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Smith & Wesson Model 632 .327 Fed. Mag. Revolver
by NRA Staff
Almost as soon as ATK introduced its .327 Federal Mag. cartridge, attention turned to Smith & Wesson to see how the world’s pre-eminent manufacturer of revolvers would respond.
The Massachusetts-based maker’s first offering in the new cartridge is the Model 632 based on its time-proven J-Frame. It is especially noteworthy as S&W didn’t play it safe by initially introducing a basic gun; instead, it opted to launch a distinctive and elegant gun that may serve as the flagship of its subsequent .327 Federal Mag. line-up.
The significance of the .327 Federal Mag. is, of course, that by lengthening the .32 H&R Mag. case by 0.125 on an inch and thickening the case walls, ATK was able to create a cartridge of considerable muzzle energy that was nonetheless so narrow that six rounds would fit in a small revolver’s cylinder. While that is an increase of only one round, it can also be seen as a 20 percent improvement. In any event, it is something wheelgunners have longed for.
Aside from the chambering, what makes this J-frame different? First, it has a 3-inch barrel that includes an expansion chamber and port to reduce perceived recoil and muzzle rise. The pinned ramp front sight is necessarily set back from the muzzle. This configuration, called Carry Comp in S&W parlance, has often been seen on Performance Center revolvers. Additionally, the barrel has a full underlug that tapers near the muzzle.
The profile is highly distinctive, appearing functional but also graceful. The barrel’s length prevents the gun from having the stubby look of a true snub-nose. Further, it permits inclusion of a full-length ejector rod to completely clear spent cases.
Also departing from most small concealment guns, the rear sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation; not unknown to S&W J-frames, but rare nonetheless. The hammer is small, narrow and deeply knurled. The trigger is broad and smooth.
It is a rather strange amalgam of features. The heavy barrel and adjustable sights of a target gun, the porting of a hunting gun and the smooth trigger and snag-resistant hammer of a combat gun. Yet it all works well together, both aesthetically and mechanically.
The full-size grip is actually a one-piece synthetic unit held by a single hex-head screw on the right side. It has finger grooves, a gentle palm swell and small oval-shaped texturing on the sides.
There is no such thing as a gun with universal fit, but the Model 632 comes as close as any small gun we’ve handled. Even those with very large hands didn’t have a sense of overwhelming the gun. Those with small-to-medium-size hands found it ideal. The Model 632 has an appealing matte-black finish, but the gun is actually built of stainless steel.
The overall dimensions dictate that this is a holster gun. It carried well in a Kramer Gunleather Horsehide Belt Scabbard. Strapping it on, one is tempted to compare the Model 632 to other J-frames, but that is a mistake. It is more appropriate to compare it to a medium-bore K-frame. The Model 632 compares favorably, having the same firepower and significant muzzle energy while being smaller, lighter and faster handling. It also compares favorably to many single-stack subcompact 9 mm Luger pistols. It’s neither as small nor light, but it provides six shots of 9 mm Luger +P-class power, has a full-size grip, better balance and the option of single-action operation.
At the range, the Model 632 performed satisfactorily. Neither the adjustable rear sights nor the exposed (though diminutive) hammer created any problems drawing from concealment.
Though the Model 632’s double-action trigger pull measured more than 12 pounds on our Lyman gauge, the pull was smooth, precise and exhibited little take-up. The excellent single-action pull felt lighter than the measured 3 pounds, 5 ounces.
Accuracy was typical for a small revolver, yet easier to achieve due to the sights and sight radius. Recoil was stout from full-power loads, but relatively mild from Federal’s low-recoil Hydra-Shok. The tested Model 632 was something of a spitter. Upon firing, particles would lightly sting the cheek, regardless of the ammunition used.
Categorizing the Model 632 is difficult. It might best be described as a belt gun for shooters with small to medium hands who prefer a wheelgun. It would also make an excellent trainer, one that fits a broad range of shooters and can initially be loaded with a wide variety of cartridges including .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Mag. and .327 Federal Mag. And that ammunition versatility, coupled with the gun’s features, make it a good all-around gun that can take small game, plink, be carried concealed and even serve as a house gun that can be handled by both men and women.
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson; (800) 331-0852; www.smith-wesson.com
Caliber: .327 Federal Mag. (also .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Mag.)
Action Type: double-action, center-fire revolver
Frame: blackened stainless steel
Barrel: 3"
Rifling: five-groove, 1:18.75" RH twist
Cylinder capacity: six
Sights: pinned ramp front; square notch, fully-adjustable rear
Trigger Pull: double-action, 12 lbs., 4 ozs.; single-action, 3 lbs., 5 ozs.
Overall Length: 71⁄2"
Width: 15⁄16"
Height: 5"
Weight: 24.5 ozs.
Accessories: plastic case, cylinder lock
Suggested Retail Price: $1,011
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Concealed Carry: The Strong Side
by Paul Rackley, Associate Online Shooting Editor
As reflected by increases in firearm sales and CWP applications, more Americans are expressing their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. This also means more people are now trying to determine the best way to carry a concealed handgun.
There are multiple factors that influence carry method such as the handgun’s size and type, the person’s body shape and clothing worn, and the carrier’s imagination. However, there are a few accepted methods such as ankle, shoulder and strong side. Each of these has its advocates, but strong side (high on the waist near the strong hand) is the preferred method of many experts including American Rifleman Field Editor Wiley Clapp: “There are many ways to carry a gun, but the one that makes the most sense is high on the waist.”
Holster Choices
There are three types of commonly used strong-side holsters: inside-the-waistband (IWB), outside-the-waistband (OWB) and belly band. Each type provides varying degrees of concealment and accessibility.
IWB—Provides good cover via shirt or coat while keeping a handgun accessible, but requires an overly large waistband to allow fit. IWB works best with medium-sized, narrow handguns.
OWB—Keeps a handgun easily accessible, but requires a long cover garment to keep the holster from showing when bending or reaching. OWB allows carry of larger handguns.
Belly Band—Deepest cover for strong side, but handgun must be accessed by pulling up or ripping open the shirt. Belly band carry is best for small to medium polymer handguns as the gun is close to the body and susceptible to sweat.
The Good and the Bad
Regardless of the type of holster, strong-side carry has some definite advantages over other methods. First and foremost, the handgun is easily accessible. There is no reaching across or around the body as the hand is already near the gun. Another strong-side advantage is that it allows the use of the weak arm for close-quarters defense without interfering with the draw. Most importantly, the strong-side draw can be simplified to its most basic motions, which, with practice, creates a very smooth, fast draw. And practice is more readily available since many gun ranges limit how shooters can train from retention (holster), if allowed at all, to strong side for safety.
Of course, every carry method has its disadvantages. Strong-side carry has three distinct problems for shooters, the most significant of which is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to start with a hand on the gun. Lifting the cover garment for the draw almost always reveals the gun to potential threats. The other issues with strong-side carry are “printing” and car carry. Care must be taken to not print (when the cover garment tightens and shows the imprint of the gun) when bending over or reaching for an item. This is especially a problem in summer months when light, airy shirts are the norm. Car carry is difficult because with the gun on the strong side, the cover garment and seatbelt combine to make drawing the gun nearly impossible, but it can be conducted with forethought and practice.
Draw Strong
There are four basic motions to drawing a handgun from the strong side: the grip, the pull, the rock and the extend. Conducted properly, these motions lend themselves to the fast, smooth strong-side draw.
The Grip: Throw the elbow straight back, bring the hand back and grip the handgun firmly with the supporting fingers while keeping the trigger finger straight along the slide, outside of the holster.
The Pull: Pull the gun up and completely out of the holster keeping the trigger finger straight along the slide.
The Rock: Once the gun is clear of the holster, rock the barrel forward toward the target.
The Extend: Extend the gun into shooting position while bringing the support hand up and forward to the gun.
Draw Often
Drawing under stress requires muscle memory created through training and practice, especially if drawing from under a vest, shirt or other cover garment.
The best way to perfect the draw is slowly on a live-fire range with a partner watching for safety and mistakes. Start with smooth, deliberate motions and slowly build up speed. When practicing, keep in mind that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Build on a smooth draw and speed will come.
If unable to conduct training on a range for lack of time, ammo or availability, you can practice in the privacy of the home. First, unload the firearm and remove all ammunition from the area. Then, practice drawing with slow, sure motions in front of a mirror while watching for mistakes. This will not provide the full experience, but it will improve your draw and provide the muscle memory to make the draw when the chips are down.
Regardless of the carry method, one of the most important factors of making a smooth, practiced draw is consistency in both the motion and the method. Acclaimed holster maker John Bianchi once doled out some excellent advice for concealed-carry advocates: “The same gun, in the same place, all the time, makes the reactive draw second nature.”
Strong-Side Photo Gallery
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December 03, 2013Two teens began knocking on the back door of a house where a 43-year-old woman was home alone. The woman grabbed her .38 revolver when the teens began to kick in the door. They reportedly entered her kitchen and charged toward her. The resident fired a single shot and one intruder fell to the floor before they both fled through the back door. Later a juvenile showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm. Both teens were arrested and charged with burglary. (Dayton Daily News, Dayton, OH, 6/26/13)
When a couple in Florida witnessed a group of robbers attempting to break into their home they acted quickly. The wife alerted her husband, who armed himself. The robbers ran, and knowing the local laws the husband simply shot at the ground to alert his neighbors of the fleeing intruders. A neighbor heard the shot, and the 44-year-old woman who happened to be a former professional boxer, tackled one of the men. Police later apprehended the other two suspects miles from the scene, and another two in the woods shortly after. All of the defendants were charged with burglary and theft, according to WESH-TV. (WESH.com, Oak Hill, Fla., 11/27/13)
From The Armed Citizen Archives
November 1969: When a passenger in John Obert's cab in Seattle, Wash., pulled a knife on him and demanded money, Obert drew his pistol, took the would-be robber's knife and radioed for police. (Seattle, Wash., Times)
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