I am a senior (read decrepit) citizen. I have carried a S&W 442 for years; it's an old dog that is not +P rated. Now I'm developing some arthritis in my fingers and wrists. At the range it's taking longer to recover from recoil and get off accurate subsequent shots. I know that a heavier (steel) gun would be less "snappy" but harder to carry. Now the question:
Who has experience with the .32 H&R Magnum round? I'm thinking of finding a 332 (alloy frame, titanium cylinder) or a 432 (all alloy). Is the recoil (using Mags) more managable than my .38sp?
I know that finding ammo can be a problem. Right now HP's seem to be available but this may be the moment to start handloading. My local range requires "lead-free" indoors and TMJ bullets are available. I think I would practice with .32 S&W longs.
Thanks, in advance, for your suggestions,
Buzz (Cockerpoodle)

Have you thought about using lighter recoiling .38s? I don't have any experience with the 32 but I don't see it having much less recoil than the .38. Also, I might consider the .22 mag.

I like my .32 H&R Magnum, but I don't think this is what you have in mind.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

I had a 432pd and with black hills 85gr rounds recoil was nothing like a 38. I think you'd be very happy with one.

Buzz:

I also have arthritis in my hands and wrists. I have a Model 432 that I carry when the pain is too bad to carry either my Model 642 or Model 60 in .38 Special. You are correct that you can shoot .32 Long our of the 432. You can also shoot .32 Short, or even .32ACP out of the 432 as well. Have you thought about shooting 148 gr. wadcutters out of your 442? Very mild recoil and wadcutters are excellent anti-personnel rounds at close range.

Best of luck,

Dave

mmm, I wonder if I could rechanber one for 32-20????

Like the guy said, you might not be interested in a single action ruger, still, I have this one and they are neat in .32 H&R mag. No recoil, flat shooting, accurate AND noisey. They have a sharp crack. I also own a colt SAA in 32-20 that is close.

I've liked the ctg since it was introduced and I'm in the precess of converting a 31-1. Kept hoping Marlin would bring out a modern version of the 1892 in 32 Mag.

Thanks for your kind suggestions.
Walnutred, tell me more about your conversion project (Model 31-1 to .32 mag). Will the cylinder accept the longer round?
I'm still looking. It seems that the 432PD is available.
Buzz (Cockerpoodle)

I have a Taurus model 76 in .32 magnum, (similar to a K-32), and it is very accurate and fun to shoot.

Personally, and that means that the only person who can decide what's best for you is you, I'd stick with the .38. You can always shoot lighter loads out of your .38, especially if you handload, but you won't be able to load the .32 mag up to that level if you should ever decide, or need, to do so.

There is only .07" in length between 32 Long and 32 H&R and on mine at least it looks like there will be no problem with length. I have a 4" 31-1 with no original finish that I plan to rechamber to 32 mag. I have the reamer just have not had the time.

From what I hear, the .32 has much less recoil than even the lightest .38's.

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Centennial Every Day

I've got a little .32 H&R mag hammerless. It's dao, which I hate, but the recoil isn't bad at all. It fit's nicely into my cigar box

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Just the opinion of a kid

Walnutred, Marlin made an 1894 in 32H&R magnum. I have one and am in the process of having it rechambered to 327 Federal.

I have a Marlin 94 in 32 WCF. The 92 was the smaller frame which was available in either 22lr, 32 Long RF or 32 Long Colt.

I've been looking into a .32 as a lower recoil version to .38's and have come to the conclusion that the .327 magnum is a good choice for me. I can shoot the lower power/recoil .32 s&w long or .32 H&R magnum, or I can shoot the easier to find in my area .327 magnum.

Buzz, My only experience w/.32 H&R mag round is through this 16-4. Recoil is nothing like .38spcl, it's a fun cartridge to shoot. I realize a 6" K frame is a bit more mass than what you're discussing.
Not tuned in to what's available in factory ammo, load my own. Rainier makes a plated 100gr RNFP which meets the encapsulated lead requirement at a range I shoot at. Berrys makes a plated wadcutter also.
I look forward to hearing how you make out.
Kevin

I had a pair of the Ruger Single Sixes in 32 mag back when they were unpopular and relatively cheap. A major gun shop in my area closed their inventory of them out around 1988 because they were not moving. I think I paid $275 or so for the pair, OTD. Those were on the 22 frame and my impression was that they had the recoil of a 22 mag with less noise and the impact of a light 38 Special.

When the CAS shooters discovered the 32 Mag prices jumped tremendously and I sold them. That handling is what I hope to duplicate with the 4” 31-1 conversion. A camping gun that carries and fires like a 22 and hits like a light 38.

It is a great choice if you can't handle the 38 anymore.

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Protected by Sigma 40VE

Buzz,

I just sent you a PM.

Regards,

Dave

I have a 332. Its very light and easy to carry. The 32 long is a pleasure to shoot. The 32 H&R also has noticibly less recoil than the .38 special. For a while 32 H&R was hard to locate commercially but lately i have not had any problems finding it. Georgia Arms usually has it in stock as well as 32 long. Buffalo Bore also has come out with two new 32 H&R rounds which they advertize as 32 H&R +P, a 100 grain jacketed hollow point and a 130 grain cast solid point. Both of these rounds have notably more oomph than the 85 grain federal, if you wanted to use these as carry rounds. Personally I would go with the model 432. It is only a few ounces heavier than the model 332 but you can use lead bullets more easily with the 432. The 332 has a titanium cylinder which is coated to prevent erosion of the cylinder and because of this you have to only clean it with a nylon brush and no abrasive cleaning chemicals or the coating will come off. The 432 doesnt have these restrictions and in my opinion is much more versatile as to what you can shoot through it.

Thanks guys,
Double-O-Dave: Got your PM, thanks.
peyton: Saw the 431 on GB, didn't find the 331.
HeyJoe: I appreciate the information on the 332 (and 331, I assume). I carry a 442 now and don't find weight unacceptable. I am guessing a (loaded) 432 would be even lighter (although 6 .32 rounds might be heavier than 5 .38's). My loaded (Hornady CD's) 442 weighs 17.4 oz. Anybody have a 432 and a scale?
Thanks again, all. I think I will spring for a 432 and a reloading press.
Buzz (cockerpoodle)

I have a 331 Ti which I had Magnaported, wolf spring kit
installed, and a bright orange site insert installed. It
Weighs 11.4 oz unloaded and is very comfortable
to shoot with the Buffalo Bore +p 100 gr JHP Hornady/ 130 grain Keith style hard cast. I find it to be the best pocket gun I have ever shot because I can shoot it very accurately at 20 feet AND 75 feet (25 yrds) with one or two hands offhand. The 130 grain hard cast Keith by Buffalo Bore is a great penetrator and causes a lot of damage with it's flat surface -- great for winter carry ( heavy clothes penetration.). The 100 grain Buffalo Bore will do around 1200 fps from a 2 in J-frame. It does 1300 from a 3" SP101 and you will lose around 75-100 fps with the 1 inch decrease in barrel. Ignore the 2" Taurus data at 1054 fps (unless that is your gun) because Taurus's have slower barrels. Here is what I recorded on the Chronograph at 10 feet:

Buffalo Bore .32 H&R Magnum 100 gr JHP
From S&W 331 Ti Magnaported
1177 feet/second
ME = (Velocity squared x bullet weight)/450240
(1,385,329 x 100)/450240
= 308 ft/lbs
Bullet expanded to .47 inches in ballistic gelatin
18 inches of penetration.

Very respectable numbers for a small caliber CCW round!
It is better than a similar weight 38 +p in ballistics and penetration.

Only if you don't mind funny looking fired cases and short case life.

Both .32 S&WL and .32 H&R Magnum are several thousandths larger in diameter than the .32-20 neck. A .32-20 reamer will not clean up either chamber. With the H&R you will have a short, ca. 1/8" normal section neck, with the remainder to the shoulder .004-.006" larger. This will cause over-working of the neck when sizing.

I bought an SP101 for my wife chambered for the .32 H+R Mag

So far only shot S+W LONGS and it is almost .22 like in recoil.

Highly reccommend...

I would think a 432 would be very close to a .38 Special in felt recoil

Hi Buzz:

My 432PD weighs 14.00 oz empty, and 17.00 oz fully loaded. This is on a small kitchen scale, but I believe the weights are accurate.

Best of luck,

Dave

any problems cleaning the lead out of the cylinder holes with the 130 grain hard cast?? since the cylinders are coated and you cant use anything abrasive on them without taking off the coating, i havent used anything other than jacketed rounds.

Just a note of thanks to all who have contributed to this discussion. My 80 year old uncle just asked me to find him a good, light weight, light recoiling revolver for self defense. Age and Agent Orange have taken thier toll on a old soldier, he can no longer safely handle his 1911A1. Looks like we need to find a good .32 H&R.

I have been carrying a 331 Ti Scan for about 8 years. It's pretty sorry looking from being in my pocket all the time. It's light enough where you almost forget it's there. I also cut the hammer so it's wouldn't snag. It get's a steady diet of 32 S&W Long 100gr lead cowboy loads that I reload. Carry ammo is Federal 32 H&R Magnum 85gr Jacketed Hollow Points. I have also carried the Georgia Arms version of the same. They are nice guns and I think a great caliber. I know I wouldn't want one launched into my eye socket. Good luck on your hunt for a good one.

I have a 337 in 38 however I bought my wife a new S&W 431PD in 32 H&R mag and put crimson trace grips on it. She has never cared much for handguns because of the recoil and even the lightest 38 load in my 337 she didnt like and was not very accurate with it . However after I got her the 431 in 32 mag she is deadly accurate with or without the laser grips. She scored 2nd in her carry permit class with it out of 26 other shooters. the 431 is the same as the 432 except it the 431 has the hammer . She practices with the 32 longs most of the time however carries it loaded with federal 85JHP . I highly recomend the 431/432 and 32mag for anyone that is recoil sensitive. I had rather her carry her 431 and have complete cofidence in it and be highly effective with it ,than her carry a 38 and be unsure and not as effective and be reluctant to practice due to the recoil. Also 32H&R mag and 32 long can be found very easily on the internet. Im actually thinking of getting another 431PD for our daugher since she is in her middle teens and love shooting the 431 and is just as effective as my wife. They can be found fairly easy on the internet new for $430

Buzz.... I'm an old guy too. I own two 332's. One fairly pristine and the other with some finish issues that I picked up on the cheap and carry often.

Yes, 32 Mag can be expensive and harder to find, certainly moreso than 38 Special. But the 332 Ti is a dream to carry and the extra round is a big plus too. Recoil (for me) is a bit "sharper", but lower and faster than a 38 in these extremely light guns. But the fact that it is extremely lightweight means I probably have it on me at any given moment - the extreme light weight goes a long way towards mitigating the J frames biggest problem, bulk. Mine goes in a custom pocket holster but the Airweight Ti does NOT weigh the pocket down much more than your car keys.

I thought about a .22Mag as an alternative, but I've never, ever found a lightweight rimfire with a decent trigger, never. Hence, the 32 Mag is my choice.

I've a had 632 a 1 7/8" (what pretty little gun) and a 432 1 7/8". Both are DAO. I can sympathize with the OP as something is wrong with both thumb joints closest to where they meet the hand. Someday's it hurts like hell sometimes no problem. The aforementioned guns are easy on recoil. I sold the 632 because somebody offered a bunch of money for it. I carried the 432 for a long time. When the ammo shortage was apparent I couldn't get .32 H&R ammo anywhere for at least a year and a half. I had some reloads and factory Federal SD ammo I saved for carry. I have had 442's a time or two and +P recoil is a little tough for me out of a 2" barrel. I traded the 432 for a 640 (steel frame) for pocket carry. I can shoot 158 gr lead out of it with not much pain. The 432 is a nice warm weather pocket gun. In winter the gangsters around here wear three or four layers of heavy clothing. I don't know if a .32 is enough for those guys layered in cotton/polyester body armor.

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SOS USA

I really enjoy my "E" frame (aluminum alloy) 2" barreled .32 H&R Magnum Centennial revolver. It wears the "goodyears" installed at the factory, and I couldn't be happier!

I couldn't care less what people think of the .32 H&R Magnum cartridge. I think it's quite sufficient at "bad breath" distances. If I fire in two double tap volleys of the "small-bore" Magnum cartridge, I'd be willing to gamble that there are few that won't fall dead from these spates of "lead injection."

An example of being "sufficient" is if the .32 S&W Long is loaded to maximum level, It carries the energy of a .22 WMRF cartridge, with a lead bullet carrying twice the mass. Surely, the .32 H&R Magnum an performs substantially better.

I like it!

Scott

I appreciate all the thoughtful comments. Just to bring this all up to date:
- I got a 432PD and am very happy with it. I carry it in a DeSantis Nemesis (right front pocket). It is light and the recoil is managable. I highly recommend it for those with sensitive joints.
- I also bought a 43C (AirLite .22lr) as a practice buddy. I've been using CCI MiniMags which are "lead free" (copper plated) and fairly easy to find around here.
- I did buy a press (Lee turret) and am learning to hand load 32's. I am using Starline .32 S&W long brass and Berry (plated) hollow-base wad cutters. So far they work fine and my range is happy. I also made up a batch of backwards-loaded wad cutters (hollow forward) which I carry for coyotes. We have very brave critters here and they have a taste for cocker-poodles (my dog Maggie). With all the horror stories about ammo availability, hand loading makes a lot of sense and is fun too.
Best wishes,
Buzz (cockerpoodle)

Merrill, how noisy is the .32 H&R compared to standard .38 Special?

Buzz:

Please check out my enclosed photos. In the group photo, my 432PD is in the upper right hand corner, and my Model 38-0 is on the lower left. My Model 642 is on the lower right. Both the Model 38-0 and the Model 642 wear Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips, while the 432PD has a set of laser lyte grips. The Crimson Trace LG-405 have a small chamber along the backstrap that results in an aircushion against your hand upon firing. They still fit well in my front pants pocket, and make a big difference when shooting. This works very well for me, and I hope you will benefit as well.

Regards,

Dave

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Does it have to be a revolver? Why not get a Sig or Walther .32 acp?
Both good guns with little recoil.

Trigernosis, just seen your question on the noise. It does have a sharper crack but in the 4 5/8 barrel length its not real bad. I have worse guns, 22 jet probley the worst, .256 win mag next worst etc. I will say it is sharper than a .38 but I wouldnt call it a deal breaker.