{"id":209927,"date":"2025-02-23T14:35:45","date_gmt":"2025-02-23T20:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=209927"},"modified":"2026-01-19T05:31:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:31:51","slug":"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\/","title":{"rendered":".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-estimated-reading-time yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time: <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">0<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Revolvers seem to be cool again. Somehow, the old revolving cylinder weapon has returned to the cool kids club of carry firearms. Advancements in revolvers have helped, but there is also likely fatigue for the polymer frame, 9mm, double stack, and striker-fired automatics. What&#8217;s old is new, and we have an interesting variety of new revolvers to choose from. In that same vein, we are seeing a rise in the .32 H&amp;R Magnum round, which looks to challenge the .38 Special for carry supremacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum and .38 Special barrels\" class=\"wp-image-209923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-barrel-markings-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .32 H&amp;R Magnum isn&#8217;t as common, but it&#8217;s promising. The .38 Special is proven and found everywhere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-the-38-special-nbsp-nbsp\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">The .38 Special\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-32-h-amp-r-magnum-nbsp\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">The .32 H&amp;R Magnum\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-is-bigger-better\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">Is Bigger Better?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-weight-factor\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">The Weight Factor<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-about-capacity-nbsp-32-h-amp-r-magnum-vs-38-special-nbsp\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">What About Capacity\u00a0&#8211; .32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-recoil-matters-too-nbsp\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">Recoil Matters Too\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-yeah-but-ammo-matters-nbsp\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">Yeah, But Ammo Matters\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-guns-nbsp-32-h-amp-r-magnum-vs-38-special\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-level=\"2\">The Guns\u00a0&#8211; .32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The .38 Special has ruled the revolver market since 1898. It&#8217;s served countless generations of police officers and armed soldiers and has remained a favorite of concealed carriers. The .38 Special cartridge has long ruled the concealed carry genre. While the<a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=Desert%20Eagle%20.357%20Magnum\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\"> .357 Magnum<\/a> should have eaten its lunch, it turns out small .357 Magnums aren&#8217;t all that comfortable to shoot, and the .38 Special has remained popular.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"ammo side by side .32 H&amp;R Magnum and .38 special\" class=\"wp-image-209918\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-in-line-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The two rounds via for supremacy in small revolvers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s the just right cartridge for concealed carry, right? Well, maybe, but what about the little .32 H&amp;R Magnum? Could it be the replacement for the .38 Special? At least amongst concealed carriers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-38-special-nbsp-nbsp\">The .38 Special&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>.38 Special is more than a Southern rock band. It&#8217;s a cartridge that&#8217;s been kicking around since 1898. S&amp;W developed the cartridge to add some oomph to the older .38 Long Colt. The <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=38%20long%20colt\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\">.38 Long Colt<\/a> was found to be anemic, so S&amp;W amped it up to make it a bit faster.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"980\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/23-3.jpg\" alt=\"The Manliest American Who Ever Lived and the Gun That Didn't Stop Him\" class=\"wp-image-100724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/23-3.jpg 980w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/23-3-150x138.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/23-3-327x300.jpg 327w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/23-3-768x705.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .38 Special cartridge carries a lot of power. It is shown here on the left alongside a brace of 9mm Parabellum rounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The .38 Special underwent development throughout the 1920s, and various loads proved to be quite capable of being man-stoppers. The cartridge has continued to evolve and is likely the most popular revolver cartridge in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-32-h-amp-r-magnum-nbsp\">The .32 H&amp;R Magnum&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The .32 H&amp;R Magnum is a heckuva lot younger than the .38 Special. Harrington and Richardson introduced the caliber in 1984. The idea was to take the .32 S&amp;W Long cartridge and amp it up. The old .32 S&amp;W Long had a history of law enforcement use but was found to be inadequate in the face of armed threats.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum cartridges\" class=\"wp-image-206055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/PXL_20240830_153758647-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A .32 revolver has become my current pocket pistol <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>H&amp;R expanded the cartridge case and added a bit of powder to create a powerful but small revolver cartridge. The round waned in popularity, but with the advent of the <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/what-is-the-327-federal-magnum-good-for\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"2616\">.327 Federal Magnum<\/a>, it gained some steam. Earlier this year, S&amp;W released the 432 and 632 UC, which chambered the .32 H&amp;R Magnum and brought additional attention to the cartridge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-bigger-better\">Is Bigger Better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At first glance, .38 seems a lot bigger than .32, and isn&#8217;t a bigger bullet better? If we can fit .38 Special in a gun the same size as a .32 H&amp;R Magnum, wouldn&#8217;t it be wise to choose .38 Special? There is a bit more to it than that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The .38 Special is a .357-inch projectile, and the .32 H&amp;R Magnum is a .312-inch projectile. The size difference isn&#8217;t as broad as it first sounds. It&#8217;s also important to understand how handgun bullets work. Things like stopping power don&#8217;t exist with a handgun cartridge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".32 H&amp;R magnum with .38 Special ammo\" class=\"wp-image-209922\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .32 H&amp;R Magnum is slightly smaller in diameter than the .38 Special<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A handgun bullet only has one wounding mechanism, and that is direct impact. A bigger bullet creates a bigger hole. That&#8217;s fine, but the difference between most projectiles is minimal. What&#8217;s critical is penetration. A cartridge needs to penetrate deep enough to reach something vital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"ammo and gun side by side\" class=\"wp-image-209919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-mix-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">What do you value more about concealed carry? Power and penetration? Or maybe capacity and light recoil.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The benefit .38 Special gets is a heavier cartridge. It&#8217;s bigger and can be heavier. Those big 158-grain projectiles can penetrate deeper with greater ease. The .32 H&amp;R Magnum tops out at 100-grain bullets. Both of these projectiles can penetrate deep enough to reach the vitals. Both can even expand with a proper jacketed hollow point.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-weight-factor\">The Weight Factor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The .38 Special&#8217;s size and weight come in handy in situations where the cartridge has to penetrate deeper than normal. For example, in the 1984 Miami shooting, an FBI agent shot one of the bank robbers through the arm and into the torso. The round stopped short of the vitals because it had to go through much more flesh to reach them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".32 and .38 side by side\" class=\"wp-image-209921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-side-by-side-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .38 greater diameter and weight allow it to penetrate deeper. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This doesn&#8217;t mean that it&#8217;s guaranteed the .38 Special will go through an arm and into a torso and reach the vitals. There are other factors to consider, but it&#8217;s more likely for the .38 Special to penetrate deeper than the .32 H&amp;R Magnum. That&#8217;s the main benefit of choosing .38 Special over .32 H&amp;R Magnum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it&#8217;s only one consideration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-about-capacity-nbsp-32-h-amp-r-magnum-vs-38-special-nbsp\">What About Capacity&nbsp;&#8211; .32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special.&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Revolvers don&#8217;t hold a lot of rounds. Until someone figures out how to turn a cylinder into a Tardis, the most we can hope for seems to be ten rounds, but it&#8217;s only ten if you shoot <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=CZ%2075%20Kadet%20.22LR%20Pistol\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\">.22LR<\/a>. With centerfire calibers, eight seems to be the max, with concealed carry revolvers, we get five rounds in the average gun, with some exceptions that give you six rounds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"32 H&amp;R Magnum capacity\" class=\"wp-image-209917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-6-shot-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One extra round doesn&#8217;t sound like much, but who doesn&#8217;t want extra ammo? The smaller bullet leads to greater capacity. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If we compare a J-frame .38 Special with a J-frame .32 H&amp;R Magnum the .32 H&amp;R Magnum gets 1 extra round. Yep, 1 whole round, but the difference between five and six is nice to have. The smaller diameter rounds give one extra round which can lead to six to seven cartridges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-recoil-matters-too-nbsp\">Recoil Matters Too&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I own a 9mm snub nose and a few .38 Special snub noses, and they are a bit like pocket .380s, I don&#8217;t like shooting them. The .38 Special isn&#8217;t a harsh cartridge, but in a snubby, it&#8217;s not all that comfortable. It gets old shooting and fatigue sets in quickly while training. With the .32 H&amp;R Mag this isn&#8217;t nearly as big as an issue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".38 special revolver capacity\" class=\"wp-image-209916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-5-shot-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .38 Special has more recoil and muzzle rise. Some can find it difficult to control. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s much tamer, and even the hotter defensive loadings are easy to shoot. Going with the .32 H&amp;R Magnum makes a huge difference if you have to shoot one-handed. I&#8217;ve fired a lot more .38 Special than .32, but no matter what, I shoot the .32 H&amp;R Magnum better. I&#8217;m faster, more accurate, and just more capable with the .32 H&amp;R Magnum round.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The S&amp;W 432 UC Review - What&#039;s So Ultimate About It?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ajRSS94RT50?start=111&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-yeah-but-ammo-matters-nbsp\">Yeah, But Ammo Matters&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The big issue you&#8217;ll have with the .32 H&amp;R Magnum is that it&#8217;s a hipster round. Do you know how hipster coffees cost like 5x the normal price of coffee? Well, that&#8217;s the case with the .32 H&amp;R Magnum rounds. You&#8217;d swear they&#8217;d be labeled ethically sourced and fair trade.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".38 special and .32 H&amp;R magnum ammo\" class=\"wp-image-209925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-guns-and-ammo-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The .32 H&amp;R Magnum is pricey and hard to find. Any self-respecting gun shop will carry .38 Special<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Availability is an issue as well. Walk into any gun store, and you&#8217;ll find .38 Special. That might not be the case with .32 H&amp;R Magnum. It tends to be a little tougher to find. You&#8217;ll most likely have to rely on online sources, which leads to shipping and an even higher price.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\".32 and .38 special rims\" class=\"wp-image-209920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-ammo-rims-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Who knew a smaller bullet would be pricer? More and more guns are chambering the little .32 H&amp;R Mag, but its still rare. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Logistics matter, and if you can train with a .38 Special more often, then it&#8217;s going to matter more than the slight performance increase with the .32 H&amp;R Magnum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/the-pocket-pistol-and-lessons-learned-toting-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\">The Pocket Pistol and Lessons Learned Toting Them<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-guns-nbsp-32-h-amp-r-magnum-vs-38-special\">The Guns&nbsp;&#8211;  .32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I do think if we want to make the best decision, we have to consider the gun being used. Concealed carry revolvers are dominated by the classic &#8216;snub&#8217; nose revolver, specifically the J-frame-sized snub nose. For the J-Frame snub nose, I feel the .32 H&amp;R Magnum works the best, especially if we get into the lighter-weight guns. The lighter recoil and higher capacity are quite nice for such a small gun.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"432 PD Revolver\" class=\"wp-image-209915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-432pd-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">.32 H&amp;R Magnum revolvers aren&#8217;t all that common. Ruger and S&amp;W have released new models, but that&#8217;s it. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If we get into a gun with a three-inch barrel, even if it is still a J-Frame, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smith-wesson.com\/product\/m-p-bodyguard-38-integrated-crimson-trace-laser-compliant\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\">.38 Special <\/a>makes more sense. The longer barrel tames recoil and concussion and helps improve velocity for even better projectile performance. A snub nose K-Frame or medium-sized revolver is likely best as a .38 Special.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"S&amp;W Bodyguard .38 Special\" class=\"wp-image-209914\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-398x300.jpg 398w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-38-bodyguard-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Bodyguard is just one example of many where the .38 Special shines. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>These are my thoughts. What are yours? Would you carry the hipster-approved .32 H&amp;R Magnum or stick with the tried and true .38 Special?&nbsp; Let us know below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong><em>*** <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\" title=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While the .357 Magnum should have eaten its lunch, it turns out small .357 Magnums aren&#8217;t all that comfortable to shoot, and .38 Special has remained popular.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":209924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[102,108,2684,611],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-209927","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-revolvers","8":"tag-feature-articles","9":"tag-guns","10":"tag-revolver-review","11":"tag-revolvers"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>.32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special for Concealed Carry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Revolver enthusiasts rejoice! The .32 H&amp;R Magnum is shaking up the carry market. Find out how this round compares to the iconic .38 Special.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"While the .357 Magnum should have eaten its lunch, it turns out small .357 Magnums aren&#039;t all that comfortable to shoot, and .38 Special has remained popular.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-23T20:35:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-19T11:31:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-cover-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1928\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Travis Pike\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Travis Pike\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Travis Pike\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e0da700e463f64acd40af9c7869b0f2c\"},\"headline\":\".32 H&amp;R Magnum vs .38 Special For Concealed Carry\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-23T20:35:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-19T11:31:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1629,\"commentCount\":19,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-cover-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Feature Articles\",\"Guns\",\"revolver review\",\"Revolvers\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Revolvers\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/#respond\"]}],\"accessibilityFeature\":[\"tableOfContents\"]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/\",\"name\":\".32 H&R Magnum vs .38 Special for Concealed Carry\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-for-concealed-carry\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/32-hr-magnum-vs-38-special-cover-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-23T20:35:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-19T11:31:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"Revolver enthusiasts rejoice! 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