Unless you are a reloader I would skip the 32 caliber guns. Is is expensive and hard to find during normal times. I wouldn't buy the 357 and then limit yourself to just 38SP. If you want to shoot 38SP then get the gun chambered in 38SP. Its lighter in weight but strong enough for all 38 caliber rounds. You don't need a gun that shoots multiple rounds. Pick one round and stick with it.
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If the only consideration is noise level, I've a tin of BB Caps that would prove to be far quieter than your choices. I've a .38spl LCRx. With my handloads for defense, it is loud. Very loud I had a 9mm LCR. It wasn't that loud with factory SD ammo. Now, the .38 LCRx isn't nearly as loud with my cast range load. Quite tolerable. I've shot the .22lr LCR, and the trigger pull was horrendous. I shoot .32 H&R Mag, and my loads for that have a 'pop' that'll get your attention. My powder choice, mostly. .32 S&W Long is a viable caliber, with low noise levels. Don't expect hollow point performance. I'd stick to hard cast or FMJ for the penetration. Basically, . . . , Nobody likes to be perforated, but some calibers will stop the fight quicker than others, regardless of shot placement.
for noise management alone and given the LCR as the platform, I would go with the 32 Long followed by the 32 H&R magnum. My carry load is the Hornady 32 H&R flex tip load. I can not tell you a decibel level other than to say its certainly a good deal less than 38 Special. The 32 Long is even more mild in noise level and recoil is extremely light. This cartridge is also more readily available than the 32 H&R or the Federal magnum. The 327 magnum I found to be ear splitting and the loudest handgun cartridge i have ever fired in a snub. My experiences with the LCR in 22 and 22 mag is limited, but from memory, the triggers in those rimfire LCR's are heavy and not near as good as centerfire LCR triggers.
The bottom five are all one and the same; the 327 chambers the other four also. That would be my choice actually, loaded with .32 magnums.
I had a Ruger LCRx in 22lr. Its trigger was terrible. I wouldn't prefer 22lr or 22 magnum for SD. My most-carried handgun is a 5-shot LCR in 38 special. I would gladly trade it for a 6-shot LCR that I could shoot 327 magnum or 32 H&R magnum out of. 32 S&W long is at least better than a 22. 32acp will fire in some revolvers and not others. I've had it shoot five of five in one revolver and 0-5 in another of the exact same model. It depends on the exact length of the firing pin or something like that.
Relevant to some of the calibers on your list, check out the new (10/1/21) video 6 Handgun Cartridges That Will Soon Be Obsolete which discusses the following ammunition choices: 40 S&W 45 Gap 41 Mag 32 ACP 25 Auto 32 H&R Mag
I think barrel length effects the velocity any load is capable of producing. Velocity is what makes hollow points reliably expand With my snubbie I'll take the edge bullet weight and meplate provide over expansion My opinion of course, YMMV. .38Spl 158gr LSWC
I can't help but take "expert opinions" like that with a huge salt lick. The .38S&W is obsolete but it's also still deadly and in the right hands, it's effective. .41Mag - I've been hearing it's obsolete for decades.
I once shot one of my .22lr revolvers that has a 6" barrel without ear protection. Won't do that again. Point is they're all bad with unprotected ears, and though some might be "less bad" than others I'd rather use a gun that a little better at self defense even if it's a little worse at damaging my ear drums. Out of that list I'd get the .327 mag LCR and decide after that which cartridge you want to shoot through it.
If you are at the range, you can always wear hearing protection, and even double up with plugs and muffs. If you are in the fight for your life, the noise you generate will be the least of your worries. Buy the gun that you are confident in. The one where you can place your rounds where you want them, rounds that will penetrate to the vitals and do the best to stop the threat to your life.
Yeah, but.... If the sound pressure causes immediate hearing impairment sufficient to prevent your hearing the commands of responding officers, your winning that fight may be a short-lived benefit. It has happened.
Yup. great point. And then there's deaf old guys like me. I never wore - and still don't wear - hearing protection when hunting and my hearing is shot. Severe tinnitus. Of course, that could also be from years working in machine shops without hearing protection... Or around helicopters and jets... Life's a gamble. There's always risk. Most cops I've known have common sense out the wazoo but, like the man says, things do happen. Especially when you're amped up on adrenaline and in that fight-or-flight state of mind.
I wear hearing aids--the result of hammer room and machine shop days, rivet guns on the assembly line, high powered rifles, power mowers and saws. I carry a 9mm in the house, and I have a .45 ACP that would be better from the sound pressure standpoint. No .327 or .357 magnum loads for me. My audiologist tells me that loud music in cars and bars is a major cause of hearing loss today.
32 acp s semirimmed and will work in 32 revolver chambers. The only issue with revolver chambers is with pressure testing and heat treating. Some of the older guns are not made to take the pressure. Anything LCR 32 caliber would fire a 32acp safely… but with almost an inch of freebore it’s not going to be very impressive in power or accuracy.
I have an LCR357 and a 3" LCRx357. I also have an LCR22WMR. I prefer the heavier steel frame on the centerfire for recoil mitigation. I practice with Remington 38Spcl 125g +P JHP and carry ARX 38Spcl 77g. I carry CCI 40g JHP in the LCR22WMR. I also had a 3" LCRx22WMR which had become a safe queen so it was sold.
In a "Fight or Flight" "Do or Die" situation you have much more to worry about than just being able to hear the responding officers. The adrenaline/cortisol/everything else dump is going to make everything seem surreal and cognitive function is going to be severely impaired. If might be that you won't even remember hearing the shot, and you possibly could be wounded yourself without knowing it. This type of Critical Incident is going to be a game changer.
Getting SS cylinder Bead blasted and a action job done by a well known Smith. I’ll probably track down a Front nite dot also. I let a 38spl like new in box also ,version slip thru my fingers as the financial funds couldn’t be obtained. Tho Very cool, ultra light multi hot shot 38spl snub revolver.
P5 Whatcha got there? Is that a S&W 60 with a Factory square butt grip? Is there space on blackstrap? Since it’s a round butt?
