New Gun

[Petrol & Powder]

I have great love for the 38 Special, it is by far my favorite handgun cartridge. The OP took us down the 32 caliber road and there’s a lot to like about the 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R Magnum and 327 Federal, family of cartridges. I don’t feel the 32’s complete with the 38 Special, those are vastly different cartridges.

There’s no doubt the 38 Special is an incredibly versatile cartridge and I could talk about it for hours. But the OP put us on the 32 path and that's a fun path as well.

 

[Mainiac]

Had a like-new 4.625" in my hands in '94, I think. Wasn't making quite enough at that time to swing the $200 and my heart ached as I walked out the door empty handed. In '95, I swung a 33% pay-raise by changing jobs, but couldn't find them after that.

Found mine around 1990,,looked for a long while!
6.5 inch model.been looking for that bisley model,with the fixed rear,,,them are rare!!!

 

[Mainiac]

I always wanted a SSM in 32 H&R with adjustable sights and by the time I got around to looking seriously they were discontinued. I found a nice one at the Tulsa show a few years back. It was worth the wait.

The NOE version of the RCBS 98 gr swc on top of HP38 works very well. It is about 750 fps so reasonably quiet.

That 98rcbs,,w/3.5-hp38,,,mild superaccurate,or,
A whole case full of 4227,,,wild,,and super accurate!!!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I had two origional SSM 32 H&R magnum Single Six Rugers. One 6.5" and one 4 5/8". I wanted a Bisley. One day I was in a shop and they had one. I looked at it and said I dont need three. Well 4 actually cause I think I had the SP101 then too, anyhow. I walked away. I thought on it the entire ride home. I didnt call them back. I had it pop into my brain as soon as I got up next morning. @ 10am I called the shop CC in hand. They had some it day before just before closing. Wasn't ment ta be I guess. I sold off the SP cause it was under powered and heavy. My buddy talked me out of the 4 5/8" gun and my lil Brother was gifted that 6.5".

Fast forward to the S7 Rugers in 327. As soon as I saw Bisleys offered I ordered a 5.5" Blued gun. Pop really liked it but saw lipseys had the birds heads and suggested we buy a consecutive numbered set. So we did.



Great lil guns!!

CW

 

[Glaciers]

Nice pistol’s, like look of the Birds Head.

 

[Jeff H]

I start to get excited about a .32 something or other then I remember I have a S&W Model 60 round butt with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights in .38 Special.....

Except that it was the 357, I finally made my mind up several years ago that the 35s would have to be my 32s. I've talked myself back out of a bunch of 32s since then, but I still get a little anxious when I see a really neat one.

All talk, I guess. I talk about it, think about it and end up saying, "naaah."

They sure are cool though!

 

[Petrol & Powder]

When I decided I wanted a kit gun, or the equivalent of a kit gun, I settled on 38 Special for the chambering. The 38 Special is just far more prevalent in the world these days and is a more versatile cartridge. There was some attraction to a smaller & lighter cartridge, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the broad usefulness of the 38 Special.

I was heavily influenced by Ed Harris’ article on the full charge 38 wadcutter and my love of the 38 Special cartridge was also a strong factor in that decision. All that being said, the 32 S&W Long is downright fun to shoot! And a 32 H&R Magnum, loaded correctly, is an extremely good small game cartridge. So, the decision to go with 38 Special wasn’t a hasty decision; it was deliberate and took some time.

 

[Glaciers]

Boy, you’ve heard of the saying “rare as hen’s teeth“ right. Well that describes the availability of any 32’s in Alaska.
when the 327 SP101 came along I grabbed it. I had never fired a 327 before and off putting is the best description of my reaction to that hyper cartridge. But knowing I could use 4 different 32 cartridges sold me on it.
I love the 38 SPL as well but being where I live the 357‘s are called for for around the homestead, and with the ability to use 38’s for rolling cans, what’s not to like.

 

[RicinYakima]

When I decided I wanted a kit gun, or the equivalent of a kit gun, I settled on 38 Special for the chambering. The 38 Special is just far more prevalent in the world these days and is a more versatile cartridge. There was some attraction to a smaller & lighter cartridge, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the broad usefulness of the 38 Special.

I was heavily influenced by Ed Harris’ article on the full charge 38 wadcutter and my love of the 38 Special cartridge was also a strong factor in that decision. All that being said, the 32 S&W Long is downright fun to shoot! And a 32 H&R Magnum, loaded correctly, is an extremely good small game cartridge. So, the decision to go with 38 Special wasn’t a hasty decision; it was deliberate and took some time.

I found your post very interesting since I came from the Appalachian culture and law enforcement background that is heavily 38 special oriented.

Moving to Eastern Washington in the early 1970's, everything was big bore, 44 and larger. Except for the folks that lived out in the sage brush and rural areas. They were heavily 32/20 and had been for a hundred years. That will kill varmints, vermin and deer just fine and with less noise and expense. By then the 357 was the police cartridge and 38 just for target practice. While I own many more 38 specials than anything else, it is just the convenience of the revolvers rather than usefulness over the 32/20.

Protection guns for the poor and working folks in years past was the 45 AR Model 1917's and now the cheap 1911 clone 45 ACP. Field guns still tend to be 32/20's for us old guys, 32 Long/H&R for the middle aged and 327 Federal for the young folks. It must just be a regional thing, as you almost never see a used 38/357 at the LGS.

9MM is almost always with the local gang bangers and want-to-be's. 40's for the want-to-be cops. WA has CCP's for over 10% of the population over age 21, and most carry 380's.

 

[Bret4207]

I start to get excited about a .32 something or other then I remember I have a S&W Model 60 round butt with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights in .38 Special. I can load it with everything from the Lee 105 to a 195 grain round nose. Typically it is stuffed with a Magma 130 gr. RNFP and 3.5 grains of Bullseye. Not too loud, easy to shoot, and it is just hard to beat a .38 Spl for pure common economy. So I think I'll just stick with that.

Nothing wrong with the 38/357, but different is fun. It's as simple as that for me.

 

[Jeff H]

When I decided I wanted a kit gun, or the equivalent of a kit gun, I settled on 38 Special for the chambering....

I basically did the same thing, except that I allowed myself the longer chamber. A 3", 5-shot 357, with top-end 38 Spl-level loads covers a lot of ground. I no longer own a 22 LR myself and the one 44 Special I kept is mostly for fun. I have loads for the 357 which exceed 38s by a significant margin, but none of the rip-snortin' stuff of years past, "just in case."

158 grain RFN, 180 grain WFN over 6 grains of Unique, or a 148 grain WC over 3.3 to 3.4 grains of Unique provide a wide range of usefulness, and those same loads, especially the WCs in a suppressed carbine extend the usefulness even further, but that one doesn't fit i my pocket.

Ironically, my suppressed carbine barrel ended up being 16" long, the length Ed (@Outpost75 ) speaks of with some of his own really light rifle loads, but without the expense, hassle and intrusion of the can. But, when I take the can off, it's VERY handy, AND I can stoke the longer cases just for deer if I get time to do that.

Lots and lots to love about the 35s.

 

[Jeff H]

Nothing wrong with the 38/357, but different is fun. It's as simple as that for me.

Fun enough it still tempts me considerably. I get all lathered up and have to reel it back in to my reality.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Boy, you’ve heard of the saying “rare as hen’s teeth“ right. Well that describes the availability of any 32’s in Alaska.
when the 327 SP101 came along I grabbed it. I had never fired a 327 before and off putting is the best description of my reaction to that hyper cartridge. But knowing I could use 4 different 32 cartridges sold me on it.
I love the 38 SPL as well but being where I live the 357‘s are called for for around the homestead, and with the ability to use 38’s for rolling cans, what’s not to like.

Not just 4 either!!!

It can shoot the 32 ACP, 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, the 32 H&R Magnum as well as the 327 Supah Magnum!

 

[Jeff H]

Not just 4 either!!!

It can shoot the 32 ACP, 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, the 32 H&R Magnum as well as the 327 Supah Magnum!

Yeah, but will it shot the Supah-Kerry?!

 

[Glaciers]

Not just 4 either!!!

It can shoot the 32 ACP, 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, the 32 H&R Magnum as well as the 327 Supah Magnum!

Yeah versatility for sure, but I have the 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R mag as well as the 327. So I’m well satisfied with that selection As I have brass for all 4. Not sure if I’ll bother with the 32 S&W, certainly not adding into the mix the 32 ACP, fingers manage to fumble the long cartridge enough as it is now. LOL

 

[300BLK]

I had a 6" S&W M16 in 32 H&R while a friend had one of the Ruger SSMs with 4-5/8". We both loaded with AA#7, he used that funky Lyman button nosed WC and I used 311008s, both loaded to primer flattening territory. The S&W was remarkably accurate and fine target gun, but way too heavy for anything else. I wish I had bought a S&W 631 as it was a neat little gun. I did buy both the 3" M60 and 3" M36, and still have the latter.

 

[Glaciers]

I found your post very interesting since I came from the Appalachian culture and law enforcement background that is heavily 38 special oriented.

Moving to Eastern Washington in the early 1970's, everything was big bore, 44 and larger. Except for the folks that lived out in the sage brush and rural areas. They were heavily 32/20 and had been for a hundred years. That will kill varmints, vermin and deer just fine and with less noise and expense. By then the 357 was the police cartridge and 38 just for target practice. While I own many more 38 specials than anything else, it is just the convenience of the revolvers rather than usefulness over the 32/20.

Protection guns for the poor and working folks in years past was the 45 AR Model 1917's and now the cheap 1911 clone 45 ACP. Field guns still tend to be 32/20's for us old guys, 32 Long/H&R for the middle aged and 327 Federal for the young folks. It must just be a regional thing, as you almost never see a used 38/357 at the LGS.

9MM is almost always with the local gang bangers and want-to-be's. 40's for the want-to-be cops. WA has CCP's for over 10% of the population over age 21, and most carry 380's.

Yeah when I moved to Alaska the 44 mag was the standard kinda like the Wheaties of the LGS. Had to consider a run in with bears. Lots of choices now, but 32’s of any sort would bring blank stares. 38’s were for fun or a pocket pistol. Things change.

Nothing wrong with the 38/357, but different is fun. It's as simple as that for me.

I really have a hard time resisting temptation, fortunately not rolling in dough as I am causes me to reconsider.

Fun enough it still tempts me considerably. I get all lathered up and have to reel it back in to my reality.

No kidding. See my answer above. But I like most gun nuts are professional shoppers. I relate to your description of “all lathered up”, sure fits the bill. LOL

 

[Rick]

I really have a hard time resisting temptation, fortunately not rolling in dough as I am causes me to reconsider.

I can relate to that.

 

[Rally]

Well, if I rubbed a magic lantern,the gun genie appeared and granted me a wish for any gun, my request would be for a 4” S&W 631. I have a hole between my Model 63 4” and my Mod 60 3” that needs to be filled!

 

[Glaciers]

Rally if and when you find that genie please post he’s email address.