Between the .38 and .22?

A

Apple a Day

New member
I need some help.
What is there that exists between a .38 Special and a .22 magnum? Does anyone make anything which uses the .32 H&R anymore? Any reviews?
Any info/ opinions appreciated.
BTW this is not for CCW or really for home defense. I am looking for a shootin' pistol for my wife. She loves my Taurus M65 but I am looking for something a little smaller and milder for her to pump rounds through at the range.
 
A few options would include 9mm Makarov (9X18), .380, .32, and .25. Makarov pistols are available in 9 X18 or .380 (9X17) and are both, affordable and dependable.
 
Lagy's gun...

I'd get a box of .38 target wadcutters for the Mrs. if I was you, and see how she liked those; might be the answer to the problem w/o having to acquire a handgun in another caliber.

The SP-101, however, is a real soft-shootin' little revolver. I bought one of these (3" .357)a couple of years ago which my wife promptly claimed the first time she ever shot it. In 30 minutes she was cranking off Federal 125/Mags and with good accuracy, at that. I also built her a 'just for fun' load that uses a 125 JHP at about 750 fps, and I would not wanna be the snake or varmint who attracted her unhappy attention with that one, out to about 20 yards or so.

I'd say a SP in .22 or .32 would be just about recoil non-esixtent, and a dandy plinker & small game gun at that. I have just learned over the years that my reloading life is much, much simpler if i din't keep more than 3 calibers of handgun bullets/brass around- and 2 is even better.
 
Taurus has a couple of .32Mags in six-shot J-size-class layout.

Texas Ammunition has a new "32Mag Express" load with an 85grain JHP doing 1,000fps from a 2" barrel. There are also speedloaders made for these, because the Ruger SP101, S&W and Taurus little sixguns all eat from the same speedloaders.

This would make a superb "recoil intolerant shooter" defense gun. And I'm not convinced there's a .38 standard pressure load that's so much more potent that it would be worth having five of 'em versus six of that "Express".

http://www.texas-ammo.com/about.htm#news
 
Aanndd..
If you have a gun chambered for .32Mag, you can shoot .32 S&W Longs in it. Excellent target round.

Sam
 
Thanks for the info. I'll look for an SP for sure.
Atticus, what wheelguns do you know of chambered for 9mm Makarov, .380, .32, or .25? I've never seen one but am willing to give one a try. My wife has tried to 9mm Makarov [commerical Russian] and a .32 auto [CZ-70] and prefers a revolver for the simplicity. She flat-out hated the Makarov recoil.
 
An SP101 in .32Mag will be a pussycat. Heavy gun, modest bullet. That or maybe a ported steel Taurus, but I don't think Taurus ports their .32Maggies?

Some guy on gunbroker.com seems to have tried to corner the market on .32Mag SP101s :). He's got three for sale:

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=4471485

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=4471493

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=4471497

The 3" variant looks sweet. The 4"ers would be great to shoot, but a royal BEAR to find a carry holster for. The 3" is a common barrel length on the .357, so finding a holster would be no sweat.

I roll my own holsters, and damn, I'd *love* one of the 4"ers. Wow. You get that Texas Express stuff moving at almost 1,200fps I'll betcha, and you'd have six rounds instead of five, and speedloaders are available...oh ya baby :).
 
Couple of other choices.

Dan Wesson offers their small frame series in .32 H&R. The small frame series is comparable in size to a S&W "L" frame so it's not a small gun. www.danwessonfirearms.com
Ruger sells a version of their Single Six chambered for .32 H&R as well. Don't know if single action is acceptable but I'll put it on the table anyway.
Take Care
 
Ooops.. forgot it was the revolver forum. I'm not aware of wheelgun offerings in .380 or 9X18, but maybe someone else is. Sounds like you got some good suggestions though.
 
Jim,
I handled an SP101 today chambered for .357 magnum. It's a definite possibility.
I'm kinda new to revolvers. Does Dan Wesson have anything to do with Smith and Wesson? I don't want to start yet another "Has S&W renounced Satan" thread... I was just curious if there was a historical/business connection.
Thanks everybody for the info.
A Makarov revolver would be neat even if they don't exist. I have seen .45 and 9mm wheelguns. I am somewhat disappointed that there ain't much modern in that range of parameters.
 
Dan Wesson has no connection with Smith & Wesson.
And Dan Wesson has not agreed to let the goverment dictate their product line offerings.

Sam
 
Georgia Arms loads...

...a .32 H&R Mag 100gr JHP at a claimed 1100fps/269fpe. That's what I tote in my Taurus 731UL; it's sorta the .32 H&R Mag equivalent of the 158gr +P's that I feed my .38 Spl 640.

731vapor1s.jpg
 
I have two .32 H&R mag snubbies...

A Taurus 731UL that was "tuned" at the factory. (Unbelievably nice trgger.) And a S&W 331 AirLite Ti. The Taurus is ported and weighs about 16 ounces and the 331 weighs 11.9 ounces. The 331 has turned into my every day, "summer pistol", but the 731UL has the best feeling action. I like .32 magnum pistols. They hold 6, instead of 5 and are powerful enough for defense.

KR
 
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