Making the Case for the Revolver

Although the 32 Magnum is often compared with the 38 Special, they have completely different qualities. That is the 38 Special can fire a heavier bullet, but the 32 Magnum fires a lighter bullet at higher velocities. The advantage is in the much lighter 32 Magnum recoil, and the skinnier cartridge. Most 32 Magnum guns, including the Undercoverette, can hold 6 rounds instead of 5.

Federal Premium has just released a new Hydra-Shok Deep 32 H&R Magnum cartridge. This is an 85-grain cartridge that reaches 1025 fps. It has a sealed primer, and Federal Premium nickel-plated brass. Hydra-Shok has always been popular ammunition for Law Enforcement purposes because of their rapid, reliable expansion. They are jacked hollow point bullets, which have a center column in the hollow point. When it strikes tissue, this cone-shaped column helps the expansion and increases disruption. The 85 grain bullet gives the cartridge manageable recoil.

The Hydra-Shok Deep is my first choice for cartridges for this gun, and I recommend that users pick 85-100 grain bullets for best performance.

Because the recoil impulse of the 32 Magnum is lighter than the 38, or even the 9mm, the guns themselves are a bit lighter. The aluminum frame Undercoverette version, which is pink, weighs 12 oz. The version I tested, which has a stainless frame, is 15 oz.

We know that a heavier gun will help the shooter resist recoil better than a lighter one. Depending on the design, there is a little more dampening from the weight, which can improve accuracy. There is always a compromise when it comes to the guns we carry. Larger and heavier guns tend to shoot better. Lighter ones carry better. 15 oz is light enough for EDC, and the gun is robust enough for extended range sessions. Carry the 12 oz version for deep undercover.

The Undercoverette will safely chamber and fire 32 S&W Long and 32S&W Short cartridges. 32 Short cartridges are a little hard to find, but the 32 Longs are readily available. I have plenty of 32 Long brass, and reload it regularly. Shooting 32 Long in this gun is like shooting 22 LR cartridges, so it is an easy way to get lots of training time. The relationship between 32 Magnum and 32 Long is the same as 357 Magnum and 38 Special. The magnum cartridge gun can safely chamber and fire the standard load. While the 32 Long is not really a defensive cartridge I would carry, the 32 Magnum is a great personal defense round.

The 32 Long was considered an adequate defensive cartridge for decades before the 32 Magnum was born. One of the things that cartridge testers found, after the prevalence of ballistic gelatin testing, was that many defensive cartridges didn’t make the threshold. There is a velocity threshold for each cartridge where hollow point bullets open consistently. For the types of bullets used in a 32 caliber gun, its around 850-900 fps. Obviously, the other factor is how far a bullet will travel when fired into tissue. Most 32 Magnum defensive loads are around 80-100 grains and exceed 1050 fps. I carry my Charter Arms stoked with Hydra-Shok Deep with confidence.

The Undercoverette has a 2” barrel. Typical of defensive revolvers, it has a moderate trigger pull, and transfer bar safety. It is quite safe to carry in the pocket.

The chunky grips that came with the gun are fine for target practice, but I swapped them out right away. Charter Arms sells compact rubber grips for under $20, and they make a compact gun even smaller. The compact rubber grips are soft, and make it pretty easy to shoot.

Several manufacturers make holsters for this gun, but I don’t recommend standard holsters. Your best bet is the Blackhawk Tecgrip Pocket Holster for this gun. This is a fabric pouch with a high-density closed cell foam exterior. The outside is sticky. The inside is smooth.

I use the Blackhawk Tecgrip Pocket Holster, and I recommend this holster for AIWB carry. It is just a fabric pocket, designed to be tucked into the waistband, or carried in the pocket. In the waistband, the grippy exterior keeps the gun in place, without shifting. For those who use this setup for running to the corner store: It is comfortable against the skin.

I took my Undercoverette to the range and shot several types of cartridges in it. I was able to print several small groups at 7 yards. It shot a little low with my practice rounds, but it grouped well.

The features that are consistent with the later Charter Arms Undercover models are a fully shrouded barrel and their target style crown. The shrouded barrel protects the ejector rod and streamlines the nose for better concealed carry. The crown is flat, with a target-style cut at the muzzle, which I believe contributes to their accuracy. It is well known in the industry that the last influence the barrel has on the bullet exiting the barrel has a majority of the influence. The Charter Arms muzzles have a flat face, with a slightly recessed crown. This is much different than some manufacturers standard muzzle.

The logic behind a crown is quite simple: If all parts of the rear of the bullet don’t exit the barrel at the same time, the potential of escaping gases influencing the direction of the escaping bullet can be detrimental to the bullet’s course. Muzzle design is only one of may factors, but it is a factor. Charter Arms muzzles are better.

I did not shoot my Undercoverette at distances beyond 15 yards, but I did do some reloading sequences, using HKS Speedloaders. The compact grips gave enough clearance for any type of speedloader I used.

If you have seen some of my revolver drills (5-Step Reload Sequence For The Revolver | Officer), you’ll know that ejector rod design is important. On the Undercoverette, the rod has a flat nail head, which helps when punching out empty brass. My only issue is the sharp edges on the cylinder release latch. I like to round them down a little. I can shoot my Undercoverette faster than I can shoot my 38 Special Undercover Lite. The Undercoverette holds 6 rounds, the Undercover Lite holds 5.

What’s not to like? I have an EDC gun that shoots a potent cartridge comfortably. I can carry more 32s than 38s, because they are lighter. On duty, it is a hideaway backup gun. Off duty, it is a discreet tool, and probably the best bet in close quarters situations.