3-27-24 Triggered: How Do the Ultimate Carry Snubs Stack Up?

With our T&E Lipsey’s/S&W snub revolvers in hand, we start with some comparisons to other pocket carry pistols and highlight the design features of the new guns.

[@327Federal]

Six Shots of 32 H&R is formidable

[@oldcop18]

I’ve carried a J Frame of one stripe or another since my 1968 rookie year and defended myself w/my issued Colt DS in a ‘74 gunfight w/three armed robbery suspects, reloading under fire before the last suspect went down. In retirement my EDC is a 340PD, or LCP, depending on how I’m dressed.

[@roberthahn3710]

I am actually enthused about these ULTIMATE CARRY J frames.

[@327Federal]

The One True Caliber

[@raylauderback5126]

I cannot wait to buy one of these revolvers. Over the years, I have spent lots of gunsmithing fees to get a J-Frame to acceptable standards. Lipsey's and Smith & Wesson are actually SAVING me money with this firearm! 👍

[@327Federal]

Can’t argue with that

[@alexwalker5645]

The 642 Performance Center is absolutely no slouch, a beautiful revolver in its own right with an improved trigger, can be had at times around $550ish. But I have to say, yes the Ultimate Carry is worth the money. Better grips, incredible sites, even nicer trigger, and a bit smoother refined overall design. I was very impressed with it!! If I didn’t already have the Performance Center….

[@howardstone7607]

Thanks for the Great Content! I was fortunate to pick up the 632UC, what a gorgeous snuby. However in the first 75 rounds I had 4 light primer strikes. 3 Magtec 32 S&W Long and 1 Hornady 32 H&R magnum. I also found the cylinder harder to open than I would have expected, even for a new revolver. Waiting to get it back from Smith

[@daletractor6637]

My 432UC has had a couple light strikes and the cylinder is also hard to open, would be interested in hearing if smith takes care of it or not

[@ifghillbilly4982]

I accepted delivery of the 432 on Friday. The sights are truly a game changer. The LCR in 327 always prints worse than a J and the rubber grips cling to clothes. So, a 642 has been standard pocket fare for several years. I am more excited about this than anything that’s come out in years. I’ll be using this Friday to get to the range and run a couple hundred rounds through and practice those reloads.

[@k-daddy5598]

How is the black finish holding up? I'm considering purchasing one and not sure which finish to get. I've heard that the silver finish has a coating that will chip over time but with a stainless barrel while the black barrel is susceptible to rust over time when carrying appendix/pocket. Thanks.

[@kentwilliams3326]

I retired some years ago from the U.S. Border Patrol and began a search for the ideal CCW weapon(s). After a long search I decided upon The S&W Model 442. It is not the lightest, nor the cheapest, but it has the very best sights on any snub gun by far. In fact, they were dead on at 25 yard with my practice ammunition, Federal 130 grain full jacketed ammunition. I ended up with three 442s, two to carry in pocket holsters and one for practice.

[@CyborgZeta]

I already have a 642 I've carried for years. Mainly interested in the .32 H&R Magnum models.

[@JonCarter-i3k]

This was a terrific idea to have an in depth comparison with many other revolvers.

[@davidtownsend5436]

Got my 442UC in blue couple weeks ago. LOVE it! Immediately sold my old 442 with the trigger lock.

[@pauldiaco3817]

In my area, these guns, especially the .32, might as well be made of unobtanium. The only one i know of was purchased on Gunbroker for around $950. My lgs is not optomistic that i will ever get one, and I'm first on their list.

[@robertmakowski7808]

"These are pocket pistols" Bought one of the 642UCs a couple weeks after they were announced... Grips...while great for shooting way too bulky for pocket carry. Sights, excellent sight picture but found the rear sight, while angled, would catch on the hem of the pocket during the draw.... Action, locked up way early with lots of overtravel before breaking...and still way too heavy a trigger return spring. My 649-2 is much smoother all the way through with just the addition of a #13 trigger return spring.. Has already been sold and just happened across a mint Model 38 Bodyguard a few days later...much better for the pocket...

[@Valco458]

Nice looking revolver, it looks like the front sight might have a tendency to get snagged on pocket linings or fabric holsters when drawing..

[@44Mag]

Darn it Michael.... I thought I was content with my Pro Series Model 640-1 and then you cover this model..... I normally carry my 640 with 3 rounds of .38 wadcutters (for their extreme accuracy and super light recoil), and 2 rounds of .357 HST ammo. (In case grizzly attacks me after a bad guy encounter) 😎 I like the sights and the grips on this one - a lot. Guess you better tell S&W you got them another sale.

[@matthew.tamasco]

Love mine!!! Just be aware most 632/642 holsters are made for guns with no full underlug. I had an issue with a kydex holster that i ordered.

[@southfork67]

Holsters for 360/340 should do. Same barrel.

[@robarmstrong5404]

Companies need to take a risk and make more 8 shot revolvers. I held the 357 scandium revolver from smith and the cylinder is NOT that wide. You could easily make smaller guns and just have a slightly wider cylinder. The 357 and the 327 are slim enough for this.

[@taasch2505]

I bought the Taurus 856 Executive grade after watching your videos. I was NOT disappointed. Really great piece. Dare I say it reminded me of the Pro Series Smith in Quality and performance. At about half the price I gotta say it's the best dang NIB revolver I've purchased when considering cost. Trigger and action was smoother than a Ruger too, and surpassed a prelock 66 I compared it to. I still like having 6 rounds and I prefer .38 to .32 H&R magnum. I keep it loaded with Buffalo Bore and carry with confidence knowing what it packs out the business end of the 3" barrel. These certainly look nice though. Happy for the Smith folks who have more options.

[@JohnBrown-wu4nc]

Were these sent to you by Lipsey or did you receive them as an ordinary consumer?

[@matthew.tamasco]

Your local gun store will order it for you if they are a Lipsey dealer. Most shops are

[@JuggoJuggo]

I have the 340pd and think that everyone should have some version of that gun.

[@taasch2505]

I prefer the Taurus 856 myself. I dont shoot .357 in those size guns. A .38 +P? That's a different story. And 6 rounds of .38 is right up my alley.

[@sandradempsey4648]

Hubby is retired LEO and carries a S&W 360 Airweight as backup to his R8, both in .357 mag. He prefers the 360s external hammer and the R8s 8 round capacity. As a cop he carried Glock autopistols.

[@williamryan9195]

Those grips while they sit higher are still boot grips and there are a few three finger aftermarket grips that have been around years that are much better options like the Pachmayr Gripper grips and Diamond Pro grips .Altamont Grips makes 3 finger Combat grips that fit the J-frame. The new sights are a bit nicer than the ones on the 640 PRO SERIES but let's be serious about how they really a viable option to that platforms purpose which is a close encounter weapon. Will they increase the long distance ability by much or why is that even important? The 32 should have always been a standard as should the 327 mag.

[@tomemery3916]

Did you forget to mention that when you pocket carry, always put the pistol in a pocket holster!

[@nightfury6836]

Nice job on this review!!

[@51ddb]

I’ve had my 442U about a month, 300+ rounds. I’m very pleased. The sights, trigger, fit and finish are outstanding straight out of box. It’s my 6th J frame. I’ve spent a lot of gunsmith dollars over the years trying to achieve the same feel without success. Thank you Lipsey’s.

[@chaburchak]

Would've loved to lay my hands on one of those but almost $800 was too rich for my blood. Had to be satisfied with my new 638 ($50 rebate certainly helped...)

[@327Federal]

327 Fed Mag Ruger LCR is affordable and the trigger is out of this world 🌎

[@johnspink6557]

32 Federal Mag and H&R Mag are scarce in a lot of gun stores. That’s why it’s better to stick with the 38 special, better if you buy a pocket carry 357 Mag. The numerous bullet weights and availability, not to mention price is the way to go. Oh, it is still a deadly round.

[@327Federal]

@@johnspink6557 327 Fed Mag, 32 H&R, 32 S&W Long, 32 S&W Short are much more versatile cartridges with a much wider range of applications plus you get an extra round

[@chuckdavis1323]

I want one ! I was at a gun store in Blane, minnesota, and I mentioned the 32 H&R. The Millennial behind the counter stated he had never even heard of it.😮

[@southfork67]

I’ve got a 442UC in 38 on order. Got to handle one first in 32 H&R. The trigger pull is the same as any scandium J frame. Easy to improve though. I’ll probably ditch the VZ grips for Culina’s that are also on order. The sights are excellent and these were well executed overall.

[@RickyJr46]

Informative!

[@richardkev3077]

I really wanted an LCR in .327 Magnum, using .32 H&R for carry. But the price and availability where I live was terrible.

[@floridadad2817]

Out of pure luck, I snagged a 60s/70s era Charter Arms bobbed hammer where they bobbed it the old way of leaving enough meat and jimping on top to cock the bobbed hammer. I thought I had found the perfect pocket revolver that I could also use in single action. Found its weakness though. Slightest bit of moisture and your thumb is slipping off halfway. I can see why they stopped doing it.

[@gunguy8348]

I really want the 32 just can’t source ammo local. Im not an online fan for weapons everything is to traceable

[@dalecharles811]

cant find on in KY

[@MrRourk]

Snubby Island is a beautiful place. Sniper Island that Sodgeking has a big nose.

[@paulkopacz5051]

I think they should have made this snub in .327 Mag. That way you have a choice of ALL the .32 calibers and they should have made it in stainless steel. Airweights are easy to carry but a bit of a pain to shoot. Otherwise, I like the design.

[@elsullo2]

PLEASE review the Charter Arm "Professional" model in .32 H&R Magnum? It is a three-inch seven-shooter! It was made in both blue and stainless steel, and available in nice wood or rubberish grips, and sometimes both. IT HAS NEVER BEEN REVIEWED by a competent gun channel on YooTuub, other than a couple of amateurs and one shill, OR in any periodical that I know of. Charter Arms has never even advertised it in gun mags! This revolver has been out for three years but nobody knowledgeable has reviewed it...........................elsullo

[@jasonashley4579]

Still using that cheap watercolor finish on the alloy frames.

[@steveb8001]

I pocket carry my 360PD 80% of the time. Otherwise it’s in a Harry’s Icon.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

It’s as if Smith and Wesson set out to make a revolver with upgraded sight capability but decided to put the worse sights on it. XS sights have a trashy course sight picture. A nice crisp sight picture would get all of the accuracy potential from this revolver. Yes, snubbies are meant for up close and personal but their capability at distance is a lot more than people give them credit for when equipped with good sights. There is a world of better sight options out there over these XS.

[@justlooking2902]

How does a channel with 10k subscribers have so many sponsors?

[@jamiemeyer2718]

Good stuff!

[@windvale]

I guess Colt doesn't exist...

[@julian9898]

Lol Taurus is paying you to run an (overwhelmingly positive) S&W review? Nice! Lol

[@ElectricEndurance]

NO guns available cause they sent the out to crappy youtubers

[@BeeBee-wo1bh]

How can the 432UC be called Ultra Carry. The cylinder is carbon steel. It should have been stainless steel. I wish it was a little lighter. My opinion.

[@jeffreyhall838]

Vz J frame grips suck! They only allow a two finger grip

[@kc0lif]

327 magnum way better than 32 h&r.

[@talega1]

Wa$te of money.......

[@elsullo2]

Sure. Perhaps tell us more......................elsullo