A treat for the J-Frame Guys

[92FSTech]

vindicated by the opinion of the guy in OPs video, every S&W collector (of the utilitarian Fudd type) have told me to find and carry either the 3” k frame or the .32 j frame. but those .32’s are rare, and you could eat chowder for a lifetime with how many clams they command.

Mine was only $350, but it's a Model 31, not a 432, and it was pretty ugly when I got it. It's also chambered in .32 S&W Long, not either of the magnum offerings. I'm a "shooter with a collection" not a "collector who shoots," so it makes me happy.

And while I like the K-Frame too, I prefer the J-Frame for both carry and shootability. I know it's kinda counter-intuitive, but there's something about the balance and the way they fit my hand...it just works.

I don't carry this one, but I could see actually throwing that new 432 in a pocket.

 

[model1994]

beautiful gun, it would make me happy too.

the high priced ones I was referencing are model 432/632 “centennial” in .32 H&R (and a couple others i think? So many lol) - i rarely see those even online and when I do they’re $$$$. seems to be like a good truck, folks just hang onto them.

 

[CB1911]

Thanks for sharing. Exciting to see S&W bring out some new J's! Kind of reminds me of the Night Guard series with those sights and barrel profile. I was hoping that S&W would bring back something similar one day. No lock! I might just buy the first 32 H&R mag version I find. I already have the Starline brass and 85 grain XTP's ready to go.

 

[CB1911]

When the sales start to slow on these models I sure hope they crank out some Ultimate Carry K frames!

 

[Dean C.]

Thanks for sharing. Exciting to see S&W bring out some new J's! Kind of reminds me of the Night Guard series with those sights and barrel profile. I was hoping that S&W would bring back something similar one day. No lock! I might just buy the first 32 H&R mag version I find. I already have the Starline brass and 85 grain XTP's ready to go.

100% agree on the Night Guard the idea of a "modern defensive revolver" was interesting. But I have a feeling their high prices kept most away. I love a new 357 mag night guard with an 7 shot cylinder and cut for Red Dot.

Second point, Lipseys is killing it with the special editions. This is a very cool well thought out revolver; them regulating the sights to modern ammo was a very nice touch as well.

I personally have my eye on their H&K and Langdon Tactical collaboration USP. I am getting the USP Compact and a Staccato CS this year for sure.

 

[bstewrat3]

Interesting, but seems like a .327 magnum would be able to shoot .32 H&R, and all the others, but just chambering it in .32 H&R, you get the old S&W rounds, but not .327 mag.....am I wrong?
Also. to me it seems they are responding to Taurus, and all they're doing with revolvers..

They wanted 6 shots in the 32 and the pressures of the 327 Federal were too high. The H&R runs 21k and the Federal is at 45k.

 

[Malware]

As a snubby fan I'm excited to see it come out

 

[LtScott14]

Agree with others that the 38 spec, J frames or even a Taurus or Charter Arms is half the price. Small guns like those are perfect 38 caliber/specials plenty. $1100 for an alloy is too much $, Even S&W K/L frames are tipping $900+
No wonder Shields+ 9mm, are selling like hotcakes. $400 you got a 13 shot EDC firearm.

 

[drillsgt]

Agree with others that the 38 spec, J frames or even a Taurus or Charter Arms is half the price. Small guns like those are perfect 38 caliber/specials plenty. $1100 for an alloy is too much $, Even S&W K/L frames are tipping $900+
No wonder Shields+ 9mm, are selling like hotcakes. $400 you got a 13 shot EDC firearm.

Where are you getting 1100.00, this new carry has an MSRP of 759.00 or were you talking about something different?

 

[92FSTech]

Where are you getting 1100.00, this new carry has an MSRP of 759.00 or were you talking about something different?

Yeah, I'm confused as well. I've seen the scandium J-Frames go for that kind of money, but by chambering these in .38+p and .32 H&R they provided a means to get an arguably even better feature set than the PD models at a significant discount, just without the magnum calibers (which don't honestly give you that much benefit out of a snubby barrel anyway).

 

[Amishman44]

Thanks for sharing. Exciting to see S&W bring out some new J's! Kind of reminds me of the Night Guard series with those sights and barrel profile. I was hoping that S&W would bring back something similar one day. No lock! I might just buy the first 32 H&R mag version I find. I already have the Starline brass and 85 grain XTP's ready to go.

I concur...seeing something 'different' from something common is nice!
Too bad it's not chambered in .327 Magnum...

 

[tbhausen]

I’ll be a buyer for the .32 H&R. Really nice feature set on these. Already ordered some of the Federal 85 gr. JHP because it’s hard enough to find now, much less once these things are released.

 

[tbhausen]

Great info here relevant to the new .32 H&R Magnum J-frames:

Why the Best Snub Nose Caliber is .32

We analyze ballistic gel testing for various loads in .32 caliber to see what your best options are to pair with a snub nose revolver.

www.luckygunner.com

 

[drillsgt]

I’ll be a buyer for the .32 H&R. Really nice feature set on these. Already ordered some of the Federal 85 gr. JHP because it’s hard enough to find now, much less once these things are released.

Good idea!

 

[wesnellans]

Well, late to the party perhaps but figured y’all would want to know about this.

Just picked up a 642UC yesterday and was stoked to have found one.

Then I fired it.

Literally the FIRST shot had a failure to reset trigger. And every subsequent shot for the first and second cylinders. Changed to a little hotter ammo which failed about once a cylinder. Just ran the remainder of my 40 rounds of Geco wadcutters through and still failing most of each cylinder.

If the flipping grips weren’t on so tight I’d skip the long wait for the warranty repair to open her up and see what they screwed up inside.

As is, awaiting Smith’s reply.

 

[TLHelmer]

Very nice!

 

[Amishman44]

Great info here relevant to the new .32 H&R Magnum J-frames:

Why the Best Snub Nose Caliber is .32

We analyze ballistic gel testing for various loads in .32 caliber to see what your best options are to pair with a snub nose revolver.

www.luckygunner.com

Some interesting ballistics with the .32 H&R Magnum... and not all bad either!
I could see this caliber revolver fitting into a nitch and have a market, but how much it is utilized or grows will probably be limited with the current market being pushed to semi-auto calibers, especially 9mm in both handgun and PCC set-ups.
I had interest in a Ruger SP101 in .327 Magnum for a long time, but couldn't see it replacing anything I currently used, and I watched the cost of ammo soar, so I never pulled through trigger on one!
I could see a nitch for the S&W J-Frame in .32 H&R Magnum as a little ankle or pocket carry BUG, with 6 instead of 5 shots, but never as a stand alone option!
Just my $0.02 worth...

 

[Dingleberry]

Too much to spend for a throw down, even if it had Corleone initials on it...

Smith & Wesson left it loud for any pain in the a$$ bystander. As well as a special tape on the butt and trigger.

P.S.
After throw down, do not sit down and finish your meal.

Muunday Toooosday Wednesday Friday!

 

[MrSmitty]

A guy I used to work with came in to my current place of work, and told me he bought an older S&W in .32, I first thought it was a mistake due to ammo availability, but now after seeing this thread he may have made an ok choice..depending on the .32 cartridge, might have been .32 H&R, don't know it Smiths were chambered in that though.

 

[92FSTech]

Well, late to the party perhaps but figured y’all would want to know about this.

Just picked up a 642UC yesterday and was stoked to have found one.

Then I fired it.

Literally the FIRST shot had a failure to reset trigger. And every subsequent shot for the first and second cylinders. Changed to a little hotter ammo which failed about once a cylinder. Just ran the remainder of my 40 rounds of Geco wadcutters through and still failing most of each cylinder.

If the flipping grips weren’t on so tight I’d skip the long wait for the warranty repair to open her up and see what they screwed up inside.

As is, awaiting Smith’s reply.

That's not good. I'd give Lipsey's a call...they went above and beyond to take care of some issues I had with my first one.

My guess...and it's only a guess, is that there may be some shavings or something left over from the manufacturing process in there binding up your rebound slide. I've not experienced the same problem that you are having, but my replacement gun did a weird thing at one point where it would advance the cylinder but not actuate the hammer. I opened it up and found some shavings (more flecks, really) that I believe were binding up the DA sear and keeping it from engaging the trigger. I cleaned it out really well and gave it a light polish and it's been 100% ever since (with a superb trigger, I might add). It's actually in my pocket right now.

Tapping the grips with a delrin hammer separated them enought that I was able to get a plastic wedge in between the panels and separate them without marring them at all. I've had them off a few times now, and while it's definitely more difficult that other grips, it's do-able and IMO speaks to excellent build quality by VZ.

ETA: Here's the write-up I did on my experience with the gun(s)...looks like that thread kinda died before I had the issue with the DA sear.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/th...h-the-new-lipseys-exclusive-s-w-642uc.548207/