MAB model D .32 acp

[45-70bpcr]

Anyone familiar with the French MAB model D in .32 acp? I have one I would like to try some cast in.

[Combat Diver]

I've found several in Iraq in 08'. Never did get to shoot them but the do have a good reputation and handled well. I'll be casting for my CZ50 whenever I get home.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/P3210220_French_MAB_Modele_D_32acp.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/P3210219_French_MAB_Modele_D_32acp.JPG
Local grips
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/P3200212_French_MAB_Modele_D_32acp.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/P3200211_French_MAB_Modele_D_32acp.JPG

CD

[45-70bpcr]

Cool. If I find out anything magic with mine I will share. It has a replacement sight and some "target" grips I think needed for import years ago. It points nice and I have had it for 25 years or so and figure I should go ahead and try it. I think I bought the rcbs 77 grn. round nose and dies too.

[9.3X62AL]

32 ACP has been generally VERY lead-friendly for me over the years. Just confirm throat/groove diameters to predicate sizing, and have fun. Most of my cast boolit work in 32 ACP has been done with Lyman #313249 or the Lee 100 RN. More recently I got a Lyman #311252 (very similar to your RCBS mould), and I need to get those loads out and run them a bit.

[Bret4207]

That design is also used by other makers. I sold a few Astras like it in 32 and 380 IIRC. Never heard a bad report on any of them other than they looked "odd" compared to American designs.

[sisiphunter]

Hey 9.3 what is your loading for 32acp with the lee 100gr. I have the 313252, havnt cast with it yet, but I use the Lee 100 gr in my 303 brit with great results. I always heard that the 100gr was too heavy for 32acp. I'd love to hear of a safe load for it. PM if you want instead of public. I have a number of powders I can use. Bullseye, unique, 7625, 4756, clays.....Much appriciated. Matt

PS.... sorry for trying to highjack your thread...... and this is for a 1906 hammerless colt

[45 2.1]

You'll find several versions........... there is a fixed sight, pre '68 version and target versions after. All are good shooters with cast, specifically the RCBS round nose.

[45-70bpcr]

PS.... sorry for trying to highjack your thread...... and this is for a 1906 hammerless colt[/QUOTE]


No Hijack, no problem. That is good info.

[Combat Diver]

This is from Handloader 266, June-July 2010 last year by Mike V.

75 gr Lyman 313249 cast roundnose (sized .310 inch)
Bullseye 2.0 gr vel 918 fps poor group, vertical
Titegroup 2.0 gr vel 984 fps medicore but usable
W231 2.2 gr vel 970 fps poor group, vertical
Unique 2.5 gr vel 1030fps worst group with this bullet
AA-2 2.2 gr vel 922 fps poor group

76 Oregon Trail cast roundnose (sized .313 inch)
Bullseye 2.0 gr vel 903 fps good, best group with this pistol
Titegroup 2.0 gr vel 977 fps poor group, vertical
W231 2.2 gr vel 960 fps poor group, vertical
Unique 2.5 gr vel 1040fps worst group with this bullet
AA-2 2.2 gr vel 946 fps one flyer, 4 in one inch

Pistol used was a Browning 1922 with a 4.5" bbl, Win brass and SP primers.

CD

[9.3X62AL]

With the Lee 100 RN, 1.5 grains of Bullseye or 2.0 grains of Unique will function the slide pretty reliably most of the time. 1.7 grains of Bullseye or 2.2 grains of Unique is as warm as I go, and there's likely 0.1-0.2 grains more safe capacity with the boolit seated with .980" OAL. They feed smoothly at that length in my Walther PP.

The 32 ACP is loaded weakly in this country compared to its European loadings. Some of the GECO factory 71 grain FMJs ran 910-925 FPS in a Beretta 81 I once had, and do about the same speed from the Walther PP.

[sisiphunter]

much appriciated 9.3, much appriciated.

[Piedmont]

It looks like that has a grip safety and no thumb safety. Is that the way it is? Do you carry with one in the chamber?

[45-70bpcr]

It looks like that has a grip safety and no thumb safety. Is that the way it is? Do you carry with one in the chamber?

You are correct. I've never carried mine but lacking the thumb safety I would not carry one chambered. The grip safety is particular on mine and I have to grip it high to make it happy but I would not trust it by itself with one in the pipe. Mine is marked "Police D' Etat" or something like that. Assuming it was once a French police gun they must have carried it with one chambered, but not me.

[scrapcan]

does the slide lock also work as a disconnector on these pistols? It has been a long time since I handled one and cannot remember.

[Multigunner]

You are correct. I've never carried mine but lacking the thumb safety I would not carry one chambered. The grip safety is particular on mine and I have to grip it high to make it happy but I would not trust it by itself with one in the pipe. Mine is marked "Police D' Etat" or something like that. Assuming it was once a French police gun they must have carried it with one chambered, but not me.
More than likely they'd have carried with chamber empty, jacking a round into the chamber only if the situation called for it.
French military had for decades figured no safety was better than unreliable safeties or depending on their troops not screwing up with a round in the chamber.
They found that when no safety catch was present accidental discharges became almost non existent.
They carried the bolt action rifles with empty chamber and when they had one in the chamber they kept the bolt handle straight up till ready to fire.
I suspect French police continued the practice, though some French pistols do have safety catches.


PS
Though my 1922 Browning is in great shape and the safety works fine I'm still leery of carrying it with a round in the chamber. If wear is present a striker fired pistol is more likely to go off on its own than a hammer fired pistol, the hammer fired pistol has all its lockwork mounted in a sturdy steel frame while the striker fired pistol has its sear mounted to the frame but its striker mounted in the slide. Any looseness in slide fit can increase the chance of an AD.

d

[45-70bpcr]

More than likely they'd have carried with chamber empty, jacking a round into the chamber only if the situation called for it.
French military had for decades figured no safety was better than unreliable safeties or depending on their troops not screwing up with a round in the chamber.
They found that when no safety catch was present accidental discharges became almost non existent.
They carried the bolt action rifles with empty chamber and when they had one in the chamber they kept the bolt handle straight up till ready to fire.
I suspect French police continued the practice, though some French pistols do have safety catches.


PS
Though my 1922 Browning is in great shape and the safety works fine I'm still leery of carrying it with a round in the chamber. If wear is present a striker fired pistol is more likely to go off on its own than a hammer fired pistol, the hammer fired pistol has all its lockwork mounted in a sturdy steel frame while the striker fired pistol has its sear mounted to the frame but its striker mounted in the slide. Any looseness in slide fit can increase the chance of an AD.

d

Interesting! Thank you. Mine definately has looseness in the slide.