.32 Smith & Wesson Long for SD

[Mr_Flintstone]

Is this round adequate for a carry revolver with a 2" barrel? I know a lot has to do with shot placement, but will the round penetrate from that size barrel? If so, what type of bullet; Wadcutter, SWC, TC, etc...?

[Cal44]

I used to carry a 31-1 in 32 S&W Long.

I used the Buffalo Bore wad cutter.

It travels faster and delivers more energy than the 38 Special target wad cutters may people use in their J frame 38 snubs.

Now days my smallest carry gun is a 431PD in 32 H&R magnum. There are lots of reasonable SD loads for that.

BB also makes a 115 gr round nose flat point that should also penetrate well and I used that for reloads since it's easier to load than flat wadcutters.

Both loads are shown below:

[Rpg]

For a very long time, the 32 s&w long was an accepted round issued to police. That was long ago.

Now days, the 32 long is not so widely used for sd.

Were I to carry a 32 long for sd, I’d use hard cast swc or wc ammo.

I wouldn’t use anything marketed as expanding ammo in a 32 long (or, for that matter, in 32 acp). I doubt such ammo design works reliably, but if it does it would be at the expense of adequate penetration.

[dr. mordo]

I agree - hot wadcutters are best with SWC for reloads.

The most important characteristic of a SD ammo is penetration, and .32 L will do it if it's hot enough and you don't have an expanding projectile. Then the shooter will have to do his part - aim for center of mass with the intent of hitting the attacker's spine.

[oneounceload]

What gun are you using? The 32 SWLs I have are older with one being an older I frame. I wouldn't feel confident that they could safely handle something like the BB loads.

[Mr_Flintstone]

Originally Posted by oneounceload

What gun are you using? The 32 SWLs I have are older with one being an older I frame. I wouldn't feel confident that they could safely handle something like the BB loads.

I picked up a Charter 32 H&R magnum pretty cheap a while back. The reason I was asking about 32 SWL is because 32 H&R seems to be almost nonexistent around here, but 32 SWL (especially wadcutters) are all over the place. i was just wondering.

[jeeps]

Yup good hardcast swc ,dose of Unique.3.5 In m31,30,colt detective. More power than a 380.

[TomkinsSP]

Originally Posted by dr. mordo

I agree - hot wadcutters are best with SWC for reloads.

The most important characteristic of a SD ammo is penetration, and .32 L will do it if it's hot enough and you don't have an expanding projectile. Then the shooter will have to do his part - aim for center of mass with the intent of hitting the attacker's spine.

Or the inverted triangle of eyes and mouth.

[TomkinsSP]

Its a 100+ year old Iver Johnson Break Top. 78 grain Acme Bullet over 1.7 grains of Unique. 9 inch paper plate. 25 feet, 5 shots, one ragged hole. .32 S&W, not S&WL. So imagine 25 percent heavier, 25 percent faster...

[mrchuck]

I have kept my 32sw long revolver because it is so beautiful and fits my hand perfectly.
Now as a defense weapon, I believe as a concealed weapon, it is rated adequate, but not higher unless the shooter hits the head, or heart.
Any other location, this person who you have just shot, wearing clothing, jacket, suit,etc,,,may just be able fire his own weapon back at you.
You do not want this to happen.
Personally, I would carry a .38 Special +P cartridge in an appropriate revolver as a minimum.
I also have a .380 caliber Kel-Tec I sometimes in a pair of swim trunks, loaded with Cor-Bon ammo in it.
If there is a personal defense 32SW long cartridge available, I have not seen it,due to most likely no modern firearm is made these days.
Why??? I have seen injured criminals return fire or even get away when shot with "poodle shooter" calibers.

I sincerely hope this post does not make anyone mad.
Especially dog owners.
This reference is the normal language used in police activities.

[richardw]

From a 32wiirh 2” barrel there will not be enough muzzle energy and velocity to mushroom an HP bullet. In the rare case when it migh mushroom you will not get enough penetration because a mushroomed bullet reduces velocity and energy as it penetrates. You would be better with round nose and counting on getting as many shots into the target as possible. When it comes to SD penetration means more than wound cavity in small calibers likE the 32 and 22. It also applies to 380 unless you have adopted on of the Rounds none to penetrate and mushroom out of a small barrel. Since arthritis in my hands amd then after hand therapy went to 380 with a 2.9” barrel. Rest assured that I did hours of research on ammo for both and found a good SD ammo among the many brands that fail to penetrate and make larger wound cavities. There is a large amount of info on the topics on the Internet if you have hours to look for and digest it.

[TomkinsSP]

Totally agree that expansion isn't going to occur, 2 inch tubes are perfect for full wadcutters. BB makes a 100 grain WC, load for .32 S&WL. 375 or so foot pounds with a nice square edged bullet, that will penetrate deeply and crush tissue, not slip and slide throgh like a round nose.

I carry BB 150 grain WC in my EDC a .38 s&w special. IMHO you can do a WHOLE LOT WORSE.

[Smithboomer]

The .32 Long is no grizzly, but it has twice the power of a .22 LR from the same size revolver, and many of us know someone who carries a .22 for self defense.

[jimmyj]

Any commercial factory load.
Practice mouth/nose, and crotch shots.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

I like Fiocchi .32 S&W Long in my S&W 31-1. Both the wadcutter and the FMJ, which is a bit snappier.

[Whitwabit]

I never understood why someone would carry a round for self defense of himself and his loved ones that is mediocre at best when compared to so many other more reliable rounds on todays market ..

Being first introduced in 1899 its under powered when compared to larger caliber rounds in todays modern Plus P market ..

Though being fun to shoot because of the lack of recoil .. what is a nice range gun I wouldn't use for self defense ..

[Rastoff]

Any gun will do if you'll practice with it. Even the lowly .22LR kills plenty every year.

However, I don't understand carrying a strange off beat caliber of any size. They're expensive and therefore, you'd be unlikely to practice a lot with it. Stick to the venerable .357Mag or its little brother the .38SPL.

[.455_Hunter]

I would carry either the Fiocchi 97 gr FMJ or S&B 100 gr LRN, both warmish loadings to ensure maximum penetration.

[TomkinsSP]

1899, so what. .38 special, .45 acp and 9x19 are about that old.

Rule One: have A GUN (any gun).
Rule Two: have a gun that ALWAYS goes bang.
Rule Three: hit what you shoot at.
As often said, the .22 short in your pocket is infinitly more valuble than the .44 magnum at home.

I was at the Cabelas in Sun Prarie, Wisconsin yesterday. They were selling 98 grain LRN PPU .32 S&WL for less than thier least expensive .38 S&W Special. But I agree, get something you can afford to, and will, practice in. For some people lighter recoiling rounds are really important.

Personally I would choose .38 special wadcutters, but I don't fault those who choose .38 S&W, .327, .380 ACP, .32 H&R, .33 S&WL .32 ACP, .25 ACP, .22 WMR even .22LR...

[Cal44]

Originally Posted by .455_Hunter

I would carry either the Fiocchi 97 gr FMJ or S&B 100 gr LRN, both warmish loadings to ensure maximum penetration.

That S&B 100gr LRN is a fairly hot load by 32 Long standards.

It also has a flat nose which is a good thing in an SD load.

I consider the Buffalo Bore 100 gr wadcutter a better carry load, but the S&B LRN would be a good reload.

[silversnake]

Would rather have 5 shots of 148 gr wadcutters than 6 shots of 100 gr myself.

If I just had to have a low recoil option in a revolver I would take an 8 shot .22, still cheaper to practice with and more ammo options than .32 S&WL.

[washerman]

32 H&R magnum hornady critical defense lists 235 ft/lbs of energy....38 special hornady critical defense 110 grain flex-tip lists 249 ft/lbs of energy....according to the info on midway usa charts the 32 mag has 94% of the energy of the 38 special hornady critical defense......in other words the 32 magnum isn't far behind the 38 special in energy delivered....

[silversnake]

Originally Posted by washerman

32 H&R magnum hornady critical defense lists 235 ft/lbs of energy....38 special hornady critical defense 110 grain flex-tip lists 249 ft/lbs of energy....according to the info on midway usa charts the 32 mag has 94% of the energy of the 38 special hornady critical defense......in other words the 32 magnum isn't far behind the 38 special in energy delivered....

That's true, a .32 mag is perfectly adequate for self defense (although you get a lot more options with a .38)

[DocB]

Last time I carried my little 32 Smith into the LGS somebody asked me what I would do if a felon came in the front door. I told them I would run as fast as I could out the back door. Now that I have some of the Buffalo Bore ammo, I can change my answer. I would probably take a few shots and see how it went.

[TomkinsSP]

Originally Posted by silversnake

That's true, a .32 mag is perfectly adequate for self defense (although you get a lot more options with a .38)

You can even get a LITERALLY REVERSE engineered .38 special, a southpaw former partner has one.