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Post by Plainsman on Feb 26, 2023 9:38:11 GMT -5
I roll my own and wouldn’t at all mind messing around with the 32s (which are all 31s BTW). Ammo expense is what it is. As a side-note, the scarcest and most sought after of the trio of S&W K-guns is the K-32. The one I DON’T have but wish I did.
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 26, 2023 11:35:59 GMT -5
I think the flexibility Ron mentioned is the biggest selling point. Those .327 Mag cartridges are hard to find, and expensive when you can find them. That was the case when I was looking at one about 6 months ago, anyway. I would probably get a 357, mostly because I'm set up to reload them and I have a bunch of the Hornady 90 grain 38spl round that I got for my wife. If I wasn't invested, the 327 is probably the best bet. Practice with the 32 H&R mag or 32 S&W. |
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Post by Plainsman on Feb 26, 2023 12:28:08 GMT -5
The 38/357 combo is probably the most versatile handgun cartridge around. It’s the largest contingent in my stable. Right now, though, I’m having the most fun with the 9mm, in particular the “Springfield-Browning.”
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 26, 2023 12:29:18 GMT -5
They make the LCR in 9mm too. Probably a good combination.
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Post by Plainsman on Feb 26, 2023 13:49:36 GMT -5
Snubbies are popular with lots of folks. But when you look at their ballistics they become less attractive. It doesn’t really take anymore trouble to conceal a 3” or even a 4” barrel and the gain is significant. For handguns I figure on about 35FPS per inch. For a 4” vs a 2” that 70FPS makes a big difference. And for a revolver you need to add the cylinder dwell to that, so almost 100FPS of extra oompah.
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Post by toshtego on Feb 26, 2023 14:23:00 GMT -5
Snubbies are popular with lots of folks. But when you look at their ballistics they become less attractive. It doesn’t really take anymore trouble to conceal a 3” or even a 4” barrel and the gain is significant. For handguns I figure on about 35FPS per inch. For a 4” vs a 2” that 70FPS makes a big difference. And for a revolver you need to add the cylinder dwell to that, so almost 100FPS of extra oompah. That is a very old argument. Yet, scores of law officers have depended upon the snubby for decades before Autos came into vogue. The concealability and lighter weight seemed to count for more than stopping power when the weapon is needed. I recall Mr. Hoover would not authorize any of his SAs to carry snubbies. A four inch barrel was the requirement for the FBI. I heard that while at their HQ decades ago. For me, the snub nose is a pocket piece, so is a Walther PPK or any other small frame auto. Now, Buffalo Bore makes a cartridge for older. 38 Specials. "Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 (non +P)". 158 grain LSWCHP @ 850 fps. This is what I load in a Colt Cobra, 1964 model. While I never had to use this combo for self defense, I imagine two or three hits at close range would take the fight out of most adversaries. If not, I should have been better armed! |
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Post by Plainsman on Feb 26, 2023 14:28:46 GMT -5
And your Cobra has what length barrel?
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Post by trailboss on Feb 26, 2023 15:31:17 GMT -5
When I get the range time in to feel proficient with my LCR in .380 ( crimson trace), I would like to carry it in a backup holster… I just have not put the range time in yet.
Till then, I need to stick with my Striker fired Sr9c.
Bob Munden proved that you can pull off long range shots with a snubbie but I am no Bob Munden.☹️
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 26, 2023 15:33:19 GMT -5
I had a 3 inch 38 special small frame. It was the perfect size. I traded it on a Beretta Tomcat for the wife. She wanted it, but refuses to shoot it.
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Post by toshtego on Feb 26, 2023 15:43:33 GMT -5
And your Cobra has what length barrel? Two inch. I have a three inch barrel for a Colt Detective, later model with shroud. Unfortunately, the Ex Wife has that gun and will not part with it. Hers is also two inch. |
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Post by urbino on Feb 26, 2023 15:49:31 GMT -5
Dad had a .22 snubby when I was a kid, and I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Dang thing drove me nuts. Pretty much ruined me for short barrels. Thinking back, my memory says it had an extremely heavy trigger, which likely had a lot to do with it, but I'm still unlikely to ever own one. I'm not big on revolvers, anyway. I own exactly one, mainly just for the chambering (.357/.38). It's a 4" barrel.
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 26, 2023 16:06:15 GMT -5
I have a 4 inch 38, but I've never shot it enough to know if it's accurate. I can keep my 44 mag 2.25" in a 4" circle at 50 feet. That's good enough for that one.
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Post by don on Feb 27, 2023 17:26:56 GMT -5
I have a 4 inch 38, but I've never shot it enough to know if it's accurate. I can keep my 44 mag 2.25" in a 4" circle at 50 feet. That's good enough for that one. Very good Ron. Nice arm. Now stop throwing your revolver! |
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 27, 2023 17:36:48 GMT -5
I have a 4 inch 38, but I've never shot it enough to know if it's accurate. I can keep my 44 mag 2.25" in a 4" circle at 50 feet. That's good enough for that one. Very good Ron. Nice arm. Now stop throwing your revolver! 🤬 |
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Post by instymp on Feb 27, 2023 18:20:46 GMT -5
Snubbies are popular with lots of folks. But when you look at their ballistics they become less attractive. It doesn’t really take anymore trouble to conceal a 3” or even a 4” barrel and the gain is significant. For handguns I figure on about 35FPS per inch. For a 4” vs a 2” that 70FPS makes a big difference. And for a revolver you need to add the cylinder dwell to that, so almost 100FPS of extra oompah. That is a very old argument. Yet, scores of law officers have depended upon the snubby for decades before Autos came into vogue. The concealability and lighter weight seemed to count for more than stopping power when the weapon is needed. I recall Mr. Hoover would not authorize any of his SAs to carry snubbies. A four inch barrel was the requirement for the FBI. I heard that while at their HQ decades ago. For me, the snub nose is a pocket piece, so is a Walther PPK or any other small frame auto. Now, Buffalo Bore makes a cartridge for older. 38 Specials. "Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 (non +P)". 158 grain LSWCHP @ 850 fps. This is what I load in a Colt Cobra, 1964 model. While I never had to use this combo for self defense, I imagine two or three hits at close range would take the fight out of most adversaries. If not, I should have been better armed! I am about to go back to a J frame and trade my pocket pistol in on it. Stick it in your pocket and go. No problem, with a pocket holster or not. It is simpler in a more complicated "Which is the perfect pocket pistol" era. No pissin contest there. |
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Rattlesnake Daddy
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Post by Rattlesnake Daddy on Feb 27, 2023 19:50:23 GMT -5
I roll my own and wouldn’t at all mind messing around with the 32s (which are all 31s BTW). Ammo expense is what it is. As a side-note, the scarcest and most sought after of the trio of S&W K-guns is the K-32. The one I DON’T have but wish I did.
I've got an old S&W Hand Ejector in 32 S&W Long. I haven't really shot it since ammunition is hard to come by. I managed to find one box of 20 for it, but have yet to take it out to the range. It belonged to a friend of mine who passed a number of years ago, so I mainly have it as a remembrance of him.
As far as general revolvers go, my main carry gun for many years was a 3" S&W model 65 in .357 magnum. I primarily preferred the 3" to the 2.5" because it gave me a full length ejector over the shorter ejector of the 2.5". I also felt it balanced fairly well with the 3". I do tend to prefer a 3-4" barrel on my revolvers. I have a NOS 4" replacement barrel and ejector for a 686 that I was going to have fit to a 2.5" 686. I was talked out of it by a gunsmith as he stated that the 2.5" was more desirable on the market at the time, and it would be cheaper to sell my 2.5" and buy a 4".
Ballistics by the inch is an interesting sight to check out how barrel length can affect performance. According to their research, the difference in a 2" vs 3" barrel for .357 magnum is almost 200fps. That is a pretty impressive jump in speed. A 4" barrel seems to be the sweet spot for the biggest jump in performance, averaging almost 500fps more over the 2" snubby.
RSD
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 27, 2023 19:51:22 GMT -5
That is a very old argument. Yet, scores of law officers have depended upon the snubby for decades before Autos came into vogue. The concealability and lighter weight seemed to count for more than stopping power when the weapon is needed. I recall Mr. Hoover would not authorize any of his SAs to carry snubbies. A four inch barrel was the requirement for the FBI. I heard that while at their HQ decades ago. For me, the snub nose is a pocket piece, so is a Walther PPK or any other small frame auto. Now, Buffalo Bore makes a cartridge for older. 38 Specials. "Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 (non +P)". 158 grain LSWCHP @ 850 fps. This is what I load in a Colt Cobra, 1964 model. While I never had to use this combo for self defense, I imagine two or three hits at close range would take the fight out of most adversaries. If not, I should have been better armed! I am about to go back to a J frame and trade my pocket pistol in on it. Stick it in your pocket and go. No problem, with a pocket holster or not. It is simpler in a more complicated "Which is the perfect pocket pistol" era. No pissin contest there. I'm tempted by the J frame, but I have the LCP and there's not much difference. I'm happy with it. Pull it out and pull the trigger. Plus it has 2 extra rounds. And it is payed for. |
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Post by don on Feb 27, 2023 19:52:57 GMT -5
I have both and enjoy both. S&W 442 and an LCP Max. Great BUGs or summer carry. I don’t feel unarmed with either.
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Post by instymp on Feb 27, 2023 20:51:17 GMT -5
Always had a J. Now a LCP Max. Like it. Like the way it carries but miss the simplicity of a J frame at times.
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 27, 2023 22:53:35 GMT -5
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Post by toshtego on Feb 27, 2023 23:11:36 GMT -5
That is a very old argument. Yet, scores of law officers have depended upon the snubby for decades before Autos came into vogue. The concealability and lighter weight seemed to count for more than stopping power when the weapon is needed. I recall Mr. Hoover would not authorize any of his SAs to carry snubbies. A four inch barrel was the requirement for the FBI. I heard that while at their HQ decades ago. For me, the snub nose is a pocket piece, so is a Walther PPK or any other small frame auto. Now, Buffalo Bore makes a cartridge for older. 38 Specials. "Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 (non +P)". 158 grain LSWCHP @ 850 fps. This is what I load in a Colt Cobra, 1964 model. While I never had to use this combo for self defense, I imagine two or three hits at close range would take the fight out of most adversaries. If not, I should have been better armed! I am about to go back to a J frame and trade my pocket pistol in on it. Stick it in your pocket and go. No problem, with a pocket holster or not. It is simpler in a more complicated "Which is the perfect pocket pistol" era. No pissin contest there. That is why I kept my Colt. I like my pocket holster as it keeps the pocket lint out of the action and prevents snags on my clothes when drawing. |
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Post by Plainsman on Feb 27, 2023 23:39:19 GMT -5
I keep my pockets free of lint. Carry the S&W 342 (titanium cylinder 12 ounces loaded) in the left hand pocket, butt down and to the rear. The draw involves bringing it out with the left hand and passing it to the right or ‘twriling’ for a left hand shot. Easy and quick.
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Post by toshtego on Feb 28, 2023 2:01:44 GMT -5
I keep my pockets free of lint. Carry the S&W 342 (titanium cylinder 12 ounces loaded) in the left hand pocket, butt down and to the rear. The draw involves bringing it out with the left hand and passing it to the right or ‘twriling’ for a left hand shot. Easy and quick. Being ambidextrous I use either front pocket although lately I prefer my left as my right is getting arthritic. All the old cops I knew in the 1970s including my Great Uncle (NYPD Captain, retired) insisted on pocket holsters. Only hoods and punks carry guns loose in their pants, they said.  |
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Post by toshtego on Feb 28, 2023 2:06:10 GMT -5
I roll my own and wouldn’t at all mind messing around with the 32s (which are all 31s BTW). Ammo expense is what it is. As a side-note, the scarcest and most sought after of the trio of S&W K-guns is the K-32. The one I DON’T have but wish I did. I am not up on all the new .32 of the past decades but would love to own a .32-20 revolver. Probably have to load my own ammo. |
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Post by Plainsman on Feb 28, 2023 8:21:20 GMT -5
I think one reason the 32-20 waned in popularity was that there was 32-30 ammo ONLY for rifles. Too hot for revolvers. Mfgrs get nervous about that sort of thing. But it is a fine cartridge.
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 28, 2023 13:47:50 GMT -5
I think one reason the 32-20 waned in popularity was that there was 32-30 ammo ONLY for rifles. Too hot for revolvers. Mfgrs get nervous about that sort of thing. But it is a fine cartridge. The pressure spec for the 32-20 is only 16k psi. Both the 32 H&R Mag and the 327 Federal beat it handily. |
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Post by don on Feb 28, 2023 17:01:54 GMT -5
I owned what I believe was the first firearm chambered in 32 H&R magnum. I bought a model 504 like this one in 1984 or 85. An unremarkable revolver, but it started my lifelong obsession with revolvers. Not a lot of good images of the 504 out there, but I found this one:  |
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Post by instymp on Feb 28, 2023 17:59:17 GMT -5
I keep my pockets free of lint. Carry the S&W 342 (titanium cylinder 12 ounces loaded) in the left hand pocket, butt down and to the rear. The draw involves bringing it out with the left hand and passing it to the right or ‘twriling’ for a left hand shot. Easy and quick. Being ambidextrous I use either front pocket although lately I prefer my left as my right is getting arthritic. All the old cops I knew in the 1970s including my Great Uncle (NYPD Captain, retired) insisted on pocket holsters. Only hoods and punks carry guns loose in their pants, they said. Hoods and punks seem to do most of the shooting now a days. Pretty aggressively. Back then the two terms included gang members. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 28, 2023 18:24:24 GMT -5
Being ambidextrous I use either front pocket although lately I prefer my left as my right is getting arthritic. All the old cops I knew in the 1970s including my Great Uncle (NYPD Captain, retired) insisted on pocket holsters. Only hoods and punks carry guns loose in their pants, they said. Hoods and punks seem to do most of the shooting now a days. Pretty aggressively. Back then the two terms included gang members. Every night on the news from Shreveport there is a mother broken in her front yard because she lost another child. Last night the mom lost 2 with a third in critical condition. Even gang members have mothers. It's heart breaking. If you take the guns they will find a way, but less efficiently. Problem is that they don't get straight on their first arrest. |
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Post by Plainsman on Feb 28, 2023 19:18:46 GMT -5
Hood and punk that I am, since I carry loose in my pocket, I still say the problem is not too many guns. Just too many guns in the wrong hands.
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