.32 caliber?

what is the best use of the .32 caliber?

  • a .32 ACP in a modern pistol

    Votes: 45 27.6%

  • a .32 ACP in a vintage pistol

    Votes: 22 13.5%

  • a .32 Federal or H&R Mag

    Votes: 43 26.4%

  • a .32 S&W long in a J or I frame

    Votes: 14 8.6%

  • if a .22lr isn't enough, get a .380, .38 or 9mm

    Votes: 39 23.9%
  • Total voters
    163
  • Poll closed .
I shot my J frame with 100 gr wadcutters Saturday. It was a real pleasure to shoot the quiet little revolver. My friend's single action .22lr was considerably louder which surprised me. We had a ball plinking cans and other informal targets.
 
I have a vintage 32. A very early Colt Police Positive. I enjoy shooting and loading for 32's.

It's just a for fun gun and caliber.

I once had a Smith L frame in 32 Mag. I dearly wish I had not sold it.!!
 
IMHO, the best use of a .32 is for a lady such as my friend's maybe 90-pounds soaking wet, approaching 50 years of age wife.

She did not and would not approach any handgun until I started her off on a Ruger MkII in .22 LR.

Once she got somewhat comfortable with that, I got her to shoot the K-T P32. She was initially put off by the recoil (such as it is), but got used to it...not enthusiastically but she can shoot it and it is small enough for her to carry without difficulty.

If she were a bit larger and/or willing to practice more frequently, I would try to get her to carry an LCP or P380. But she is not so inclined, and not at all enthusiastic...so I'll take what I can get at this point.
 
IF I wanted a 32, it would be a 32 H&R Mag. I'd find me a good cast SWC load and break bad on all manner of small game with it- and no doubt eventually dot a yodel dog or two. Handguns could be SA or DA and I'd really like a falling-block single shot rifle to match.

The most likely scenario however, is that I'll continue to do those things with guns I've been using all along.
 
Every one should have a .32. I prefer revolvers. I am buying a Ruger New Model Blackhawk in .327 mag. 8 shot capacity, single action accuracy, ammunition versatility and overall fun. I believe that this would be a great woods gun and a awesome finisher for deer and other medium game. I will have mine customized with an 8 inch barrel, henie straight eight adjustable night sights and a bisley grip, trigger and hammer. This is what the .32 has become for me a project gun that will be unique and fun nobody else will have one like mine.
 
I wonder if any of the hand loaders have a favorite cast bullet or mold they use for the .32?
Click to expand...

I run a Meister 94 gr Lead Flat Nose in .32 Auto*, .32 S&W, and .32 S&W Long; and a Meister 115 gr Lead Flat Nose in .32 H&R and .327 Federal. They're consistent, don't lead (with appropriate velocities), and seem to be the perfect hardness for .32 caliber (BHN ~11-12).

*My .32 Auto loads with this bullet are over length for anything but a revolver -- they are loaded specifically for my .327 Blackhawk. I don't know if the .327 GP100 will function with .32 Auto, yet.


But... My reloading bench still sees more 85 gr XTPs, than anything else. It's a decent bullet for mild/moderate .327 loads, and the bullet of choice for my wife's favorite, 1,300 fps .32 H&R load (which gets shot by the truck load, when she does shoot;)).


However, the more I shoot the swaged Hornady 90 gr HBWC, the more I like it. If you keep velocities appropriate for a BHN 5-7 bullet, they don't lead; they're quite accurate; and, unlike hard-cast bullets, they actually expand when they hit targets.
 
Sometimes I carry an H&R Hammerless chambered for .32 S&W. The thing is reliable, weighs next to nothing and is quite small. It's perfect for slipping into a pocket when it's too hot to carry something bigger. It was pretty cheap, too.

Someone should make one out of modern steel with a slightly longer cylinder chambered for .32 H&R Magnum. It'd be a great pocket gun.

Mine:

DSC00987-1.jpg
 
Ballisitic gel tests

Given the smaller cross sectional area of a .312 projectile, a 100 grain bullet that is launched with 400 ft. lbs of energy (327 Federal Mag) penetration and tissue damage should be equivalent of a very hot 9 mm +p.

It would be very interesting to see how the .312 100 gr XTP would perform in gelatin tests, compared to a 125 gr 357 XTP.

I agree that 32 cal is a tweener. But hey! Life is just an experiment, so messing around with something different is a lot of fun!:D
 
I'm a bit torn by the options. The best use of .32 depends on the firearms you own. If you have a vintage pocket pistol and you like the pistol, than that's the best use for it. Personally I'd never buy a .32 since I think there's not much a niche between .22 LR and .380, but if I would come across a pistol that I seem to shoot good with, I wouldn't mind it being .32
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top