Training with the 432 UC

[buffalobillh]

I'm trying to tell myself "no", but I see that and I think that down the line, I May* end up with a 632Ti and a 642UC because: Reasons

Despite the issue, I'm still a S&W guy at heart.
Ever since Clint Eastwood said the line, "Me, Smith, and Wesson"

I’m in the same boat. And our friend Mr. Eastwood hasn’t helped the problem!

 

[buffalobillh]

Have you measured trigger pull? The APEX kit got my 432 down to a shade over 9 lbs

5-pull average on my Lyman gauge is 8lbs 8.5oz. The 632 UC average was 9lbs 1oz.

 

[WillieStark1946]

I heard that S&W is having QC problems with the new 432 UC (Ultimate Carry/steel cylinder and barrel) in .32 H&R Mag. A higher-than-usual number are being sent back to S&W for repairs, according to other forums. I love the overall look, the sights, the absence of an internal lock (should go without saying!), and the six-shot capacity of the 432 UC, but I think S&W needs time to address this revolver’s QC issues before I go out and buy one. Maybe they already have, and I just need to buy from a high-turnover dealer to make sure I got a newer one.

 

[T. McIntyre]

Just FYI, I just brought this out. It is a 130 grain poly coated wide meplat SWC loaded specifically with J Frames and Ruger LCRs in mind. Runs right at 850 FPS.

I have over 1,000 rounds of 100 grain poly coated wadcutters through my 432 and had a number of people asking for a heavier load that was of a different profile, so this is what is the end result.


You are right. The .32 H&R is like cheating!

 

[Kbayless3]

Double Tap loads a total copper bullet, I just looked but there out of stock right now. You might be able to give them a call. I have some and it is a good round.

Back in stock 32 H & R Mag received an email from Double Tap this afternoon and bought four boxes.Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Dutch87]

Just FYI, I just brought this out. It is a 130 grain poly coated wide meplat SWC loaded specifically with J Frames and Ruger LCRs in mind. Runs right at 850 FPS.

I have over 1,000 rounds of 100 grain poly coated wadcutters through my 432 and had a number of people asking for a heavier load that was of a different profile, so this is what is the end result.


You are right. The .32 H&R is like cheating!

Man that looks cool!
Gotta say, 130grains with that sectional density and that profile makes me think it's a surprising penetrator

Is it more of an outdoorsy round?
Get a chance to shoot it into gel yet?

 

[wrangler5]

< snip > My opinion is the 327 Federal is too much cartridge for the J Frame. Once you try one you will make your mind up. The 32 H&R Mag is a comfortable and controllable round in the J Frame.

This has been my experience, too. I've carried a 632 for a number of years with Buffalo Bore 32 H&R 100g +P. It has a velocity of 1100fps which calculates to 269 ft lbs of energy. This energy is above Remington's 38 Special +P 158g SWCHP round out of a S&W 49 (236 ft lbs) - and kicks like it. This is the most potent 32 H&R round I've found - its boxes are marked "For use in all firearms chambered for 32 H&R MAG, except H&R Revolvers. NOT for use in H&R Revolvers."

I have tried 327 Federal Mag in a 2" Ruger LCR. The most potent round I've shot is the Gold Dot 100g load from Speer, which showed velocity of 1259fps and 352 ft lbs of energy. The recoil also reminded me of the single round of 357 Magnum I have fired from a 640-1 all steel J frame - something I will not do again with a 357 and did not want to do more than a few cylinders of in 327 Fed. (Speer says its 357 Magnum Gold Dot 135g short barrel round has velocity of 990fps and energy of 294 ft lbs.) I also feel like 327 Fed is the loudest thing I've ever shot from a handgun. But if you can tolerate that kind of recoil and noise, the 327 Fed Mag will get you an extra round and low 357 Magnum range energies.

The Federal Hydra Shok 85g round in 327 Federal had much more tolerable (to me) recoil with a velocity from the LCR of 1109fps and 232 ft lbs of energy. But note that this is less energy than the Buffalo Bore 32 Mag round offers, and the case is longer - I think about that with 2" revolvers and their short extractor throws.

 

[Teddydog]

I ordered a 432UC and it is due at my shop on Monday. When I ordered it, I didn't know there was a Ti version (for only about $50 more). Am I going to regret my steel cylinder? I do plan to carry it when I don't want the Shield 9mm in my pocket.

rob

 

[familyman357oh]

I ordered a 432UC and it is due at my shop on Monday. When I ordered it, I didn't know there was a Ti version (for only about $50 more). Am I going to regret my steel cylinder? I do plan to carry it when I don't want the Shield 9mm in my pocket.

rob

The original steel cylinder version is Airweight-light as it is. A titanium cylinder would make it even lighter, of course, but at the cost of a bit more recoil when fired (thus eating into one of the benefits of shooting .32)… and since so much .32 ammo has plain lead bullets I wonder if bullet pull/creep under recoil might be a thing with .32 Mag.

 

[Beju]

You can get probably half of the weight reduction of the titanium cylinder models by swapping the G-10 grips for the basic OE S&W rubber or Hamre Forge grips. I didn't care for the HF AFR high horn grips (the characteristic Spegal cut rubs my inner thumb funny), but everybody's hands are different. Most people seem to like them.

 

[buffalobillh]

You can get probably half of the weight reduction of the titanium cylinder models by swapping the G-10 grips for the basic OE S&W rubber or Hamre Forge grips. I didn't care for the HF AFR high horn grips (the characteristic Spegal cut rubs my inner thumb funny), but everybody's hands are different. Most people seem to like them.

I sanded down that ridge to where it’s rounder and lower. It now fits my thumb just right.

 

[Beju]

I sanded down that ridge to where it’s rounder and lower. It now fits my thumb just right.

I have debated doing that.

 

[Jcon72]

The more I shoot the 432, the more I love it, especially after the Apex kit.
I’m loading 85 gr Hornaday hollow points

What powder are you using with those 85's? I have a ton of them on hand and have been planning to do some load workup for both my 432UC and some other .32 revolvers of mine.

I ordered a 432UC and it is due at my shop on Monday. When I ordered it, I didn't know there was a Ti version (for only about $50 more). Am I going to regret my steel cylinder? I do plan to carry it when I don't want the Shield 9mm in my pocket.

rob

IMO no, you're not going to miss it. Not only is the steel-cylinder model very light, Titanium cylinders require extra care so as not to damage them, not only inside the chambers but also the protective finish that prevents premature erosion from the gases.

 

[bipe215]

What powder are you using with those 85's? I have a ton of them on hand and have been planning to do some load workup for both my 432UC and some other .32 revolvers of mine.



IMO no, you're not going to miss it. Not only is the steel-cylinder model very light, Titanium cylinders require extra care so as not to damage them, not only inside the chambers but also the protective finish that prevents premature erosion from the gases.

I'm using HP-38

 

[FivePews]

I special ordered a pair of 432-UCs (one in black and one in silver) a month or two ago. The silver one had a clocked barrel and I refused to accept it. In my experience, Smith will not fix a clocked barrel. They will tell you they will fix it. Then, two months later they will send it back to you with the exact-same-crooked front sight. .

While waiting on the guns I discovered that a fella can't find a single .32 H&R Mag factory found within 40 miles of our home. So, I ordered the parts to reload them on my XL750, some Starline brass, and some 85g XTPs.

While waiting for a replacement on the silver pistol, I found the black one has ~20% light strikes with my reloads (CCI #550). Gotta say though, it's a sweet shooter when it goes bang. Much tighter groups than I get with .38 in steel or Scanium J frames. Easier to do it too. The trigger isn't as smooth or light as a 640 Pro, but it's much smoother/lighter than, say...an M&P 340. Also, the 432 has much better sights than the 640 Pro. Properly regulated too.

The replacement silver 432 looks good, but I haven't shot it yet. I worked up another batch of reloads with CCI #500s and we will see if that makes any difference on the black pistol's light-strikes. Hopefully, the silver one will work as it should. If so, I'll order an extended firing pin for the black.

In any case, as others have advised, I would only pick up a 432-UC if you can inspect it in person. The stories going around on the Interwebs are justified.

 

[bipe215]

I special ordered a pair of 432-UCs (one in black and one in silver) a month or two ago. The silver one had a clocked barrel and I refused to accept it. In my experience, Smith will not fix a clocked barrel. They will tell you they will fix it. Then, two months later they will send it back to you with the exact-same-crooked front sight. .

While waiting on the guns I discovered that a fella can't find a single .32 H&R Mag factory found within 40 miles of our home. So, I ordered the parts to reload them on my XL750, some Starline brass, and some 85g XTPs.

While waiting for a replacement on the silver pistol, I found the black one has ~20% light strikes with my reloads (CCI #550). Gotta say though, it's a sweet shooter when it goes bang. Much tighter groups than I get with .38 in steel or Scanium J frames. Easier to do it too. The trigger isn't as smooth or light as a 640 Pro, but it's much smoother/lighter than, say...an M&P 340. Also, the 432 has much better sights than the 640 Pro. Properly regulated too.

The replacement silver 432 looks good, but I haven't shot it yet. I worked up another batch of reloads with CCI #500s and we will see if that makes any difference on the black pistol's light-strikes. Hopefully, the silver one will work as it should. If so, I'll order an extended firing pin for the black.

In any case, as others have advised, I would only pick up a 432-UC if you can inspect it in person. The stories going around on the Interwebs are justified.

I never had misfires until I put the Apex spring kit in my 423UC. They were not really light strikes as much as pushing the whole primer in kind of a bowl shape. The new firing pin with the kit was .510 compared to .495 for the factory FP. But the new one was kind of a flat dome shape so I carefully beveled it to match the more pointed shape of the original and it's been 100% since.
It's the first J frame I've ever really looked foward to shooting. Just a pleasure and very accurate with the 85 gr XTP's.

 

[youngridge]

Hopefully you have better luck. Curious about the light primer strikes, I have a 632 and have ran a few brands through it if 32 H&R and S&W with no issues. Would like to get into reloading eventually because the ammo is pretty scarce with in a 100 mile radius and non existent with 50 for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FivePews]

I never had misfires until I put the Apex spring kit in my 423UC. They were not really light strikes as much as pushing the whole primer in kind of a bowl shape. The new firing pin with the kit was .510 compared to .495 for the factory FP. But the new one was kind of a flat dome shape so I carefully beveled it to match the more pointed shape of the original and it's been 100% since.
It's the first J frame I've ever really looked foward to shooting. Just a pleasure and very accurate with the 85 gr XTP's.

Thanks for the tip. If the silver runs 100%, I'll compare the tip of the firing pins and maybe swap them for some more testing.

 

[nyeti]

I sanded down that ridge to where it’s rounder and lower. It now fits my thumb just right.

I helped design the grips and prototyped a bunch. We tried to strike some compromises on them for various size hands and thumb placement. It was determined to leave the ridge high for those who like that and the grips are designed to be sanded to fit. I flatten that ridge on mine. It is a case where you can easily remove material to fit but you cannot add it so we went with that ridge. Just carefully sand them to being whatever fits best .

 

[buffalobillh]

I helped design the grips and prototyped a bunch. We tried to strike some compromises on them for various size hands and thumb placement. It was determined to leave the ridge high for those who like that and the grips are designed to be sanded to fit. I flatten that ridge on mine. It is a case where you can easily remove material to fit but you cannot add it so we went with that ridge. Just carefully sand them to being whatever fits best .

And a bang-up job y’all did! We appreciate your hard work.

I heard you talk about sanding in videos, so I felt confident enough to give it a try. It was just what I needed. After 32 years of fighting drunks and crackheads, other abuse at work, and a lifetime of wrestling with magnum loads and wrenching on Jeeps, the old thumb appreciates all the help it can get.