32 h and r mag as a self-defense load

chiefs-special-guy · February 19th, 2006, 10:44 PM

Guys-
I apologize if this has been covered. I did a search and did not find anything focused on this.
What do you think of the 32 h and r mag as a defensive load? Presumably we are talking 2 inch snub revolver here. I actually like the caliber, and have a 4.75 inch single action ruger revolver in this caliber. there are several plausible defensive loads for this. S&W has of course made a couple of light j frame type revolvers for this loading. Ballistically I know it appears somewhat marginal, though much better than 32 acp. I have found the round to be very accurate and not too bad in muzzle flash/noise, at least from my longer revolver.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance. I admit I am attracted by this round, for no good logical reason.
God Bless.

P95Carry · February 19th, 2006, 11:14 PM

Well - I am right now watching for progress from NAA re their supposed new Mini (or is it perhaps Midi!) in that cal. I am so far interested.

I would choose it over .32acp if possible but certainly prefer to get higher in cal from choice. I expect this cal would be pretty good for a BUG - better let's say than my current NAA Mini in .22WMR.

I do not have a piece at present in .32H&R so cannot speak of personal experience with tests etc. I have not looked up data - but what do we have for fps with a given grain bullet?

paknheat · February 25th, 2006, 10:56 PM

I think it would be ok . The ballistics for the .32H&R mag are about the same as the .380acp. You get a 85-90gn hp moving about 900-1050 fps. I think for someone who was recoil sensitive it would make a good nightstand gun in a revolver with a 4'' barrell. or as a BUG. hope this helps.

maclean3 · March 16th, 2006, 03:18 PM

Had a gunshop clerk try to push one of those S&W Airweights on me when I went looking for a 442/642. I passed on it simply because I didn't know enough about the caliber. He said he sold a bunch of them to LEOs as BUGs - that's all fine and good but I was looking for a warm weather primary.

Chris:
Are you saying that NAA's bringing out a .32mag mini revo or auto (Guardian, I think?). The pocket auto seems fairly do-able ala Seecamp but I'm with you, a .32mag mini revo would make a nice little vest pocket gun. Also, how does the mini's trigger pull compare to a std. Derringer? I've had those in .38spl. and .22mag but both triggers required an almost straining effort to pull.
Jack

P95Carry · March 16th, 2006, 09:33 PM

Jack - yes I believe there is a new .32 mini revo in the works but - even at shotshow apparently - nothing to be seen - seems under wraps for now. Someone actually mentioned that their time at the NAA stand made them feel all but unwelcome - not very impressive!

It does seem as tho it may be rather heavy and not over small - so remains to be seen if it's worth consideration.

The Mini's trigger pull? Well - nothing all that special really but not over heavy (to me) - it is of course that lil stub thing - but I can say it is not hard to shoot - well functional and actually I'd not want an over light trigger on that.

Lawrence Keeney · March 16th, 2006, 11:41 PM

Isnt the 32 mag a popular caliber for cowboy action shooters?

srfl · March 17th, 2006, 02:17 AM

I think Charter Arms and maybe even Dan Wesson had revolvers chambered in that caliber.

RSSZ · March 17th, 2006, 07:45 AM

I like the little .32 H&R Mag. cartridge. My wife has had one in a Ruger Blackhawk now for 12(?) or so years now. I have done some reloading for it. Mainly the Hornady 100gr XTP's. She carries the little revo(4 5/8ths bbl) when she mucks through the swamps with me on one of my swine exploration safaries. I load her weapon with a 115gr. very hard cast bullet and 10.0grs of H110. The bullet has a large meplate and will cut a decient sized hole. This bullet/load will also penetrate very well and stay together.(as all hard cast bullets will do) Also,IMO the .32 H&R Mag will surpass the .380 Auto and come almost up to the .38 Spec. numbers when handloaded. Marlin has a Lever out in the cal. also. These are popular with the CASS crowd. I would love to see someone put out an auto in this cal. although it would have to be a fairly large weapon. For the minimal recoil,accuracy,and ease of loading,this is a great cal. if not expected to do everything. ------

Bud White · March 17th, 2006, 07:51 AM

i dont know a lot about the cartridge but i think it would get the job done should be better than a 380 thats for sure

February 19th, 2006, 10:44 PM	#1
chiefs-special-guy Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: alabama Posts: 249	32 h and r mag as a self-defense load Guys- I apologize if this has been covered. I did a search and did not find anything focused on this. What do you think of the 32 h and r mag as a defensive load? Presumably we are talking 2 inch snub revolver here. I actually like the caliber, and have a 4.75 inch single action ruger revolver in this caliber. there are several plausible defensive loads for this. S&W has of course made a couple of light j frame type revolvers for this loading. Ballistically I know it appears somewhat marginal, though much better than 32 acp. I have found the round to be very accurate and not too bad in muzzle flash/noise, at least from my longer revolver. Thoughts? Thanks in advance. I admit I am attracted by this round, for no good logical reason. God Bless. __________________ Six for sure...Uh, I mean Five. Five for sure..

February 19th, 2006, 11:14 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Well - I am right now watching for progress from NAA re their supposed new Mini (or is it perhaps Midi!) in that cal. I am so far interested. I would choose it over .32acp if possible but certainly prefer to get higher in cal from choice. I expect this cal would be pretty good for a BUG - better let's say than my current NAA Mini in .22WMR. I do not have a piece at present in .32H&R so cannot speak of personal experience with tests etc. I have not looked up data - but what do we have for fps with a given grain bullet? __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

March 16th, 2006, 03:18 PM	#4
maclean3 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,876	Had a gunshop clerk try to push one of those S&W Airweights on me when I went looking for a 442/642. I passed on it simply because I didn't know enough about the caliber. He said he sold a bunch of them to LEOs as BUGs - that's all fine and good but I was looking for a warm weather primary. Chris: Are you saying that NAA's bringing out a .32mag mini revo or auto (Guardian, I think?). The pocket auto seems fairly do-able ala Seecamp but I'm with you, a .32mag mini revo would make a nice little vest pocket gun. Also, how does the mini's trigger pull compare to a std. Derringer? I've had those in .38spl. and .22mag but both triggers required an almost straining effort to pull. Jack __________________ "The sheep are everywhere. We are raising up a nation of cannon fodder types and we are screwed." HotGuns

March 16th, 2006, 09:33 PM	#5
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Jack - yes I believe there is a new .32 mini revo in the works but - even at shotshow apparently - nothing to be seen - seems under wraps for now. Someone actually mentioned that their time at the NAA stand made them feel all but unwelcome - not very impressive! It does seem as tho it may be rather heavy and not over small - so remains to be seen if it's worth consideration. The Mini's trigger pull? Well - nothing all that special really but not over heavy (to me) - it is of course that lil stub thing - but I can say it is not hard to shoot - well functional and actually I'd not want an over light trigger on that. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

March 16th, 2006, 11:41 PM	#6
Lawrence Keeney Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 327	Isnt the 32 mag a popular caliber for cowboy action shooters? __________________ "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong." Denny Crane:

February 25th, 2006, 10:56 PM	#3
paknheat Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 248	I think it would be ok . The ballistics for the .32H&R mag are about the same as the .380acp. You get a 85-90gn hp moving about 900-1050 fps. I think for someone who was recoil sensitive it would make a good nightstand gun in a revolver with a 4'' barrell. or as a BUG. hope this helps.

March 17th, 2006, 02:17 AM	#7
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,432	I think Charter Arms and maybe even Dan Wesson had revolvers chambered in that caliber. __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

March 17th, 2006, 07:45 AM	#8
RSSZ Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,847	I like the little .32 H&R Mag. cartridge. My wife has had one in a Ruger Blackhawk now for 12(?) or so years now. I have done some reloading for it. Mainly the Hornady 100gr XTP's. She carries the little revo(4 5/8ths bbl) when she mucks through the swamps with me on one of my swine exploration safaries. I load her weapon with a 115gr. very hard cast bullet and 10.0grs of H110. The bullet has a large meplate and will cut a decient sized hole. This bullet/load will also penetrate very well and stay together.(as all hard cast bullets will do) Also,IMO the .32 H&R Mag will surpass the .380 Auto and come almost up to the .38 Spec. numbers when handloaded. Marlin has a Lever out in the cal. also. These are popular with the CASS crowd. I would love to see someone put out an auto in this cal. although it would have to be a fairly large weapon. For the minimal recoil,accuracy,and ease of loading,this is a great cal. if not expected to do everything. ------

March 17th, 2006, 07:51 AM	#9
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	i dont know a lot about the cartridge but i think it would get the job done should be better than a 380 thats for sure

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