The 442 and 432 are both blued steel and aluminium alloy, J frame, Centennial type revolver with 2" barrels. The 442 is in .38 Special and the 432 is .32 H&R Magnum. The .32 is a longer, rimmed revolver cartridge and the .32 auto is a short, semi-rimmed auto cartridge. The .32 H&R is generally regarded as more powerful than the .32 auto.
Both revolvers are designed for concealed carry and operate in double action only mode. I have had both revolvers. The .38 is probably more effective as a defensive revolver than the .32. The .32 holds six versus five cartridges in the .38 revolver. The .32 Mag ammo is much less available and is very limited in what one can get from the factory. .38 Special is much more available(in the past anyway) and there are many, many options for types of bullets and velocity levels.
The only advantage I can determine for the 432 over the 442 is that .32 Mag is less punishing to shoot in an Airweight revolver compared to the .38. If one has arthritis in the hand as I do, the lighter recoil can be conducive to shooting better with the smaller caliber. Other than that, I believe the .38 to be a more effective revolver and it can be mastered with practice. Between the two, if recoil isn't a major issue, I would pick the 442 for serious social interactions.
