Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
SHOT SHOW EXCITEMENT
Lipsey’s and Smith and Wesson set the revolver world on fire with the introduction of the Ultimate Carry Series. Announced at the 2024 SHOT Show, the Ultimate Carry series consists of a much-improved version of the venerable 642/432 Airweight Centennials. However, to the surprise of many, they also launched an Ultimate Carry in .32 H&R Magnum. To say the Ultimate Carry is an “improved model” is really an understatement.
THE VISION OF A PERFECT J-FRAME
The Lipsey’s 632 Ultimate Carry was a collaboration between Jason Cloessner, Lipsey’s Senior Vice President for Product Development, and Andrew Gore, Smith & Wesson’s Handgun Product Manager. Cloessner wanted a J-frame that addressed the complaints all of us have had for years. I have carried a J-frame on a daily basis, for over 40 years, and have shot them extensively. I am all too aware of the deficiencies in the sights, action, and, in some cases, the stocks. With no color contrast between a narrow front sight, and a small and shallow rear sight notch, the sights challenge even the best shooters. The issues with stocks and the trigger/action can be addressed by aftermarket products and a good gunsmith. But it would be nice to not to have these issues!
Over two years of design and testing went into this UC project. For the principal parties, there were multiple trips between Baton Rouge and Springfield. Smith & Wesson not only addressed Cloessner’s initial concept, but they brought several internal designs to the table. The end product is as close to perfection as I could imagine.
FEATURES ON THE .32 ULTIMATE CARRY PISTOL
Cloessner wanted the Ultimate Carry J-frames to be a set of features that could set the stage for future projects. Those features would be key to the success of both the Centennials as well as what may come in the future. These features are:
Sights
The most significant improvement, over the traditional J-frame, is the sights. The UC features a dove rear sight that is similar to the sight found on the 640 Pro. However, the UC sight is slightly taller, and features a deep “U” notch and a serrated face. The front sight is an XS Standard Dot with a green pholuminescent ring and a Tritium insert. The front sight dot is perfectly proportioned to the rear “U” notch. The sights have been specifically calibrated for the 100 grain wadcutter loads.
Action
The trigger, on the UC guns, is significantly better than the normal J-frame. This was accomplished by making improvements in the geometry of several parts as well as using an improved mainspring and trigger return spring. In addition, Smith has enhanced the strength and durability of the UC by using titanium pins for the internal pivot points.
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Stock
VZ Grips is an industry leader in G-10 stocks. The company worked with Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson to develop a set of stocks for the UC revolvers. The new design fills the sinus behind the trigger guard and covers the entire backstrap of the frame. Known as a “high horn” design, this design is specific to the Centennial frame. The design gives the shooter a higher purchase on the pistol and allows for the recoil to be distributed across a larger portion of the hand. In addition, they are durable and improve the pointability of the little pistol.
Endurance Improvements
In the past, alloy J-frames had steel studs that were copper-brazed in place. These studs are critical to the operation of the cylinder lock, trigger, hammer, and trigger rebound block. Should one of these studs break, the gun is normally a total loss. Smith & Wesson gave the UC an enhanced “endurance package” that included titanium pins and improved geometry of some internal parts. When combined with improved springs, the trigger pull, on the new UC, is a substantial improvement.
Barrel
The UC features a two-piece barrel that allows for a more precise, and consistent, cylinder gap. The two-piece barrel simplifies production and the shroud height is designed to accept the XS front sight. This is a feature previously found on the more expensive scandium frame revolvers.
Custom Touches
The Ultimate Carry pistols also offer some nice custom touches that are subtle yet important. The leading edge of the cylinder has been nicely beveled, as has the front edges of the frame. The UC is void of any offending sharp edges. Another nice custom feature is the chamfered charge holes. And, Smith has eliminated the hated internal lock!
“A .32 GUN AND A POCKET FULL OF FUN”
Of course, that is a line from Jim Croce’s 1973 hit song, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” The .32 H&R Magnum was a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge Company. It was introduced in 1984, and was intended to improve the performance of the .32 S&W Long that dates back to the 1800s. One could equate the project to the development of the .357 Magnum. When loaded to Magnum pressures, the .32 H&R Magnum is a fairly hot cartridge with pressures exceeding that of a .38 Special +P load. While some a manufacturers produced pistols in the caliber, it never really took off. Still, the caliber had a small, but loyal, following.
The introduction of the 632/432 in .32 H&R Magnum resulted in a great deal of excitement. The .32 H&R offers significantly reduced recoil when compared to even standard velocity .38 Special loads. In addition, the chambering allows the 632/432 to have a six round cylinder. The Ultimate Carry 632/432 has single handedly resurrected the .32 H&R Magnum and brought it back to the forefront of revolver shooters. Multiple manufacturers have spun up both new and legacy loading for the caliber. And, there is more coming!
RANGE TIME WITH THE GUN
Over multiple range sessions, I was able to test the UC with seven different load. I would like to express my appreciation to those who provided ammunition for this project. After chronographing the loads, I did some informal ballistic testing with previously used blocks of Clear Ballistics 10% gel. Given time, and ammunition, l limited the tests to three rounds fired into bare gel and three rounds fired through four layers of denim. While not shot into virgin blocks, the results still gave me a baseline of data to work with.
The wadcutters from Lost River and High Desert performed as expected. Both companies use a powder coated bullet that reduces fouling in both the gun and the reloading machines. Velocity and bare gel performance was nearly identical with both loads. Penetration is the most important aspect of terminal ballistics, and wadcutters have become the load of choice for many serious people who carry snubs on a regular basis.
ULTIMATE SNUB AMMO
Both Federal and Hornady offer a .32 H&R Magnum. The Federal Personal Defense load is a 85 grain, traditional jacketed hollow point while the Hornady Critical Defense load is a 80 grain FTX projectile. Both opened up in bare gel to the extent that the bullet design allowed. Through denim, the Federal load failed to expanded or deform. When shot through the denim, the FTX expanded but were asymmetrical and inconsistent.
The High Desert 85 grain is a XTP jacketed hollow point and is designed to be a cost effective practice round. It still performed well in bare gel and expanded to an average of .35” or so. When shot through the denim, as with, the Federal load, it failed to expand but still had good penetration.
The Double Tap 60 grain solid copper hollow point proved to be the biggest surprise of the test. While it had the highest velocity, the light weight made it easy to shoot and the terminal performance was impressive! In both bare gel and through the denim, the copper hollow point had 11.6” in penetration and an average expanded diameter of .50” or better. That is a 56% increase in diameter which is very impressive! For those who require really deep penetration, their 120 grain, hard cast, semi-wadcutter sliced through both gel blocks and continued down range.
.32 AMMO BREAKDOWN
The photos shown below show the expanded projectiles of the loads we tested.
ULTIMATE ACCURACY AND PERFORMANCE
I shot the HiTs Supper Snubby Test that consists of 5 rounds, fired from 3, 5, and 10 yards respectively. Par time for each string of fire is 3 seconds, 5 seconds, and 8 seconds respectively. I should note that the 3 yard line is fired using the strong hand only, so 5 shots in 3 seconds is rather spicy. The drill is shot on a B-8 repair center and scored using the ring values on the target. It is only shot once for score and is normally shot cold. My score with the 632 UC was a 140/150 or 93%. I dropped one point at the 5 yard line and pushed a couple of shots at 10 yards.
I then stepped back to the 25 yard line to see what I could do with my aging eyes. I was able to keep all five rounds of the Lost River wadcutter on the B-8 with a score of 41/50. I can assure you I could not have shot this well with any of my other J-frames. The combination of great sights, proper stocks, and a good trigger really made a difference. The reduced recoil of the .32 H&R cartridge was an added bonus.
OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE .32 H&R MAGNUM
The UC is truly a perfect J-frame in almost all aspects. Words cannot really describe how excellent the new sights are. Smith & Wesson and XS Sights hit it out of the park. It is amazing what can be accomplished when you can really see the sights! For those who find that the VZ stocks don’t fit their hand well, they can be swapped out for a number of other options. For those who are interested, I suggest taking a look at Hamre Forge, Hogue, or Precision Gun Specialties.
HKS Speedloaders offers their 32-J speedloader that is compatible with the 632 UC. For more concealability, I like Tuff Products Quickstrips. They are available in both six and either round versions and in black or orange.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
I will say that the 632 UC has made me consider adopting the little .32 as my daily carry. I have been carrying a 642 (.38 Special) for over 40 years. However, the reduced recoil, sixth round, and impressive ballistics has my attention. For pocket carry, I have been using Bulman Pocket Pal from Bulman Gunleather. The Pocket Pal is a kydex holster that is molded kydex holster with a Polysuede on the outer side that grips the inside of the pocket. In addition, the rig has front and rear retention hooks and is molded to be compatible with the sights of the UC. The holster also has a cylinder cutout to reduce overall bulk. It is also available as a branded product from American Fighting Revolver.
Recently, I have also used a neat inside-the-waistband holster from Garrity Gunleather. The holster is nicely molded and provides excellent retention. An insert ensures the mouth of the holster remains open for easy reholstering. The wider profile reduces the chance of the holster pinching the user, especially when seated.
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ULTIMATE CARRY & .32 H&R MAGNUM CONCLUSION
As I write this, the Ultimate Carry pistols have been shipping for approximately 3 months. To no one’s surprise, they have been hard to come by as demand has outpaced supply. The good news is production is ongoing and availability will only improve. The entire project has exceeded expectation and there is more to come. As Jason Cloessner summed it up like this. “If you are looking for your first small frame revolver, the UC is ideal. If you already own a J-frame (and no one who is a snub fan owns only one) the UC features will make you want to upgrade!” It is that good and more!
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| Smith & Wesson 632 Ultimate Carry Specifications | |
| Caliber | .32 H&R Magnum |
| Capacity | 6 Rounds |
| Barrel | 1 7/8” |
| Front Sight | XS Tritium/Green Dot |
| Rear Sight | Dovetailed Black “U” Notch |
| Weight | 16 oz. |
| Grips | VZ G10 High Horn Boot Grips |
| Action | Double Action Only |
| MSRP | $759.99 |
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