From Cicil War days and the old 32 Rimfire, there have been many 32 caliber designs, up to the 32 S&W Long dating from 1896. With the introduction of the 38 Special in 1898, a mere two years after the 32 S&W Long, the popularity of these smaller diameter revolver cartridges faded into the background. It was only in 1984 in a joint venture by Harrington & Richardson and Federal that the 32 H&R Magnum was launched. It is based on the old 32 S&W Long case lengthened to 1.075” and ballistically loadings can even exceed the 38 Special. It also served as the base for the development of the 327 Federal; an even more powerful version launched in 2008.
