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

[Well Armed]

I think if you're limited to factory ammo the .32 doesn't make sense, but if you're loading it makes a lot of sense.

Yup, I agree. If you already own .32, if you reload, or if you just want one and don't care about the cost, it makes more sense. If you're thinking about getting into .32 for the first times, there are pros and cons that should be taken into consideration.

 

[Dave Lively]

I do find the cynical grumbling perplexing. An improved version of one the most timeless carry/back up guns is released and some seem annoyed by it. Not to mention one of our forum brothers was integral in getting this project to fruition. The firearms community really is its own worst enemy at times.

The grumbling is both perplexing and common. There is a pretty big group on gun forums that denounces every new gun as "DOA", "an answer to a question no one asked" or "a solution to a non-existent problem". And take great joy in watching anything new fail.

Gun technology is very mature at this point. Most improvements are going to be small evolutionary steps, not huge leaps forward. I will not be buying one of these but in either 32 or 38 they seem like a nice improvement over the standard J frame. Nothing revolutionary but still an upgrade.

 

[Chubbs103]

I'm pretty sure anyone considering one of the new .32 J frames knows what they are getting into.

I've only been shooting .32 HR for about 2 years now, but it has really grown on me. With 98 gr WC or SWC my Single Six is cheap to feed (I reload) and very accurate. My 1894 Marlin will shoot 90 gr JHC going 1600fps into .75" at 50 yards.

 

[riverrat38]

Most on this thread are comparing 32 H&R Mag v. 38 Spl, with the main difference being lighter but faster ammo. And 5 v. 6 rounds.
I am looking at the difference between 22 LR and 32 Long. 8 rounds v 6.
I bought a M43C, thinking that would be a good carry revolver for me. I am 81 YO with wrist and finger damage. Also, shoulder. There were several things I didn't like about the 43C, such as the available ammo seemed wrong for SD. Mostly made for plinking and rodents. Also, the hammer spring needs to be very stiff to light off rim fire ammo. Hard with my hands. The ammo still is less reliable than center fire. And, with the aluminum cylinder, I would get difficult extraction after abbot 50 rounds. Then, I needed to run a patch through the chambers. Not really a problem for carry in a clean gun.
Since 32 cal is the smallest caliber center fire for a revolver, I have been thinking about using it in a small, lightweight revolver. I looked at Ruger LCR, but no small revolver fits my hand and "style" as much as a J frame.
I reload, but have to use plated or jacketed ammo at the indoor range that I have available. With Rainier out of the bullet business, the only plated bullets I can find are the 71gr ones by Berry. Otherwise, it's 85 or 100gr XTP's. I would probably sell the grips on the new model, as I don't want the back strap covered. I like the trigger reach with true boot grips. I have modified Ahrends boot grips that I thinned down and reworked the finger groves to fit. I would use those. They have several coats of Tung oil that I like. Grips are almost black now. We shall see. The reworked trigger action sounds good to me. Maybe someone at S&W has been shooting a Kimber K6S double action. I wouldn't mind if S&W was influenced by the nice trigger pull on the Kimber.

73,
Rick

 

[Data]

The grumbling is both perplexing and common. There is a pretty big group on gun forums that denounces every new gun as "DOA", "an answer to a question no one asked" or "a solution to a non-existent problem". And take great joy in watching anything new fail.

Gun technology is very mature at this point. Most improvements are going to be small evolutionary steps, not huge leaps forward. I will not be buying one of these but in either 32 or 38 they seem like a nice improvement over the standard J frame. Nothing revolutionary but still an upgrade.

Good point.

I am excited for the new Lipsey's J frame chambered in .32 H&R to become available soon. However, I think the upgrades are nice, but they are not my reason for my wanting a J Frame chambered in.32 H&R. I would much rather prefer a factory standard 431PD, or 432PD over the Lipsey's upgrade any day of the week.

 

[glenncal1]

The correct answer is to buy all three, e.i., 431pd, 432pd, and 432UC, if you can get them at a reasonable price

Hey-don't forget the 331 and 332 as well.

 

[Doug M.]

How well you will use the sights under stress is a training matter. Read the reports from serious people who were knee deep in excrement (like Cirillo) and you will see that they use the sights because they trained accordingly and it mattered. Cirillo performed well under serious stress when he was on the stakeout squad because he had trained to use the sights and DID so.

Much of the ballistic difference between rounds is overcome by placement; the knowledge of target locations on the human body is vital and has improved a lot in the last 40 years. I suspect I would rely on Nyeti's research and opinions; he has BTDT.

This revolver does not appeal to me at this time for factors peculiar to me, one of which is I really don't like J frames. That is not a valid basis for negative opinions, and some of the feedback I see reminds me of a religious fanatic finding out that their favorite part of the Bible was not properly translated from Hebrew or Aramaic 2000 years ago. Folklore is not doctrine. Quitcher bellyaching. A very knowledgable man has worked hard to get a good product produced, and I really don't think any of the critics know enough to critique the outcome, just as a lot of people don't know the difference between a dobro and a Jake brake.

As one poster above notes, getting older and arthritic makes one revisit what works for HIM/HER as a defense gun. I'm not there yet, but I suspect my time will come if I live that long.

 

[malph]

I have bought 3 of the newer alloy J frames and they all have decent triggers. No noticeable difference from my older ones. But as long as they are smooth with no hitched I don't worry that much about it as long as I can keep the sights in line as I pull the trigger. They are not target guns in the first place. Minute of paper plate at 15 yards works for me

Paper plates at 15 yards is a good "standard" for the alloy J frames. If you can do that on demand and with some speed, you can do what reasonably needs to be done with these guns.

I doubt the action geometry on these new Lipsey guns has changed. Sounds like theyve gone to different pins for durability. There might be some different springs and a little more attention paid to action smoothness.

I just have a hard time seeing Smith change the action after so many years. Maybe I'm wrong but I'd bet against the action being changed.

 

[Jdj]

Most on this thread are comparing 32 H&R Mag v. 38 Spl, with the main difference being lighter but faster ammo. And 5 v. 6 rounds.
I am looking at the difference between 22 LR and 32 Long. 8 rounds v 6.
I bought a M43C, thinking that would be a good carry revolver for me. I am 81 YO with wrist and finger damage. Also, shoulder. There were several things I didn't like about the 43C, such as the available ammo seemed wrong for SD. Mostly made for plinking and rodents. Also, the hammer spring needs to be very stiff to light off rim fire ammo. Hard with my hands. The ammo still is less reliable than center fire. And, with the aluminum cylinder, I would get difficult extraction after abbot 50 rounds. Then, I needed to run a patch through the chambers. Not really a problem for carry in a clean gun.
Since 32 cal is the smallest caliber center fire for a revolver, I have been thinking about using it in a small, lightweight revolver. I looked at Ruger LCR, but no small revolver fits my hand and "style" as much as a J frame.
I reload, but have to use plated or jacketed ammo at the indoor range that I have available. With Rainier out of the bullet business, the only plated bullets I can find are the 71gr ones by Berry. Otherwise, it's 85 or 100gr XTP's. I would probably sell the grips on the new model, as I don't want the back strap covered. I like the trigger reach with true boot grips. I have modified Ahrends boot grips that I thinned down and reworked the finger groves to fit. I would use those. They have several coats of Tung oil that I like. Grips are almost black now. We shall see. The reworked trigger action sounds good to me. Maybe someone at S&W has been shooting a Kimber K6S double action. I wouldn't mind if S&W was influenced by the nice trigger pull on the Kimber.

73,
Rick

I’d be interested in the grips if you decide to sell them.

 

[VictorLouis]

My LGS went so far as to phone his Lipsey's rep today. He was told there is no availability until late Feb. I had him put my name on his wish-list, LOL.

 

[31FordA]

I stopped by a local shop today. They expect to see them in March and put my name on the list they have started for them. They quoted me $649 plus tax.

 

[Jdj]

I stopped by a local shop today. They expect to see them in March and put my name on the list they have started for them. They quoted me $649 plus tax.

Mine quoted me $720 last week & $759 today (+tax). Also want $150 deposit. Still trying to make up my mind on which one I’m getting. Anyone else getting quotes at $650?

 

[SquarePizza]

So none of my dealers can get them, they say that lipseys has already alloted the first release to preferred dealers. Its making me really nervous that these will be short run guns that get snapped up by collectors and become too inflated in price to carry.

 

[1BadSmith]

Took me 2 minutes to find 32 SWL For $0.36 a round. .....

Please share where you're seeing this for $18/box??

 

[CH4]

Can't dispute the lack of factory ammo options and availability. Then there's the OVER a $1 per round for each round compared to $0.33 per round for 38 Special. One cylinder of 32H&R will cost almost $7 compared to $1.65 or so with 38 Special. A hundred rounds of 32H&R will cost over $100, whereas a box of 100 of 38 Special is $33. Seems like a revolver/caliber that would rarely be shot at the range.


Next, the fact that there are 38 Special 90 and 110 grain NON +P rounds that have similar velocities and muzzle energy compared to .32 H&R. There are 38 Special rounds that are explicitly engineered to have less recoil and muzzle flash. There's a huge variety and spectrum of 38 Special offerings, so I don't understand the argument with regards to recoil. Plus, it's not doing anything impressive or necessarily special in the ballistic performances department.

Lastly, the .32H&R and 38 Special revolver offerings are the same size and weight. It's not like the smaller caliber offers any advantages in that regard either.

Seems like there are a few cons and only one pro which is the one extra round that comes with the .32H&R offerings, but you're giving up a lot to have that extra round. IMHO, S&W blundered in not chambering it in 327 Mag instead with the option of firing .32H&R. I just don't see it selling well after the initial small motivated minority purchases one. I'm glad they made it for those who want one, but I'd caution you all to get them while you can because they maybe hard to find and/or will be discontinued in the future. There's a very small niche market for .32H&R, and I highly doubt S&W will set aside machines and manufacturing slots to bring many to the market over the more popular and better selling 38 Special Centennials.

Because it’s not a 38
Because I make my own 32
Because it has 6 shots
Because it’s different
Because I want one

 

[Cotis]

Was I dreaming or did I read something about a potential K frame version in the future? That one would really trip my trigger…

 

[VictorLouis]

The Lipsey's wholesale is $599. I can't begrudge a dealer asking less than 10% margin for what's going to be a hot-ticket.

 

[Data]

Too bad they will never be on the CA list.

Truly sad.

 

[Doug M.]

Nyeti said about that they are working on getting it listed in CA. He is more patient than I would be with that process.

BTW: quibbling about ballistic performance between most handgun calibers is talking about very modest difference in terms of personal defense. Look at what real experts have said (see the Patrick and Hall book I have cited several times; the works of Dr. Fackler and his successor Dr. Roberts). A handgun is what you carry because you have no specific reason to expect a problem; a long gun is what you should be using if you have reason to expect a problem and can't arrange to be elsewhere. Placement generally is more important than the actual ballistic "power".

 

[Dump1567]

Please share where you're seeing this for $18/box??

Go to ammo seek and do a search. Gman sports had it at $17.97 for a box of 50 but is currently out of stock. Other sellers are at $20-$22 for 50.

But with the news of this release, I'm pretty sure people are buying this ammo up.