Concealed Carry: .38 Special vs .32 Magnum(s)

[Data]

What is the consensus here on the S&W Forum ...

Question:

Does the .38 Special offer a greater advantage than the .327 Magnum or .32 H&R Magnum in context of a snub nose revolver with a 2" or less?

My take ...
While there is nothing wrong a with 5 shot .38 Special, it seems to me that perhaps Smith & Wesson could start producing a 6 shot .327 Magnum J-frame because of it's greater versatility and "relative" stopping power compared to .38 Special. Absurd as it seems, why is Smith & Wesson lagging behind the times when it comes to offering this new caliber? It seems to me that Ruger is the leader in revolver caliber offerings as for concealed carry options. Why? or Why not? What's your take on this subject?

 

[OFT II]

It depends on which you shoot best.

 

[mikerjf]

Some aspects to consider:

1. For a lightweight alloy snub, what .32 family cartridge would give equal performance at equivalent recoil to the .38 wadcutter?

2. Many .38 revolvers are .357 revolvers, so you may be comparing against a 357 - maybe even one that he can shoot in his lever gun.

3. You don't want to invite 9mm or 30 Super Carry to the party?

My real opinion is, why not? Engineering is pretty much done, not that many parts changed, so it becomes a question of sales.

 

[chief38]

IMHO .38 special ammo has become a bit harder to find - at least in any descent selection. 32, or 327 magnum is even more difficult and I don't quite see any huge advantage, maybe 1 extra shot in some revolvers.

Aside from choosing a CCW gun for its performance and conceal-ability, one must also strongly consider the ammo availability, cost and selection available locally. Personally I have always stayed clear of what I call "money maker" calibers. By that I mean calibers invented mostly as a money making scheme. I truly don't see any need for the 327 magnum and many that have come and gone (or on their way out) such as 357 Sig, 17 rimfire, 357 Maximum, etc. To me it's just a ploy to get people to buy another gun and ammo at inflated prices. These calibers are needed like we need more inflation - they are just splitting hairs! IMHO there has not been a really significant new cartridge since the 40 S&W was introduced and that is also on its way out as many LE agency's have found it too stout for many of their Officers who can not handle the recoil and lack of accuracy because of it.

Right now the King of the Hill in handguns is the 9mm. While it wasn't always that way in America, the caliber has been improved so much over the last decade, the guns that handle it like the Micro 9's have improved so drastically, that it has now been toppling even the trued and true .38 special. yes, here on this Forum many still carry a 38 special, but look at who we are......

When at the Range every week, all the younger generation seems to be shooting in handguns for SD is 9mm, .380acp and a spattering of 45acp. My suggestion is when buying a new SD / HD / EDC gun, choose wisely and think about the ammo availability.

 

[Mule Packer]

In my opinion, which probably isn't worth much, chief38 nailed it right on the head. Sound advice!

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am also inclined to go with Chief38 on this one.

 

[Rule3]

The 38 special offers NO advantage over a 327 Federal!
The 327 is more potent for a SD ammo. Heck most 380 ACP is better than 38 special but then we get into ammo wars!


I chronoed 327 Fed with 115 gr XTP at around 1200 fps from a 2" barrel

SW made the 632 Pro and Pro Comp with longer barrel and external hammer.

I have the 2 inch stainless 6 shot

Guess they did not sell enough

 

[JFthunder]

I did not “want” to like Chief38’s analysis… but it is right on the mark. I’m struggling with the modernization. I think my recently acquired LC9 (not 9S) may be replacing my M38. Heaven forbid I’m forced to change “JF” to “LC” in my user name.

 

[moonsterman]

I believe one needs to look at why they are carrying a handgun to begin with , for me its two reasons first presence in any conflict your presence is a huge factor and this of course includes drawing a gun.Most people (bad guys) are like water they will take the path of least resistance which means not screwing with the person who has a gun. Second for me is to create space to run a way , if I am up against a seal team or 5 armed thugs I am not sure the 13rds of 9mm compared to 5 shots of 357cal will make much differnce for the record I love the 32 as well and wish s&w would bring a 6 shot j frame back. My point to all this I think ppl way over think ccw , just having one is the first step it is in my opinion like having insurance , its something I have that I hope I never need to use! I often wonder if ppl put as much thought into the flashlight , pocket knife or other edc items they should be carrying on a daily bases?

 

[jbull380]

LE changing from 40 to 9 because of recoil was less of a factor for us than ammo availability. On top of that while we were researching duty ammo choices I read where it was becoming increasingly difficult for medical examiners to tell the difference in wound channels from 9mm .40SW and .45 ACP as bullet design and velocity improves.

 

[Old cop]

When I was forced to use my department issued .38 it did the job so that’s what I stay with in retirement. As to those other calibers some may be hard to find & expensive, impacting range time.

 

[413Maxwedge]

I don't ever expect to find myself in a "movie" gunfight. Me against a SWAT Team, or against a Columbian cartel. No, I carry because I work in the bad neighborhoods of a dangerous city and there's always a sketchy character around.

In my opinion ANY handgun caliber will do what I carry for. Any junkie or 15yo "wanna be" gangster will think twice when I draw on him in self defense. They're looking for EASY victims.
And If I actually need to fire, my .38+P vs your .327 vs his 9mm really doesn't matter....
The bad guy is either running, crying or dying. Geeking out on ballistic gel results is irrelevant in 5' real-world self defense situations.

 

[AJ]

Carry and shoot what you shoot well. If you can't make all all your shots into a 5X on a B27 target at 3 yards in about 3 seconds, then go back to the drawing boards and find something to shoot so you can. Practice, practice, practice!!!

 

[Countrycuz]

A timely discussion, as I just saw a Ruger.327 for sale the other day, and was tempted. Of course they didn't have any.327 ammo in stock, which is always what stopped me before. On the plus side, there are other.32 ammo options, at least for practice. So I'm still on the fence, probably like a lot of others, which is why S&W is in no hurry to revisit the .327 mag.

 

[BAM-BAM]

There's a reason it called "Guns & Ammo"
............one is no good without the other.

If you want a .32 magnum go for it .... but recommend you buy and stack your "stash" deep!

 

[AJ]

There's a reason it called "Guns & Ammo"
............one is no good without the other.

If you want a .32 magnum go for it .... but recommend you buy and stack your "stash" deep!

Or reload as I do....

 

[pawngal]

For the average shooter the .327 is no fun to shoot in a small revolver. I owned both the S&W 632-1 and Ruger LCR. Sold the Smith, still have the Ruger because I have other .32 cal ammo that I can shoot in it.
But the .327 is a hoot to shoot in a Ruger Blackhawk!
I'll stick with .38 in a J frame.

 

[max503]

As much as I love revolvers, I think they are falling out of favor. Kids now-a-days learn shoot-em-up video games rather than Cops and Robbers or Cowboys and Indians. Those influences are reflected in what they buy when they get old enough to participate in our sport.
So no. I don't think 32 revolvers would be very marketable.
But that's not what the OP asked.
The manager at Farm and Home got surly when I asked if they could get a Taurus 32 for me.
They have a good number of Taurus 38's under the glass.

 

[Amp]

38 is what i carry.
Its a plus that i shoot it in bullseye and reload too.

 

[colt_saa]

I would never make a decision for a Personal Protection gun because of the availability of ammunition right now.

Things were different with ammunition availability ten years ago and things will be different ten years from now. If you buy two cases of practice ammunition and one case of Personal Defense ammunition at the time you purchase your sidearm, you are probably set for life.

If like myself, AJ and Amp you are a hand loader, ammunition availability is a non-issue

Neither of these cartridges are significantly different in stopping power so buy the firearm that you are comfortable with and can shoot well. That is a FAR more Important issue

A difference of one round in either direction is not a game changer.