I have not seen or abme to find much on comparing these two rounds and effectiveness.

What little I have see. Would indicate extremely slight advantage to the 38 spl. But so small that it would seem insignificant in real world effectiveness.

Also the guns like LCR in 327 federal that can shoot 32 H&R mag are available with 6 shots versus 38 spl and even 9mm revolvers that almost exclusively are 5 shot cylinders.

It would seem having an “extra” 6th round of an ever so slightly less powerful cartridge would outweigh the nearly negligible power gain.

What I have found seems to indicate out pf a short snub barrel, that 32 H&R mag gets about 800 fps and about 200 ft-lbs energy at muzzle. While the std 38 pressure gets about 825 fps and 225 ft-lbs.

Is that small gain really significant in real world effectiveness?

I have yet not found much on penetration comparison.

Sure a 38 special can go +p or even jump to 357 mag. But a LCR can jump to 327 federal which has been compared to 357 and still have the “extra” 6th round.

I dont much care about the argument of limited ammo choices. As the internet allows purchase at bulk. And if the few choices for 32 H&R mag are all good and effective bullets, it seems like a moot point to me.

Thoughts?

Bullet size plays some role in crushing tissue and incapacitation. One thing a larger caliber, especially in handguns, enjoys is the fact it already has a bigger bullet that will directly crush more tissue and also stretch and resist around surrounding tissues better. A 32 caliber anything expanding to a near perfect mushroom of .358 is on equal terms to a non expanding 38 Special wadcutter, if penetration is the same. Thus it goes through the calibers in comparison, a 9mm hollow point that expands up to .45 is only now finally on part with a 45 Colt or ACP semi wad cutter in many respects. A 32 that expands to roughly .420~ is now somewhere equal to a .44 wadcutter or semi wadcutter in terms of frontal face and all that. Despite what anyone thinks on the caliber vs caliber discussion, one thing we can all agree is a 45 is always at least a 45 unless it fragments violently, and a 32 or other calibers must expand to something larger JUST to get to the same frontal surface area and its positive effects in crushing tissue.

In center fire rifle cartridges smaller diameters can be made up with power and permanent stretch/hydrostatic shock as its been known, but in handguns that size difference is harder to make up. The extra shot and lower recoil of 32 HMR comes up against the fact that the 38 is plain bigger, not just power considerations. Johnny Concealed can pack his 38 with low power wadcutters and perhaps still outperform certain 32 considerations with advanced modern hollow points. Comparing 327 with 357 is a bit much, 357 starts out with a bigger bullet and expands more afterward, besides just a comparison of muzzle energy, which it also has.

Decision is up to you, but be well aware of all the positives and negatives involved. A common problem with many shooters is that they compare their cartridge to something else instead of understanding it in and of itself. Also the tendency in that comparison to try to equate it to something superior it cannot be and giving oneself false information and ideas based on that hope.

The trade off is much lower bullet weight for the 32. 100gr is about the max, whereas .38 SPL 158gr is common.

What that means is the 32 may have the same amount of power as a 38 SPL, but will have less momentum, so it will penetrate less at the same power level.

Since penetration is the most important aspect of a self-defense bullet, this means .32 of any variety is a step down from .38 SPL. That said, just because 32 doesn't penetrate as much as a .38 doesn't mean that it doesn't penetrate enough.

Personally, I sometimes carry a LCR327 loaded with Federal 85gr Hydrashoks. I have some 100gr XTPs I need to work up a load for. I think the speed of hot 327 is enough to guarantee penetration. If I carried a 32 S&W Long, I'd carry it loaded with semi-wadcutters. Since 32 H&R falls in the middle, I think I'd lean toward semi-wadcutters unless you find some very hot 32 H&Rs.

Being a heavier, slower cast lead bullet proponent, I would like to point out that there are heavier molds / bullets meant for .32-20. I like the 125 grain LRNFP myself. Not as heavy as a .38 but better SD.

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Certified Curmudgeon

If you are that wrapped up in effectiveness and capacity advantages wih a gun the size of a snubnose. You'd be better served with a compact 9mm. More shots, more velocity at same size weight bullets.Usually better sights, less recoil. Go compare ballistics of a 3.25 " 9mm to a 1.87" revolver.

I already have a shield and 2.0 9c 3.6”

Looking for alternative for inside say jacket pocket and ankle carry etc. shield on ankle probably wont work for my build.

Also looking for wife and daughter as possibility. Who are more recoil sensitive. Is 6th round for them with more managable and comfortable to shoot and train worth it for them? They can move up to 327 federal as they gain more experience and comfort. Or maybe train primarily with 32 H&R mag and then carry 327 federal. Similar to how many train with 38 and carry 38+p or 357 mag.

i have a 431 PD which is 32 H&R magnum...my wife shoots it great with 32 longs and good with 32 magnums...perfect choice for her and my 15 year old granddaughter too. 327 fed mag is going to be too much for them..Charter arms has a 32 Mag revolver which is a very nice gun with very reasonable price. I'm going to get one for the grandkids to shoot as it seems to be best round for them. My revolver fires 32 acp with no problem and extracts fine

For training and practice the best thing to do is start with something small so they get used to shooting before moving up to a larger caliber or a smaller gun. A .22 is a valuable resource for training.Then move up to a medium/large frame in 38. Then move down to a smaller frame. An airweight J frame in 38 is a handful, and doesn't make a good teaching tool until they have some experience with less recoil and larger guns that will help absorb some of the recoil.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Several calibers have multiple tiers which might effect your choice:
The 45 Colt is a prime example going from mouse farts to fire breathing dragons. You MUST have a stout, strong gun for higher pressures/higher velocities. A huge issue is that all the 45 Colt cartridges will fit in all the cylinders.

38 special cartridges can be loaded hot or weak, but don't have Tiers. They do have age though which effects strength of steel.

The .32 caliber is an excellent example as well for Tiers.
I have questionable shooters (H&R break-top, 750fps) that get weak 32 H&R mag. But I have a Ruger Buckeye Convertible and a Ruger 8 that are both tanks. I shoot hot 32 H&R mag up to about 1200fps. Of course the Ruger 8 can shoot 327 federal magnum(1700fps) as well; and the Ruger Buckeye can shoot hot 32-20 WCF (1330fps).
It is good luck that the 327 is longer and will not fit H&Rmag cylinders. Neither will fit a .32 S&W long, thank God.
I have found that most people prefer the 32H&Rmag over the 327fm.
So it is dangerous to mix the hot 32H&Rmag ammo with the weak 32H&Rmag ammo. I do believe the hot 32mag would blow up that old H&R breaktop.
I handload and Powder Coat. I use red PC for hot and pink PC for weak bollets. That keeps them separate for me.

I have no way of realistically comparing the 38special with the 32mag for a purchase. Lots of calibers have overlap with other calibers ( 38spl/357mag). Just because there is some overlap between 32mag and 38spl, doesn't mean they are the same in any other way.

Prescut

For the most part I shy away from caliber light bullets and usually stick with the standard weights.

In 38 Spl. I like the 158 Gr.
In 45 acp I like the 239 Gr.
In 9mm I like the 124 GTr.
In 22 RF I like 40 Gr.
In 45 Colt I like 250 - 255 GR.

I think the OP has moved on to 9 mm in the 4+ years since this post . Thread closed.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220