Your thoughts on .32 SW long caliber

[Mstorm]

Are the Smiths in this caliber still relevant today outside of the collector market? Many many years ago a pretty well known gun dealer in my area suggested to my wife that she start her "experiences" with guns with a S&W Model 30 that he had just taken in used and could sell at a "good price". He was an old timer and went on an on about how actual police had used these in days past as back-up guns and as even duty guns in the 40s and 50s. He insisted that: "sure it doesn't have the punch of modern day guns but it will still get the job done at close quarters".
It is a cute pistol, easy to shoot and has worked well but I'm wondering (especially given how hard it is to find .32 SW Long ammo and the cost of said ammo) are these pistols still relevant today. ---Your thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Bullet Bob]

It is one of the best rounds for target and fun shooting I know of. It wouldn't be my first choice for defense, and it seems that is all many shooters today care about.

That's fine with me, but I'm all about enjoyment.

 

[Mbrgr1]

"If your aim is true......

go .32"


One of my favorite all around cartridges, I reload it, but have not had a hard time finding factory loads either, I wear a belt box with an inexpensive revolver on occasion and never feel under protected.

 

[jjrr]

First revolver I ever owned and I still have it, easy to reload and fun to shoot and it would certainly give an opponent a belly ache in a gun fight but there are better choices for self defense.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have several .32 Long revolvers. Not my first choice for self-defense, but a hit with a .32 beats a miss with something bigger.

It is a fun round for all around shooting. Much better than a .22.

 

[Hondo44]

I own and shoot about 15 S&W and Ruger .32 Long and .32 mag revolvers, (the Rugers shoot both). They’re very accurate and a ton of fun.

It’s not a first choice caliber for defense but a good choice for many for a couple of reasons:

A small size defense gun in .32 is a six shot as opposed to only 5 shots in a .38 Spl same size gun.

Recoil sensitive people like those with arthritic hands, women, etc., will show better and not hesitate to shoot when needed or to practice more.

The 32 long defense loads are plenty lethal and 32 mag rivals 38 special ballistics.

The more convenient the gun is to carry and the more you’re likely to carry, is always better than the gun you leave home or in the car!

 

[gerhard1]

My thoughts from an earlier thread on the Model 30:

Model 30

 

[Lucnic]

Buffalo Bore makes a hard cast wadcutter for self defense use in 32 S&W long.

 

[Sistema1927]

If and when I end up confined to a wheelchair I will probably have a Model 30 tucked in next to my leg.

 

[alwslate]

Probably lots of .32 Long ammo listed on ammoseek.com

 

[DWalt]

I remember reading that small .32 revolvers were once popular among female cops as off duty guns. With good shot placement the .32 long will do. I personally knew one guy who died as the result of a single shot from a .32 Long to the chest. But that was an accidental shooting.

 

[nksmfamjp]

32 h&r mag would be nice. 32 long is just a little slow to be effective

 

[TJm15.38]

I like the cartridge's accuracy and mild recoil. I only have two snubnose revolvers in this caliber; a S&W Model 31 and a H&R 733. Would I carry the .32 snubbies for self defense? Not when I have other options in the safe like the S&W 638 .38 Special and the Glock 42 in .380. I just wish I had a target revolver in .32 S&W long, because that's where I think the .32 would really be a great round to punch paper. I recently started reloading the .32 Long with some Lee dies I acquired. It's an easy cartridge to reload.

 

[rct269]

"One of my favorite all around cartridges, I reload it, but have not had a hard time finding factory loads either, I wear a belt box with an inexpensive revolver on occasion and never feel under protected." (Mbrgr1)

Yeah but----you're one of those folks who'd consider it a miss if you hit the bad guy in the eye----instead of right between the eyes!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[SVT28]

Fortunately you don’t have to speculate nowadays on caliber performance because folks like Lucky Gunner have already conducted controlled testing for us! The loads they tested here https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32Long all penetrated greater that 12” and did not exceed 18”. Sure they did not open up like a modern HST load in 9mm or 45acp, but they still carry as much weight as a 380.

I carry (and so does my wife) a j frame 32 h&r mag pretty often and it’s always stoked with 6 magtech wadcutter factory loads. I personally can rattle off all 6 in short order, accurately, without even thinking about it.

We also reload for 32 long and H&R, and it’s super easy to work up loads mild to wild. I love the caliber


SVT28

 

[Toyman]

I have an early 32 hand ejector with leaf main spring. I enjoy shooting it but at an indoor range I kept pulling the gun up to try to see the front sight causing me to shoot high.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got one, a little I frame from the 20's I'm told. Cute little gun I admit, but I'd never really thought about using it for self-defense, I mean I've got other guns, but last evening, I stopped by the LGS and picked up a box of Fiocchi 32 S&W Long. The information on the box was pretty impressive. A 97 grain FMJ, RN, at 950 FPS. That's not a 44 magnum, but it's not really a wimp load either. (Yes, I know that 950 is probably from a test barrel, not the 3.25 my gun has.) No doubt better than a 22 LR from the same barrel length.

I think I'll go to the range later this morning. I'll probably take it along, just so I can say I've shot it. I'll save the brass of course. Who knows. I might want to reload for it someday.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Beats a wagging finger and stern word, by a long shot!

 

[xsexcess]

With two different (late 60s aged) women I've tried to set them up with their first defensive handgun. Took them to the range, shot a variety of things starting with a J frame 2 snub, work up to a 32 J frame RB 3", progress to a 38 J frame, then 38 K frame 4" bull barrel. Even after putting lighter hammer springs in the J frames the issue was always their hand strength pulling the trigger double action. Shooting was all over the paper (and not on the paper) even at 15 feet. I reluctantly switched to a 380 semi-auto and their shooting immediately improved. I don't like all the extra knowledge / thought they have to have with a semi but the results spoke for themselves. I'm now a big fan of the SW 380 EZ. It's the only mid-sized 380 I know of that has a locked breach design and therefore can use lighter springs.

I have and shoot several 32 revolvers, have ongoing project guns in that caliber. I occasionally put one in rotation as a carry gun. 38 S&W is in a similar class. Buffalo Bore offers rounds for both of them that optimize the capability of the cartridges.

 

[StrawHat]

I have a little 32 Hand Ejector with a 3 1/4” barrel. The perfect length for the I/J frame. It was fast becoming one of my favorite shooters. My elder brother recently switched from 45 ACP to 9mm because of recoil. I sent the little revolver to him to see if he could use it.

Apparently, he likes it. He sent back a 20 gauge, Winchester Model 1912!

Here is an image that shows the difference in size. Top revolver is a S&W Model 22-4, my edc. The bottom revolver is the S&W 32 HE.

Kevin