Is Lead SWC .38 Special and .32 H&R Mag Enough? Non Hollow Point Lead Ammo Test 

Sam You are helping People to re-discover the benefits of .32 Caliber Handguns. IF anyone bothers to do the research and look into what our Great Grandparents generation carried they would be amazed at how popular .32,s were! There was and IS a reason for that!! The .32,s offer a good balance between penetration and FAST follow up shots as well as being fairly easy to shoot. The low report and lack of muzzle flash/blast also aid in placing those bullets where ya want them to go. Do NOT underestimate a .32! That Caliber has put a LOT of people under the lawn mower over the years.

My neighbor here in Orlando Florida in the 90s ( now an 88 yrs old lady ) shot one of the largest Bobcat on record in the state on her backyard at the edge of the woods ( by Boggy Creek ) It was a 20-25 yards shot, she used a 32 H&R MAG revolver with gold dot bullet. 💪 When she called her son to tell him, he was in a busy public place on a cell phone, the call was braking up and all he heard was I shot Bob!, I shot Bob!. Everyone rushed to her property only to find this huge 30 lbs cat dead from a single shot.

I've carried various 32's over the years. Revolvers and auto's. I like the 32 and have always thought it is very underrated.

I think Smith & Wesson should bring back their 32 caliber J-frame lineup instead of going for ultra-light 357 Magnums. All the 32 caliber loadings fit the bill so well in a small gun.

32 H&R mag is my favorite round. I love my 38 too but there's something about that balance between decent power and reduced recoil which makes me love 32's of all kinds.

Good job Sam & TY. A Swiss Army knife can be deadly in the right hands. I like 38 over 32 bigger hole more readily available in a larger variety. I think 380 better than 9 for same reasons you like 32. & you have the hand eye to make it work.

This is exactly what I was hoping to see! You should be a .32 caliber ammo salesman.

Nicely done! Always a pleasure to watch you do your comparison videos. 👍 The 9mm was no surprise. No eye opening experience there. 158 SWC is what I typically shoot in my DA 38's. A good "yardstick" to judge other loads. Also load a lot of 173gr Keith SWC. Turns a snubnose into a thumper! No jacketed bullets in my 38's. Not enough velocity to open up well. Now that little 32 was interesting. It performs right up there with a slight advantage over the 38. I was impressed! Again, nicely done!👍

Every time you test the Federal 158 grain I like it better for 442 sized J frames. Balance is always power versus recoil and it seems to have a good balance.

I’m thinking the .32 H&R Mag with these rounds in a short-barreled or 4” revolver would be a devastating home defense round for the recoil shy or those with arthritic hands who don’t want to deal with the increased recoil of .38/9mm calibers and larger. I’ve always favored .38+P & .45 ACP for home defense, but I may be looking to drop some coin for .a 32 Mag as I grow older and my hands hurt more. Seems like a superb balance between my beloved .32 S&W Long and the beastly .327 Federal Mag. Thanks Sam for yet another informative and awesome video! 👍

Once again, I love the 32 H&R Magnum!

The 38 Special semi-wadcutter at that velocity is a good rabbit hunting round. Dispatches without exploding the rabbit, so there will be something left to eat. The 38/357 spectrum covers many uses. There is no shortage of good self-defense options. Hunting, target and plinking offerings should not be judged against the same criteria as $1.50 per round urban self-defense options.

Timely video. _I recently started loading SWC & WC (type I & type II) for .38 and .357 mag._

I really like soft lead in handguns. Hard cast for heavy bear repellant.

I reloaded thousands of 32 H&R with the little Hornady swaged lead bullet. It was the perfect round. If I had know they were going to drop it I would have gotten a lifetime supply.

Those cans of soda are the most dangerous targets you could have chosen. The accuracy difference between 5 and 10 yards was as enlightening as the gel and chronograph tests.

For some reason I never realized that (soft) lead bullets would have less bore drag resulting in less recoil for the same velocity but, it makes perfect sense and helps explain something. Thanks for the upload.

A major police department showed little improvement with SWC over LRN back in the 70s or 80s. Maybe. But on small to medium game I know what bullet I would prefer and have used. SWC takes game animals pretty well. Probably just the threshold of enough most of the time. .38 Special LRN is about a 60% load defensively. SWC a bit better but maybe not enough to see in multiple incidents. Statistics are very funny critters. 60% isn't as bad as it sounds. These are milder handgun rounds. They do a good job for what they are.

For some reason I've always loved 38spl and I never get tired of videos about it. Thanks Sam. 👍👍

I just got a box of .38 special lead round nose and was wondering how they could possibly perform. This video is great timing. Thanks Sam :) As a revolver owner myself I'm glad your channel exists.

Back in the day Customs wanted a .38 that would expand from a snubbie. They asked Winchester to load a round that would do 1,000 fps from a 2" snubbie and the Treasury Load was born. We tested some of it in gel from a 2" 642 and got 1006 fps 10" penetration and almost .70 expansion with 100% weight retention. Winchester lost the contract after about 6 or 7years as they shipped some without primers and they switched to Federal which wasn't as good. The Winchester bullet was a 110 gr jhp with a hollow base.

Good stuff. Thanks for doing this work!

I have 432pd, i had many guns but this one my favorite. Light and powerful 6 shot

Not in reference to this particular video, but one of the citations from the detractors of regular .38 spl wadcutters is the proportionally skinny wound tracks in gel. Having had the misfortune of shooting a living critter with a full wadcutter, the real world wound track was very significant. Today there is ammo available that reliably expands from shorter barrels but I wouldn't feel the slightest bit unarmed with wc or swc in a snubby 38.

Great test! The old adage of using SWC if you can't get a hollow point is true for the .32. Take the Pepsi Challenge!

I've seen a lot of demo's. You are very detailed and practical. Thank you

I would love to be carrying my favorite .32 h&r mag but charter arms has had it in for warranty work for almost two months now. Its a 3" professional btw. Very nice gun, just not ready for prime time in my opinion. I really appreciate these test btw, they are always helpful.

That little Ruger 327 mag has quickly become your favorite revolver. It seems like a well rounded caliber.

Excellent test. Thanks for all the work you put into this.

I have a Charter Arms Undercoverette 6 shot Aluminum framed 32 H&R on the way …Big fan of the 32 H&R The Charter Undercoverette is slightly smaller than a J frame , 12 oz and 6 shot vs a 5 shot 38 J frame The Hornady 80gr FTX 32 H&R has basically have the same performance as the 38spl 90gr FTX , with less recoil

Thanks for another good video. I carry either a 2” or 3” 38 special and you have helped me with the type of bullet I carry. I rotate between Hornady critical defense and 158 gr LSWc

Recently I read a comment of someone who wrote that she is an OP nurse and did saw a lot of gun shot wounds. She also wrote that she never saw a removed hollow point bullet that did expand. She also wrote that there only two exceptions with slight expansion and in both cases the patient survived. If this is realy true than low powered lead rounds, flat nose swc or wc would be the best for overpenetration. Like this .32 load here.

My Gramps (REtired Police Sgt) carried a 32H&R as back up/off duty gun. Worked bad area & gun was used several times in armed robbery interventions. It was a ole H&R top break. Sadly when He passed I was oversea's & by time I got home only the furniture nobody wanted left in home! ;( ! 32 got it done well 4 HiM

Great video! I bought a six pack of NA beer once by accident so I kinda know how you feel. You are way more entertaining to me than just about any “ certified entertainer person”!!

The 32 was more impressive than I had expected.

My first revolver came loaded from my step dad with 158 grain swc. Old Remington cases with 2 crimp bands. I keep it the same way to this day.

And once again .32 rules the day! ;) Frankly, I was surprised the 9mm and .38 spl didn't penetrate more. Pleasantly surprised, in fact. I like the way you include missed shots. A lot of folks would edit those out but you clearly have a lot of integrity. I bet if the camera wasn't rolling you'd have gotten them all. Nothing like pressure, eh?

I still like my 148 grain wadcutters.

Great testing, and evaluation. Keep up the great work Sam! .38spl and then .32 H&R as a back up in a revolver. ♠️☯️🎩

I regularly do carry the old 158gr lead round nose in my 38's. I know it's against popular opinion, but it works for me. But just an hour ago, I replaced the LRN in my 38 S&W 642 with some plus P Hornady 110 gr critical defense rounds. I do change ammo from time to time. I do enjoy watching videos like yours and trying to decide what a guy should use. I really think shot placement or just quick, multiple shots are more important than bullet type or caliber. Thanks for the time and effort you put into these videos. I do enjoy your channel. And I'll have to say, you are a very decent shot Sam. And I'd like to add. I don't think there is much difference between round nose bullets and the flat tip, semi or full wadcutters. Maybe some, but not enough to matter.

The 32 H&R magnum and the 32 ACP are near perfect for small handguns

That Winchester white box 115 JHP is the Paul Harrell load. That's what he says he carries in his Beretta.

I couldn't see the cans on my phone screen. Lol. You could have said you hit them all first round. Lol. Now you should have to drink the sugary soda. 😆

Great review - including the misses! I don't feel so bad with my misses 😆 Good comparisons. I just scored a Charter Professional H&R revolver. Waiting for ammo to arrive! Thanks for posting this video.

I always try to start engaging soda cans at longer ranges. If you let them get too close you risk those ferocious charges.

Gun Sam with his shooting skill could kill a moose with a 22 LR... nuff said.

Props for showing your misses 😀

Looks like you took the pepsi challenge and pepsi won, lol. Just kidding, I am enjoying your channel quite a bit and learning as well. Thanks.

There is a reason they still make .38SPL. It just works.

Great video thanks for the info sir.

i think while they arent the best they are traditional ammo people had and they do work there are alot better but also alot worse options great video

As I had figured wad cutters are unpredictable !

Enjoyed the comparison, and the .38 Spl gets my vote -- especially if you load it with Underwood's 150 grain hard cast (BHN 21) hi-tek coated Double Ended Wad Cutter cartridges.

The tumbling 32 is kind of a surprise - not sure if I'd call it as more effective for tissue damage, less effective for changing direction in medium and tracking away from vital target, or just kind of a wash.

Thanks for another great vid! I really want an LCR in 327 Fed Mag. I wanna use S&W 32 Long and 32 H&R mag in it. I'm guessing ammo in those calibers is almost impossible to find. However, I truly think it's the perfect gun for me and will force me into learning how to reload my practice ammo. Thanks for all the work that you do and for sharing your perspective!

Nice video!

Another great vid

Thanks for showing your many misses (soda can shots). I'm sure you can hit stuff, but we all have off days. Being real. I like that.

It seems like you’ve just opened the door for a .32H&R Magnum - Vs - 30 Super Carry comparison. I’ve always liked the 32 H&R Magnum (S&W 431PD). You can carry 6 and still keep a fairly slim profile.

You should get one of those nice folding tables Paul Harrell uses for shooting things like soda cans.

I have a Ruger SP101 (4" barrel) in .327 Fed Mag. Heavy factory loads with slow powder do get your attention, but what I like to do is make near max loads using fast pistol powder (Titegroup), with 100gr JHP bullets. This still gives respectable velocity while really taming the muzzle blast and recoil, making it a pleasant gun to shoot. The downside is large standard deviation in velocity, so I need to experiment some more.

Good idea w/ammo drought now any bullet is a Win-Win !! Got some hand rolled & work well Wife's gotta Taurus 85 airweight

I’ve always carried a 357 mag, both as a duty weapon and personal carry. Having learned about the 327 mag’s I had to have one. After doing some personal testing I’ve decided to carry the H&R MAG. ITS shootable, accurate and lethal. What else could I ask for.

.32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum are neat calibers but hard to find. .38 Special wadcutters should penetrate adequately but not too far like the round nose bullets. These days, that's what I would carry in .38 Special even in a medium frame gun.

Interesting. I was expecting better from the Win 9mm. Their generic HP's usually expand somewhat. SWC's are great for practice and casual small game hunting. The heavy Keirh SWC in 38 (usually 173 gr) is popular for small game and animal defense. I think BB loads it as well. The 32 H&R continues to impress in various areas. Looks like it would work well in the (thankfully few) jurisdictions where general use of HP's is not allowed.

Great video! Thanks.

I don't buy sodey pop anymore. I picked up a Sodastream and just make my own. And I ran into something interesting with that. I picked up some lemon seltzer water really cheap, which tasted horrible. But when mixed with my diet cola syrup, it's absolutely amazing. I had also picked up some raspberry seltzer water, which tastes really bad. Unfortunately, I ruined some of my diet cola syrup on that stuff. Bonus is, that raspberry seltzer water I got really cheap became what I call "target grade". It's carbonated, so it blows up really well. No sugar, so it doesn't make everything all sticky. And it actually smells really good after I shoot it. I think that seltzer water came out to less than 30 cents per bottle, so it's no great loss shooting it!

I'd really like to see a comparison using *good* hollow-point ammunition in these three calibers; 124gr Gold Dot in 9mm, 130gr HST +P in the .38, and something comparable to these in .32 H&R magnum.

A lot of information here. These tests are one reason why I have switched to the Taurus 327 mag snub nose as an all day carry weapon, even with the 32 H&R mag ammo you have great performance with little to no recoil allowing for faster follow up shots.

I enjoy your videos you have a unique test routine different from other channels. Did you make your own target benches? Nice job. I’d like to make something like that.

Another great Video, Sam! 👍 BTW, Have you tested a reversed .38 WC previously?

I feel this is a valid test with possible real World applications.

Nice comparison video. I was waiting for you to run up on those sodas and unload. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Have you ever done a barrel length test on the 9mm White box 9mm 115gr. JHP ammo? It’s generic but I’d like to see it. I was a surprised that it didn’t expand more than it did. Well thanks again for the entertaining videos.

Been shooting some 158 gr hardcast lately in a 2" Kimber 357 (vel. about 1050 fps) and comparing to my Glock 26 9mm w/147 gr hardcast (@ 1075) Despite the similarities in power, the Glock has noticeably less recoil. I shot some rapid fire at an enraged boulder (about the size of a bear's head) and the Glock was easier to hit with in quick fire. Slow fire, they're about the same. Love that Kimber but so far, don't shoot it as well.

Another good and interesting video. Thanks for all the work you do with the shooting and putting these video together. Take care. PS: What do you think of .380 ACP FMJ ammo for self defense? Would the FMJ penetrate too much?

another wonderful video. eather revolvers you tested is wonderful for self defense. iam looking at this on the practical side . as far as over penetration how many people do you of that’s been killed by pass through bullets? here in North Carolina in the town of elkin I see at least 2-4 shootings a week in the larger cities of Winston-Salem , Greensboro, high point, Burlington . charolette drive by shooting, at bars , party’s. people getting shot, some killed or severely injured and some bystanders getting hit some pass throughs . the were taken to the hospital and later released with non life threatening injuries. it happens a lot . even our right to use deadly force laws say when the threat stop, you stop. no more threat. if they are still alive and the threat stops you stop. so any weapon that works flawlessly, accurate is worthy for self defense. if you look at Buffalo bore, under woods at there anti personnel ammunition for some calibers it’s swc and wad cutter . they have a self defense round for my 44 special that’s a 200 gr wad cutter . I enjoyed your video. nana and papa aka the hunter wishing you well.

Yep I would rather shoot it than drink it

Before I get into the meat of this, I'm gonna guess yes, either will get the job done, while not doing anything over-the-top either damage-wise or penetration-wise

I have a Smith & Wesson model 60 snow nose. I have an order coming in for 158 grain semi-wads to try. I was surprised about the overpenetration of those. I'm guessing if there was bone involved and maybe a heavy winter coat that might reduce the penetration? I'll have to give these a try as I was thinking about using them for self-defense. Also it's difficult at this point in time finding the 38 special semi-wads as many places online are out of stock of those now. Thanks for doing this video as it gave me more of an idea what the 38 semi-wads could do.

Interesting results. Perp takes any of these in the pump it will accomplish the objective.

Great!

Weird trajectory for the .32 bullets, they all headed down after entering the gel?!

I would like to see you do a test of the difference in velocity, 20' accuracy and penetration between a 2" Charter Arms and the 3" Defender Charter Arms. Or is there enough of a difference to matter?

Bummer, that's disappointing about the Winchesters. Shooting the Bull 410 actually had good success with them out of a three-inch barrel with both bare synthetic clear gel and denim-covered 10% calibrated ballistics gel with an average of just over 14 inches in both gels (9 shots total; one exited the side). None of the 9 exceeded 15.75".They weren't pretty but the did expand.

looked like the 38 second shot caught the tail end of the 9mm wound path

Your the first person ive ever heard say the copper adds barrel drag. Have you done any chronograph tests on that, I'd like to see them if you have.

Do you have 357 and/or 32 rifles? Would be interesting to do a series comparing the same loads in revolver and carbine/rifle.

Nice soda pop. Sam, what .38 Special non-expanding round (standard pressure or +P) would you recommend for a four inch barrel revolver? Preferably on the lower end of cost.

Wouldn't wad cutters be a little better for self defense? I've always thought they would do a little more damage and penetrate a bit less than SWC or round nose. It's surprising how few non +P defensive loads there are for 38spl. I have an old Charter with some sentimental value so I don't want to risk damaging it. I really don't carry it but it would be nice to have something for it.

Here's a new video idea. Load .38 spl with black powder and modern bullets and see what they can do to your targets out of a modern revolver.

I would like your opinion of the Rock Island m200 I've only had it a few months and have sent it back twice for warranty but I love the size and the way it fits my hand.

Instead of putting gunpowder, they added cardboard as a primer to that 38 spl charge.

If you need test subject ideas, I would love to see a comparison between two and three-inch snubby barrels with .32 H&R Magnum. I carry a three-incher, and have read that that extra inch adds 100 feet per second. If you have done this before forgive me? By the way, I really like the recent emphasis on ballistic gel tests rather than water jugs............................elsullo

Nice comparison. The .32 H&R did very well. I would like to see the .32 H&R brought back. Currently no one other than Charter Arms is making guns chambered for this round. Rugers .327 Federal magnums will chamber it as you are using the LCR in .327. Ammo is currently unavailable for any .32 revolver cartridges. I can not feed them due to the ammo shortage and lack of reloading equipment and supplies.

try the 1895 Nagant, it will fire 32 Long as well

Hey, at least you jumped a dead leaf with the.32.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Comments Did u change the recording technique? In this video the gunshots didn't transmit through my speakers too loud and hurt my ears. .32 fan here too. I'd like Ruger to make an LCR dedicated to . 32 only, not . 327, so it dould be at least as light as their.38. Ruger lcr's with the grip removed and taped up instead is my favorite pocket gun configuration, more compact, a little lighter, and, for me at least, grips and points more naturally.

You’re really forcing my hand here.. the Ruger LCR 327 is looking pretty good… get me some 32 long and mag with it and I’ll be set… and maybe some wad cutters.. 🤔

Interesting

Theres definitely better choices out there but they'd probably get the job done. IDK what the prices are in Michigan but down here a 12pk of Pepsi is about $5.50, and that's before tax. Even shooting Pepsi cans is expensive these days lol.😀😡💩