The 32 S&W cartridge dates back to the late 1870s, and the 32 S&W Long is slightly newer. It was introduced in the late 1890s. This round took the same route as the 38- and 44-caliber cartridges. Shooters wanted more power, so the cartridge case was lengthened to add more powder. In 1984, Harrington & Richardson (H&R) partnered with Federal and lengthened the 32 S&W Long case and called it the 32 H&R Magnum. This cartridge offers low recoil with energy levels similar to a 38 Special. The advantage of 32 H&R Magnum over the 38 Special was the former holds six shots compared to the latter, which holds five shots in the same size revolver. The 32 H&R Magnum nearly succumbed and became a mere footnote in Cartridges Of The World. In 2008, Federal increased the case length again and introduced the 327 Federal Magnum which was intended to provide similar ballistics as the 357 Magnum; again the advantage is more round capacity with the 32 Federal Magnum compared to the 357 Magnum in the same-size revolver. Plus, there is less recoil with the 32 Federal Magnum. If you think the 327 Federal Magnum is ballistically the same as a 357 Magnum, then we have a bridge in Brooklyn we’d like to sell you.

We wanted to take a look at the 32 Magnums and compare them to the 38 Special in revolvers of similar size. The three revolvers we acquired included a Ruger SP101 in 327 Federal Magnum, a Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R Magnum, and a Taurus 856 Defender in 38 Special. In our opinion, the Charter Arms Professional offered the Webster’s dictionary definition on the advantages of the 32 Magnum: lightweight revolver with a seven-shot capacity. However, the Charter Arms falls short since the 327 Federal Magnum cannot be fired in the Professional. The Ruger SP101 showed the most versatility since it is capable of firing the 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R Magnum, and the 327 Federal Magnum, and has a six-round capacity. But, like other SP101s, it is built like a tank and is as heavy as one. The Taurus Defender is an ultralight model chambered in 38 Special with a six-shot capacity. The Taurus had us scratching our heads: Tell us again, why were the 32 Magnums developed when we have perfectly good 38 Special loads and lightweight six-shot revolvers? Perhaps one reason was we found 32-caliber ammo on our dealer’s shelves when there was no 38 Special or 357 Magnum to be had. It pays to have diversity in your 401k as well as in your defense-gun calibers.

The Charter Arms, Ruger, and Taurus are all compact, double-action-to-single-action revolvers with barrel lengths of 3 inches, with full underlugs and fixed sights. The Taurus and Charter Arms had the best front sights of the three revolvers tested. Rear sights on all consisted of a fixed gutter milled out of the top strap. A gripe across all these revolvers was the heavy double-action (DA) trigger pull. We couldn’t measure the exact DA trigger pull on the Charter Arms and Taurus since our Lyman digital scales tops out more than 12 pounds, which is too much. We could measure the DA pull on the Ruger, and it was marginally better and substantially smoother.

How We Tested

For the Charter Arms and Ruger, we used two 32 S&W Long loads; one from Fiocchi with a 97-grain full-metal-jacket bullet and a 100-grain flat-nose lead (FNL) from Sellier & Bellot. Moving up the power ladder, we tried two 32 H&R Magnum loads, one from Hornady Critical Defense, which used an 80-grain FTX bullet, and one from Buffalo Bore, which used a 100-grain JHP. The Buffalo Bore load was a 32 H&R Magnum +P load. When we got to the 327 Federal Magnum, the Charter Arms got off the bus, and the Ruger continued on with Federal American Eagle with a 100-grain soft point and an 80-grain FTX from Hornady Critical Defense. For 38 Special loads in the Taurus, we used Speer Gold Dot 125-grain GDHP and Armscor 158-grain FMJs. We also used a 38 Special +P load from Hornady Critical Duty loaded with a 110-grain FTX bullet.

As you can imagine, we saw a range of velocities in both the 32-caliber cartridges and the 38-caliber loads. We also saw differences in point of impact when using the same aiming point. The slower-moving lower-velocity bullets grouped higher than the faster-moving higher-velocity bullets. The reason for this is the inherent design of the revolver. Revolvers have a high center bore axis from the shooter’s grip; because of this, there is more muzzle flip with revolvers. As the shot is fired, the muzzle flips up. With slower-velocity ammo, the bullet takes longer to exit the barrel, and when revolver flips up, the bullets impact higher. Use the same aim point with the faster-velocity ammo, and you will see the faster bullets’ impact at point of aim. The same physics apply, except the bullets from the faster ammo travel quicker through the barrel as the muzzle is just beginning to flip up, so bullets print to point of aim. The rule of thumb with revolver loads is to aim low with slower-velocity ammo when the revolver is sighted in for magnum faster-velocity ammo. Depending on the load, we saw as much as 4 to 6 inches difference in point of impact between slow and fast ammo.

Looking at the data between the 80- and 100-grain 32 H&R Magnum and the 110-grain 38 Special +P, the 32 H&R Magnum had a slight edge in velocity and muzzle energy. The Buffalo Bore 32 H&R Magnum +P had an average velocity of 1100 fps and average muzzle energy of 325 foot-pounds, while the 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense with a 110-grain FTX bullet had an average velocity of 957 fps and average muzzle energy of 224 foot-pounds. So the 32 H&R Magnum had about 140 fps more velocity and 100 foot-pounds more muzzle energy. Recoil felt similar between 32 H&R Magnum and 38 Special +P. The non +P ammo also showed the Hornady Critical Defense in 32 H&R Magnum had about a 230 fps increase in muzzle velocity over the Speer and Armscor 38 Special ammo. So it is clear, the 32 H&R Magnum has an edge in velocity and energy over some 38 Special loads. Comparing the 32 S&W Long to the 38 Special, the 38 was pushing heavier bullets at nearly the same velocity.

Looking at the 327 Federal Magnum, the game really changed. American Eagle rounds with 100-grain bullets, compared to the Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P with a 110-grain bullet, the 327 sizzled along nearly 400 fps faster. The Hornady Critical Defense in 327 Federal Magnum was loaded with an 80-grain FTX bullet and had a muzzle velocity of 1334 fps. Another fast, hot load. There was a notable increase in recoil, but the heavy Ruger with the rubber grip slurped it up and made it very tolerable. Looking back at data from 357 Magnum tests with revolvers with 2- to 3-inch barrels, we discovered the 357 Magnum was pushing heavier bullets at slightly less velocity than the 327 Federal Mag. In fact, the 327 Federal Magnum acts a lot more like a 9mm +P, and that is serious velocity and energy. So we can safely say the 327 Federal Magnum does give the 357 Magnum a run for its money and acts a lot like a 9mm +P, and it does it with less felt recoil in small, compact revolvers. As you can see, we started to warm up to the 32 Magnums.

(Remember to clean these revolvers often because carbon and lead — depending on the bullet type— from shorter 32 S&W Long cartridges can cause the long magnum case to bind in the chambers.)

We tested for bench accuracy at targets set at 15 yards and fired SA mode to squeeze out the best groups. Our targets were Trouble Shooter 4- and 6-inch bullseyes from Thompson Target. These targets offer advice on why bullets are grouping in certain places on the target due to shooter error. We also fired for speed at 15 yards and at 25 yards, bouncing pine cones in front of the dirt berm. Once we got our dope on where the ammo would impact, we had some low-recoil fun with the 32s and the 38. We won’t be trading in our 357 Mags, but we did appreciate the 32 revolvers and found a new 38 to like. Here’s what else we found.

Gun Tests Grade: A

$749

We have tested the SP101 revolver numerous times in a variety of variants and calibers, and have consistently given this rugged, heavy five-shot revolver high points. This variant is no different, except it is chambered in 327 Federal Mag, has a six-shot capacity, and shows a fixed rear sight.

In hand, the SP101 feels substantial. In fact, it is the heaviest compact revolver tested, weighing in at 27 ounces unloaded. The fit and finish were up to expectations with a satin-stainless finish. Our only nit was some tool marks in the channel where the crane latch pivot is screwed in. The 3-inch full-lug barrel is tapered at the bottom edge of the lug for easier holstering. The front ramp sight is black and serrated, as well as pinned to the barrel, so it could be easily replaced. The rear sight is a groove machined out of the top strap with the rear shooter-facing edge cut out to reduce glare. There was plenty of space between the front sight and the sides of the rear notch. We would have liked a fiber optic or more visible front sight for faster acquisition, but looking at the range data, we were able to shoot some small groups with these sights.

We did note the flutes in the cylinder looked a little bulged in the middle, but this is the aesthetic Ruger uses on the 327 Federal Magnum cylinder. The front of the cylinder locks up very tightly with a spring-loaded front latch that snaps into the frame when the cylinder is closed. The rear lock is the ejector pivot pin in the recoil shield. There was only a slight wiggle in the cylinder. Cylinder-to-forcing-cone gap was 0.007 inch, and we experienced no splash with any of the loads. We appreciated the extra chamber Ruger put in the SP101, and if Ruger were to create a 7-shot model, it would have to be built on the GP100 frame because the pressure of the 327 Federal Magnum is so high. The larger frame would defeat the purpose of a compact 32 mag. The Ruger uses an internal transfer bar safety system.

The hammer spur is checkered, with plenty of grippy texture, while the trigger has a smooth face and is slightly narrower than the trigger guard. DA pull weight measured 11 pounds, but it felt less due to the slick action. SA pull weight was slightly over 5 pounds with a bit of creep. The trigger was okay for defense work. Both the hammer and trigger are MIM produced.

The rubber grip is small, with the small finger half on and half off the butt for a shooter with an average-size hand. Large-hand shooters will need to curl their small fingers under the butt. Laser-engraved wood inserts were tastefully inset into the rubber grip panel, giving the SP101 a traditional look while being very practical with the rubber. In fact, we appreciated the rubber for the hotter 327 Federal Magnum loads.

Going hot, we found the SP101 had some game and the best accuracy out of all three revolvers. Our best group with 32 S&W Long measured 0.44 inch with the 100-grain LFN Sellier & Bellot. With the Fiocchi 97-grain FMJ, our best measured 0.74 inch. These rounds were pussycats to shoot in the Ruger. Very mild. Moving up to 32 H&R Magnum, the SP101 had a best group that measured 0.46 inch with Hornady Critical Defense loaded with an 80-grain FTX bullet. With the Buffalo Bore +P load, our best group measured 1.54 inches. These rounds were hotter than the 32 S&W Longs, yet recoil was very mild. Moving up to the 327 Federal Magnum, our best group was with Federal American Eagle 100-grain SP, a 1.50-inch group. The Hornady Critical Defense with a 80-grain FTX bullet measured 1.96 inches. We did feel the recoil with the 327 Federal Magnum loads and appreciated the weight and grip lessening felt recoil. Looking at the data, the Ruger had slightly less velocity and energy compared to the Charter Arms when using the same ammo.

Our Team Said: The SP101 in 327 Federal Magnum is an excellent compact revolver in a hot caliber. The trigger pull was heavy in DA mode, but manageable. We’d take this odd-caliber chambering in this Ruger in a heartbeat. We also like the versatility of being able to shoot 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R Magnum, and 327 Federal Mag. This would make a great defense gun.

32 S&W Long Range Data

32 H&R Magnum Range Data

327 Federal Magnum Range Data

Value Guide: Short Revolver Rankings