S&W 632 ammo

[yazman]

I just purchased my first gun for my wife and myself. It is a 3" S&W 632 revolver. The not so sought after .32 caliber. It is for TS and SD (If I've got the lingo correct).
Smith & Wesson does not officially indicate that I can shoot S&W 32 (short). Can I? I know that I shouldn't use acp.

Also, a salesperson at Cabelas talked me out of buying the H&R magnum ammo. He said it was mainly for the older cowboy guns. Since it was the only .32 magnum caliber ammo there, I intend to go back and buy it before heading to the range. I don't remember the grain; it might have been 110.

Any thoughts?

 

[PMRet]

Welcome to the forum. If you purchased an original model 632 Centennial Airweight chambered in .32 H&R Magnum, you have a revolver that is VERY MUCH sought after. Does it look like the gun in the picture except with a longer barrel? These were only produced in 1991-92, some with 2" barrel and some with 3" barrel. They will fire the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, and .32 H&R Magnum.

If you purchased a current model 632 chambered in .327 Federal, it will fire all of the ammo mentioned above plus the .327 Magnum. Post pictures if you can, we love pictures...

 

[GaryS]

Speaking of the Model 632. S&W lists two different guns with that model number. The first is a Model 36 style J frame with external hammer. The other is a "Pro Series" and the picture shows a centennial style hammerless revolver. Do they in fact make a 632 hammerless with the same model number or is the picture an error. I'd think that they would give the hammerless gun a different model number.

 

[yazman]

It's the current .327 Federal. It weighs in at 24.5 ozs. This model should work well for my wife and me with the multiple ammo choices. I haven't figured out how to download a photo.

I believe there are two different styles with the same model #.

So, I can use the S&W (short)!

 

[PMRet]

So, I can use the S&W (short)!

Yep. I'm not that familiar with the cost or availability of .32 S&W, but my favorite factory target ammo is the Fiocchi .32 S&W Long 100 grain wadcutters. It's very accurate with very little recoil, and can be had online for around $14 per box of 50.

 

[fiddlers]

It's the current .327 Federal. It weighs in at 24.5 ozs. This model should work well for my wife and me with the multiple ammo choices. I haven't figured out how to download a photo.

I believe there are two different styles with the same model #.

So, I can use the S&W (short)!

Check out comment under model 632-2 Pro Series. Lots of picks and comments. This is my EDC with .327 Gold Dot.

 

[mag318]

The 632 is a great choice for your wife and as stated above you can shoot any 32 ammunition through it. 32 Short, 32 Long, 32 H&R Magnum and finally 327 Magnum. My wife loves shooting 32 Shorts and Longs through ours. The 3" version has good adjustable sights.

 

[peyton]

The salesman does not know what he is talking about!! You can shoot 327, 32 mag, 32 long, 32 short or 32 ACP out of your new pistol. One thing, and this is where he is partially correct, if you shoot the shorter cartridges, you'll need to clean the cylinders. Otherwise the 327 will difficult to load due to carbon/powder build up in the cylinder.
Good purchase and get that wife out to the range and have some fun. Also we expect pictures and a range report!!!!!!

 

[yazman]

Thanks to all for the info and suggestions. I'll get back to you after we get to the range.

 

[bobf]

To confuse things further both .327s are "pro series" guns. The 3" is not marked like the concealed hammer one.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57775_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[fiddlers]

Try H & R .32 Mag

My wife carries and we enjoy shooting Black Hills H & R .32 Mag ammunition. Other choice to consider is Buffalo Bore and/or DPX .32ACP ammo.

 

[fiddlers]

Model 632-2 Pro series

I hope you find this tread helpful.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/176857-model-632-pro-2-a-3.html

 

[yazman]

Thanks mag 318 for putting up a great photo. Fiddlers, I did find the the thread you pointed out helpful; much appreciated.
Off to the range on Friday.

 

[mag318]

Here's another for you showing what it looks like with S&W Model 60 Pro grips which IMO are more comfortable than the rubber ones.

Thanks mag 318 for putting up a great photo. Fiddlers, I did find the the thread you pointed out helpful; much appreciated.
Off to the range on Friday.

 

[yazman]

Don't the rubber grips absorb some of the shock? Is it only minimal?

 

[fiddlers]

They are fine. I prefer the size, feel, length and look of the wood.

 

[mag318]

Yazman, there's nothing wrong with the original rubber grips, I just find the Model 60 Pro series grips to absorb recoil better and they are more comfortable to me.

Don't the rubber grips absorb some of the shock? Is it only minimal?

 

[yazman]

I took the 632 to the range today. The gun outperformed my expectations!
Having shot a friend's .38 and 9mm recently and not really having a clue where I was going to hit the target nor seeming to improve with each shot, I may have had low expectations. Granted, my target was only about 10 yards away; but I was hitting it within a few inches of where I was aiming, consistently. Being a novice, I was impressed.
I used .32 S&W short and long, .32 H&R magnum, .327 Federal Magnum with and without hollow points. All shot well.
I enjoyed the H&R magnums the most.
My wife struggled with DA and even with SA, complaining that she has a very weak left thumb. I really was a bit dumbfounded upon hearing this. I had her try out the gun before buying it. I was mainly concerned about her not liking the weight.
I have read that there is a wider trigger we could try. I like the trigger pull, but I suppose I could have the spring changed out.
What say ye all?

 

[gunfan]

I LOVE my 632 Centennial. While its only a .32 H&R Magnum, it shoots slicker than "snot off of a stump" and is accurate to boot! At "waltzing distances" I doubt this would be considered a "marking round."

It has enough power to be a decent "stopper."

Scott

 

[gunfan]

I just purchased my first gun for my wife and myself. It is a 3" S&W 632 revolver. The not so sought after .32 caliber. It is for TS and SD (If I've got the lingo correct).
Smith & Wesson does not officially indicate that I can shoot S&W 32 (short). Can I? I know that I shouldn't use acp.

Also, a salesperson at Cabelas talked me out of buying the H&R magnum ammo. He said it was mainly for the older cowboy guns. Since it was the only .32 magnum caliber ammo there, I intend to go back and buy it before heading to the range. I don't remember the grain; it might have been 110.

Any thoughts?

It fires any .32 S&W .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Magnum. Just clean the chambers after shooting any of the shorter cartridges to make certain the longer cases seat properly in the handgun's chambers.

Scott

 

[ogilvyspecial]

For the record, as was mentioned, both current offerings are from the "Pro Series."

The M632-1

The M632-2

The cartridges it fires, from left to right,

.32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Mag., .327 Federal Mag.

 

[Macinaw]

I have recently started to load 32 H&R mag. for my 632-1 these loads are for practice. I went to the range to shoot with the reloads. They were very mild. Then I shot 6 rounds of 327 Federal. WOW! what a huge increase in muzzle blast and recoil. A great defensive round! A J-frame with 6 rounds. Gotta love it.

 

[gunfan]

I'll let you in on a little secret... The .327 Fed is one HOT ROCK defense round. If you really want it to "kick bootie" you should load the Fed Mag cases with 125 grain LSWC hard cast bullets as hot as you can stoke them. With the energy and penetration these bullets can develop, it's a "winning combination." (The reason for this is both bullet weight and sectional density.)

Scott

 

[Green Frog]

I'll let you in on a little secret... The .327 Fed is one HOT ROCK defense round. If you really want it to "kick bootie" you should load the Fed Mag cases with 125 grain LSWC hard cast bullets as hot as you can stoke them. With the energy and penetration these bullets can develop, it's a "winning combination." (The reason for this is both bullet weight and sectional density.)

Scott

Scott,

Can you list (or give reference to) any suggested powders and charge weights for these ground stompers? As you will recall, my custom built stainless K-frame in 327 FM should be finished soon, and I have a 4 cavity NOE mould that drops about a 122-125 grain SWC. I'll have a little more strength reserve than the J-frames too!

TIA ~ Froggie

 

[fiddlers]

My post begins below on Page 2 - S&W 632-2

I think for EDC the Pro Series is a terrific choice.
The versatility of the caliber choices are great for target shooting and just fun.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/176857-model-632-pro-2-a-2.html

 

[SWTIM255]

I have a set ( the only cons serial number ones they made, I think) of the 332's. I have fired tons of the 32 longs though one and love it.
Just like with a 38/357 though, it is best to clean the chamber well if you fire a lot of shorter rds before you go back to the longer case rounds.
I carry mine ( the other one is my GF's and she has not fired it, loves to shoot mine though) load with Magsafe 32 magnums.

 

[Dixiejack]

For what it's worth, the Model 16 is a great candidate for the .327 Federal Magnum. I have a Model 16-4 with a 4" barrel I had Hamilton Bowen ream the chambers out to accept the .327 Fed. mag. It has replaced my Model 19 as my woods walking sidearm. It also does double duty as one of my cc revolvers.

 

[Mountaineer]

My wife carries and we enjoy shooting Black Hills H & R .32 Mag ammunition. Other choice to consider is Buffalo Bore and/or DPX .32ACP ammo.

I'm surprised that this revolver handles ACP ammo. The only way I was ever able to use ACP ammo in an S&W revolver was with moon clips??

What holds the round out of the cylinder?

 

[peyton]

The 32 acp is semi-tapered and that keeps the cartridge from sliding in to far. I had both of my 16-4's converted to 327 magnum as well and love it!!

 

[Grandpa Bear]

Wad cutters are nice for paper, but

Yep. I'm not that familiar with the cost or availability of .32 S&W, but my favorite factory target ammo is the Fiocchi .32 S&W Long 100 grain wadcutters. It's very accurate with very little recoil, and can be had online for around $14 per box of 50.

I strongly recommend buying and using for practice the rounds you will be using for personal defense(PD). The use of other, less expensive ammo to "get used to the gun" is OK. The HOWEVER is that for real practice use something that produces the same trajectory as your PD loads. You may have to get a chronograph to check both your PD ammo and various practice loads to find the closest match.