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

[Xfuzz]

I agree with chief38...

Carry what you can conceal and shoot well.
Let's face it.
Two rounds in some Mope's 10 ring is
pretty much gonna ruin his day.

 

[Dump1567]

.38 Spl offers an advantage in ammo availability. But .32 will get you an extra round and seems to be ballistically better in Gel. Assuming you can handle the recoil and make acceptable follow-up shots. Which is why most people don't choose to carry .357 mag in their 2 inchers. Shoot, even shooting +P .38 in an alloy frame will give most people more blast and recoil than they want.

A .32 is on my short list if I ever see one in the wild.

I think the best compromise between size and weight right now is the Kimber K6xs. A legit 2" barrel, 6 shots of .38 Spl., and only slightly bigger & 1.5 oz heavier than a J frame.

 

[John Patrick]

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.

For the most part I agree, but pick the 32 magnum for the extra round if both come up equal for you in other factors.

Also, fwiw, I concur and do not believe one must practice all of the time with the ammo you carry for self defense.

 

[teletech]

What I'd really like is an I-frame in 9mm(with moon clips), a modern Terrier if you will. Next would be an I-frame, but with the metallurgy improved so you could use .327mag (or at least 327 Fed, that's enough).
Do I think there's any chance S&W would release such a thing? Not a chance.
I'd switch from a J-frame to one of those tiny little .380ACP pocket guns if I could find one I can shoot as well as the J....

 

[AJ]

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.

For the most part I agree, but pick the 32 magnum for the extra round if both come up equal for you in other factors.

Also, fwiw, I concur and do not believe one must practice all of the time with the ammo you carry for self defense.

I concur with both and disagree with one point. I carry the .32 H&R Mag. as it is more controllable to me. I believe that to be a very good shot that you need to practice. Maybe not with your carry piece all the time, but with a handgun of some sort on a regular basis.

 

[colt_saa]

I concur with both and disagree with one point. I carry the .32 H&R Mag. as it is more controllable to me. I believe that to be a very good shot that you need to practice. Maybe not with your carry piece all the time, but with a handgun of some sort on a regular basis.

AJ,
You are one of the exceptions. Also you have a fantastic Shooting Facility available to you in Indian River County.

Unfortunately the Vast Majority of folks that buy a firearm for Personal Protection are not worried about being a Very Good Shot

 

[Data]

Thanks to all the feedback here. As always, much appreciated. For the most part, I have considered buying myself an AirLite or Airweight .32 caliber J-Frame vs Ruger's LCR(x)'s .327 Magnum model. I like the Ruger very well, but I prefer the Smith & Wesson J frame. I like the idea of a 6 shot revolver vs 5 shot, but it's not really much of a difference per se' and yes, I still value shot placement over ammo capacity. Does one round difference, make one any safer? What are the odds of having 6 shot over 5 shot capacity going to make a life and death difference? I don't think that question will ever be fully resolved. Too many unknown variables. But, given a choice, then the 6 shot to me is the logical choice.

Yes, I agree that the 9mm is the king of the hill now and times have changed fast forward to 2023. And yes, I do own semi-autos, but I prefer to carry a 5 shot j frame instead. I love the simplicity and it's capabilities. They all fit very well, and and are super easy to carry and conceal. For the most part, I have reconsidered my carry needs thanks to all members here on the forum. As a result, I am no longer a staunch .357 advocate for my AirLite Ti models... with respect to EDC. Yes, I am eating crow, but I am grateful for the criticisms of my past posts. I am glad that I took the time to reflect. I digress. Once again, I find myself reflecting to the responses posted.

In the meantime, I will continue the search for the elusive S&W Airlite Ti chambered in .32 H&R.

Best,
Data

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

When I became a Policeman we were issued revolvers and 38 Special 158 grain LRN. It got the job done and of course we embraced the +P and JHPs when they became popular.

Now a few years ago when I went in for my LEOSA Qualification the Rangemasters talked me into trying out the Glock pistols. So I do have a Glock 19 now.

 

[Autonomous]

Modern terminal ballistics have shown surprisingly little difference in the lethality of most handgun calibers.
It may come down to:
The .38 is much easier to find ammunition for and possibly is less expensive as well.
The .32-.327 may offer an additional round in the same gun frame.

 

[AJ]

AJ,
You are one of the exceptions. Also you have a fantastic Shooting Facility available to you in Indian River County.

Unfortunately the Vast Majority of folks that buy a firearm for Personal Protection are not worried about being a Very Good Shot

Colt_saa,

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, the Indian River Shooting Range is a good place to shoot. Was there this morning shooting a S&W 610-3 and a Ruger SR1911 10MM.

I think you are correct that the vast majority are not worried about being a good shot. Most think that they can shoot and be like the actors on TV and never miss.

AJ

 

[AJ]

Modern terminal ballistics have shown surprisingly little difference in the lethality of most handgun calibers.
It may come down to:
The .38 is much easier to find ammunition for and maybe is less expensive.
The .32-.327 may offer an additional round in the same gun frame.

Power can be a factor in choice of caliber for some. However, it is shot placement that is king. Hit the assailant in the leg with a large caliber round and they will probably go down, but may still be in the fight. Hit them in the vitals and they should go down and be out of the fight. Shot placement!!!

 

[Tim Stapp]

INDEED: Shot placement is KING! While my EDC is a M60-? with .357 chambered and speed loaders chambered in 38 spl. for reloads due to the short distance from grip to chamber, my wife carries in her airline carry on bag size purse a SAR9 semi auto. My disabled step daughter carries a .22 semi auto.


Why? In my case at 5'6-125 lbs. it's difficult to conceal anything larger. In my wife's case, she could conceal a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 Mag. In my disabled daughter's case: it's what she can handle. SHE is the most vulnerable.



I need to take HER to the range more often (as an excuse for ME to get to the range more often).

 

[Shibadog]

I believe it was Wyatt Earp who said “Speed is fine, accuracy is Final…”. Bottom line,no matter the power or quantity of ammo, if you can’t hit accurately ALL the time with it, it’s not doing you much good. Find a weapon/caliber you can shoot, then practice, practice, and practice some more. Marksmanship is a perishable still. If you don’t work to maintain it you WILL lose it. The guy that shoots 50 rds once a year is NOT the same as the guy who shoots 100/week. The latter will be far more effective even if his is a .22 than the .45 shot annually. I like a .32, and I’d buy a J frame in .327 if I could find one. I’d also reload for it and shoot it a lot. The ammo issue alone would make this tough, and prohibitively expensive,if you don’t roll your own.

 

[dickydalton]

I do reload and shoot this a lot. It is my most carried firearm.

632-2again | The High Road

 

[AJ]

I do reload and shoot this a lot. It is my most carried firearm.

632-2again | The High Road

Nice! Now if I can find one for the $300.00 I paid for my 30-1 and the reamer I borrowed to turn it into a .32 H&R Magnum. Thought about reaming it out to .327 at one point. Was not sure if it was ok to do so, so did not.

 

[AJ]

I believe it was Wyatt Earp who said “Speed is fine, accuracy is Final…”. Bottom line,no matter the power or quantity of ammo, if you can’t hit accurately ALL the time with it, it’s not doing you much good. Find a weapon/caliber you can shoot, then practice, practice, and practice some more. Marksmanship is a perishable still. If you don’t work to maintain it you WILL lose it. The guy that shoots 50 rds once a year is NOT the same as the guy who shoots 100/week. The latter will be far more effective even if his is a .22 than the .45 shot annually. I like a .32, and I’d buy a J frame in .327 if I could find one. I’d also reload for it and shoot it a lot. The ammo issue alone would make this tough, and prohibitively expensive,if you don’t roll your own.

Bat & Wyatt:

TOP 7 QUOTES BY BAT MASTERSON | A-Z Quotes

TOP 10 QUOTES BY WYATT EARP | A-Z Quotes

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm in that 100% agreement category with chief38. Not a fan of the designer calibers either. Inventing a solution for a problem that doesn't exist is what it comes down to.

Of course I'm biased in favor of .38 special because I've been carrying one for fifty years. While I won't be around I have to wonder about the longevity of the .32 magnums. .38 Spl. 125 years and still going strong.

 

[AJ]

Of course I'm biased in favor of .38 special because I've been carrying one for fifty years. While I won't be around I have to wonder about the longevity of the .32 magnums. .38 Spl. 125 years and still going strong.

Remember that most police forces in Europe carried .32's before the 9MM became the round of choice. Even some of our police forces carried .32's around the turn of the century.

 

[cemeteryman]

If you could routinely and reliably find 327Mag defensive ammo, then I'd be all for a six-shot j-frame in that caliber. But you can't, so that decision largely makes itself.

 

[dickydalton]

Nice! Now if I can find one for the $300.00 I paid for my 30-1 and the reamer I borrowed to turn it into a .32 H&R Magnum. Thought about reaming it out to .327 at one point. Was not sure if it was ok to do so, so did not.

You'll never find one like mine for $300. As to the 30-1, I have a 31-1 that I reamed to 32 H&R Mag also BUT absolutely do NOT ream one of them to 327 because the pressure will destroy your gun and hand for sure. There are a lot of 3" SP 101s on GB for $700 though.