That stupid J frame thread introduced me to a gun I don't really need but I might really really want. The S&W 442/642 UC. The 32 version seems like a lot of fun especially if you reload.

Over the years I have gotten away from reloading primarily because I can afford store bought ammo, savings weren't worth the time, and just general space storage interest issues.

I own a Dillon Square Deal. 9mm and 45 dies and such. Always meant to get 38/357 dies but I never did. So for the most part I could set up right away I imagine with minimal fuss once I bought components.

I was perusing the reloading section and there is a calculator there and the cost for 9mm came out to something like 254 bucks a case. Is that right? I can usually do that well or better.

The reason for my interest is the 32 HR magnum and associated 32 Longs. The price on that stuff is silly stupid and this screams out reloads.

What say the hive mind? Buy the gun and start reloading again? It appears Small Pistol Primers are plentiful again if not cheap which always seemed to be the chokepoint. Or buy the 38 and perhaps reload as well?

Choices choices. Any pictures of 32 revolvers may hasten my purchase. (I have only owned one 32 in my life and I sold it quickly and regrettably because I was a stupid young man, Walther PP in 32, I wish I had that one back)

I'd buy the .38 and get reloading again. They are fun to shoot, concealable, and have a straightforward manual of arms. Learn to find the "wall" and you'll be very accurate!

I can only taunt you a bit by telling you that I have fired reloads almost exclusively in my pre-war 7.65 Walther PPK since I got it in the late 1970's! I still have it!

I don't know anything about .32 revolvers, but I do know that reloading for revolvers is even easier than for semi-autos. In addition to the PPK and .45ACP and 9MM (a complete PITA!) I did .38/.357 for my S&W 36 and 19 and Colt Dick Special. In fact, the only factory ammo I bought for any of them was some Remington .357 Mag for the 19. One box only.

Go ahead, do it!

I am in the camp of not underestimating J frame accuracy. I think J frame accuracy is limited by horrendous sights which is the common element usually in J frames. Which is why my J frames are the 317 with nice adjustables, 43c with nice XS, 640 Pro with nice night sights, and 340 with nice XS as well.

I put a ton of rounds through the 43c because it is cheap to shoot and fun. Accuracy with those is very good because the sights are very good. Not great for 25 yard bullseye but you can easily hit what you are aiming at with the XS front and U rear. (which is what these new J frames basically have as well)

38 would simplify things. As a side note it sounds like Lipsey is going to take these ideas to the K frame next. That will be a HUGE win.


Thanks for the taunt. lol. That Walther is one of the only gun trade/sales that I regret. I was young and stupid, it tended to malfunction and I wasn't seasoned enough to explore the "why's". Like maybe a new magazine. Dumb. It was beautiful and I am an idiot.

Loading .32 H&Rs will be your gateway to the great drug called .327 Federal Magnum. Mild to wild.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I am in the camp of not underestimating J frame accuracy...

Absolutely true! When I was still shooting actively, I could regularly do 2-1/2" groups with my 1-7/8" S&W 36 at 75 feet, using a target load (148gr SWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye) and resting on a sandbag. The gun is better than the sights.

By the way, a good defense load for that gun was an inverted lead hollow base SWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye or maybe a little more. A guy I knew used that load on a bad guy in the subway in downtown Chicago in the early 1960's, said the Chicago cops who investigated told him it looked like the corpse was hit by a 410 gauge shotgun blast. Personally, I think that must be an exaggeration, but I wasn't there, and didn't hear the story until at least 15 years after the event.

Just do it (you didn't think I was going to say anything else, did you )! You've already got the press, which is the most expensive part. Components for .32 can be a little bit of a PITA sometimes, but if you look hard enough they can be found. I'm still hunting for a good source of full wadcutters.

I'm one of those stupid people who still loads 9mm, because I enjoy it and feel like I can produce a better, more consistent product, and have an easier time justifying stockpiling components than actual ammo for some reason. I appreciate the versatility of just being able to go in the basement and load up exactly what I need when I need it. But I'm not saving much, if any money, in the long run.

.32 ACP/Long/H&R and .38/.357 are a completely different story. If you shoot them as much as you'll likely want to, any investment in dies and components will pay for itself very quickly. You'll also be happy to have the components on-hand, as you probably won't have the flexibility to just pick up a box of .32 at the LGS whenever you need one.

I also enjoy being able to customize loads for revolvers, and it's way easier than an auto. Reliability-wise, the gun doesn't care, provided you use enough powder to prevent a squib and little enough to not blow it up. Anything in between is fair game. I can make and shoot powder puff range loads for my wife and kids, or heavy +P hardcast woods loads for the same gun, without having to tune spring weights or anything like that.

The benefits are greater than just the cost savings.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I am in the camp of not underestimating J frame accuracy...

Absolutely true! When I was still shooting actively, I could regularly do 2-1/2" groups with my 1-7/8" S&W 36 at 75 feet, using a target load (148gr SWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye) and resting on a sandbag. The gun is better than the sights.

I'll agree with this as well. In my experience, J-frame accuracy is limited by the shooter, not the gun. I qualified 100% with my 640 Pro this year, and our course goes out to 25 yards. I can do decent work on a B8 with it, too.

It's a little slower and takes a little more work than a big auto to get precise hits at distance. Reloads are obviously a negative, too. But for the size of the gun and the long and heavy triggers they come with, they are a superbly capable little platform.

Over the years I consolidated from reloading something in the territory of 35 calibers and now am down to about 10. While I have stuff to reload 9mm, when you can find it for $12 a box it doesn’t make sense ( though I keep components around in case of another panic shortage)
For thing like 45 colt or auto, my reloads run a fraction of the price. Even with the huge jump in primer prices, I can reload a box of 45 colt for Under 10 bucks easy while factory is running nearly 50 bucks a box right now.
I was not planning to ever add another reloading caliber, but the 32 S&W/H&R would definitely be on my list if I were to pick up one of the 32 snubs. Very economical to reload, expensive and hard to find as factory.
Even 38 special for a while was pretty scarce, and typical blasting ammo like 158LRN or 130 FMJ runs about $25 a box now, while I reload 38’s for about 1/4 of that

For me it’s not always about saving x amount of $$. Part is the hobby, but then the freedom to match loads I’m looking for.

Not to long ago it was regular 38 spcl & +p for my 340PD. Yeah, I could have searched out some commercial equivalents. I also made some lite loads for my new 375 Ruger.

If one bought the 327 Fed mag, reloading would be very useful. I almost bought one recently, felt the 32 H&R Mag level ammo would be enough for most shooting or carry.