Why the Best Snub Nose Caliber is .32

Published on February 21, 2019
Duration: 13:10

Chris Baker, a recognized subject matter expert from Lucky Gunner Ammo, presents a compelling case for .32 caliber revolvers over the more common .38 Special for snub-nosed firearms. He highlights superior capacity and shootability due to reduced recoil, supported by empirical range testing and ballistic gel data. While acknowledging market challenges like ammo availability and cost, Baker emphasizes the practical advantages of .32 caliber for concealed carry and personal defense.

Quick Summary

Chris Baker of Lucky Gunner Ammo advocates for .32 caliber snub nose revolvers over .38 Special, citing superior capacity and shootability due to reduced recoil, which facilitates faster follow-up shots. While .32 caliber rounds meet self-defense penetration standards, market challenges like ammo cost and availability persist compared to .38 Special.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: .32 vs .38 Special
  2. 00:45.32 Short History & Specs
  3. 01:11.32 Long Overview & Accuracy
  4. 02:11.32 H&R Magnum Performance
  5. 03:13.327 Federal Magnum Power
  6. 04:13.32 Caliber Compatibility
  7. 05:01Firearm Model Capacity Comparison
  8. 06:16Recoil & Follow-up Shot Testing
  9. 08:50Ballistic Gel Performance
  10. 11:06Market Challenges & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the .32 caliber considered a superior choice for snub nose revolvers compared to .38 Special?

Chris Baker from Lucky Gunner Ammo argues that .32 caliber revolvers offer better shootability and higher capacity (typically 6 rounds vs. 5 for .38 Special) due to significantly less felt recoil, enabling faster and more accurate follow-up shots.

What are the key ballistic performance characteristics of .32 caliber self-defense rounds?

Ballistic gel tests show that .32 Long wadcutters and .32 H&R Magnum loads achieve adequate penetration (14-15 inches), meeting self-defense standards. However, higher-velocity rounds like .327 Federal Magnum can produce harsh recoil in lightweight firearms.

What are the main disadvantages of choosing a .32 caliber snub nose revolver?

The primary drawbacks include less industry support, higher ammunition costs, and limited availability compared to the ubiquitous .38 Special. This can make practice and self-defense ammunition sourcing more challenging.

Can different .32 caliber cartridges be fired interchangeably in .32 caliber revolvers?

Yes, the .32 caliber family exhibits backward compatibility. A revolver chambered for the most powerful variant, .327 Federal Magnum, can safely fire .32 H&R Magnum, .32 Long, and .32 Short ammunition.

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