Self defense ammo choices in .32 S&W Long???

[Voodoo]

As the title indicates, I'm looking for a good self defense round for the .32 S&W Long. While I wouldn't necessarily call the caliber a "powerhouse" round, I also don't believe it falls into the category of a "mousegun" caliber. With my mouseguns in .32 ACP and .25, I use strictly FMJ. However, I'm not sure if I need to resort to FMJ ammo for this particular caliber.

Any suggestions?

 

[PotatoJudge]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=735129&t=11082005

Not exactly "premium," but better than a round nose. There are wadcutter loads that also would be a better choice than LRN.

 

[Mike 56]

I have a 1895 Nagant pistol that can shoot 32S&W Longs. But mostly i shoot reloads with 32-20 brass re sized to fit my nagant's cylinder any how the bullets i reload with are .314 Dia 90GR Hollow Base Wad Cutters i always load a few with the bullets seated backwards i guess call them do it your self hollow points. They are not quite as accurate but not bad. So if you reload this might be something you might want to try.

Mike

 

[owlhoot]

Actually your little .32 acp is a better defensive round. About all that can be said for the .32 long is that it is certainly superior to the .32 short.

The only ammunition available commercially are the standard lead round nose and the wad cutter. Both are loaded down because of the old and often fragile revolvers chambered in this caliber. But there are also some good guns out there such as the old S&W Banker's Special.

 

[John C]

I would put the .32 long into the "mousegun" category. A 98 gr projectile at 750 fps is just a tad better than the .32 acp. I don't know how well the hydra-shock expands in ballistic gel, but the wadcutter will cut a full-caliber hole.

Don't get me wrong, I love the caliber, and if I could run across a S&W Model 16 I'd buy it. But it wouldn't be my first, second, or third choice for defense.

-John

 

[Steve C]

Magtech makes a 98gr JHP in the .32 S&W long available from Midway thats about as close as you will get to self defense ammo without handloading. Claimed velocity for this ammo is 705 fps, which would make me hesitant regarding any benefit of the HP.

With a good solid frame pistol like a Colt Police Positive or S&W hand ejector or Regulation Police handloaded ammo that puts a 98 gr projectile out the muzzle at over 900 fps is quite safe but not for use in old top break "suicide specials". I have seen a couple of these sturdy .32 S&W Long revolvers with the cylinder bored out to accept the .32 H&R Magnum.

Speer offers their gold dot bullets in .32 cal at 60gr for loading in the .32 ACP and also data for the .32 S&W Long pushing it over 1,000 fps from a 3" revolver. This should be a fairly effective round.