Alternative to .38 Special Recoil

[otis24]

Recently, I decided that I would go back to revolvers for concealed carry. After a shooting session, I decided that due to hand issues the .38 Special recoil was too much for me. I’ve been thinking of alternatives to the .38 Special. I had a S&W 940 but dumped it fairly quickly do to extraction issues. I’m also concerned about bullet pull/separation in the 9mm. How does the recoil of .32 H&R Magnum compare to .38 Special in a J frame revolver? What early model S&W revolvers were chambered in.32 H&R Magnum? Were there any all steel models? All steel/metal hammer less models?

 

[prescobd]

What .38 J frame were you shooting, a steel frame or light weight one? If using a airweight/light weight one, try a steal frame one, model 36, 60, etc., that may reduce the felt recoil. I'm not familiar with the .32 H&R models, so can't comment on that.

 

[armadillo]

I know a couple of recoil sensitive shooters who use Hornady Critical Defense Lite 38 Special ammo. It might work for you.

 

[mod29]

Try some 148-gr wadcutters. Very pleasant to shoot and they're supposed to be pretty effective for defensive use.

 

[Beju]

I've shot my father's 632UC back to back with my 642UC. Same frame, same grips, just different caliber.

His 100 gr H&R handloads in that 632UC were considerably milder than .38 Special +P JHP (I've tried Speer Gold Dot 125gr +P and Winchester Ranger Bonded 130gr +P) in my 642UC. His 85 gr handloads were like shooting extremely light .38 Special target loads. The factory Hornady .32 H&R Critical Defense 80 gr ammo was also much lighter recoiling than my .38 Special +P JHP.

I haven't shot any .32 S&W Long through it, but the heavier .32 Long bullets are capable of penetrating deep enough to hit vitals. They won't expand, but that's the trade-off to get enough penetration depth in a caliber like that.

 

[MP-5]

A nice 32 S&W long full wadcutter load.

 

[Dgfrtsgt]

I purchased a 432UC because of the recoil issues the .38 special gave me. I attended a class shooting about 350 rounds in one day. The ammo used was Magtech and PPU. Both were 98 grains traveling at 700 fps, mild. I purchased some 98 grain wadcutters from High Desert Cartridge traveling at 800 fps.The recoil on them is more but not the hand slap of a .38. I am very pleased with my decision. I had light primer strikes with the Mag tech no issues with any of the other ammo used.

 

[STCM(SW)]

32 H&K is not as bad as a 38 for sure. Will it stop a bad guy? Bullet placement in the CNS could make a difference.

 

[photoman]

Another option to consider is the 351c in 22 mag if you find the 32 to be too much. It also has the benefit of being very light weight.

 

[Dave Lively]

Before you buy a new gun try some 148 grain wadcutters. They really do have less recoil and 38 ammo is less expensive and easier to find than 32. If you are currently shooting an alloy frame 38 and can carry the extra weight a steel frame gun like a model 60 would help too.

Just make sure you buy wadcutters designed for target shooting, not hardcast wadcutters from Buffalo Bore or similar companies designed for self defense. The hard cast ones are typically stout loads that will recoil just as much or more than other 38 ammo.

I have never shot a 32 revolver but physics says they will recoil less than 38 Special in similar guns. If you want a new steel frame gun in 32 S&W doesn't make one. But Ruger chambers their SP-101 in 327 Federal which will also shoot 32 H&R. I prefer S&W but its not like Rugers are bad guns.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Another alternative is to buy a steel .357 Magnum revolver (e.g. Model 586/3" 686 Plus, PC Model 19 Carry Comp, or Model 327/627) and shoot .38 Spl. rounds. They ain't cheap, but they're heavier and will reduce recoil and some provide an extra round. There are also plenty of used ones available. Good luck!

 

[oneeyedpete]

In the old days (1950s) my LEO neighbor carried a Model 10 with 148 gr HBWCs. Under 25 yards they are accurate and punch a big hole with very little recoil. As a scrawny 8 yr old, I was able to shoot it accurately.

 

[otis24]

I was shooting.38 Special in a 4 inch Colt Trooper and a 2 3/4 inch Speed Six. I will try some 148 grain wadcutters.

 

[wrangler5]

I have developed the same aversion to recoil as I age. A 32 revolver is now my favorite if I want to shoot a lot of centerfire. The Buffalo Bore 32 H&R Magnum 100g HP load has slightly more energy than a 38 Special 158g SWCHP +P (the "FBI Load" to some) and they kick the same in similar guns. It's what I put in my carry revolvers (I have 2, a 432 and a 632) but it's too expensive to shoot much of.

Everything else in 32 H&R is lighter to much lighter recoil, as is anything in 32 Long (except maybe the Buffalo Bore loads - I haven't tried any of those.) Some of it you can shoot all day with no pain, even in the smaller J frame guns (think Detective Special size, if you're not into S&Ws.)

If you reload, you will love working with 32 revolvers - bullets are cheaper, powder goes farther, and you can tune a load to match the fixed sights of your favorite gun if you want to. But commercial 32 ammo is not as cheap or as varied as 38 Special, so if you're not a reloader I'd search around for more comfortable loads in 38. My favorite 38-shooter is a 3 inch S&W 65-3, which is pretty comparable to your Speed Six. (I really miss my 6 inch Security Six - one of the few guns I have really regretted letting go of over my 60 years of buying and selling.) With target-level wadcutters it too can be nice to shoot most of the day.

 

[bigggbbruce]

In a self defense situation, you'll have plenty of time when it's over to forget about the recoil.

 

[WaMike]

Just to chime in on the wadcutters: years ago I cast a truckload of wadcutters in a Lee die, using a wheel weights/lead mix (I have no idea of the hardness, but it's softer than regular wheel weights). They shot accurately in all my 38 Spl and 357 mag revolver, using Green Dot and Win 231 at 750 up to 900 fps. A friend and I shot a bunch into some pine boards, then into stacked newspapers. As I recall, the penetration was pretty good and the hole created was impressive. Certainly more than adequate to put down 2-legged vermin at up to 20 yards.

I also loaded some Speer (I think almost solid lead) wadcutters and the penetration was less, but the bullets expanded more. My recollection is that, because of the softer bullets, I loaded them to around 750 fps.

Anyway, one of my revolvers is a S&W Mdl 36, Chiefs Special (3" barrel) and it's not all that fun to shoot with high speed 38 Spl loads. The wadcutters are a good and comfortable load, especially under 800 fps (well, as comfortable as any Jr frame might be). I consider them my home defense load in all my 38 Spl/357 mag revolvers.

 

[fatcat3]

While I haven't been looking, but I'm fairly observant, I can't recall the last time I saw .32 anything out and about in the real world. The last thing I need is another gun with hard to come by ammo. Though if I found a good deal on a 401 power mag..... As others have mentioned standard pressure .38 it makes a difference and has been knocking the stuffing out of whatever needs it's stuffing rearranged for 100 years. What do you have for stocks? Get something that really fits your hand. For me that's pachmayr compac. Harder to conceal than boot grips is so small as not worth talking about. YMMV.
I'm with photoman, 351c 22WMR or even a 317 airlite in 22lr over hard to find .32. 22 mag/22 lr can be found anywhere.

 

[Petrov]

/please activate your sarcasm detector for my post
Have you tried carrying a PPC gun? You want feel any recoil due to the weight of the barrel.

 

[wrangler5]

To be fair, 32 Long and H&R Mag ammo IS available, but not usually in stores. You have to order it, and the shipping gets expensive for small quantities. (Of course, online, 38 Special choices are even greater.)

 

[chief38]

I would urge you to try shooting a friends Sig P365, Springfield Armory Hellcat or similar Micro9 - there are plenty to chose from now. I understand that you wanted to return to revolvers, however as we age semi auto's just make so more sense. IMHO they shoot better rounds than a 38 special and hold at least twice as many round onboard. They have much less felt recoil, are more compact, easier to shoot accurately, have better sights and are usually 5+ ounces lighter, smaller and thinner than a Model 60/36 etc. I know for a fact the Sig P365 has the option of a manual safety because I own one. I believe the SA Hellcat has that option as well. Today's micro 9's are extremely reliable and no longer a reason to stay with a wheel gun strictly for that purpose anymore.

The .32 magnum's felt recoil is not different enough from a .38 special to make any substantial difference. IMO if you are going to buy a new gun it should be something that affords you a real difference and come with many advantages as well. Remember, quite a bit of recoil is absorbed by a semi auto's action - that a revolver does not have. IMO 9 mm is the caliber of choice these days for SD purposes.