Why the Best Snub Nose Caliber is .32

Published on February 21, 2019
Duration: 13:10

This review argues that .32 caliber revolvers offer superior shootability and capacity over the more popular .38 Special for concealed carry. While historical .32 Short and .32 Long cartridges are less powerful, modern .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum provide effective self-defense ballistics with reduced recoil. Testing shows faster follow-up shots with .32 calibers, though ammunition availability and cost remain drawbacks.

Quick Summary

The .32 caliber family, especially modern .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum, offers superior shootability and capacity for snub nose revolvers compared to .38 Special. Reduced recoil allows for faster follow-up shots, and gel tests confirm adequate self-defense performance, though ammunition availability is a drawback.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: .32 vs .38 Special Snub Nose
  2. 00:45History of .32 Short Cartridge
  3. 01:11.32 Long: Power and Accuracy
  4. 02:11.32 H&R Magnum: Less Recoil
  5. 03:13.327 Federal Magnum: High Velocity
  6. 04:13.32 Caliber Compatibility
  7. 05:01Capacity: S&W J-Frame Comparison
  8. 06:16Recoil & Speed: 5x5 Drill Results
  9. 08:50Ballistic Gel Testing: .32 Caliber Performance
  10. 11:06Market Challenges & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is .32 caliber considered a good choice for snub nose revolvers?

The .32 caliber family, particularly modern magnum loads, offers a compelling balance of effective self-defense ballistics with significantly reduced recoil compared to .38 Special or .357 Magnum. This makes them easier to shoot accurately, especially for follow-up shots, and often allows for higher ammunition capacity in the same frame size.

What are the advantages of .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum over older .32 calibers?

.32 H&R Magnum provides ballistics comparable to standard .38 Special but with less recoil. .327 Federal Magnum is a high-velocity round offering impressive terminal performance, and revolvers chambered for it can also safely fire .32 H&R Magnum, .32 Long, and .32 Short, providing excellent versatility.

How does the recoil of .32 caliber revolvers compare to .38 Special?

Generally, .32 caliber revolvers, especially those chambered in .32 H&R Magnum or .327 Federal Magnum, exhibit noticeably less recoil than comparable .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolvers. This reduced recoil contributes to faster and more accurate follow-up shots, improving overall shootability.

What are the main drawbacks of choosing a .32 caliber revolver?

The primary disadvantages are limited industry support, which translates to higher ammunition costs and less widespread availability compared to the ubiquitous .38 Special. Finding a wide variety of firearm models chambered in .32 caliber can also be more challenging.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Lucky Gunner Ammo

View all →