J Frame 32 H&R Magnum for Deep Concealment

[MTK20]

I have been seeing the J frame 32 Magnum revolvers around lately.

The situation is this: For discreet carry in nice clothes (such as a small dress trouser pocket). Think of a situation where you can't carry a real gun, but a M&P Body Guard 380, Beretta Tom Cat 32, Keltec P3AT, or J frame.

I purposefully left out the P365, as I own one and even in roomy trousers, it has some angles on it that make me think it might be just a tad too big, yet I have worn a J frame just fine in dressy situations.

1. What is 32 HR magnum good for? Is it better than 38 special or 380?

2. Would a M&P Body Guard 380 be the ultimate deep carry gun compared to a 6 shot 32 magnum J frame? (the BG 380 is noticeably more compact than even the P365 in 9mm).

3. I know the 5 shot 38 has saved countless officer lives as a BUG. Is ditching the tried and true 38 J frame really worth it just to get that one extra round from the 32 magnum J frame?

4. Would a Colt Cobra 38 (6 shots) be much more noticeable than a 5 shot J frame? I have never done a side by side comparison in size.

Tell me your opinions. When posting let me know if you actually own a J frame or a 32 magnum, that way I know if you are speaking from experience or just waxing philosophical .

 

[kmonroe99]

I carry a S&W 332 Ti in a pocket holster. I put some KN wood grips on it. It's loaded with Buffalo Bore standard pressure .32 H&R Mag. hard cast wadcutters. Is it better than this, that or the other? Who knows; it's light, easy to carry and very easy to shoot accurately. I've been giving serious consideration to getting one of the new 432 UC models also.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm seriously tossing around the idea of a 432 UC-Ti. But I've been carrying Airweights for 52 years and never considered them "deep cover" weapons. Loaded up with lighter bullets just under a pound. I have a 351 C that's significantly easier to carry and hide, but still a bit bulky. The reason for the 432 Ti model is to cut some weight and have better sights. But it's still heavier than a 340 PD.

I've read that the ballistics are in the .380 range. That doesn't bother me, the hotter .380's are pretty good. I have a Ruger LCP MAX that can really be concealed. With the 10 to 12 rounds even that can cause some pocket droop. The standard LCP with 6 rounds is incredibly small and light. With either you have to consider reliability. Which always brings me back to the revolver.

My wish list carry would be a 340 PD-UC with real sights and the smoother trigger in maybe 327 Magnum?

 

[Dump1567]

Bodyguard 2.0 or LCP Max is a good higher capacity option (10+1, or 12+1). I just picked-up one of each. And they are smaller/lighter than a J frame (depending on the model). I do prefer my 432 (.32 H&R) over my 342 (.38 spl.) for that extra round. The Kimber K6xs isn't too much bigger/heavier than a J and you get that extra round of .38 spl. Think Colt Det. size.

There's a lot of options. Carry whatever works best for you.

Due to my large hands, I run bigger grips than most people. But I also don't pocket carry.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I carry a model 32 .38 S&W quite a lot . I load my own ammo and use the .357 Speer GD HP short barrel bullet with enough Herco to get right around 900 fps in the short gun and over 1000 fps in a 4" barrel. Don't think the .32 Magnum will beat it . The .327 Federal might if you can find one. I have considered the Taurus version in .327 Federal . As far as .380's go I carry a Ruger LCP II in my hip pocket a bunch and can easily forget it's there . I took the back flap portion off of one of the rubber pocket holsters and just use the pouch and it works like a charm and breaks up the outline somewhat if my pants are to tight and keeps the butt where it needs to be at all times.

 

[MTK20]

Bodyguard 2.0 or LCP Max is a good higher capacity option (10+1, or 12+1). I just picked-up one of each. And they are smaller/lighter than a J frame (depending on the model). I do prefer my 432 (.32 H&R) over my 342 (.38 spl.) for that extra round. The Kimber K6xs isn't too much bigger/heavier than a J and you get that extra round of .38 spl. Think Colt Det. size.

There's a lot of options. Carry whatever works best for you.

Due to my large hands, I run bigger grips than most people. But I also don't pocket carry.

View attachment 769393

View attachment 769394

View attachment 769395

View attachment 769396

Thanks to your photographs, I now have a much better idea of size comparison. Thank you. This was very helpful.

 

[Phenix]

I have been seeing the J frame 32 Magnum revolvers around lately.

The situation is this: For discreet carry in nice clothes (such as a small dress trouser pocket). Think of a situation where you can't carry a real gun, but a M&P Body Guard 380, Beretta Tom Cat 32, Keltec P3AT, or J frame.

I purposefully left out the P365, as I own one and even in roomy trousers, it has some angles on it that make me think it might be just a tad too big, yet I have worn a J frame just fine in dressy situations.

1. What is 32 HR magnum good for? Is it better than 38 special or 380?

2. Would a M&P Body Guard 380 be the ultimate deep carry gun compared to a 6 shot 32 magnum J frame? (the BG 380 is noticeably more compact than even the P365 in 9mm).

3. I know the 5 shot 38 has saved countless officer lives as a BUG. Is ditching the tried and true 38 J frame really worth it just to get that one extra round from the 32 magnum J frame?

4. Would a Colt Cobra 38 (6 shots) be much more noticeable than a 5 shot J frame? I have never done a side by side comparison in size.

Tell me your opinions. When posting let me know if you actually own a J frame or a 32 magnum, that way I know if you are speaking from experience or just waxing philosophical .

A Bodyguard 2.0 .380 will fit your needs. Nice and thin.
I have one in my right-front pocket in a cheap nylon pocket holster as I type this. Does not print.
I alternate between carrying a Glock 42 .380, and the S & W Bodyguard 2.0 in .380. Both have been dead nuts reliable, and are light to carry, especially the Bodyguard.

 

[Rocketmedic40]

For ultimate discrete carry and as much as it pains me to say so, small thin semiautomatics are better for concealment than revolvers.

 

[chief38]

I carried a Chief's Special for 40 years and then retired it in favor of my Sig P365 (last 6 years). It is lighter, smaller, thinner and much easier to shoot (less recoil) with what I consider better rounds for SD than the .38 special. The P365 also holds more than double the amount of rounds onboard and has much better sights. Today's Micro pistols are quite reliable! I also enjoy shooting the Sig way more than any of my Chief's Spl's. now days - guess I am getting old.

The 32. Magnum is a viable SD round however as the late Paul Harrell used to say, not enough of a difference to make a difference. If you have a .38 special in a J frame you like, just use that. .38 spl. ammo is still popular and readily available while 32. Mag can be harder and more expensive to find. That is just my opinion and I know there are some that are enamored with the .32 mag. so to each his own. Like I usually say, "what ever makes your boat float".

 

[Smith391]

What is 32 HR magnum good for? Is it better than 38 special or 380?

+1 round over the .38 Special, in the S&W J-frame revolver, & the .32 H&R Mag offers more energy than the best .380 ACP factory loads.

 

[BillinAlamo]

I'd want a .327-capable snub. I enjoyed playing with and handloading for the Taurus 2-incher, but at 22 ounces unloaded vs. 9.8 for the BG 2.0, I find the latter much more comfortable for pocket carry.

 

[chief38]

If you had told me 7 years ago I would have retired my M60-7 in favor of a Micro 9 for EDC I would have laughed at ya! After shooting a friends brand new P365 (100 rounds) around that time, it was instant love! It just had so many advantages and made so much sense, even a old stubborn revolver toter could not deny the real pluses and less negatives. The rest as they say, is history!

I will also admit I have not shot my M60-7 in 6 years. The only reason I still own it is because I am a sentimental guy - lol.

 

[Markmontana]

I have a Glock 42 in .380 which I carry IWB on rare occasions in the Summer when it gets really hot and I wear only a light t-shirt. It’s highly underrated IMHO compared to the more popular Bodyguard 2.0 or LCP. It is light, naturally dehorned, and with a readily available +2 mag extension you’ve got 9 rounds on board (8+1).

But, my regular summer carry is a J frame. Polymer pistols are nice but J frames have SOUL. They just feel great in my hand and IWB with a TT Gunleather Mike’s Special. I’ve got 7 of them — a few no dash models for collecting and carry rotation consisting of a 60, a 442UC, and recently acquired 640 Dark. With the right ammo (Buffalo Bore, Underwood) either .380 or .380 Special will get the job done when the weather is such that people aren’t wearing sweaters, jackets or heavy coats. I have .45’s for that.

Some have mentioned 327 Federal. I had a Ruger LCR in .327 once and after one range trip sold it. In a lightweight revolver the .327 is a beast. Im not really recoil sensitive, I think, but that one was intolerable.

I like the idea of pocket carry but I just don’t seem to have shorts with pockets deep enough to be comfortable. I’m always afraid somebody behind me will see the butt of my revolver in mt pocket.
Maybe I don’t have the right setup. I have a buddy that swears by his J frame in the pocket.

 

[Revelation]

I carried a Chief's Special for 40 years and then retired it in favor of my Sig P365 (last 6 years). It is lighter, smaller, thinner and much easier to shoot (less recoil) with what I consider better rounds for SD than the .38 special. The P365 also holds more than double the amount of rounds onboard and has much better sights. Today's Micro pistols are quite reliable! I also enjoy shooting the Sig way more than any of my Chief's Spl's. now days - guess I am getting old.

The 32. Magnum is a viable SD round however as the late Paul Harrell used to say, not enough of a difference to make a difference. If you have a .38 special in a J frame you like, just use that. .38 spl. ammo is still popular and readily available while 32. Mag can be harder and more expensive to find. That is just my opinion and I know there are some that are enamored with the .32 mag. so to each his own. Like I usually say, "what ever makes your boat float".

Good, sound, practical advice!