The 32 H&R Magnum has recently received a new home in the Smith & Wesson/Lipsey’s Exclusive Model 632. Announced in early 2025, the 632 J-frame wasn’t just chambered in the rare and uncommon 32 H&R Magnum cartridge, the revolver itself has gone through some enhancements to improve performance. With a new 32-caliber revolver available, we thought it would be a good to time to revisit the round and match it up against the longer and more powerful 327 Federal Magnum, another cartridge that lacks enthusiast attention. Is the lack of attention due to the mousy size of the bullet, or have 32 calibers had their day a century ago and are fading away like the 40 S&W cartridge? In our opinion, either of the 32-caliber magnums would make a viable alternative to 38 Special or 357 Magnum revolvers of the same size. The 32-caliber guns typically have a six-shot capacity compared to a five-shot capacity of the 38s and 357s. There is less recoil with the 32 magnums, yet the cartridges still provide a substantial punch. Remember, a snubnose revolver, like a subcompact semi-auto, is a get-off-me gun that provides the user a way to get out of a dire situation. They are not designed for extended gun fights with multiple reloads.
