I have NO experience with either, but is 32 or 38 a better caliber for a topbreak smith that is intended to be an occasional weekend shooter?? I would like to get a topbreak (or three) and I read on another subforum here that the 38 S&W was hard to reload & he was steered towards a 38 Special instead.

Thanks, Bill

I have not had any trouble reloading .38 S&W, don't have a .32 revolver to try.

But my little SA .38 Second Model kicks a good bit.

Thanks, BTW I am right up the road from you in Lawrenceburg!!

what can be dificult about loading a shoulderless cartridge, finding factory loaded 38s@w ammo is getting tough

For shooting purposes, in a top break, the .32 S&W is such a small shell some may find it difficult to reload, but it takes only a teeny amount of powder and would be very economical. The .32's are pretty small, and would be a little more difficult to shoot. The 38 S&W is no more difficult to reload than the 38 special, except for the initial acquisition of brass to reload. The .32 S&W Long is easy to reload and very accurate, but I don't recall any Top Breaks made for it, although I am sure some were.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Ammo is available and one supplier link is below:
32 S&W (Short) : Ammunition To Go
38 S&W : Ammunition To Go

I find the 38 S&W one of the easiest cartridge to load of any out there. All the cartridges you mention are straight wall cases and a breeze to reload. I shoot all calibers and find the 38 S&W a much easier load to shoot and do not think it has much recoil. Actually, since the 32s are smaller frame, I find the are more uncomfortable in the hand than 38 S&W. If you are not looking specifically at 32 or 38 S&W, I would opt for 38 Special, since it is readily available and a good price. The Models 1899, 1902, and 1905 are affordable and great revolvers to shoot. If you want a vintage gun, look for an early serial number.

I have both calibers and shoot both in Cowboy Action side matches. I don't shoot them enough to reload for them. Ammo makers only do a single run per year of these older cartridges so it's feast or famine. When I find them, I buy them. Really fun to shoot,

I reload 32 SW, 38 SW and 32L SW. No problem at all. All fun to shoot. Dave_n