Last year, Lipsey’s announced the new Ultimate Carry J-frame series. The new guns were based on the highly popular Airweight Centennials. The Ultimate Carry project started with the 442/642 pistols in .38 Special. However, Lipsey’s expanded it to include the new 432/632 pistols chambered in .32 H&R Magnum.
Lipsey’s and the .32 H&R
The .32 H&R models both surprised and delighted fans of the caliber. In fact, sales reflected as many, if not slightly more, orders for the .32 H&R than for .38 Special models.
Lispey’s has a long-standing relationship with Ruger. So, it was only natural that the .32 H&R line extend to the popular LCR. Then, at the 2025 SHOT show, Lipsey’s again surprised the market by introducing a S&W 432 and 632 UC with a Titanium cylinder.
Well, the showdown was on, and I set out to determine which pistol was better.
The Pistols
The S&W 432 UC Ti, like the original UC models, features several significant improvements over the legacy models. Most significantly, Lipsey’s improved the sights.
The UC pistols feature a true rear sight blade with a highly visible U-notch. Likewise, the front sight is an XS standard dot with a green photoluminescent ring and a Tritium insert. This combination gives the J frame improved capabilities.
To accomplish this and ease the manufacturing process, the UC guns feature a two-piece barrel. Enhancements were also made to improve the action, and titanium pins increase durability. The new UC Ti includes a titanium cylinder and Hamre Forge AFR stocks, which help reduce the weight to 13 ounces.
The new Ruger offers shooters all the advantages of the proven LCR design with the .32 H&R cartridge. Likewise, the LCR .32 is built on the alloy frame used in the .38 Special models. As with all LCR pistols, the .32 H&R model features Ruger’s patented friction-reducing cam system, resulting in an exceptional trigger.
The trigger is nicely radiused and polished. The polymer lower houses the fire control system, and the entire pistol is void of any sharp edges. Shipping with Hogue’s superb Tamer stocks, the LCR fills the sinus behind the trigger guard and fits the hand well.
The LCR .32 H&R is distinguished from other models by its bronze colored frame. Before this assignment, I had replaced the factory white ramp front sight with a high-visibility orange dot from XS Sights.
.32 H&R Showdown
To evaluate these revolvers, I used the same criteria as I use in the Ballistic Best Revolver Roundup. Each pistol was evaluated on 10 different criteria.
To obtain recoil control scores, I shot both the HiTs Super Snubby Drill and Justin Dyal’s 5-Yard Roundup. To evaluate accuracy, I shot slow fire strings from 10 and 20 yards using a B-8 target. I averaged both sets of drills and converted them to the 1-5 score.
To be as objective as possible, I scored each pistol independently of the other, on different days. I did not refer back or compare the scores until the end of the evaluation.
The .32 H&R Pistols: Head-to-Head
First, let’s look at the ratings I gave each pistol in the following areas.
Ruger LCR
| Aesthetics | 4.50 |
| Ergonomics | 4.75 |
| Stocks | 4.80 |
| Sights | 4.0 |
| Trigger Control | 4.50 |
| Reloading Ease | 5.00 |
| Reliability | 5.00 |
| Value/Price Point | 4.25 |
S&W 432 UC Ti
| Aesthetics | 4.25 |
| Ergonomics | 4.50 |
| Stocks | 2.50 |
| Sights | 4.90 |
| Trigger Control | 4.50 |
| Reloading Ease | 5.00 |
| Reliability | 5.00 |
| Value/Price Point | 4.50 |
I really like the LCR’s bronze-colored frame, and I gave it a 4.50 in aesthetics. Similarly, the ergonomics, stocks, and trigger of the LCR rated very high. The Hogue tamers fill the hand, and the covered backstrap and finger grooves fit my hand very well.
Prior to this assignment, I had replaced the factory white ramp front sight with a high-visibility orange dot from XS Sights. Even with the narrow rear notch, the XS dot warranted a score of 4.0 for the sights.
When rating the S&W 432 UC Ti, it also rated high in aesthetics, ergonomics, and trigger control. The UC’s excellent sights warranted a score of 4.90. The trigger, while heavier than the LCR, was smooth and broke cleanly, giving it a score of 4.50.
Unfortunately, the UC Ti was held back by the Hamre Forge stocks. The width and contour of the stocks, at the top of the backstrap, proved very uncomfortable to shoot. Even with moderate loads, the recoil impulse at the base of the thumb proved painful.
Two other shooters noticed the same issue. So, I scored the stocks at 2.50. The great thing is that on revolvers, stocks can be easily changed.
Range Scores
The range scores were calculated and converted into a 1-5 scale. The recoil score represents the average score of the HiTs Super Snubby Drill and the 5-Yard Roundup. Accuracy is based on groups fired from 10 and 20 yards.
For the recoil drills, I shot Hornady Critical Duty, 80-grain FTX. For the accuracy portion of the test, I shot High Desert Cartridge’s 98-grain wadcutter.
The Critical Defense load averaged 914 fps out of the LCR and 875 fps out of the UC Ti. The High Desert wadcutter averaged 824 fps out of the LCR and 787 fps out of the UC Ti. I determined that the cylinder gap on the UC Ti was a contributing factor in the difference.
The chart below represents the range results.
Ruger LCR
| Recoil Control | 4.68 |
| Accuracy | 4.40 |
S&W 432 UC Ti
| Recoil Control | 4.66 |
| Accuracy | 4.40 |
.32 H&R Showdown Results
As the first chart reflects, the individual category scores between the LCR and the UC Ti were very close. Coincidentally, the accuracy scores, shot from 10 and 20 yards, were identical. The difference in the scores for recoil was a mere 2/100th. There were no issues with reliability or reloading ease, so each pistol received the full 5 points in those categories.
The strength of the LCR stocks, ergonomics, and trigger overcame the less-than-ideal sights.
Conversely, while the UC Ti stocks were uncomfortable, the excellent sights made the difference. Had the UC Ti stocks received a score similar to the LCR, it would have come out on top. However, that was not to be.
With a total score of 45.61, the Ruger edged out the 432 UC Ti by 1.13 points.
The author would like to express his appreciation to Jason Cloessner and the entire Lipsey’s crew for making these two revolvers available for this article. Both are in extreme demand. In addition, this project would not have been possible without the support of Hornady ammunition and High Desert Cartridge Company.
For more information, please visit Lipseys.com.
Lipsey’s Ruger LCR .32 H&R Specs
| Caliber | .32 H&R Magnum |
| Action | Double Action Only |
| Capacity | 6 Rounds |
| OAL | 6.5” |
| Weight | 13.9 oz. |
| Front Sight | Pinned Front Sight Blade |
| Rear Sight | Fixed U Notch |
| Barrel | 1 7/8” |
| Stocks | Hogue Tamer Rubber Over-mold |
| MSRP | $739.00 |
Lipsey’s Smith & Wesson 432 UC Ti .32 H&R Specs
| Caliber | .32 H&R Magnum |
| Action | Double Action Only |
| Capacity | 6 Rounds |
| OAL | 6.3” |
| Weight | 13 oz. |
| Front Sight | XS Dot w/Tritium Insert |
| Rear Sight | Fixed Sight Blade U Notch |
| Barrel | 1 7/8” |
| Stocks | Hamre Forge AFR |
| MSRP | $825.00 |
