Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns H&R revolvers

Any thoughts?

In particular, I'm thinking about one of the H&R revolvers in .32 H&R Magnum, with about a 4" or probably a 6" barrel, adjustable sights, with the full length barrel shroud.

Ugly? Yes. But cheap, and if they are accurate, it might be a great truck/fishing revolver that I can carry, leave in the truck, use (abuse), and not be out much, but have it there and have it ready to depend on if/when I want it or need it.

Any experience? Any thoughts?

Make sure it is 32H&R, they made mostly 32 S&W Long revolvers!

Yep, it's the Magnum I'm thinking of. I know they made them for a while in the '80s and early '90s.

Any experience with 'em, T?

Good guns actually, terrible triggers though, about 45 pounds IIRC! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Actually in the 10-11 pound range and hard to slick up.

To be honest, the trigger was the one point I was most concerned with.

Hmmm.... THAT hard to slick up?

From what I've always been told, they are indeed harder than a Ruger to work on. I had a 949 for my first handgun. A gunsmith told me "I wouldn't have one stuck up my asss,". After he said that, my friends and I chuckled amongst ourselves wondering what brand he DID prefer...well, you know. lol Anyways, I'd buy one since I don't want any brand gun stuck up there.

I have to wonder how cheap they are at this point though. Haven't they been out of production for awhile? Wouldn't a Ruger Super Single Six be easier to find, easier to work on and nearly as cheap? Guess not if you've got a line on one.

Anyways, that 949 was a good .22. Wish I still had it.

Yes they are Sir, I won't even try it anymore!

The H&R revolvers did in fact shoot straight, but as mentioned before, the triggers are just plain horrible. If you can get the gun cheap enough, it might be worth it. Anything much over $100.00 and I�d hold my cash and save my pennies for a better gun. For $100.00, it would serve well in the role you describe.

For a light weight, versatile handgun for the role you describe, I always recommend a good used S&W Model 15 in .38 special. This is just plain one of the best revolvers that S&W ever turned out and they can be found in pawn shops for under $300.00 all the time. For that kind of money, no better handgun exists.

Modern .38 Special defense ammo is comparable to 9mm. As a handloader, you can push the pressure limits pretty far in a Model 15 to make it a light magnum. Finally, factory shot shells are available for the .38 special, which if you live in snake country like I do, that�s nice.

My grandfather loved the H&R .32s, and did tricks like shoot sparrows out of trees with them. That was an awful long time ago, though, well before the .32 H&R cartridge was ever thought of.

I have the 999 Sportsman model in .22LR. I mainly shoot it single action, and the trigger pull seems fine in the one I own. There is something neat about the top break action. I'm sure it's not as strong as a solid frame, but in .22 - it's fun.

GG;

Thanks for the heads up on price. I haven't found one (yet), but as a fan of the .32 caliber cartridges, I kinda had a hankerin' for one of these.

Otherwise, it'll just be a .357, for the reasons you mentioned plus the ability to go to .357 ballistics if I want/need to do so.

Actually VA, I REALLY like the idea of the 32 H&R Mag. in a smallish handgun, such as the Super Single Six or one of the H&R's. I go cold on it in a full-sized sixgun, such as a Peacemaker or Blackhawk, because then, you may as well go with the 32-20 or 30 US Carb. If I could find an H&R for around a hundred bucks, I'd get one. I'd probably get a Ruger if it wasn't over about $150. I think both guns generally bring more than that now though.

Calif Hunter,
I'm with you, I think top break guns are just plain cool. I'd like to see a higher quality version of the 999. Nothing wrong with the design, it could just be made better. (to be fair, the 999 is perhaps the best revolver H&R ever made and they're not bad at all. Double actions tend to be really stiff and the single action, while heavy are generally fairly crisp. They also have a reputation for being rather accurate...and fun)

I'd also like to see a return to the Webley MK VI's as well in .45 ACP. Shorten the barrel to 4" and use them with a moon clip and they would be simply awesome. It would be a great opportunity to update the design with better sights and a smoother action.

I even like the Enfield .380's, which are nearly worthless and useles for all intents and purposes, but I still think they're cool!

You might think about the surplus 1895 7 shot Russian revolver. It shoots the .32 H&R Mag perfectly. With a flap holster and kit in excellent to new condition for less than $90 at several distributers. Good luck.

George

Hmmmm....

V

Hit Inter Ordnance and scroll products to Nagant 1895, and read what they say about Federal .32 H&R Mag Jacket HP in the old Russian revolver. I have 5 of them. Ask for new condition with wooden grips. Great for pickups and 4 wheelers.

George

Will do. Thanks.

I have one with a 6" barrel. It shoots 1.5-2" groups at 25 yards for me but I never was a very good handgun shot.

With my hardcast 104 grain SWC bullets it chronographs at exactly 1,200 fps average (10 shot). I am a big fan of the .32 revolvers. Energy wise that load is equal to a 9mm. At 25 feet a test shot penetrated an engine block and ended up embedded in the piston. Only problem I had with mine is that the rear sight leaf kept popping out because of a poor fitting set screw. Once I got it shooting where I wanted I Locktited it and no more problems.

I also have a Ruger 101 in .32 magum, as well as a small frame S&W that I bought 20+ years ago, and a couple of Taurus and Rossi. The Ruger is good but a little big and heavy for such a small cartridge and the rear sight is only windage adjustable. The other are better trail guns as they carry lighter.

Several years ago one of the GD annuals had an article about loading solid frame .32 revolvers in the .32 S&W [Short] caliber. It was easy to achieve 1,000 fps with the light 85 grain bullets. More than enough for small game.

Years ago both Rossi and Taurus made good little .32 Long and .32 H&R revolvers that were perfect trail guns.

SAFE 32 S&W Long Loads:
91 Lyman 313249 Alliant Bullseye 2.2 814
Remarks: Case: Remington
91 Lyman 313249 Alliant Bullseye 2.4 920
Remarks: Case: Norma, Fair accuracy.
91 Lyman 313249 Alliant Unique 3.3 914
Remarks: Case: R-P, Third best load.
91 Lyman 313249 Alliant Unique 3.5 979
Remarks: Case: R-P, Highest velocity and very accurate.
91 Lyman 313249 Alliant Bullseye 2.3 799
Remarks: Case: Norma, Note velocity loss due to long seating.
112 Lyman 3118 Alliant Bullseye 2.0 724
Remarks: Case: R-P
112 Lyman 3118 Alliant Unique 3.0 837
Remarks: Case: Remington, Good load.
112 Lyman 3118 Alliant Unique 3.5 960
Remarks: Case: R-P, Highest velocity heavy bullet load.

85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Bullseye 1.6 550
85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Bullseye 1.7 600
85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Bullseye 1.9 650
85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Bullseye 2.1 700
Remarks: maximum load

85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Unique 2.2 550
85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Unique 2.3 600
85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Unique 2.5 650
85 Hornady HP-XTP Alliant Unique 2.6 700
Remarks: maximum load

90 Hornady SWC Alliant Bullseye 1.6 550
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Bullseye 1.7 600
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Bullseye 1.9 650
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Bullseye 2.0 700
Remarks: maximum load

90 Hornady SWC Alliant Unique 1.7 550
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Unique 1.9 600
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Unique 2.1 650
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Unique 2.3 700
90 Hornady SWC Alliant Unique 2.5 750
Remarks: maximum load

My dad has had an H&R 922 since the early 1950�s. The gun is ugly but it shoots fine. All four of us kids learned to shoot a pistol with it. They are a royal pain to do any action work on, keep it in mine if you plan on getting one and then trying to smooth it up. H&Rs are nothing fancy but they will get the job done.