Before returning the S&W/Lipsey’s “UC” guns, I had more ammo dribble in for testing. I wanted to get the rounds shot. This included new (to me) Federal Hydra-Shok Deep in 32 H&R Magnum and High Desert Cartridge Company 38 Special 140 grain Short Barrel Hollow Point.
Above, Federal HydraShok Deep arrived for the S&W M432 UC 32 H&R Mag, while the High Desert Cartridge Co. “Short Barrel” load for the 38 Special was tried in the S&W M642 UC and the M&P340 with replacement XS front sight.
The Federal Hydra-Shok Deep 85 grain Jacketed Hollow-Point featured a nominal velocity of 1,025 fps, but the maker didn’t disclose the barrel length or type of firearm for that velocity. A test barrel, vented or not, won’t exactly match any particular revolver.
The High Desert 38 Special round has an advertised velocity of 860 fps from a snub and 885 fps from a 4” barrel.
I took Federal’s 95 grain lead “semi-wadcutter,” more a flattened round nose, and their Personal Defense 85 grain JHP along for the ride in 32 H&R Mag. Both of these loads were in brass cases; the Hydra-Shok was put up in nickel cases.
The guns were the S&W/Lipsey’s Ultimate Carry J-frames: the 32 revolver was the excellent S&W M432 UC – both guns had sights by XS and consultation by the American Fighting Revolver guys. Stocks were provided by Hogue Grips on the 32, their excellent J-frame high-horn style. This made for a comfortable shooting experience. On the S&W M642, the stocks were the Hamre Forge/Spegel “Boot Grip;” these were the “high horn” style for Centennial revolvers.
Why change stocks? Even the 32 H&R Magnum can get to be a handful without the cushion – let alone the 38 Special.
In the 32 line, the Hydra-Shok round averaged 897 fps from the sub-2” barrel of the S&W. The round struck just around two inches low at fifteen yards. The overall group, including my flyer, was 4 ¾”; the best four – no flyers – was 2 ½”. The best three were in 1 ½”, a solid performance.
The Personal Defense 85 gr. JHP clocked in at 916 fps, with five rounds into 2 3/8” – the best three were inside 7/8”, so I’m calling it a “lucky shot.” This load came in closer to zero at only an inch low.
The lead 95gr. pill came out at 870 fps average, with four into 4 ¼” and three hits in 1 ¼”. This load printed 2 ½” low, without my disastrous flier.
I shot a handling drill using the EZE-Score IPSC Practice Target, smaller than the USPSA target, but still providing an aiming point. Mixing the remaining rounds up in the cylinder, it was hard to tell one from another, excluding a bit more smoke from the unjacketed lead rounds.
The High Desert Short Barrel 38 Special load features a 140 grain Hornady XTP bullet. I tried this load in the S&W/Lipsey’s M642UC. Using the Spegel style high horns from Hamre Forge, the High Desert load gave the proximal joint of the thumb a thumping. The average velocity was 804 fps. From fifteen yards, five hits went into four inches, and the group center printed 3” high.
Shooting with the “ball over the bucket,” the Short Barrel load printed about zero for elevation, but the shooter tended left; the low hit was due to an over-anxious grip.
In a personal M&P340 with a replacement XS front sight, the load generated 822 fps average and put four of five hits into 1 7/8”, a remarkable effort. The load hit dead on to the sights.
I did get failure to fire problems on the second round in each string; I’m thinking it’s my old gun, tired out and in need of respringing. The newer M642 lit them off with no issues.
You might think that 140 grains at around 800-830 fps isn’t much, but it rocks these light guns and the hand holding them.
We have recent fighting revolver ammunition from one of the largest ammo companies – Federal – and one of the newest – High Desert Cartridge. It’s a great time to be a revolver shooter.
— Rich Grassi
