..32 S&W long ?

[chas1]

Hey guys i have a 31-1 3" that i enjoy shooting a lot, but due to the pain in my hands it's the largest i can shoot now at this time of my life, i had to turn over my larger calibers to my sons, my real question is "will it do the job for HD" if i ever need it? any suggestions? or should i just use my .410 snake charmer?

 

[cowboy77845]

In my opinion, if you are able to place your shots where you want them it will. It was a normal cartridge for policemen for some time. Use what you can and become most proficient with it.

 

[NFrameFred]

With modern ammo offerings the diminutive 32's are more potent than in the day of the lead round nose pills. But it's still a round that will likely require precision placement for maximum effect. An attacker may bleed out in a few minutes from peripheral hits from smaller slugs but the idea is to get him to immediately stop whatever he's doing that recommends he be shot.

Some good HP's and some Glaser Safety Slugs or Magsafes would be my choice if I had to rely on the 32 long ( I own several - just like the cartridge for nostalgia's sake) and concentrate on X ring hits.

 

[jhvaughan2]

myths of inadequacy

Thankfully most of us not in law enforcement or defense, will never have to defend ourselves with a firearm. Of the minority who will, few of those will be facing a suicidal-ultimate-soldier, high on PCP and wearing body armor.

Life is a game of managing reasonable responses to reasonable possibilities. Having a personal defense is what is important. If you can shoot it, carry it. Anyone recommending you should be ready for any contingency, should just stay home with a shotgun and battle rifle.

The .32 long has stopped many a crime by its presence and its use. Not to many people out there -- good or bad -- want to get shot with anything. Not to many are going to say. "hey that did not hurt so much, I dare you to give me another."

So carry and don't worry about all of the chart-watcher-number-crunchers-forum-junkies who tell you that what you have with you -- at the time you need it most -- will not be enough.

(p.s. I'm not saying anyone is wrong for carrying more than a .38. I'm just saying someone is NOT wrong for carrying less than a .357.)

 

[kennyb]

bullet placement is key....properly placed your 32 will be fine...

 

[Alk8944]

Just remember, if anyone tells you the .32 S&W Long (or .32 ACP, .380, etc.) are inadequate, that they all beat hell out of a rock or stick if that is all you have. Same goes for .22 LR or .25 ACP!

Part of the trick in a legitimate self-defense situation, is you don't shoot once and wait to see what happens, you shoot as many times as necessary, as fast as possible with accuracy, to eliminate the threat. If this happens with one shot good, but if it takes a full cylinder or magazine, or even a reload, to get the job done thats how many times you shoot. This applies equally to .357, .44 Mag. .45 ACP, etc. as well as it does to what are derisively referred to as "Mouse Guns".

 

[sjmjax]

I agree with much of what jhvaughan2 has to say on the subject.

A potential mugger once stopped dead in his tracks, put his hands up and said "Whoa man! I don't want any trouble, turned and ran", when I simply put my hand in my pocket to retrieve my car keys.

Being armed and prepared to use it at the right time is more than half the battle and more important than what caliber you're carrying.

 

[gagunner 2]

Georgia Arms sells 32 S&W Longs loaded with 85 gr. JHP at 850 fps.Look like a good load to me.

 

[chas1]

Thanks guys for all your responses and positive encouragement, i'm going to spend more time at the range and continue to use my 31-1 it's what i'm most comfortable with. which ammo is better suited for the task the standard lead round nose or the 100gr. wadcutter?

 

[murphydog]

My vote would be for the wadcutter - you know it will make a full-caliber hole in the target.

 

[NFrameFred]

Thanks guys for all your responses and positive encouragement, i'm going to spend more time at the range and continue to use my 31-1 it's what i'm most comfortable with. which ammo is better suited for the task the standard lead round nose or the 100gr. wadcutter?

I assume you're talking about practice rounds and any of the lead is fine but the edge in accuracy and ease of seeing the holes in the paper goes to the semi-wads. If you're using lead for SD, again the wadcutter is the one if that's all you have, but to make the most of what you've got there, some frangible rounds such as those I mentioned above are better recommended.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

The hollow points will only make a surface wound, the full metal jacket will do you the best. It will knock them down, for some years the 32 was what LE carried. The long is ok, but you will forget about pain if someone comes after you, I would keep a 38 special for the house and enjoy the 32 for play.

 

[kennyb]

+1 on the wadcutter