J Frame 32 H&R Magnum for Deep Concealment

[chief38]

Like I have posted more than a few times, the firearms and ammunition company's often try and come out with a different caliber combo to sell more product - the main reason IMHO. Performance maters less to them than the dollars do. If they never came out with new guns and new calibers just think how many less products they would sell. They are not in business to save us money.

 

[Markmontana]

I was wanting a 432UC until I started reading about all the problems people are having with the UC guns. Revolvers used to be regarded as the gold standard in reliability. S&W fixed that. Im going to sit this one out.

 

[CScott]

I've had my Mod 632 in 327 Fed for several years now. (I wouldn't be able to afford it now.) I really like it. Six rounds with more power than 9mm or 38 Special +P, the size of a kit gun. While it does have a pretty sharp recoil and is very loud, it is easy to reload for or use 32 H&R if you want to tone it down some, Boot Goodyears if you don't. It just seems like an ideal piece for woods walking and mountain fishing. It's my preferred sidearm while elk/deer hunting. I've also had it discretely in my pocket around town plenty of times.
The down side is that they're expensive if you can even find one. Mine's not for sale.

 

[BrBa]

I was wanting a 432UC until I started reading about all the problems people are having with the UC guns. Revolvers used to be regarded as the gold standard in reliability. S&W fixed that. Im going to sit this one out.

I took a chance and ordered a 432 UC Ti last week, sight unseen, since no shop in town carries them. Picked it up today. Here are my initial thoughts:

The good:
Barrel is on perfectly straight, and the rear sight is centered in the dovetail. Barrel-cylinder gap is .007" and the gap between the frame and crane looks as it should - reasonably tight, straight and even. Timing is excellent with no end shake. Front night sight is bright with no dead spots. Overall it looks as good as I could hope.

The bad:
Cylinder throats are a bit undersized, and since the cylinder is titanium it rules out reaming the throats. I plan to shoot mostly jacked ammo so no big deal. The trigger is heavy and gritty, and there's a definite wall before it breaks. This will be easily cleaned up. I don't care for the Hamre Forge grips. They feel great in the hand, but the trigger angle is uncomfortable due to the higher grip hold. The trigger pull feels much more comfortable using the factory boot grips.

I'll dry fire it for a few days, then open it up to clean and lube the internals. It will definitely go back to S&W for the factory j frame trigger enhancement, followed by a Wolff spring kit that I'll install myself and test it out to verify reliable function. Overall, very happy with the purchase.

 

[uhlawpup]

I have a 431PD in .32 magnum in my carry rotation, and love it! Plus, it’s fun to shoot, and since I reload, not costly. I have a unfired in box 432PD in the safe, and may sell or trade it someday of the right offer comes along.

 

[dickydalton]

What is there to not love?

 

[lawandorder]

Around 1984-85 I read where Ruger was producing a Single Six in the .32 H&R magnum. Purchased one and carried it a lot while hunting or just out and about in these old Ozarks.
Early 90s bought a S&W model 631 and pocket carried it. Had no idea it was going to be a rare bird, collectible. I removed the hammer spur and carried it. An extra round and close to .38 spl.
The addiction to the .32 grew and grew.
As I got older and was introduced to Arthritis I lost all interest in and desire for large caliber thumpers. If the recoil is uncomfortable in any handgun it greatly reduces practice. Lots of folks out there I am sure have airweight Js in .357 magnum.
Being proficient with your carry gun is more important to me than the caliber. The old saying "shot placement is king" has a lot of truth to it.
One big bonus for me is the ability to use multiple cartridges in the .32 magnum.
Works for me.

Finding what works for each of us is a journey that can cost $s but for SD it is worth it.

 

[Shibadog]

Around 1984-85 I read where Ruger was producing a Single Six in the .32 H&R magnum. Purchased one and carried it a lot while hunting or just out and about in these old Ozarks.
Early 90s bought a S&W model 631 and pocket carried it. Had no idea it was going to be a rare bird, collectible. I removed the hammer spur and carried it. An extra round and close to .38 spl.
The addiction to the .32 grew and grew.
As I got older and was introduced to Arthritis I lost all interest in and desire for large caliber thumpers. If the recoil is uncomfortable in any handgun it greatly reduces practice. Lots of folks out there I am sure have airweight Js in .357 magnum.
Being proficient with your carry gun is more important to me than the caliber. The old saying "shot placement is king" has a lot of truth to it.
One big bonus for me is the ability to use multiple cartridges in the .32 magnum.
Works for me.

Finding what works for each of us is a journey that can cost $s but for SD it is worth it.

What was the saying “Speed is fine, but accuracy is final…”

 

[barbarosa guns]

I have been seeing the J frame 32 Magnum revolvers around lately.

The situation is this: For discreet carry in nice clothes (such as a small dress trouser pocket). Think of a situation where you can't carry a real gun, but a M&P Body Guard 380, Beretta Tom Cat 32, Keltec P3AT, or J frame.

I purposefully left out the P365, as I own one and even in roomy trousers, it has some angles on it that make me think it might be just a tad too big, yet I have worn a J frame just fine in dressy situations.

1. What is 32 HR magnum good for? Is it better than 38 special or 380?

2. Would a M&P Body Guard 380 be the ultimate deep carry gun compared to a 6 shot 32 magnum J frame? (the BG 380 is noticeably more compact than even the P365 in 9mm).

3. I know the 5 shot 38 has saved countless officer lives as a BUG. Is ditching the tried and true 38 J frame really worth it just to get that one extra round from the 32 magnum J frame?

4. Would a Colt Cobra 38 (6 shots) be much more noticeable than a 5 shot J frame? I have never done a side by side comparison in size.

Tell me your opinions. When posting let me know if you actually own a J frame or a 32 magnum, that way I know if you are speaking from experience or just waxing philosophical .

I might consider something running the .22wmr. I've seen some surprising ballistic gel tests using modern "high tech" .22wmr projectiles and would hesitantly guess that any effectiveness differences would be offset by the huge price differentials not to mention availability issues.
Progress regarding projectiles is a funny thing. I can almost see in the near future someone like say Underwood coming out with some massively destructive .22lr rounds. Who knows? Heck, who would ever have imagined that the United States would one day force its taxpayers to fund a NAZI regime in Ukraine? My father would be full on Charles Whitman if he were still alive seeing such absolute BS going on. He was objective on such matters after spending the final 37 years of his life in unrelenting pain from wounds received from the low life Nazi's that still do infest Europe.
What the heck happened to this nation?

 

[rockquarry]

Deep concealment for civilian carriers? Maybe "discrete carry" as someone mentioned is a far more appropriate term. Logic would dictate all concealed carry is discrete carry. Deep concealment maybe if you're law enforcement and buying heroin from the mob; not likely for civilian carriers but some of them may dream of such.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I think I only have one pair of pants that aren't blue jeans, so my Ruger EC9s fits perfect in a Stoner holster in my back pocket; almost looks like a wallet. Problem with that is getting in & out of the car and transferring it from pocket to console, as it's a pain to drive with it, and near impossible to access while sitting on it. My 36 fits just fine in my front pocket with the holster I found in a used bin at an Army Surplus store, but I use my pockets for other stuff, too, so it's not real convenient most of the time. I've carried the Ruger for about 7 years and never had an issue so that's mostly my go to gun. I recently bought a Charter Arms hammerless but haven't shot it enough to get used to it, and I need a holster for it. So, the Ruger suits me just fine...so far.

 

[Zeke38]

My ultra concealable carry is a Kahr PM 9 7shot 9mm great sights, smoooth 6 lb trigger and a fast 8 round reload. Weighs a pound and flat at less than an inch in width. Casual concealed carry Kimber K6xs. I avoid places that could be trouble.

 

[tenntucker]

Besides the 32 we are seeing 22 (8 rounds) as a pocket carry revolver too.

Need to include a 351PD. 7 rounds of a 22 mag is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I agree. If I cannot manage the recoil of the 38 Special I'm not getting a 32 Magnum. 32 S&W Long would be a better choice.

With pocket carry you need pants and shorts with a generous size pocket. Good luck.

I think I’d still rather have the H&R chambering. You can always load the S&W Longs. I have a 31-1 4” and have only loaded it to standard recommended Saami loads. I haven’t hot rodded it even though it’s a very late J frame gun. For me at the moment it’s a bit too light but a H&R not loaded to full tilt would make me feel bit better. I also have a 4.2” SP101 but it’s in .327 magnum and it’s never seen a Federal cartridge yet. Heck it’s never seen a a factory cartridge,

I rarely pocket carry. I like belt holsters. When I was still on patrol my back up gun was in my coat pocket with a nylon holster that I added a snap at the muzzle end that snapped in to my coat. That was a little tank though, a Kahr Mk40. A .40 S&W shooting 155 Federals with the pinky finger dangling was not in the same realm as the .32 S&W long. I shot it well but often wished I got the 9mm version instead. Dumb me chose the same caliber as the duty gun even though the mags were incompatible. If I opted for a G27 the .40 made more sense. Fortunately retired and never had a dire need to shoot either gun on patrol, just your standard dispatching of crumpled critters in the road.

 

[tenntucker]

I think I’d still rather have the H&R chambering. You can always load the S&W Longs.

You can also shoot .32 ACP rounds in it. Recoil is like a .22

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I gotta say, I have the 351C model and nobody at the range wants to be near me with that excessively annoying muzzle blast. Because of the little recoil, fast, tight follow up shots are impressive as well. Something to think about. A geezer buddy carries the 351PD. It's lighter than the UC models

Normal carry, a 442 with hot hardcast wads. Now transitioning to a 340 PD, will shoot a LEOSA qualification this weekend. But the 351C is usually stashed somewhere nearby.

 

[walkin' trails]

I admit to being somewhat intrigued by the .32 but don’t really want another caliber I have to stock. Airweight and Titanium J-frames are far lighter than most other comparable handguns. I have a 43c in .22 LR and even loaded, it’s lighter than my Beretta Bobcat also in .22LR… and has better sights. Quality of the 43c is another matter, however.