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The Model 32 Terrier is a small frame revolver in .38 S&W that was manufactured from 1936 to 1974. They bear a very striking resemblance to the more common Model 36 Chief's Special but the primary difference is that the M32 is chambered for the older .38 S&W cartridge rather than the more common and more powerful .38 Special chambering of the M36. The Terrier was originally built on the I-Frame but later models were built on the J-Frame after S&W discontinued the I-Frame.
The .38 S&W cartridge is obsolescent and considered underpowered by today's standards. It differs from the .38 Special in that it is substantially lower pressure (14,500 psi vs. 17,000 psi), shorter (1.24" OAL vs. 1.55" OAL), and uses a slightly larger diameter bullet (.361" vs. .357"). While no new guns have been chambered in .38 S&W in decades, ammunition is still available from Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi, Magtech, Ten-X, Buffalo Bore and Prvi Partizan. Most commercial loadings for this cartridge feature a 145-146gr LRN bullet at just under 700fps though Fiocchi offers a FMJ loading of similar weight and velocity and Buffalo Bore makes a 125gr LSWC loading at 1,000fps. While it is unlikely to even chamber, it is unsafe to attempt to fire a .38 Special cartridge in a revolver chambered for .38 S&W due to the difference in pressure.
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