The .32 H&R Magnum Snub .. Which one?

[GEM38]

I would like to know your thoughts about the Ruger LCR .32 H&R Magnum vs the Smith & Wesson 632 UC (.32 H&R Magnum). Sadly, I have read and watched reviews concerning the Lipsey's Edition: Smith & Wesson Model 432 UC / 632 UC having issues with quality. Do you suppose, the Ruger is of higher quality? Or perhaps the early batch of S&W's was just a glitch of poorly assembled and lack of quality control, which now has been fully remedied???
Lastly, maybe there are other alternatives not mentioned here. Feel free to say what's on your mind. Any help greatly appreciated.

PS I realize that Ruger LCR 32 H&R Magnum hasn't been released for sale just yet ... but for general reference ... sub it with the .327 LCR instead if it helps clarify your point of view.

[reteach]

GEM38 - I've been carrying an LCRX .327 for several years. I do not have any experience with the S&W 632. I carry the Ruger loaded with .32 H&R mags. Shooting .327 mag in that little gun is just no fun for me.

I have read that some people have accuracy issues shooting .32 H&R in the .327 mag. I have not noticed that. I don't try to use it at long ranges - 25 yards is the farthest I've tested it and with .32 H&R and .32 S&W long I can make a decent showing. I don't expect to ever need to shoot at that distance in a self-defense moment.

I point all that out to say this: If Ruger makes an LCR in .32 H&R, it will probably be a lighter gun than the .327. An LCR in .38 spl weighs 13.5 oz. The .357 version weighs 17.1. The LCRX in .327 weighs 17.7 oz. My guess is that an LCR in .32 H&R would weigh somewhere in the 13 -14 oz range.

I like having that extra ~4 ounces in my gun. It really doesn't make a lot of difference when I'm carrying it, but it does soak up a little bit of recoil. In my experience, the .327 LCRX, loaded with .32 H&R, handles and shoots great and has that little bit of extra beef that helps with recoil and, with the lighter .32 H&R, might even extend the life of the gun. Just my 2 cents, but maybe get a .327 now instead of waiting for the .32 H&R. Or instead of a S&W .32 H&R.

[Outpost75]

The LCR in .32 H&R Mag makes more sense to me than the .327. The .327 does not perform well from a short barrel, just alot of muzzle flash. Accuracy of .32 S&W Long is impaired in the longer .327 chamber because the bullet base clears the case mouth before the fore part of the bullet enters the cylinder throat and is unguided in the larger chamber causing gas loss and bullet deformation. This is not an issue with .32 H&R Magnum chamber.

[L-2]

I've bought both a Lipsey's 432UC (bought 5/2024) and a Ruger 327 LCRX (bought 2/2024). Both are perfectly fine.

I too, have read the various posts/threads regarding quality problems with the Lipsey's "UC" guns, but my example had zero problems/issues.

[Shoots Left]

I concur with almost everything reteach stated above.

I carry the DAO LCR and it’s loaded with the 327 Magnum Gold Dots. Having shot the 32 S&W Long and the 32 H&R Magnum thru my LCR I can confirm that the 327 magnum is a more robust round (to say the least).

Nonetheless I wouldn’t necessarily feel under gunned loaded with some flavor of 32 H&R Magnum SD rounds.

I find no discernable accuracy issues between 32 S&W Long LRNs, H&R Magnum or 327 Magnum at short distances except for early on when I first got the LCR I tried out some 32 S&W wad cutters (S&Bs I think but can’t say for sure) and they seemed erratic as heck to me. I have not shot any since I used up that box. I can’t speak to the effect of longer distance shots with the shorter rounds chambered as I only shoot it as intended, at close range. If I’m gonna try and “hit the gong”, I’ll bring something more appropriate.

That’s only from one guy shooting one particular LCR, YMMV.

[74A95]

If you're only looking at guns chambered in 32 H&R then the following comments won't apply. The below information addresses comments about guns chambered in 327 Federal.

The .327 does not perform well from a short barrel, just alot [sic] of muzzle flash.

Define 'does not perform well'. 327 Ballistics in a 1.87" LCR drop about 200 fps from what they produce in a 4" barrel. Several loads are at or above 9mm energies from a 4" barrel. I consider those speeds and energies still very impressive.

https://gundigest.com/gun-reviews/re...oncealed-carry


A couple of comments on accuracy might be worth while here.

Accuracy of .32 S&W Long is impaired in the longer .327 chamber because the bullet base clears the case mouth before the fore part of the bullet enters the cylinder throat and is unguided in the larger chamber causing gas loss and bullet deformation. This is not an issue with .32 H&R Magnum chamber.

S&B 32 Long wadcutter ammo shoots average 5-shot groups under 2" in my Ruger SP101 327 Federal at 25 yards. That's better than most.

With respect to 32 H&R accuracy in a 327 chamber, the article below suggests 32 H&R accuracy can be quite good.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editor...-magnum/490774

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Take a look at the S&W UC sights. I won't hot link because the mods don't like it but you can follow this link to see the sight picture.
https://loungecdn.luckygunner.com/lo...-picture-1.jpg

The round front with large U notch is not the best sights for precision shots. What it's good for is quick shots at close range.

I'm not willing to make that trade off myself so that's a deal breaker for me.

I own several J-frames and several LCR's and the Rugers have better triggers.

The cylinder of the new LCR is the same as the 327 accept for the chambering. They didn't shave off more meat like on the 38 spl versions, but the frame is alloy.

If I had to choose I'd pick the LCR in 32 mag.

Here's a soft cast bullet using an MP mould. It kept all it's weight which was 102.8 to begin with. It expanded perfectly in water jugs when tested.



32 Mag will get the job done.

[GEM38]

Thanks guys,

I started my quest for a .32 H&R Magnum along time ago, but the original J frames (331,332,431PD, and 432PD) were and still are quite scarce and way expensive. And not to forget the scarcity and cost of ammunition before the resurgence in recent times. Fast forward ... I have been eyeing the Smith & Wesson (s) either the 432 or 632 UC since the first introduction back in early 2024. When they first became available for sale, several well known gun stores in my geographical location had them in stock, and I had the opportunity to check them out. As a result of careless assembly and lack of quality I walked away from purchasing one and so very disappointed. I could go on and on about this, but I don't want to turn this into a bashing thread against S&W.

I know that good to go 432 & 632 UC(s) exist, but they seem allusive at this point. I would buy a good one in heart beat if they should appear at my current go to LGS. As for the Ruger, it's my alternative. I was super excited to hear about the Lipsey's edition .32 H&R Magnum version. I will balk the 327 magnum version, and wait for the 32 H&R Magnum or a "good to go" S&W 432 or 632 UC. But the standard for me is buy locally, and not via online so that I am able to check out the firearm in person before plunking down my hard earn dollars. And so, this led my inquiry here at TFL. I really appreciate the technical and professional responses here. I have been learning a lot, in such a short time. Thanks again!

GEM38

[Ricklin]

There are a lot of very experienced handgunners here at TFL. I post here too...

[GEM38]

Hey everyone, after much thought, I've decided to step away from this forum permanently. Most importantly just want to tell you that I've truly appreciate your responses with respect to my inquiries. All the best.

Signing out,
GEM38