Lipsey’s & S&W J-Frame .32 H&R and .38 Special
- Thread starter Wiresguy
- Start date
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
I have zero doubts that the 32 H&R Mag can serve as a defensive caliber. Toward the end of my career I did the secondary side of a homicide case (crime scene work) of a 'Frequent flyer vs, regular customer' discussion between adverse parties. At least one side of this discussion was conducted with a 32 H&R Mag, and this became known as soon as we moved the body of the discussion's 2nd place finisher--because one (1) each Hornady JHP fell out from within the portly man's shirt after through-and-through penetration of lungs front-to-back (IIRC). Other than land & groove impressions, the utterly unexpanded JHP looked like it could be reloaded and fired again if someone was so minded. This recipient was about 6'5" and 315#, so that bullet did no small amount of media penetrating.
To me the 30s & 32s are all 'Fun guns'--small game numbers and tin can rollers. The 30 Luger & Mauser, the 32 Mag & 327 Federal, and the 7.65 MAS pistol and 30 Super Carry are among us--they can, will, and have repelled boarders capably for 125 years or so. I just don't think light-tackle angling mindsets translate well to the hunting fields or to exchanges of finality.....use enough gun.
That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.
To me the 30s & 32s are all 'Fun guns'--small game numbers and tin can rollers. The 30 Luger & Mauser, the 32 Mag & 327 Federal, and the 7.65 MAS pistol and 30 Super Carry are among us--they can, will, and have repelled boarders capably for 125 years or so. I just don't think light-tackle angling mindsets translate well to the hunting fields or to exchanges of finality.....use enough gun.
That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
There’s no doubt that any projectile fired from any firearm can do bad things to humans. However, when firearms are involved, the winner isn’t the one that causes the first death, the winner is the one that causes the other to cease the hostilities first. That often means death is the result, but that’s not a rule.
If you shoot your attacker and your attacker dies 10 seconds after he buries a machete in your head, you didn’t win.
While it’s entirely possible that a FMJ 25 ACP could do the required damage to quickly stop a fight, the odds get considerably better if a different cartridge is selected.
I have no doubt that a 32 H&R Magnum could stop a fight. I do have some doubt about the odds of success with that round when fired from 1 7/8” barrel. Could it do the job? Absolutely. Would it be my first choice? Not without some duress.
If you shoot your attacker and your attacker dies 10 seconds after he buries a machete in your head, you didn’t win.
While it’s entirely possible that a FMJ 25 ACP could do the required damage to quickly stop a fight, the odds get considerably better if a different cartridge is selected.
I have no doubt that a 32 H&R Magnum could stop a fight. I do have some doubt about the odds of success with that round when fired from 1 7/8” barrel. Could it do the job? Absolutely. Would it be my first choice? Not without some duress.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Well, that's about 99.9% sales pitch and about 0.1% development history, but advertising isn't meant to be a history lesson.
hporter
Active Member
I suppose it is a sales pitch - but why wouldn't you pitch your new product?
I was interested in seeing the frames being made, that they are swapping the springs for better trigger pulls, swapping aluminum pins for titanium ones and chamfering the chambers from the factory. And mostly being able to see them in the flesh being used, rather than pretty pictures on a website.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Oh, I don’t blame them for promoting their product.
That’s just good business.
That’s just good business.
hporter
Active Member
I had the pleasure of shooting my recently acquired S&W 431 Airweight 32 H&R mag yesterday. I took the bait, the hook has been set, and I am eagerly waiting for these new Lipsey models to hit the street!
I couldn't believe how well I shot that little snub nosed gun in double action. We were busting clay pigeons hanging suspended at 15 yards. I would knock the center out, then pop the bottom half of that donut shape off, then knock the top piece off on the right or left and then finish the remainder off. I had seen those grips on it before, I think they are called boot grips? I always thought they were a bit fugly looking, but they fit my hand like magic.
The MP double sided wadcutter bullet with 1.6 grains of Bullseye shot to the sights on a half a dozen .32 Longs and H&R magnums we brought with us. Incredible tight groups, it shot noticeably better then the NOE hollow based wadcutter with the same charge of Bullseye powder that I had with me. Another new favorite load.
Apologies for the excess of enthusiasm. It has been a long-long time since I was able to make some smoke. My buddy and I decided to take a day off from work and spend it in his pasture. Got to shoot the new to me Colt Army Special in 32-20, the Colt Police Positive Special in 32 long and the S&W 32-1 in 38 S&W. Life is good.
I couldn't believe how well I shot that little snub nosed gun in double action. We were busting clay pigeons hanging suspended at 15 yards. I would knock the center out, then pop the bottom half of that donut shape off, then knock the top piece off on the right or left and then finish the remainder off. I had seen those grips on it before, I think they are called boot grips? I always thought they were a bit fugly looking, but they fit my hand like magic.
The MP double sided wadcutter bullet with 1.6 grains of Bullseye shot to the sights on a half a dozen .32 Longs and H&R magnums we brought with us. Incredible tight groups, it shot noticeably better then the NOE hollow based wadcutter with the same charge of Bullseye powder that I had with me. Another new favorite load.
Apologies for the excess of enthusiasm. It has been a long-long time since I was able to make some smoke. My buddy and I decided to take a day off from work and spend it in his pasture. Got to shoot the new to me Colt Army Special in 32-20, the Colt Police Positive Special in 32 long and the S&W 32-1 in 38 S&W. Life is good.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Technically, “boot grips” do not extend beyond the base of the grip frame, so those are a bit long.
Never underestimate the potential accuracy of a good snubnose revolver. The guns themselves are capable of fine accuracy. Short barrels (short sight radius), small grips, small dimensions in the internal lock work all combine to make little DA revolvers challenging to shoot well but those are problems for the user, not problems related to the potential accuracy of the gun.
If you put a good DA snubnose in a Ransom rest with a good load, the guns will prove they are very capable of fine accuracy. Well-practiced operators can master the snubnose and generate surprisingly good results with those little guns.
And ...the 32's are just plain FUN
hporter
Active Member
I used to think my Ruger LCR in .327 was my favorite sub-nosed revolver, but that little S&W was truly a notch or three above it in accuracy and controllability.
My buddy brought his S&W 631 to shoot. That one is a stainless steel snub nosed j-frame in 32 H&R. It was accurate as well, but the difference in handling was dramatic versus the airweight version. It was educational to shoot them side by side with the same loads.
My buddy brought his S&W 631 to shoot. That one is a stainless steel snub nosed j-frame in 32 H&R. It was accurate as well, but the difference in handling was dramatic versus the airweight version. It was educational to shoot them side by side with the same loads.
TXTad
Active Member
I talked to my dealer about these as soon as I learned about them a month ago. His rep said "end of February." Well, that came and went. I was talking to him yesterday and now the rep is saying they're still waiting for S&W to ship them. :-(
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I have absolutely NO need for another snubnose revolver but those Lipsey 442 and 642 revovlers are tempting.
TXTad
Active Member
Same. I have a 442 and 642, so I'm more interested in one of the 32s, but I kinda want the 38s too.
hporter
Active Member
My LGS said they put me on some sort of Lipsey's Wish List - and that they would inform me as soon as one was available.
I told them to put me down for one of each. I'd rather buy them now at retail than to wait until the production run is over and face prices 2 to 3 times higher. Plus my wife can pick out the one she likes best and I can have the other. Happy wife, happy life.
I told them to put me down for one of each. I'd rather buy them now at retail than to wait until the production run is over and face prices 2 to 3 times higher. Plus my wife can pick out the one she likes best and I can have the other. Happy wife, happy life.
Wiresguy
Active Member
The day after my original post I went to the LGS and asked them to order a 432UC for me. It will join the 31-1, K38 converted to 32 H&R, and FA97 32 H&R/32-20. I have a weak spot for the 32’s - they are stingy for lead and powder plus being fun to shoot.
The 3 inch 31-1 seldom gets shot as I find the sights to be marginal, though my old eyes don’t help. The 432 looks to be a big improvement in the sights department and the H&R chambering is a plus for ammo commonality. Most of my H&R loads are 100 gr at around 900 - 100 fps depending on gun and barrel length. Lipsey’s flyer states the 432UC is sighted at 15 yards for Federal 85gr HP and “100 grain weight ammo traveling 800 fps like the Buffalo Bore 32 S&W Long offerings.”
I previously owned Ruger SP101 (older model) 32 H&R, SP101 4.2” in 327, Bisley 32 HR, S&W 16-4 in both 4” and 6”, and a 631 4”. Favorites in that list were the Bisley and 4” 16-4.
My take is that education is not free; there is a price to be paid for learning. The 432 will be a part of that education, most likely a fun part!
The 3 inch 31-1 seldom gets shot as I find the sights to be marginal, though my old eyes don’t help. The 432 looks to be a big improvement in the sights department and the H&R chambering is a plus for ammo commonality. Most of my H&R loads are 100 gr at around 900 - 100 fps depending on gun and barrel length. Lipsey’s flyer states the 432UC is sighted at 15 yards for Federal 85gr HP and “100 grain weight ammo traveling 800 fps like the Buffalo Bore 32 S&W Long offerings.”
I previously owned Ruger SP101 (older model) 32 H&R, SP101 4.2” in 327, Bisley 32 HR, S&W 16-4 in both 4” and 6”, and a 631 4”. Favorites in that list were the Bisley and 4” 16-4.
My take is that education is not free; there is a price to be paid for learning. The 432 will be a part of that education, most likely a fun part!
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
I didn't grab a 4" Model 631 when they were being made, though I did put the shekels together for a Model 16-4 x 6". THAT revolver is a small game & varmint machine! It is the most accurate revolver I have ever owned.
More recently I snagged a Ruger SP-101 x 4.25" in 327 Federal. Those factory loads running nearly 1500 FPS (allegedly) are straight-up OBNOXIOUS--they give my 30 Carbine Blackhawk stiff competition for the title of 'Loudest handgun ever'. All of these 32 overachievers mellow down nicely when run at about 850-900 FPS with castings.
I can only imagine the thunder and lightning a 327 Federal revolver with 2" barrel will produce. If a GSW patient arrives at the ER alive but unable to hear--blinded--and with singed eyebrows, start looking for an opposite number using a snubby 327 loaded with AA9 or H110.
More recently I snagged a Ruger SP-101 x 4.25" in 327 Federal. Those factory loads running nearly 1500 FPS (allegedly) are straight-up OBNOXIOUS--they give my 30 Carbine Blackhawk stiff competition for the title of 'Loudest handgun ever'. All of these 32 overachievers mellow down nicely when run at about 850-900 FPS with castings.
I can only imagine the thunder and lightning a 327 Federal revolver with 2" barrel will produce. If a GSW patient arrives at the ER alive but unable to hear--blinded--and with singed eyebrows, start looking for an opposite number using a snubby 327 loaded with AA9 or H110.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
A strong endorsement and undoubtedly a good purchase.
TXTad
Active Member
https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/lipseys-smith-wesson-ultimate-carry-j-frame/
"Unlike other Lipsey Exclusives, the Ultimate Carry J-Frame is not a limited run but will continue to be made until interest runs out."
This is good news. I don't have to rush, though I don't want to dawdle either. I want at least one in each caliber. I don't have a strong preference for blue or stainless, and since they are the same price, I'll get whatever I find first in each caliber.
"Unlike other Lipsey Exclusives, the Ultimate Carry J-Frame is not a limited run but will continue to be made until interest runs out."
This is good news. I don't have to rush, though I don't want to dawdle either. I want at least one in each caliber. I don't have a strong preference for blue or stainless, and since they are the same price, I'll get whatever I find first in each caliber.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
There are people that must have it and they must have it right now.
I am always willing to stand aside and allow them to pay for that privilege.
I am always willing to stand aside and allow them to pay for that privilege.