Todays Project: 432UC

[flundertaker]

Just picked this up and going to work on it today. Hopefully itll be my new EDC.
S&W 432UC from Lipseys. I didnt want to wait or pay for the Ti version. This one is super light already.
AFR pocket holster
Apex Duty springs
Buffalo Bore 32H&R +P Heavy
Speed loaders
Snap caps to break in and smooth out the lightened Apex trigger pull

Im pretty jazzed about it. Time will tell. Pics to follow.

 

[Bastogne71]

My 432UC experienced light strike misfires when I first got it. After several attempts to fix it (see my several prior posts), the solution was to install a standard 8.5 lb mainspring. I’d advise you to try the factory spring before making any changes. I believe the UC spring is a lighter weight but I can’t find any documentation on that.

I am a loyal member of the 32 club on the forum and welcome you as a new member of our group. Please post a range report as soon as possible.

 

[geeollie]

LUCKY!!

You should really enjoy that! The only thing I will say that is negative is that those Buffalo Bore rounds surprised me when I tried them. I was slow to get a 2nd shot off so I switched to Black Hills 85 gr XTP in 32 H&R. Everybody is different and I think you are set up very well.

 

[flundertaker]

LUCKY!!

You should really enjoy that! The only thing I will say that is negative is that those Buffalo Bore rounds surprised me when I tried them. I was slow to get a 2nd shot off so I switched to Black Hills 85 gr XTP in 32 H&R. Everybody is different and I think you are set up very well.

Thanks for the heads up. Ammo is hard to come by. I have an order in with High Desert for some LRN, JHP, and wad cutters to see what it likes. Where did you source the black hills?

 

[flundertaker]

My 432UC experienced light strike misfires when I first got it. After several attempts to fix it (see my several prior posts), the solution was to install a standard 8.5 lb mainspring. I’d advise you to try the factory spring before making any changes. I believe the UC spring is a lighter weight but I can’t find any documentation on that.

I am a loyal member of the 32 club on the forum and welcome you as a new member of our group. Please post a range report as soon as possible.

Wasn’t it determined that excessive endshake was the cause of those light strikes? The one thread I read the poster shipped his 432uc back to SW and they replaced the yoke and realigned the barrel to fix the end shake issue that was causing the light strikes. The trigger pull factory is horrendous. I hope to God I can replace the main spring to the apex and drop the pull weight 3-4 lbs. if not, I doubt I’ll ever carry this gun.

 

[geeollie]

I believe Bud's is where I found the Black Hills.
Their 32 H&R XTP comes and goes in their production.
I've seen it at several places on line and then everywhere is sold out.
Bud's and Ammo to Go I believe have it when available.
Also, Lucky Gunner
Cheap 32 H&R Ammo For Sale - 85 Grain JHP Ammunition in Stock by Black Hills - 50 Rounds

Lost River and High Desert seem to be good sources for what rounds they offer. I have read of some early testing of 432UC that used them both. Their 32 H&R wadcutters did well in gel tests associated with the testing.

Really, I would encourage you to not waste time with possible light strikes....I will give you $325 for it and help you out!!!!

 

[Dutch87]

Wasn’t it determined that excessive endshake was the cause of those light strikes? The one thread I read the poster shipped his 432uc back to SW and they replaced the yoke and realigned the barrel to fix the end shake issue that was causing the light strikes. The trigger pull factory is horrendous. I hope to God I can replace the main spring to the apex and drop the pull weight 3-4 lbs. if not, I doubt I’ll ever carry this gun.

A while ago when I picked up a stock, non-performance center "nothing special" 638, the guys here insisted that J-frames can and do smooth tremendously up after a lot of dry fire.
I can tell you that's true.

That 638 has more trigger pulls on it than I'd admit, but wow is it smooth now. Even if the final pull is "heavy" vs an auto-pistol, when it's smooth, it's workable.
I did NOT think "smooth" vs not smooth was as big a difference as it was, I was a total skeptic. Over time I've come to agree with the J-frame crew.

It's like a grip strength exercise - you're closing your hand, and that trigger actually helps center the gun into your hand. At least it does mine!
Grip it like you really mean it, like you're worried it's got 357 buffalo bore in there, and sink your finger into the trigger.

Lubricate, dryfire, clean, repeat. I mean try to get it over like 1,000 pulls. It'll feel totally different in a few weeks.
I'm in love with my 432UC trigger right now, and it's got the stock springs.

I'm not Jerry Miculek, I have mortal sized hands, the CT405 grip I have on it is "undersized", and yet it's fine as is.

Don't give up on it! Get some snap caps and go to work!

 

[Dutch87]

I believe Bud's is where I found the Black Hills.
Their 32 H&R XTP comes and goes in their production.
I've seen it at several places on line and then everywhere is sold out.
Bud's and Ammo to Go I believe have it when available.
Also, Lucky Gunner
Cheap 32 H&R Ammo For Sale - 85 Grain JHP Ammunition in Stock by Black Hills - 50 Rounds

Lost River and High Desert seem to be good sources for what rounds they offer. I have read of some early testing of 432UC that used them both. Their 32 H&R wadcutters did well in gel tests associated with the testing.

Really, I would encourage you to not waste time with possible light strikes....I will give you $325 for it and help you out!!!!

I have some .32Mag high desert wadcutters, getting ready to go to the range one of these days. The only thing I wish I knew - if their 98gr wadcutters are closer to "hardcast" hardness, or if they're on the soft side

 

[wrangler5]

LUCKY!!

You should really enjoy that! The only thing I will say that is negative is that those Buffalo Bore rounds surprised me when I tried them. I was slow to get a 2nd shot off so I switched to Black Hills 85 gr XTP in 32 H&R. Everybody is different and I think you are set up very well.

The BB 32H&R 100g +P rounds have slightly more energy (and so, more recoil) than Remington's 158g LSWCHP +P 38 Special round - supposedly the legendary 38 Special FBI Load. (Measured from 2" J frames on the same day over the same chrono setup.) They are the heaviest recoiling 32 H&R rounds I've ever tried, so I would not be surprised if they were also the slowest to make a second shot.

 

[flundertaker]

Update:

Still waiting on my order from high desert cartridge so no range report yet. I’ve been dry firing this gun each evening 100-150 times and probably have 600-700 trigger pulls on it and yes the trigger is smoothing out a good bit. It feels a touch lighter but I’m sure it’s just smoother. My muscle memory is also developing which is helping with a consistent pull. I have not opened it up yet. Not sure I will but will decide after some range time. My smithmaster rebound spring tool arrived so if I proceed, I can do it properly.
I do find the factory VZ grips a little slippery. I wish they used the VZ with the Diamond texture versus the smooth version. I’m strongly considering ordering a set with the texture. Any one have experience with the AFR undercover Hamr Forge grip? It looks like it also would be easy to hold onto.

 

[wrangler5]

A recollection re: checkered grips

One of my first carry guns had well-checkered grips. I noticed after about a year that I was getting thin spots in the sweaters, and a hole in the linings of sport coats, that I wore as cover garments. The natural pressure and movement of my arm against the grip in normal daily wear was wearing through my cover garments.

I switched to a smooth panel for the right side of the gun, but left the checkered one in place on the left. Not elegant, but it saved my wardrobe.

 

[flundertaker]

One of my first carry guns had well-checkered grips. I noticed after about a year that I was getting thin spots in the sweaters, and a hole in the linings of sport coats, that I wore as cover garments. The natural pressure and movement of my arm against the grip in normal daily wear was wearing through my cover garments.

I switched to a smooth panel for the right side of the gun, but left the checkered one in place on the left. Not elegant, but it saved my wardrobe.

Interesting. Yeah the VZ texture on the G10 or whatever the grips are made of is pretty aggressive. Never thought about it but i suppose it could wear out the pocket material of my pants. That fabric is pretty thin to begin with. The AFR Hamer Forged grips maybe a better choice. They appear like a textured rubber versus the Diamond cut pattern of the VZ.