" SP101 in .327, also discontinued.

I have a H&R 732 with the small grip. It is small but heavy.

 

[cluttonfred]

+1 on the CA Undercoverette if going with something new, but if I wanted to go old school on caliber then I'd go old school with the gun, too, and find a nice Colt Pocket Positive.

 

[mnrivrat]

Taurus made a ultalite , I-frame size , 6 shot revolver in .32 H&R magnum. I have one of that catigory only in total titanium. Model 731 It has been serving me without a glitch for a number of years so far.

It also shoots, .32S&W , .32S&W Long, and the semi rimmed .32 ACP

 

[Tallball]

I have four revolvers in 32 H&R: two NEF R73, a Charter Arms Undercoverette, and a Taurus 731. (NEF is H&R's sister company.) I am pretty sure those are the correct model numbers. I can't dig through the safe right now withought waking my wife up. I am pretty sure that the NEF are the smallest and the Charter Arms is the lightest.

Right now I believe that Charter Arms is still making the 32 H&R magnum, and the only other one currently manufactured is the Ruger single action in 327.

You can get the Charter Arms brand-new for less than $400, last time I checked. The Taurus does not show up often used, and is generally overpriced. If you really want to pay through the nose, try to find a used S&W or Ruger. The H&R/NEF show up on Gunbroker from time to time and are relatively inexpensive: I got one for $145 and one for $112

No one seems to want revolvers in S&W short or long, they are very cheap. When I shoot them the recoil is so negligible that I would have little confidence in them for self defense.

My Taurus and one of my NEF's shoot 32acp with no problems. My other NEF is unreliable with them. The Charter won't shoot them.

My wife and daughter and MiL enjoy shooting 32's. They find that the revolvers have less felt recoil than my 32 automatics. Just yesterday I picked up a Colt 1903 in 32acp. I have a feeling that it will be the exception.

 

[cluttonfred]

Sounds like a neat collection, Tallball. I often think that the whole "stopping power" debate is a little bit overblown. FWIW, I think the standard factory loads for .32 S&W Long are are a 97-98 grain bullet at about 700-750 fps for 115-125 ft-lb of energy. Those are about .32 ACP numbers, a little slower but with a heavier bullet. Penetration with lead round nose is reported at 12-18" in ballistic gel, so adequate by FBI standards, and wadcutters would also work well and probably cause more damage. If the low recoil, noise and flash of a .32 revolver helps someone be more confident and allows quick follow up shots as needed, then why not carry for defensive purposes?

PS--Anyone have any experience with the Magtech .32 S&W Long SJHP rounds? I'd love to know whether or not they really expand at real-world velocities out of a little .32 revolver.

 

[Sav .250]

I doubt if any one here has tried them all! opinions are just that.

I`d try my local Gun Show ( if you have any) that way I could handle/look at all available. Nothing like the "look-see."

 

[StrawHat]

The smallest commonly available 32 caliber revolver of which I am aware is the S&W Hand Ejector. It was built on the "I" frame and is slightly smaller than a corresponding "J" frame revolver.

This one has a 3 1/4" barrel and the original hard rubber grips.

 

[WestKentucky]

As many have mentioned the S&W hand ejectors. Be careful though and note that the model 30 is i frame while 30-1 is j frame. Mine is a 30-1 which is extremely light for an old school steel gun.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Be interesting to find a S&W 640 centennial (.38 version) in .327.

But a six shooter, not 5.

Best one can do is a 632 pro.

http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2009/01/16/smith-and-wesson-model-632/

Deaf

 

[Tallball]

TYVM CluttonFred. The women in my family like their 32's and I like old/antique guns and automobiles, so we indulge each other. 32 S&W and 32acp were both police calibers for quite some time, so they must have been fairly effective.

Here is a picture of my NEF 32, for those who might not have seen one. The H&R model is pretty much identical, IIRC. This is the "fancy" one that I paid $145 for. When I was a young man I recall them being on sale for $87. This one seemed practically unfired when I got it. It has been 100% reliable for many hundreds of rounds. The ladies generally shoot 32acp out of it, since it is reliable with that caliber, which also happens to be the cheapest and easiest to find of the 32's.

 

[Tallball]

Here is an even worse quality picture: the other NEF, the Charter Arms, and the FEG 32acp that my MiL is particularly fond of (it is hers now).

 

[Tallball]

Here is the 1903 model Colt 32acp, just because.

 

[cluttonfred]

Great stuff, Tallball, especially that Colt.

 

[ThomasT]

I can't dig through the safe right now withought waking my wife up.

Do you keep your wife in the safe too?

Have a look at this article and especially the last paragraph

http://www.gunblast.com/WBell_SW32s.htm

I have been a 32 caliber fan for many years and own 3 32 long and 4 32 mag revolvers. My 431PD weighs 15oz loaded. Nice and light enough for me.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have to ask, Why?

I have to ask something also.

Why is it that, in so many threads asking a question, there is always someone who finds what the OP is contemplating to be unacceptable, and tries to derail the thread without at least offering an answer? At least say something like "Here are a couple of possibilities. What are your intended uses?"

For all we know, the OP was just gifted 10K rounds of .32 caliber revolver ammo.

Incidentally, the already mentioned Undercoverette occurred to me, to, before the thread even finished loading for me.

 

[ViniferaVizslas]

2nd vote for Colt Pocket Positive. Perfect little gun.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I have an Undercoverette; dependable, light, 5 shot cylinder, but, like other snubbies, it's minute of man for a group beyond 7 yards.

 

[Rule3]

Get a work of art, hand crafted semi auto Seecamp!