SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I could think of three lady cops who had six shot .32 J-frames.
I was on a double Homicide Case and the bad guy had a .25 ACP and he put down two of his rivals with one shot each, WWB FMJ as I recall.
Your thoughts on .32 SW long caliber
- Thread starter Mstorm
- Start date
I could think of three lady cops who had six shot .32 J-frames.
I was on a double Homicide Case and the bad guy had a .25 ACP and he put down two of his rivals with one shot each, WWB FMJ as I recall.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I rather have six shots of 38 Special. Either a Colt Detective Special or a S&W K-frame snubby.
The wildcard?
Erich
Member
I've got a 3.25" .32 S&W Long Improved I-frame in which I've used Sharpe's Thirties load data to throw 98-grain hardcasts at over 1050 fps in the caliber. Seems like that would leave a mark, and it's accurate. 
deadin
US Veteran
When I was shooting in competition I had a Pardini in 32 long wad-cutter for the center fire leg. Great, accurate cartridge. Its only problem was it ejected the brass with gay-abandon and 32L brass was hard to come by at the time.
I used to be able to figure I was going to lose about 10 rounds for every 50 shot. (Outdoor range, tall grass on a military base where no one policed their brass. Those little suckers could blend right in...)
I used to be able to figure I was going to lose about 10 rounds for every 50 shot. (Outdoor range, tall grass on a military base where no one policed their brass. Those little suckers could blend right in...)
fccderek
Member
Good cartridge for plinking or teaching young ones to shoot. It's way on the anemic side for a self defense cartridge unless someone is wildly recoil shy. Even in that case I'd advocate for a good 38 wadcutter over the 32.
Many people underestimate the .25 ACP. With good 50 gr FMJ it will absolutely completely penetrate an upper torso with a frontal chest shot. Despite the stories of bullets practically bouncing off of clothing many people have been laid to rest by a single shot from the .25.
I am a 32 fan. I have a bunch of them. I don't carry one, but would without hesitation. I have heard for decades about how this caliber or that isn't good enough for self defense. My answer to that is usually something like, "If they are so ineffective, would you stand 10 feet away and let me put one or two into you?" For the vast majority of us, the presentation of a firearm will stop whatever nefarious action we might encounter. in those cases where it might not, any gun you carry is better than not having one. And a hit beats a miss every time. For those who are proficient with big bore guns, by all means carry the biggest you like. For lots of folks, 6 rounds of 32 long is ok too. Probably lots of dead folks who can attest to the effectiveness of 32s, 22s, and 25s.
Like the 38 Special and 45 ACP, it is an inherently accurate round and is fun to shoot, easy to reload.
max503
Member
For the longest time I've had a 32 wadcutter mold. Been looking for a gun to feed with it but haven't run across a proper deal.
max503
Member
How do you like that H&R as a shooter? Looks like something someone would buy to carry but not shoot. I've seen them for sale and they go cheap.
Green Frog
Member
No problem. Just cast up a thousand or two and ship them to me. I’ll load and shoot them here in your honor. No need to thank me, I’m just that kind of nice guy. In fact, I’ll even pay shipping.
Froggie
Green Frog
Member
… and then there was the bar called Jack S***’s in rural PA where I saw a young lady walking around with darts in her hand. I asked if there was a dart board around somewhere to which she replied, “Naw, I just don’t like to be here unarmed!”
Maybe they could put some targets up in the roadhouses to save wear and tear on walls, tables, and patrons. Sorta like the zimmerstutzens from pre War Germany. 32 S&W (shorts) would be ideal.
Froggie
Maybe they could put some targets up in the roadhouses to save wear and tear on walls, tables, and patrons. Sorta like the zimmerstutzens from pre War Germany. 32 S&W (shorts) would be ideal.
Froggie
I found a used model 36 marked .32 S&W Long. Best I can tell sans a factory letter, someone converted it into .32 S&W Long. And was even nice enough to ream it out to .32 H&R mag.
It's a great little gun with light recoil. I finally bought some .32 H&R magnum Hornady Critical Defense ammo to try out in it. Recoil was lighter than I expected and did pretty well accuracy wise (5 shots at 8 yards shown below).
I think the .32 S&W Long is a great plinking or practice round. And you get 6 instead of 5. If you are a shooter who is recoil sensitive, there are a few self-defense offerings that meet the FBI's 12 inch minimum in penetration standards.
It's a great little gun with light recoil. I finally bought some .32 H&R magnum Hornady Critical Defense ammo to try out in it. Recoil was lighter than I expected and did pretty well accuracy wise (5 shots at 8 yards shown below).
I think the .32 S&W Long is a great plinking or practice round. And you get 6 instead of 5. If you are a shooter who is recoil sensitive, there are a few self-defense offerings that meet the FBI's 12 inch minimum in penetration standards.
biblethumpincop
Member
There are 3 pages of S&Ws in 32 long on Gunbroker. The earlier J frame models work well, but have a shorter cylinder than the later J frame ones. The J frame cylinders are easy to ream to 32 H&R
Another route is one to pick up a J frame 38 and install a 32 barrel and cylinder
I just won a model 36 that is a bit rough, I already have a cylinder reamed to 32 H&R and a 4" 32 barrel, plus, a J frame rear sight. Once I get back from the job I am going on I am going to make up a 4" adjustable sight 32 H&R mag and give the cylinder frame and barrel a bath in my blue tanks
Another route is one to pick up a J frame 38 and install a 32 barrel and cylinder
I just won a model 36 that is a bit rough, I already have a cylinder reamed to 32 H&R and a 4" 32 barrel, plus, a J frame rear sight. Once I get back from the job I am going on I am going to make up a 4" adjustable sight 32 H&R mag and give the cylinder frame and barrel a bath in my blue tanks
As others have pointed out, 32 SWL was once very common as a self defense and even as police issue firearms.
I like them. I wouldn’t feel overly handicapped carrying one. However, I do have a nice performance center 642-2 in 327 that I’d seriously trust.
The have great accuracy potential. Admittedly this was when I was younger (62)!
I like them. I wouldn’t feel overly handicapped carrying one. However, I do have a nice performance center 642-2 in 327 that I’d seriously trust.
The have great accuracy potential. Admittedly this was when I was younger (62)!
Attachments
StrawHat
Member
Jim,
Have you considered converting it from the coil spring to a proper leaf spring?
Kevin
The coil spring setup bothers me not at all. I chased the perfect light trigger pull back when I shot PRC. I noticed practice did a whole lot more for me than light trigger pull. I have since made an effort to be a better trigger puller. While I don't like heavy trigger pulls and see no good reason to put up with them I am much more concerned with having a smooth trigger.
lawandorder
Member
Jim check your messages.
Thanks.
Thanks.
max503
Member
I don't like how GB tacks on ~$50 from the get-go for shipping.
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