.32 H&R coming back to the J frame - Ultimate Carry by Lipsey

[fccderek]

MSRP $759

If it's an "allocated" item, you will see exactly one at your LGS within 18 months. And not for a penny less than MSRP.

I see a lot of eye candy here but no real gain in practical performance. Front sight looks snaggy and grips too big for pocket/hideout carry. A simple red ramp would have sufficed for the accuracy potential of an aluminum frame DAO, and been lower profile with the usual fixed rear sight. Yeah I'm not seeing what is so great about this, other than a long-ignored calibre.

If S&W eventually makes a plain jane version, and a steel frame exposed hammer version, I might be interested.

It may sell, until the customer fails to see any .32 H&R Mag ammo on the shelf, and the price when it finally appears. I say this as a proponent of this round.

I've got the identical grips on my M&P340 and they hide in a pocket or ankle holster just fine, with no telltale printing. The front sight on this model is quite similar to the XS big dot I've got, and it doesn't snag unless you're not using a pocket holster, which should never be the case. I agree about 32H&R. I haven't seen it on a shelf in ages, and its not very widely available online, and not in any large quantity. As much as I love reloading I won't buy a caliber without it having readily available quality defensive ammo.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Extremely well thought out design.

Every feature seems ideal for the purpose of concealed and carry with a revolving central-fire pistol.

 

[BarryinIN]

A Lipseys' rep has posted elsewhere today that they are trying for the same or similar models in the K frame, but that may be next year. I'm very happy about these new UC J frames, but I'm ecstatic over the idea of a similar K frame.
Come on Model 12UC!

 

[Lucnic]

Grips, shrouded ejector rod, trigger job, sights regulated for modern ammunition. What took them so long? J-Frame fans been wanting this for decades. I’ll buy one. Looks like S&W is paying attention to Kimber.

 

[malph]

Everything looks like an upgrade and I might be tempted, but one thing puzzles me: why .32 H&R instead of .327 Federal?

My guess is the aluminum frame they are using can handle the pressures of the .32 H&R but not the .327.

If they wanted to go with the .327 they'd probably have to use a steel frame or scandium alloy.

 

[malph]

Grips, shrouded ejector rod, trigger job, sights regulated for modern ammunition. What took them so long? J-Frame fans been wanting this for decades. I’ll buy one. Looks like S&W is paying attention to Kimber.

I think you are right. Kimber has shown some innovation and Colt is producing some nice revolvers.

Maybe Smith is finally waking up now that it had some real competition in the revolver market.

 

[Data]

.38 Spl. will also be available.
Per the website, MSRP will be $759. 632UC, 432UC, 442UC, & 642UC.

I’ll be all over either of the .32’s.

Lipsey's Exclusive: Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry J-Frame - YouTube

Thanks for posting this. That is exciting news! Been wanting to get my hands on a .32 j frame at a reasonable price for quite some time now.

 

[CH4]

Cool!
I’ll definitely be checking them out at the SHOT Show this week.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

I lurk at pistol forum, apparently one of the members there had a lot of input into this. I’d love a 3 inch version or even better a K Frame. Omitting the Hilary hole and usable sights are a major step in the right direction. I’m optimistic about the future of new Smith revolvers going forward. Please don’t let me down!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Too bad they will never be on the CA list.

 

[nyeti]

I lurk at pistol forum, apparently one of the members there had a lot of input into this. I’d love a 3 inch version or even better a K Frame. Omitting the Hilary hole and usable sights are a major step in the right direction. I’m optimistic about the future of new Smith revolvers going forward. Please don’t let me down!

I am that guy. This is the first of many projects. The things that were critical on this will be with everything. No lock, sights that are functional, reliable, and efficient for the mission the gun is intended to fill. I cannot reference the entity we created that is doing the consulting and training stuff on this forum, so my posting will be extremely limited if any, but we do have a very in depth understanding of what is needed to make solid revolvers.

 

[malph]

I am that guy. This is the first of many projects. The things that were critical on this will be with everything. No lock, sights that are functional, reliable, and efficient for the mission the gun is intended to fill. I cannot reference the entity we created that is doing the consulting and training stuff on this forum, so my posting will be extremely limited if any, but we do have a very in depth understanding of what is needed to make solid revolvers.

Firstly, thanks for your role in bringing these revolvers to fruition. This seems to be the best thing Smith had done with their revolver line in quite some time.

I have one question though. In Lipsey's video introduction of the revolvers, they said Smith changed the geometry of some parts to achieve a lighter, smoother trigger pull.

Is that for real? Did Smith really change the revolver's internals?

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

I’d be curious to know also about what parts changed and in knowing about interchangeability for adapting any pre-existing j frame internals for upgrade. Not sure I’d actually change internals but it’s always good to know options.

I’m glad to see 32 H&R mag getting more love. In answer to those asking for 327 fed mag chamberings I think availability would be neat but in interest of keeping cost down the H&R mag probably makes more sense. The full bore 327s are really no fun to shoot unless out a larger platform… in a lightweight j frame… no thanks. There are some fairly warm 32 h&r mag loads out there. I hope the market produces more and widely available ammo offerings in that cartridge.

I think my biggest reason that I’d love one of these ultimate carry Lipseys is the drift adjustable rear sight. Match that with 32 h&r chambering and I’d be happy as can be.

 

[steelslaver]

Everything looks like an upgrade and I might be tempted, but one thing puzzles me: why .32 H&R instead of .327 Federal?

Having made a alloy J frame into a 327 mag, to me the answer is recoil. It is a pretty big jump in recoil from 32H&R. It is not that it is painful, but controlling it in such a small light gun and getting back on target for a second shot takes way longer.

 

[steelslaver]

I lurk at pistol forum, apparently one of the members there had a lot of input into this. I’d love a 3 inch version or even better a K Frame. Omitting the Hilary hole and usable sights are a major step in the right direction. I’m optimistic about the future of new Smith revolvers going forward. Please don’t let me down!

Like this K frame I made up in 327 mag

 

[Dump1567]

I have no problem finding .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Mag. online. In fact, midwayusa has both in stock right now. Even my local Sportsmans warehouse has .32 S&W Long. And Buffalo Bore offers both in a +P loading they claim is safe in any .32 H&R mag guns if you need more power. With these being released, I would think manufacturers will probably increase production.

 

[glenncal1]

Well there goes $700 of my hard earned dollars My EDC currently is a 332ti, here is a new version, with better sights, better trigger and bigger grips. .32 H&R is a decent round and goes well with a J frame.

 

[nyeti]

To answer a couple questions.
Yes, there are internal engineering changes to offer better durability and the test guns have great triggers out of the box.

I am a huge fan of .32. I have been running .327 LCR’s and various Smiths extensively. .327 Fed Mag is a great round, BUT you cannot run it a lightweight aluminum frame gun. Has Ruger done the LCR in .32 H&R (or a variant) like this one it would be in the 5 ounce lighter .38 lightweight frame LCR and not in the .357 Magnum weight LCR. I use these guns extensively and actually train and shoot. The juice is not worth the squeeze of the trade off in recoil, and strew on the gun to put .357 or .327 in sub pound guns. For those who think it is irrelevant, that has not been my experience as a high level instructor for 35 years and running the biggest revolver centric training class at Gunsite every year. We see far better consistent performance with rounds that have low recoil in the snubs. That is why I pushed so hard early in this project for a .32 H&R version. Personally, I run .32 Long in rounds that we have seen solid performance in gelatin testing.

 

[Data]

How does one go about ordering from Lipsey?

Lipsey's is a distributor only.

You can do an inquiry with your local FFL Gun Store and place a special order.

 

[waffles]

I have had truly awful QC/durability issues with modern S&W revolvers, I have better carry options, and I absolutely do not need another airweight revolver, but damned if they haven't made exactly what I really wanted back when I carried a J frame a lot. I'm going to have a really hard time not ending up with one of those .32s, though the 38 doesn't look too shabby either.