FirstFreedom
Moderator
Which would you rather have for a self-defense gun?
5 rounds of .38 Spl+P, or 6 rounds of .32 H&R mag?
- Thread starter FirstFreedom
- Start date
Dain Bramage
New member
Depends...are you planning on running into five or six badguys? Just kidding.
Conventional wisdom is that the .38 spl is a much better stopper. You also get a tremendously greater selection of ammo and it's cheaper too.
That being said, I really like the little .32 H&R mag. I'm thinking about getting an S&W 432 for my wife, who has arthritis. The sixth round is a nice little plus in a J-frame package that somewhat offsets the weaker caliber.
You're definitely buying a niche round with the .32, but it may be on the upswing with the lady Vaquero and S&W continuing to make J-frames on and off again.
Conventional wisdom is that the .38 spl is a much better stopper. You also get a tremendously greater selection of ammo and it's cheaper too.
That being said, I really like the little .32 H&R mag. I'm thinking about getting an S&W 432 for my wife, who has arthritis. The sixth round is a nice little plus in a J-frame package that somewhat offsets the weaker caliber.
You're definitely buying a niche round with the .32, but it may be on the upswing with the lady Vaquero and S&W continuing to make J-frames on and off again.
What load?
I would think it would be a good alternative to a 22 or a 32 auto, but I don't know of many factory loads that would be optimised for defense work. You could theoretically hot rod some handloads faster than factory stuff, but then again I suspect your bullet choices are limited. So maybe as a backup to the 38, which has alot of choices for very good defense loads. I think the 32 mag was really designed for target, plinking, and small game. But that is my opinion. Would surely beat a 25 auto! Probably not even practical as a cheap practice load for gaining skills with the bigger guns as I suspect ammo is not cheap.
I would think it would be a good alternative to a 22 or a 32 auto, but I don't know of many factory loads that would be optimised for defense work. You could theoretically hot rod some handloads faster than factory stuff, but then again I suspect your bullet choices are limited. So maybe as a backup to the 38, which has alot of choices for very good defense loads. I think the 32 mag was really designed for target, plinking, and small game. But that is my opinion. Would surely beat a 25 auto! Probably not even practical as a cheap practice load for gaining skills with the bigger guns as I suspect ammo is not cheap.
I see the .32 H&R Mag as the gun of choice for people who want to carry an Airweight but can't tolerate (because of injury/weakness/arthritis, etc.) the recoil of an Airweight with .38. My feeling is that the 6th round evens out the equation a bit but that the .38 is still out in front by a little.
Sir William
New member
I am still unconvinced that the 32 H&R Magnum is all that. I have a S&W M30 in 32 S&W Long with 6 shots in a flat latch J frame. I find it uncomfortable to shoot. A person with small hands might like it. I lean to a 3" M65 in 38/357 Magnum. They are cheap on the used market, fixed sights, handle 115 gr WC 38 Specials and 180 gr JHPs. Grips are available for smaller profile up to Pachmayr Grippers w/fingergrooves. Stainless to resist sweat and elements. I like mine for nightly dog walks.
Alaskanmonte
New member
38+P no question in my mind. Didn't even have to think twice about it.
.38 Special +P, for all the reasons already stated plus two others:
a) For any snubbie (and I suspect you may be considering a Ruger SP-101?), practice is particularly important, since the sight radius/barrel length does not make precise, fast shots easy. .38 Special target ammunition is inexpensive, so you can prepare more thoroughly and economically.
b) While “more is always better” in ammunition available, I believe there are many/most scenarios where either five or six round is likely to be adequate. The time-proven FBI “Rule of Threes” applies: Less than three seconds, less than three yards, less than three shots. Now, all of us understand that there are also many defensive situations where that tenet badly understates the threat; however, you already know that, since any snubbie isn’t the best defensive handgun option and no handgun compares to a top-rated long gun for self-protection.
a) For any snubbie (and I suspect you may be considering a Ruger SP-101?), practice is particularly important, since the sight radius/barrel length does not make precise, fast shots easy. .38 Special target ammunition is inexpensive, so you can prepare more thoroughly and economically.
b) While “more is always better” in ammunition available, I believe there are many/most scenarios where either five or six round is likely to be adequate. The time-proven FBI “Rule of Threes” applies: Less than three seconds, less than three yards, less than three shots. Now, all of us understand that there are also many defensive situations where that tenet badly understates the threat; however, you already know that, since any snubbie isn’t the best defensive handgun option and no handgun compares to a top-rated long gun for self-protection.
.38 Special +P
.38 +P with a speed strip, speed loader or 2nd piece will get you out of 99% of any self defense situation the average citizen will ever encounter. I wouldn't have the same confidence with .32 anything. JMHO/.02. However, carry what you can put on target 5 or 6 times. That's really the crux of it.
.38 +P with a speed strip, speed loader or 2nd piece will get you out of 99% of any self defense situation the average citizen will ever encounter. I wouldn't have the same confidence with .32 anything. JMHO/.02. However, carry what you can put on target 5 or 6 times. That's really the crux of it.
Jason Demond
New member
I'd go for the .38 everytime. I never carry anything less that that, unless it's a backup gun.
nobanforme
New member
.38 all the way........sold my .32 
Blue Heeler
Moderator
I have a .32 H&R Magnum (S&W M 16)--it is a wonderful revolver--shoots easily and straight.For a target gun it's hard to go past.And yes,it can be loaded up hard to match the ballistics of the .38.
Despite all that I would prefer a .38 as a defensive weapon.
125g JHP is hard to go past as a defensive round--even more so in .357.
Despite all that I would prefer a .38 as a defensive weapon.
125g JHP is hard to go past as a defensive round--even more so in .357.
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
Referring to an old thread on this exact topic - -
There was an extensive discussion at - -
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17478&perpage=25&highlight=\\\.32 mag&pagenumber=1
- - with a fair amount of information and some amusing comment.
From my entry - - -
- - -on the premise of "Times Five," or "Times Six."
Do six hits with a .32154 Super Whiz Bang Whomper Mag from a two-inch barrel add up to more or less kinetic energy than FIVE regular ole .38 Spl 158 LSWCHP+P bullets? This question only has some relationship to reality if we stipulate that all these ergs are to be dumped into the mortal corpus of some half-anesthetized golem with 60 grams of recreational pharmacology sloshing around behind his beetle brows, headed your way at full charge with blood in his glazed-over eyes and malice in his sluggishly pounding heart.
Such being the case, I'll wager substantial coin of the realm that ANY of us would be hard put to tag the central nervous system with ONE round, far less five or six. If I am the object of said thug's attention, it is in the best interests of my family, friends, heirs and assigns, that I utilize the biggest, baddest, hardest hitting slug I can use. I want it to go deep and do damage, and if fortunate enough to strike bone, I prefer there to be enough remaining smack to break or at least shock it. In MY mind, I must deal with the possible/probable effect of ONE decent hit. It may be all I have time for, or other factors may prevent me putting an entire cylinderful into my assailant. If my Higher Power is smiling upon me, there may be more hits, but I have to figure worst case scenario.
Now, this discussion centers upon a comparison of realistic loads for the .32 H&R and the .38 Special. It is not truly contributory to toss in figures concerning .357 magnum loads, nor those for the .454 Casull, the .50 Express, nor the 23mm chain gun. No point in touching upon what's in the .45 Commander nestled on my hip as I type. But, later in the evening, I'll probably take off the holster and drop a Colt Agent in my pocket, bringing the personal connection back to my writings . . . .
Figure the .32 as 100 gr. The old pi are square formula, 3.14 X (.312/2 times .312/2,) equals .076415. With the .38 Spl 158 gr., it is 3.14 X (.357/2 X .357/2,) yielding .100047. So the .38 has about 24% more frontal area with 58% more bullet weight. If you use the 85 gr .32 bullet, the .38 has nearly TWICE the weight. Nope, this doesn't take into account speed, but neither one reaches level of hydrostatic shock. Velocity figures into this only for the purpose of bullet expansion. How much expansion will w get from the .32 from a two-inch? Perhaps, up to .36 or .40? And what does this do to the penetration of the light bullet? the more it expands, the shallower it stops. This is pocket pistols, remember, NOT deer rifles.
For my money, I prefer the concept of a heavier bullet with more frontal area going deep. Any expansion is a bonus. Any additional hits are a further bonus. It being MY stake to play, I'll bet MY life on a snub with a good .38 load before the .32.
I fully realize that my flawless logic and devastating debate technique will not sway anyone who is well-invested in the .32 mag camp, any more that his/hers will sway me.
I love the idea of the little .32 as a trail gun, or as a small game getter. If it came to personal defense while afield, I'd a lot rather have it than NO firearm, for sure, and far more than a .22 or a .25.
One man's ideas on the topic - - - -
Johnny
There was an extensive discussion at - -
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17478&perpage=25&highlight=\\\.32 mag&pagenumber=1
- - with a fair amount of information and some amusing comment.
From my entry - - -
- - -on the premise of "Times Five," or "Times Six."
Do six hits with a .32154 Super Whiz Bang Whomper Mag from a two-inch barrel add up to more or less kinetic energy than FIVE regular ole .38 Spl 158 LSWCHP+P bullets? This question only has some relationship to reality if we stipulate that all these ergs are to be dumped into the mortal corpus of some half-anesthetized golem with 60 grams of recreational pharmacology sloshing around behind his beetle brows, headed your way at full charge with blood in his glazed-over eyes and malice in his sluggishly pounding heart.
Such being the case, I'll wager substantial coin of the realm that ANY of us would be hard put to tag the central nervous system with ONE round, far less five or six. If I am the object of said thug's attention, it is in the best interests of my family, friends, heirs and assigns, that I utilize the biggest, baddest, hardest hitting slug I can use. I want it to go deep and do damage, and if fortunate enough to strike bone, I prefer there to be enough remaining smack to break or at least shock it. In MY mind, I must deal with the possible/probable effect of ONE decent hit. It may be all I have time for, or other factors may prevent me putting an entire cylinderful into my assailant. If my Higher Power is smiling upon me, there may be more hits, but I have to figure worst case scenario.
Now, this discussion centers upon a comparison of realistic loads for the .32 H&R and the .38 Special. It is not truly contributory to toss in figures concerning .357 magnum loads, nor those for the .454 Casull, the .50 Express, nor the 23mm chain gun. No point in touching upon what's in the .45 Commander nestled on my hip as I type. But, later in the evening, I'll probably take off the holster and drop a Colt Agent in my pocket, bringing the personal connection back to my writings . . . .
Figure the .32 as 100 gr. The old pi are square formula, 3.14 X (.312/2 times .312/2,) equals .076415. With the .38 Spl 158 gr., it is 3.14 X (.357/2 X .357/2,) yielding .100047. So the .38 has about 24% more frontal area with 58% more bullet weight. If you use the 85 gr .32 bullet, the .38 has nearly TWICE the weight. Nope, this doesn't take into account speed, but neither one reaches level of hydrostatic shock. Velocity figures into this only for the purpose of bullet expansion. How much expansion will w get from the .32 from a two-inch? Perhaps, up to .36 or .40? And what does this do to the penetration of the light bullet? the more it expands, the shallower it stops. This is pocket pistols, remember, NOT deer rifles.
For my money, I prefer the concept of a heavier bullet with more frontal area going deep. Any expansion is a bonus. Any additional hits are a further bonus. It being MY stake to play, I'll bet MY life on a snub with a good .38 load before the .32.
I fully realize that my flawless logic and devastating debate technique will not sway anyone who is well-invested in the .32 mag camp, any more that his/hers will sway me.
I love the idea of the little .32 as a trail gun, or as a small game getter. If it came to personal defense while afield, I'd a lot rather have it than NO firearm, for sure, and far more than a .22 or a .25.
One man's ideas on the topic - - - -
Johnny
Colt's guidelnes on +P in "D" frames, IIRC are check alloy frames for stretching every 1,000 rounds fired; check steel frames every 4,000 rounds. I am assuming this mean total rounds, not necessarily only +P.
As for S&W "J" frames, I shot a flat-latch loose in under 100 rounds of +P 158 gr. lswhp's. What hurt especially was it was my father's always gun.
I won't fire +P in my M38 bodyguard. I have an unpinned M36 3" underlugged bbl. w/ target sights, but have not put any +P through it so far. I have a Cobra with exposed ejector rod, and a Police Positive Special with the same. I also have a Police Positive Mk V I've yet to shoot.
My state requires the firearms qualified with be listed on your CCW by make, model, and caliber. If I ever have to use my carry in self defense, I want to be able to surrender it, and then ( please God, if released uncharged ) go home and replace it with a duplicate or triplicate of the same.
I have the redundant 380's, but am working on getting another Cobra as I want to be able to carry +P's. My winter 380 carries 13+1 380's, but if limited to 5 or 6 rounds from a snub I want the FBI/Chicago load ( 158 lswhp +P ) for my summer carry.
As for S&W "J" frames, I shot a flat-latch loose in under 100 rounds of +P 158 gr. lswhp's. What hurt especially was it was my father's always gun.
I won't fire +P in my M38 bodyguard. I have an unpinned M36 3" underlugged bbl. w/ target sights, but have not put any +P through it so far. I have a Cobra with exposed ejector rod, and a Police Positive Special with the same. I also have a Police Positive Mk V I've yet to shoot.
My state requires the firearms qualified with be listed on your CCW by make, model, and caliber. If I ever have to use my carry in self defense, I want to be able to surrender it, and then ( please God, if released uncharged ) go home and replace it with a duplicate or triplicate of the same.
I have the redundant 380's, but am working on getting another Cobra as I want to be able to carry +P's. My winter 380 carries 13+1 380's, but if limited to 5 or 6 rounds from a snub I want the FBI/Chicago load ( 158 lswhp +P ) for my summer carry.