.32 H&R Magnum
- Thread starter 23Skidoo
- Start date
The popularity of the .38 Spl has eclipsed the .32H&R Mag: factory ammo selection for the former is huge, readily available, and inexpensive; recoil for the .38Spl can be minimized with proper ammo selection, and easily outclasses the .32 Mag in power for defense purposes.
The .32 ammo has a very limited selection (two or three?) of brands, and main claim to fame is it packs 1 more round into a J-frame size revolver.
The .38Spl is just too darn good for the .32 to get much attention.
The .32 ammo has a very limited selection (two or three?) of brands, and main claim to fame is it packs 1 more round into a J-frame size revolver.
The .38Spl is just too darn good for the .32 to get much attention.
S&W, Ruger, and Taurus all make revolvers in 32 H&R Mag.
It is one oif my favorite rounds. I currently have 4 revolvers and would love to pick up and older S&W. It's flat shooting, low recoil, and extremely accurate. You are not going to find ammo at your local Wal-Mart or anywhere else locally for that matter (at least around here). I buy my new ammo from Georgia Arms and get brass reloaded at Bullseyse Shooting Supplies .
It is one oif my favorite rounds. I currently have 4 revolvers and would love to pick up and older S&W. It's flat shooting, low recoil, and extremely accurate. You are not going to find ammo at your local Wal-Mart or anywhere else locally for that matter (at least around here). I buy my new ammo from Georgia Arms and get brass reloaded at Bullseyse Shooting Supplies .
shooter429
Moderator
Awesome little round!
I love my 4" Smith and Wesson revolver in .32 Magnum. Like most other magnum calibers, the .32H&R can also shoot it's little brother-the more diminutive .32 S&W. Ballistics are about 1050 fps for the Mag and 650 for the little guy. The revolver is versatile, handsome, comfortable and accurate. If you reload, things are even better. Recoil is very mild-much less than a .38 while generating almost as much power. For plinking it is great! Ammo availablility is pretty bad though. It might be wise to buy in bulk or reload. Still, I enjoy this round a lot and would recommend it.
Shooter429
I love my 4" Smith and Wesson revolver in .32 Magnum. Like most other magnum calibers, the .32H&R can also shoot it's little brother-the more diminutive .32 S&W. Ballistics are about 1050 fps for the Mag and 650 for the little guy. The revolver is versatile, handsome, comfortable and accurate. If you reload, things are even better. Recoil is very mild-much less than a .38 while generating almost as much power. For plinking it is great! Ammo availablility is pretty bad though. It might be wise to buy in bulk or reload. Still, I enjoy this round a lot and would recommend it.
Shooter429
P. Plainsman
New member
Viva .32 Mag
The .32 H&R Mag is a neat round -- accurate, well-mannered, and flat-shooting.
It has a few niches:
(1) defensive round for recoil-intolerant shooters (it's a classic "mother in law" cartridge, much better than .32 ACP and comparable to .380 ACP, with more energy in some loadings than the .380);
(2) it lets you fit six rounds instead of five into a small, light backup revolver like the 13.5 oz S&W 432PD;
(3) taking small game outdoors (it's a bit like a reloadable .22 Mag);
(4) for chronic sixgun buffs who just like playing with the caliber.
I have several fine .38/.357 revolvers, but I'd feel something was missing in my collection without my sweet 3" Ruger SP101 in .32 Magnum.
PS: Georgia Arms's ammo (see link above) is the factory .32 Mag defensive load of choice. It's a 100 gr hollowpoint that's loaded hotter than the competing Federal and Black Hills 85 gr JHP loads. It's still easy to shoot, but you notice the extra oomph and the sharper crack! The prices on GA's website are a little out of date -- I believe the .32 Mag is now going for $12.50 / 50 rounds. That's still a good price for new ammo in this cartridge.
The .32 H&R Mag is a neat round -- accurate, well-mannered, and flat-shooting.
It has a few niches:
(1) defensive round for recoil-intolerant shooters (it's a classic "mother in law" cartridge, much better than .32 ACP and comparable to .380 ACP, with more energy in some loadings than the .380);
(2) it lets you fit six rounds instead of five into a small, light backup revolver like the 13.5 oz S&W 432PD;
(3) taking small game outdoors (it's a bit like a reloadable .22 Mag);
(4) for chronic sixgun buffs who just like playing with the caliber.
I have several fine .38/.357 revolvers, but I'd feel something was missing in my collection without my sweet 3" Ruger SP101 in .32 Magnum.
PS: Georgia Arms's ammo (see link above) is the factory .32 Mag defensive load of choice. It's a 100 gr hollowpoint that's loaded hotter than the competing Federal and Black Hills 85 gr JHP loads. It's still easy to shoot, but you notice the extra oomph and the sharper crack! The prices on GA's website are a little out of date -- I believe the .32 Mag is now going for $12.50 / 50 rounds. That's still a good price for new ammo in this cartridge.
Up until a few weeks ago, I owned a .32 Magnum I bought brand new back in March. Wanted to give a new S&W gun a chance. Wanted 6 shot snub nose. Never quite cared for it. What I really wanted was a 6 shot .38 special. Something that was a little more powerful, and used ammo that was compatible with my primary gun (A Colt Official Police .38). So I sold the .32 and got a Detective Special.
The .32 was a fun little gun. Shoots any kind of .32 round from Magnums to .32 acps. But just wasn't my cup of tea. (Plus I didn't like the lock on the side.) It is a good little gun, (In fact I'm told the chief of police of the little town I am currently working in came in to the gun store I sold it to and bought it recently exchanging it for his 5 shot M36)
The .32 was a fun little gun. Shoots any kind of .32 round from Magnums to .32 acps. But just wasn't my cup of tea. (Plus I didn't like the lock on the side.) It is a good little gun, (In fact I'm told the chief of police of the little town I am currently working in came in to the gun store I sold it to and bought it recently exchanging it for his 5 shot M36)
P. Plainsman
New member
The .32 ACP has just enough rim that it will stay in place and fire in a .32 Mag sixgun. Not that I've tried it, but many have reported this on TFL and elsewhere. Accuracy is reportedly iffy.
DiplomaticBlackHawk
New member
Wow can't beleave I'm finally taking the leap from viewing-posting.I really wanted to get some info and get a feel for the board.I can't comment on the newer made models but my H&R break top I have out shoot EVERYTHING I reload , maybe it's me and not the round/gun that makes it best of all but I don't see me messing but on everything but the 32's time after time. Trust me it would not supprise me but I don't think that's the issue I just feel it's as stated above " a fun little round to plink with( Oh God please reload)and reload to make the price diff.As with every other thing within our hobbie you need to try it befor you like or dis-like it. I started with the H&R break top because hey , it an H&R , which is by far the most underrated revolver it AMERICAN history.I think sometimes it just because of the price but there is a reson behind everything.Shoot it , learn it , love it. Now go buy one if ya want and if you don't like it sell it on the BST board
part of the reason they never became as popular as the 38special is the original revolvers (the H&R break opens)where never very popular and the fact that the 38 special was both a police and military round. The 32mag is a great little cartridge, I am thinking of adding another to my collection too. I currently have 2, a Ruger single six(same frame as the 22's) and a Smith & Wesson model 16 6" barrel. Both are a delight to shoot.
Blue Heeler
Moderator
I have and shoot regularly a S&W Model 16, 6in barrel. I shoot .32 H&R Mag ammo that I load myself. I use Starline brass and it lasts well.
I shoot it in the F.B.I. Combat Match.
I also shoot a custom .38 and a S&W 686 in the same match.
My favorite is the Model 16 because it has very low recoil and slightly better accuracy than the other two. One complaint is that it only has the old 'twistie' speedloaders and not the jet loaders (eg Safariland Comp. 3.)
It's not really a 'hard hitter' but it's good enough, and if loaded up will match the ballistics of a .38 Special.
I shoot it in the F.B.I. Combat Match.
I also shoot a custom .38 and a S&W 686 in the same match.
My favorite is the Model 16 because it has very low recoil and slightly better accuracy than the other two. One complaint is that it only has the old 'twistie' speedloaders and not the jet loaders (eg Safariland Comp. 3.)
It's not really a 'hard hitter' but it's good enough, and if loaded up will match the ballistics of a .38 Special.
I carry a 431PD as a backup/ off duty gun. I bought it for the extra cpacity. One round isnt much, but it is one more round.
I can say that the Personal Defense 85gr HPs from Federal are quite effective on various vermin such as raccoons and possums, but I would guess tham to be a bit anemic. I wholly intend to buy some of Georgia Arms 100gr ammo for carry, as soon as I shoot all of my Federal up. I couldnt ask for a better backup, and it sure beats a .32 Kel-Tec or the like.
The only gripe I have is the lack of speedstrips for the .32.
I can say that the Personal Defense 85gr HPs from Federal are quite effective on various vermin such as raccoons and possums, but I would guess tham to be a bit anemic. I wholly intend to buy some of Georgia Arms 100gr ammo for carry, as soon as I shoot all of my Federal up. I couldnt ask for a better backup, and it sure beats a .32 Kel-Tec or the like.
The only gripe I have is the lack of speedstrips for the .32.
CarbineCaleb
New member
From what I have heard, you need a .45-70 for dangerous game like that!
CarbineCaleb
New member
I think the same could be said about .38 Super versus 9mm Luger. Hard to find, expensive and no real advantages... hmmmm....
P. Plainsman
New member
That's pretty apt. There are affordable practice options, as noted above (and BTW the very accurate Black Hills .32 Mag cowboy FPL at $13/50 isn't a bank-breaker either). But it's true, when you get to the point where you're fine-tuning your handgun niches enough to shoot a lot of .32 Mag and .44 Special (two of my favorite calibers), or .41 Magnum, you're probably a serious gun buff rather than a casual shooter.
Oh, and CarbineCaleb:
That was funny.
