Best factory Self-Defense Load for .32 S&W Long?

[.455_Hunter]

Greetings,

I know that many people do not think the that the .32 Long is a viable defensive round, but the fact remains that there are thousands and thousands of these handy weapons are still in circulation, epecially the S&W I and J frame series.

What would be the best factory load for these guns?

It seems to me that the school of thought that supports FMJ use in the .32 ACP (ensures adequate penetration) would also work for the .32 Long.

Please give your opinion.

Thanks,

Hunter

 

[Snowdog]

When it comes to the .32 long, I wouldn't expect expansion from most if any of the JHPs out there, especially when fired from a snub.

I would likely choose the offering with the highest muzzle velocity as an unexpanded JHP functions much like a SWC, cutting a more pronounced wound track as it goes.
Without a chronograph sampling of each, I'd choose the JHP from Georgia Arms. I know Fiocchi usually loads on the warm side, but unless the slug had a similar meplate profile to a JHP (ie truncated), I'd personally pass on it.

If I were to seriously push this cartridge into personal self-defense service, I'd definitely reload for it. A quality revolver from manufactures such as S&W can easily push an 85gr JHP up to 100 FPS faster than your typical off-the-shelf offering from all the litigation-wary manufacturers.

 

[Ala Dan]

Very interesting debate here, and I'm a bit curious as too the outcome?
Why? Not because I rely on the .32 S&W Long as a defensive round, but
because I now own my deceased fathers Smith & Wesson 2" barrel 30-1.

 

[Old Fuff]

It should be kept in mind that the .32 S&W Long (.32 Colt New Police) are both downloaded because of a large number of lesser-quality top-break revolvers that are still in circlulation. If you have a Smith & Wesson or Colt Hand Ejector made after the mid-1920's you can safely handload the cartridge to near .32 H&R Magnum levels, and if you have a J-frame S&W, Colt Detective Special or Cobra chambered for this cartridge you can exceed .32 H&R Magnum factory levels.

But if one decides to stick to factory loads I would pick the wadcutter in most cases, because within the limits of the cartridge, this nose configuration is the one that is most likely to do maximum damage. I would follow that with the full-jacketed bullet, looking for maximum penetration. Unless handloaded, hollow points aren't going to do much in this round, and penetration might be too shallow.

In any case it will beat the .32 ACP.

 

[tinygnat219]

I recommend the Georgia Arms stuff as they are the only folks I have found that actually make a JHP .32 S&W Long round. I have fired most of the loads mentioned above and that round definitely has the most "oomph" and I think is loaded to near 800 fps levels.

A nice cheap round to consider is the Aguila .32 S&W Long LRN round. It's comfortable to fire, and is reasonably priced.

The WC rounds mentioned in the poll are intriguing. When firing against paper, there is a nice round hole. However, it feels softer when fired.

I have two pistols chambered for this round, a Colt Police Positive made in 1923 for the NYC Police Department, and a Snubby Charter Arms Undercover model. I prefer the Charter Arms to the Colt as it has a better trigger.

 

[JohnBT]

I pondered this question for a number of years after my aunt gave me a little H&R snub in .32 Long. I finally took the easy way out and sold the gun.

John

 

[Old Fuff]

The WC rounds mentioned in the poll are intriguing. When firing against paper, there is a nice round hole. However, it feels softer when fired.

Indeed... you noticed?

That "nice round hole" is because the bullet is cutting out a wad of paper, and does much of the same sort of thing as it passes through tissue. The round-nosed bullet kind of "pokes" a hole. It may penetrate further, but it does less damage.

... it feels softer when fired.

That it do, but it penetrates far enough, and recovery from the mild recoil is even faster. In any context the .32 S&W isn't going to be a "knock 'um down and lay 'um out" round. Therefore precise bullet placement is necessary if it is going to work. Accurate follow-up shots play a part in this too.

 

[Starter52]

I chose "other" because I believe the 60 gr. Winchester .32 ACP Silvertip HP is the best self-defense load for the .32 S&W long revolver.

 

[461]

Until one gets stuck under the extracting star. .32acp's are fun to shoot through the .32longs and Magnums but they can get the works stuck when trying to extract.