Its been a while since we had a .32 handgun thread......

[Harry O]

The very first centerfire handgun I ever fired was in 32-20. Shortly later I went to .32 S&W Long. After the .32 H&R Magnum was created, I started adding them to my pile. I bought a 332 a couple of months ago and found that it did not eject well. Evidently, one or more people in the past used wire brushes to clean it. S&W strongly recommends AGAINST doing that on titanium cylinders. So I sent it back to them. I asked them to polish the chambers and recoat it with whatever pixie dust they use to make the ejection smoother. If that would not work, I asked for a stainless steel cylinder. I got it back today. It looks like they polished the original cylinder and recoated it. It sure looks shiny. I will know for sure when I shoot it Sunday afternoon. Until then, here is a picture of my .32 H&R Magnums (the S&W NewModel 16 on the bottom has since been rechambered to 32-20).

205788

I shouldn't need to identify them considering the expertise on this board.

[rintinglen]

Although the 32 ACP and I have been friends for a long time, it is only in the last 10 years or so that I have gradually become a fan of the 32 revolvers. I injured both wrists in a bicycling accident and that, combined with my advancing years, has made hard recoiling guns less interesting to me. I haven't shot a 45 in a couple of years, but I have shot a couple of thousand 32's ranging from 32 S&W up to the 327 this year. Mild recoil, superb accuracy, easy and cheap reloading, the 32's are like 22's that you can reload. I will visit the safe and pull out mine for a picture later, but Iagree, the 32 could stand a little praise and discussion.

[Harry O]

Yes, there are a lot more types of .32's. I also have 3 or 4 .32ACP's, two .32 Long Colts, three 32-20's (one shown above), about a half-dozen .32 S&W Longs, and a single .32 S&W (short). The .32 S&W is what is now called a "Saturday Night Special", which I have not fired in 45 or 50 years. All are fun.

[BOSCHLOPER]

Here is my baby Vaquero .32 H&R. A delight to shoot.205795

[Outpost75]

Perhaps a bit on a .32 rook rifle would also be fun! - Cross posted here by permission of the author from The Fouling Shot

Tiny Handgun Cartridges Are Also Rifle Small Game Rounds

C.E. "Ed" Harris

205798

After fooling around with a pair of chamber inserts using .32 S&W Long or .32 ACP ammunition in the .30-30, I wanted a light, “walking rifle” which would be handy and quiet. The concept was for something more effective than a .22 LR, which approached the ballistics of the .32-20 Winchester factory lead load. The .32 S&W Long is ideal for such use in a light rifle which would carry more like a fly rod than an iron wrecking bar.

My gun safe contained a seldom used pre-WW2 H&R .410 single-shot, on the tiny .44 shotgun action, which weighed 4 pounds. John Taylor made for me two rifle barrels chambered for the .32 ACP and .32 S&W Long. The .410 barrel remained intact to round out the original package. I have since added additional barrels for .38 Special and .44-40 which are also delightful and light.

Because I frequently carry either a .32 revolver when woods walking around our country place, I wanted to use the same cartridge in a very light small game rifle. The smaller .32 S&W Long case lent itself to either very light ".30 cal. CB Cap" loads or full charges approximating .32-20 or .32 H&R Magnum energy. I opted for an 18” barrel for the most-handy configuration in the H&R shotgun combo, and later found an Army & Navy Cooperative Society rook rifle with 25” barrel which was relined by John Taylor, and chambered in .32 S&W Long.

The H&R .32 barrel was fabricated from a pulled-off M1 Garand barrel, cutting off the muzzle behind the gas port, and the breech at the chamber neck, turning the OD, fabricating and welding on the underlug and fitting the ejector. The bore is of standard 4-groove .30 cal. Government form with ten inch twist.

Firing tests indoors comparing with iron sights, ordinary factory lead loads averaged about an inch or so over a series of 5-shot groups at 25 yards, entirely adequate for hunting small game. Winchester lead 98-gr. LRN factory .32 S&W Long loads gave 884 f.p.s. My goal was not high velocity, but subsonic, quiet, accurate small game loads using standard pressure lead bullet revolver ammunition. These objectives were met easily. The RCBS 32-90CM is a good choice for a common production mold. Non-casters can buy Meister 94-gr. LFN bullets of .312 diameter, which have the same profile as the flat-nosed factory bullet for the .32 Colt New Police.

205799

A charge of 1.5-1.7 grains of Bullseye is accurate and good for low noise. A charge of 2.0-2.2 grains of Bullseye approximates factory ammunition. Do not exceed 2.5 grains of Bullseye in the S&W I-frame hand ejector revolver. If you bush the shotgun firing pin to prevent pierced primers, either 3 grains of Bullseye, 3.5 grains of 231 or 6 grains of Alliant #2400 approximate .32-20 rifle ballistics from fired from the rook rifle and are safe, if maximum loads for post-1957 S&W Models 30 and 31 using the 90-grain RCBS bullet or the similar Accurate 31-090B or Saeco #325 SWC.

Trying to drive a non-expanding cast bullet intended for small game to supersonic velocity in a small game rifle is a waste of powder. This is not a 100-yard varmint rig, but a "woods walking Bunny gun.” Its iron-sights have a hard 50 yard zero coupled, with reliable 4 moa grouping (2 inches at 50 yds). The .32 S&W Long provides substantially greater striking energy and penetration than any .22 rimfire and shoots clear through raccoon, groundhog, wild turkey or the occasional marauding feral dog. These same loads fired in the relined English rook rifle approach an inch at 50 yards using my Unertl 6X Small Game scope.

Exactly as in the .32-20 Winchester, a flat-nosed, solid lead 90-100 grain bullet, with large meplat at subsonic velocity is fully adequate in energy and penetration against feral dogs or coyotes. My testing of the RCBS 32-90CM at 850 f.p.s. gave 30 inches of water penetration. If you want a bit flatter trajectory to reach out to 100 yards at the expense of a bit more noise, you can increase the charge to approach 1250 fps in a rifle, at the expense of a sharper report and higher pressure, but I have found the milder Bullseye loads more accurate than the heavier ones with #2400, just so you know...

Now to walk the garden, Wherrrrrre….. arrrrrre…. Yoooooou…. Nooow…Mister. Waaaaaaaaaabbit?

Test of .32 S&W Long Factory Loads Vs. Alliant #2400 In Revolvers and Rifle

Remington cases, Federal 200 primers in all handloads:

Ammo Type________________Colt 2”__________Colt 4”___________H&R18”

PMC 98 LRN factory_________687, 13 Sd_______797, 17Sd________945, 16 Sd
Highest velocity factory load__103 ft-lbs._______138 ft.lbs.________194 ft.-lbs.

Winchester 98 LRN factory____n/f_____________729, 12 Sd________884, 35 Sd

Remington 98 LRN__________n/f_____________643, 24 Sd________825, 17 Sd

Accurate 31-114D, 2.5 BE____746, 9 Sd________795, 15 Sd________947, 11 Sd
Max. for pre-1960 revolvers___141ft.-lbs.________160 ft.-lbs.________227 ft.-lbs.

Accurate 31-125D, 6.3 #2400__820, 19Sd_______890 19 Sd_________1240, 29 Sd
Some unburned powder in revolver, good rifle accuracy, no signs of high pressure.

205797205800205801205802205803

[birch]

That is sweet! I am going to the Escanaba Michigan gun show on the 21st of this month and a "32" is on my short list. I passed up a really nice smith kit gun in 32 about 2 years ago and have regretted it since. Very cool thread indeed.

[jdfoxinc]

I now have an Astra 1916, aBeretta 81 both in .32 acp. An Iver Johnson break top 5 shot .32 S&W (short). A Winchester 94? In .32 WCF/.32-20, Marlin lever in 32-20, and a pair of S&W 393rd models in 32-20.

I wish someone would make a full sized SA Colt style in 32-20. All I can find are youth guns.

[Outpost75]

...I wish someone would make a full sized SA Colt style in 32-20. All I can find are youth guns.

Current production Ruger .30 Carbine Blackhawk accepts .32-20 handloads in Starline brass of 1.28-1.285" length with no mods and shoots well. Fired .32-20 brass of other manufacture may need to be trimmed.

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[jonp]

I almost bought a Blackhawk Buckeye 32-20 not that long ago but didn't. Kinda wish I did.

[MT Gianni]

No pics but I have a Single Six Mag 32 H&R adj sight and a Pre Regulation Police 32 Long. The 32 long is no beauty with nickel and franzite faux ivory grips. It is probably the most accurate revolver I own and I have more than I have fingers. It sees light loads and the Ruger sees the rest.

[Guesser]

All Colts and all 32's except the right rear next to it's ammo box. File foto from my files

[Harry O]

Just got back from testing the S&W 332 (J-frame, DAO [concealed hammer], 6-shot, .32 Magnum airweight, with titanium cylinder) after its trip back to S&W. S&W did smooth the inside of the cylinders (and probably recoated them, too). It will go longer now before getting dirty and getting too difficult to eject the cases. It is definitely not a plinker to shoot a box or two of cartridges through each time I go to the range. However, one cylinder full and two cartridge strips is the most I will carry with me anyway. It is good enough for that.

From my postal scale, it weighs 11.5oz empty. It also fits completely in my pants pocket with a shape hiding holster. I am going to try this for my carry gun for a while and see how it works out. My handload duplicates the Factory jacketed H&R load. It is 5.6gr of HS-6 with an 85gr Hornady XTP. I used to use Unique for the powder (I believe it was 4.5gr), but HS-6 meters MUCH better than Unique and (at least in this case) is equally accurate in the various guns I have used both loads in.

I use a heavier load in the two Rugers. It is 7.5gr of 2400 with a 100gr Hornady XTP. This gives me a couple of hundred fps extra (out of the longer barrel Super-Single-Six) and it shoots accurately in both guns. I went up to 8.5gr of 2400 when testing, without any apparent problems with the guns, but decided on the 7.5gr load for various reasons. The load is pretty spectacular in the short barreled SP101 at dusk. There is a good sized fireball out the end of the muzzle. I have not tested the speed of this load in this gun. I do NOT use this load in either of the J-frame S&W's. I also have a light, cast-bullet load for plinking.

[Green Frog]

I'm currently in the midst of a project to recreate the early post-War K-32 with narrow rib to go with my K-22 and K-38 of that vintage. I "need" another 32 S&W since I only have 4 I-frames in the caliber and a Blackhawk 8-shooter and custom stainless K-frame in 327 Fed Mag. Yeah, I really need another 32 revolver! :roll:

Froggie

[jdfoxinc]

What is your opinion of the Hungarian FEG copy of the walther PP?

[high standard 40]

I almost bought a Blackhawk Buckeye 32-20 not that long ago but didn't. Kinda wish I did.

I do have one of those and like it a lot.

[charlie b]

If the little .32acp brass was easier to find after firing I'd still have my 1903. It was such a nice gun for plinking and punching holes in targets. I would have liked a full size pistol in .32acp as I think the round itself was one of those inherently accurate designs. But, I ended up losing about 20% of the brass every time I shot it. Tiny, hides in brush and rocks or just walks off :)

[Harry O]

Green Frog: Keep us posted on the faux K-32. If I had any appropriate parts, I would do the same.

charlie b: I have the same problem with .32ACP cases. Not a big problem, though. About 20-25 years ago I ran across a guy that was selling out all his handloading stuff. He had about 2,000 .32ACP cases really cheap, so I bought them all. I don't remember what they cost, but even at the time, they were dirt cheap. I am still working on the stash.

I never knew before, but I was just cleaning out my S&W 631 and had the 332 nearby. The cylinder of the 332 is the same diameter as the 631, but they cylinder length is NOT the same. The length of the 332 is nearly 2/10 of an inch longer than the cylinder of the 631. The 332 was made sometime between 1999 and 2003. I didn't know that they had .357 magnum J-frames way back then. The 631 was made sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's. Evidently there were no magnum J-frames back then.

[dougader]

I used to have a decent collection of 32's. Now I just have the little S&W 431PD and the Ruger Single 7.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-G4j9L68/1/ea3900e6/M/i-G4j9L68-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-n26cJ6P/0/ce54fdb1/M/i-n26cJ6P-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-SshPmzZ/1/e3758152/O/i-SshPmzZ.jpg

[9.3X62AL]

I wish someone would make a full sized SA Colt style in 32-20. All I can find are youth guns.

Take a look at the Cimarron Arms website. They have repro Colts that do the old marque justice.

[Petrol & Powder]

I've played with 32 caliber handguns of the revolver and pistol variety but unfortunately that activity pre-dated my casting days.

I did reload 32 S&W long and 32 H&R mag for a time and had a small source of WC and flat nosed bullets for a awhile. A fair amount of my shooting was done with the Speer HBWC. A lot of people erroneously believe the 32 S&W long is incapable of fine accuracy because their only experience with the cartridge is with cheap top-break revolvers. In a good quality gun, the 32 S&W long is a fantastic cartridge! The 32 H&R mag is even better.

I had a couple of 1903 Colts and unfortunately the one chambered in 32 ACP had a pitted barrel. It shot OK but was never going to be a great gun. For some reason the Colt .380 barrels always seemed to be in better shape than the 32 ACP barrels, maybe there were more 32 cartridges with corrosive primers or maybe the 380 owners cleaned their guns :o.

I got out of the 32 game years ago and now wished I hadn't. The 32 S&W long is basically an improved .22 that is reloadable. In a good gun it is surprisingly accurate.

[9.3X62AL]

Froggie........the K-32 x 6" is my Holy Grail. I am looking on intently.

In the meantime, I have a Model 16-4 x 6" in 32 H&R Magnum and an SP-101 x 4.2" that do good service as my 32 S&W Long repros with powder weights giving 900-1000 FPS to the RCBS 32-98-SWC.

[tstowater]

I have a couple Single 7's in 327 Federal Magnum. Thinking about adding another 1 or 2 in DA. Normally shoot 32 H&R Magnums and just a blast to shoot in reduced load 32 S&W Longs. Probably my favorite caliber to shoot with all the options available.

[9.3X62AL]

I enjoy the SP-101 x 4.2" in 327 Federal very much. The trigger was (and remains) ATROCIOUS, but with about 300 rounds through it now the atrocity is smoothing out a bit. I see a spring kit in its future, since this is a sport/toy caliber for me and won't go in harm's way.

[rintinglen]

Al, the money and the time spent on installing a spring kit and some shims are well spent. My 327 SP 101 is much nicer after installing hammer and trigger shims and a reduced strength main spring.206487206488206489 You may want to omit the Pink Grips though.

[jdfoxinc]

Top left is that a 1903 Colt?

[EMC45]

Nice 03 and Tomcat!

[9.3X62AL]

Marie will INSIST upon pink grips for her use. She likes the little critter.

[Tripplebeards]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37635365840_f473ca84b7_z_d.jpg


Dose this one count? Forgot I had it, a 32 S&W short. A friend gave it to me...right before he was going to throw it away! I restored it years ago from the dead. It looked like Mars...all crusty and pitted. I ordered some ammo for it a few days ago. The double action spring is so tight I have to use my middle finger at times to get it to cycle! From what found out it a a 3rd generation made from 1895 to 1904.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4484/37173294623_38040d2439_z_d.jpg

[beagle]

The .32s are a lot of fun. Had a Single Six .32 Mag and let it go. Had to go out and buy another one. Then the wife decides she wants to conceal carry so I found a used Model 30. Liked it so well, that I found a Model 31 for myself. Played with the .30 Carbine Ruger for a while with .32-20s and a Buckeye .32 Mag/.32-20 but the frames were too big. Now, I'm loading a Lyman 313631HP with the GC removed in all of them with one of Pat's PB GCs installed. Light to pack and accurate and cheap on lead and powder. The wife loves hers./beagle

[Thundarstick]

Since photo bucket kicked me to the curb I don't have pictures to show, but I've been a big 32 fan for years. Of all the trades I wish I could take back where 32s. A Ruger Bisley 32 H&R and a Taurus target originally in 32 long factory stretched to H&R. I'm on the 327 Fed band wagon now. Taurus stubby (load light loads in H&R cases for the wife), S&W 632, 3 and 4.2 inch SP101, Black Hawk 8 shooter, GP100, 2 Single Sevens, and a Henry carbine rifle! I like my 32s!

[quail4jake]

Looks familiar!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37635365840_f473ca84b7_z_d.jpg


Dose this one count? Forgot I had it 32 S&W short. A friend gave it to me...right before he was going to throw it away! I restored it years ago from the dead. It looked like Mars...all crusty and pitted. I ordered some ammo for it a few days ago. The double action spring is so tight I have to use my middle finger at times to get it to cycle! From what found out it a a 3rd generation made from 1895 to 1904.

[P Flados]

My 1 year old 4.2" SP-101 in 327 Fed is really not all that special. It just shoots great with anything I feed it. Oh, and it needs little or nothing for care. And that is with hundreds (soon to be thousands) of rounds through it.

For me, the "magic" is in the loads and boolits.

The target practice boolits are 55 grs from my home crafted no-groove 2 cavity mold. I use 3.1 grs of titegroup, and get a sound level and recoil similar to 22 LR at less cost. The boolits just rain from the mold with a boolits/hr rate that is probably close to what I get from my Lee 6 cavity 120 gr TC intended for 9mm. Reject rate is probably a couple per hundered.

The medium and hot loads use a 98 gr boolit that is also from a home crafted no-groove mold.

Just look at those 2 containers and think of how many "bangs/pound" this gun gives.

The medium loads get a book max Titegroup charge. It probably delivers around 150 - 200 fps below the hot loads.

The hot loads get 13.0 gr of H110. These are "ultra flash / bang" loads that have a "punch" between a 9mm and a 357.

206501
206502
206503

[samari46]

All I can bring to this thread is my Manhurin Walther PP in 32 acp. Accuracy suprised me and eats just about any brand of 32 acp ammo I have. Federal, Fiocchi, Wolf. Frank

[9.3X62AL]

All I can bring to this thread is my Manhurin Walther PP in 32 acp. Accuracy suprised me and eats just about any brand of 32 acp ammo I have. Federal, Fiocchi, Wolf. Frank

I have a 1964-made Walther PP in 32 ACP. It is incredibly accurate, jacketed or cast.

[rintinglen]

206513 I was pleasantly surprised with this old Browning 1922. It is as loose as a goose on a prune juice diet but shoots remarkably well.

I'd love to find a 32 Walther. I have a PPK 380, but a PP in 32 ACP would be sweet. I almost bought one back in 86 when they were 169.00 with holster and spare mag.

206514
My 32-20's got short shrift in the photos above. I really like the Colt Army Special from 1926. The S&W has those dinky razor blade sights that my elderly eyes just can't deal with.

I have another 32-20. a Police Positive Special from 1931, but it is a safe queen and I don't shoot it much.

[EMC45]

Rintinglen - Nice 1922. I really like the holster for it. My HE Smith in .32 S&W-L has those razor thin sights too. Not a fan at all!

[jdfoxinc]

CAI has Ukranian copies of the Walther PP available. Isralie police turn ins.

[stu1ritter]

Ahh yes, .32's. Here's my little assemblage.

Stu
http://tinyurl.com/jv9elr4

[rking22]

I'm a Kit Gun addict, there I said it. Have trouble letting one pass thru my hands, especially a 32! Found this one while checking GB for a friend, probably paid more than I should, but then it's a 32SWL. not generally a fan of Rossi but I've a 22lr M511 that actually shoots beter than a SW M63 I should have kept. It's a 3 inch made between 78 and 83, accurate but I need to open the rear sight for a bit more light. Shoots MOB , that's minute of bunny case you wondered. So it joins my sp101 in 327 , Smith 31-1, Single Six in 32HR, and a couple Rem M25s in32-20. Hope it likes it's new home:)
http://i65.tinypic.com/15wfcpt.jpg

[mcdaniel.mac]

I'm a Kit Gun addict, there I said it. Have trouble letting one pass thru my hands, especially a 32! Found this one while checking GB for a friend, probably paid more than I should, but then it's a 32SWL. not generally a fan of Rossi but I've a 22lr M511 that actually shoots beter than a SW M63 I should have kept. It's a 3 inch made between 78 and 83, accurate but I need to open the rear sight for a bit more light. Shoots MOB , that's minute of bunny case you wondered. So it joins my sp101 in 327 , Smith 31-1, Single Six in 32HR, and a couple Rem M25s in32-20. Hope it likes it's new home:)
http://i65.tinypic.com/15wfcpt.jpgI'm putting a LCRx 3" in .22 through it's paces and it it holds up, I hope to grab it's big brother in .327 to load .32H&R and .32 SW Long in. IMO the 3" LCR is posted to be the kit gun for a new generation.

[rking22]

Yes, I have to agree, and I dont like plastic! I load my sp101 in 327 with a 311008 @ 1000fps. Plenty (and then some) for ground hogs and the like. I just dont see the 327 as a good deer gun , so I feel no need to run it at the top. Truth is I would have preferred the gun in 32hr, but the deal was too good to pass up.
The LCR does feel good and will be more creek friendly than my blued guns, yep the newest integration of a kit gun. You getting the one with adj sights?

[mcdaniel.mac]

Yes, I have to agree, and I dont like plastic! I load my sp101 in 327 with a 311008 @ 1000fps. Plenty (and then some) for ground hogs and the like. I just dont see the 327 as a good deer gun , so I feel no need to run it at the top. Truth is I would have preferred the gun in 32hr, but the deal was too good to pass up.
The LCR does feel good and will be more creek friendly than my blued guns, yep the newest integration of a kit gun. You getting the one with adj sights?Yep! I'm pondering changing the fiber optic front on mine with a thin blade, but we'll see how it shoots.

[Guesser]

I have 2 of the SP-101 in 327. A very early 4.2" and a later one. I find that I like the OEM front sights. Really didn't think I would and these are the first ones I've ever used. I'll stay with them until I need to change them out for a mechanical reason.

[NoZombies]

This was my first handgun to shoot, and the very first thing I reloaded for, using BP and swaged RB's.

Smith D/A 4th model:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NZ03452.jpg

A few others that I own, or have owned over the years:

H&R "Ultra" in .32 H&R mag:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/14.jpg

NEF Equivalent of the above, but with the longer barrel:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2.jpg

A Flat latch S&W 31:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1.jpg

A model 30-1:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/30-1-1.jpg

And the Model 631:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NZ03445.jpg

An early Taurus Kit gun, the model 74:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NZ03450.jpg

Their later improvement upon that, the model 741:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NZ03447.jpg

Their big brother, the 761:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NZ03458.jpg

A very uncommon Rossi M293:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NZ03461.jpg

[EMC45]

All nice NoZombies!

[Texas by God]

I've owned a Colt Police Positive .32 S&W long, a 1922 FN .32 ACP, a 4-5/8", 6-1/2", and 9-1/2" Ruger SSMs, two FEG .32acp(AP74 & PA 63), and a Walther PP .32 ACP. The FEGs and PP were very accurate & reliable but the recoil was all out of proportion to the power.
If I could choose two to come back it would be the 4-5/8" Ruger and the FN22. They were so much fun. I had a scope on the long barreled Ruger and with 85gr Hornady HPs I fired several 4" 6 shot groups at 100 yds. The FN was a squirrel getter deluxe and I got two Tom turkeys with the short barrel Ruger. A .32 is missing from my life for sure. I still have dies & a bullet mould just biding time........

[NoZombies]

All nice NoZombies!

Thank you, I'll be adding some more handgun photos as I come across them or get around to taking them. In the meantime, I'm also a fan of the .32's in rifle format as well:

Remington 581 converted to .32 S&W long:
http://iownguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rem.jpg

Another Remington, a bit older, but in the same caliber:
http://nozombies.com/squirrel/S3.JPG

Another .32 S&W long rifle, this one a Hopkins and Allen using a rechambered barrel and a factory CF breechblock:
http://nozombies.com/squirrel/S4.JPG

This is an interesting gun. It's a Henry Pieper made piece, chambered for an odd european .32 revolver cartridge that's a hair shorter than the .32 S&W (short), though the same diameter. I'm probably going to extend the chamber to .32 S&W length to make it more shootable:
http://nozombies.com/squirrel/S7.JPG

[Traffer]

I have been looking for an inexpensive 32 S&W top break in my area. Haven't seen one yet. There is one about 100 miles from me for under $70. They said it shoots but is probably in pretty rough shape. I think that the prices are going to go up fast soon. Thanks to youtube videos of how these little guns are fun to shoot. I think that a lot of them just sat in drawers with people afraid to shoot them for a long time. I love small low powered guns. Currently concentrating on 22 LR, but plan on getting a 25 ACP and a 32 S&W in the future. I like to plink, reload, my eyesight is not so good so no long range stuff, seems logical for me to get one of these.

[Guesser]

1910 Police Positive on the right. 1907 Pocket Positive on the left and ammo.

[rigger]

The new.


http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p458/riggerjon/Mobile%20Uploads/20171126_184656_zpsin453jdc.jpg (http://s347.photobucket.com/user/riggerjon/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20171126_184656_zpsin453jdc.jpg.html)

The old.

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p458/riggerjon/Mobile%20Uploads/20171126_185945_zpsckpre22u_edit_1511745723143_zps wm4dpzg2.jpg (http://s347.photobucket.com/user/riggerjon/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20171126_185945_zpsckpre22u_edit_1511745723143_zps wm4dpzg2.jpg.html)

[charlie b]

FWIW, Numrich has new and used 1903 barrels most of the time. I replaced my bulged one and it was a tack driver.

[azrednek]

FWIW, years ago about mid 80's watched an old guy draw a crowd of onlookers at the range. He was shooting 32 S&W shorts in an old S&W revolver at 25 yards. Shooting one hand Bullseye style. No exaggeration he was printing clusters. He'd shoot a hole in various spots on the target and follow up with the remaining shots in the cylinder into a one hole cluster.

Looking beyond the skill of the shooter. His demonstration proved the shot to shot accuracy of the gutless 32 shorts.

[9.3X62AL]

The 32 S&W Long can be an amazingly accurate cartridge. I had possession of a Walther GSP-C for about 6 months some years back, and it remains the most accurate handgun I have ever had the pleasure of firing. Hornady HBWCs atop enough WW-231 to prompt 700-725 FPS was its best load, and it would cut chrysanthemums in target paper at 25 yards.

[Nueces]

I have all the 32 revolvers any sane man could want, but have not glommed onto one of the top end 32 target autos. A friend out west shoots a Pardini HP32 in competition, for which he finish swages Speer HBWCs in home made dies. From Lapua brass, the pistol and rounds are 50 yard X-ring capable. Boy, do I want one of those!

His fellow competitor gets as good results from finish swaged MP cast HBWCs, though it's certainly easier to begin with the commercial product.

[lucifers]

You mean one like this ?

The rarest 32 ever made due to a bad typist in MA.

208559

[Nueces]

You mean one like this ?

The rarest 32 ever made due to a bad typist in MI.

208559

Yup, got one of those in 1975, from the old J&G Rifle Ranch, still in cosmoline and boxed with accessories and target. Believe it or not, J&G tried to get rid of the last of their stock by rechambering some to H&R Mag. Mine is in original condition, like yours seems to be. Real prizes, they are.

[rking22]

Apparently my education is lacking, please, more detail on that beautiful revolver if you've a moment to spare!

[Outpost75]

The Officer's Model Target, Third Issue. The Officer's Model Target was introduced in 1927 and made until 1949. Calibers were .22LR, .32 Colt, and .38 Special, with the .32 Colt only available pre-war. In 1935 a heavy barrel was made available as an option. Post-war only the 6" barrel was offered. Grips were checkered walnut with silver medallions.

Gun pictured above was made between 1939 and 1941 with production being only about 1000 pieces or so in .32 Colt NP with heavy bbl. so is probably one of the Mass. State Police "mistake guns" that were mistakenly ordered by the State Police as .32's when they meant to order .38s and had to accept the mistake and buy the guns from colt and then sell them as "New surplus" at that time.

[Nueces]

Outpost has it right. I did not know this story when I bought my revolver and was actually pining for a recently discontinued K32. But I knew a fine gun when I saw it at a good price. The 70s was a good time to acquire older revolvers in non-magnum calibers, as everyone seemed to want semi-autos or Dirty Harry guns. I went after big Colt New Services and Shooting Masters, slim target sighted N frames and little 32s. Glad now that I did, since I wouldn't stretch far enough to do it today.

[Guesser]

From way back in the corner: New in the box, 2006 Taurus Model 731 Ultralite in 32 H&R Magnum. I've had it all it's life, just never had the inclination to use it as I have a number of other 32 caliber hand guns.

[Outpost75]

Outpost has it right. I did not know this story when I bought my revolver and was actually pining for a recently discontinued K32. But I knew a fine gun when I saw it at a good price. The 70s was a good time to acquire older revolvers in non-magnum calibers, as everyone seemed to want semi-autos or Dirty Harry guns. I went after big Colt New Services and Shooting Masters, slim target sighted N frames and little 32s. Glad now that I did, since I wouldn't stretch far enough to do it today.

Those are a highly desirable collectible when in the condition illustrated. I bought one back in the day, and when I saw what they were going for on GunBroker I decided that mine was worth too much to shoot, so I put it up for auction and netted $2000 for it with the original box! I was glad it went to somebody who knew and appreciated what it was.

I used the proceeds to check off a "bucket list" item, to buy and have restored a real British rook rifle. I found an Army & Navy Cooperative Society rook, which had originally been a .255 with thoroughly pitted bore. John Taylor relined and rechambered it to .32 S&W Long. I then had Lucas Geiger redo the wood and metal and refurb the vintage scope...

Attached is the obligatory eye candy. Groups at 50 yards with RCBS 120 Cadet heeled bullet and 2 grains of Bullseye. Bullets cast 1:30 and lightly pressed into leade upon chambering.

As they say, "no pics? then it never happened 8-)"
208596208597208598

[lucifers]

You mean one like this ?

The rarest 32 ever made due to a bad typist in MA.

208559

My understanding is that in 1941 Mass meant to order 41 of these OMMs in 38 Special. An error on the purchase order said "32" so Colt built them. Mass tried to send them back, Colt said "you own them". Mass police finally gave them away to the well connected, hence most are NIB or close.

Mine came with box, original holster and factory letter.

Do I shoot it ? Heck yes with wadcutters. It's a tack driving beauty.

[rking22]

Beautiful revolvers, swish I had come across one wnen they were "surplus" , thanks everyone for widening my awareness of elite 32s:)

[djw]

The very first centerfire handgun I ever fired was in 32-20. Shortly later I went to .32 S&W Long. After the .32 H&R Magnum was created, I started adding them to my pile. I bought a 332 a couple of months ago and found that it did not eject well. Evidently, one or more people in the past used wire brushes to clean it. S&W strongly recommends AGAINST doing that on titanium cylinders. So I sent it back to them. I asked them to polish the chambers and recoat it with whatever pixie dust they use to make the ejection smoother. If that would not work, I asked for a stainless steel cylinder. I got it back today. It looks like they polished the original cylinder and recoated it. It sure looks shiny. I will know for sure when I shoot it Sunday afternoon. Until then, here is a picture of my .32 H&R Magnums (the S&W NewModel 16 on the bottom has since been rechambered to 32-20).

205788

I shouldn't need to identify them considering the expertise on this board.

Harry O, that 631 looks just like mine, grips and all. Mine came that way when I bought it used, but surely they aren't original.

[Nueces]

Harry O, that 631 looks just like mine, grips and all. Mine came that way when I bought it used, but surely they aren't original.

Those grips appear to be Herrett's Shooting Stars. My 631 came with just the regular J frame magna-style non-target stocks.

[Brad Cayton]

My 32s are all the H&R mag. 2 Ruger SSMs and a Marlin 94 CB. All 3 are very accurate (after DougGuy worked the baby Vaquero).
https://i.imgur.com/5liesVWl.jpg

I've taken quite a bit of small to medium game with them and can shoot them cheaper than I can a 22 LR.

[NoZombies]

Here's an old one; the first home of the .32 S&W CF. The model 1 1/2 single action. The sights are atrocious, but when the sun is right, and I'm squinting and holding my mouth just right, it's a pretty accurate little pea shooter. I've also been known to CCW this gun occasionally when I needed something light and unobtrusive.

http://nozombies.com/swsa.JPG

This one isn't quite as old, but it's certainly no spring chicken. It's an I-frame hand ejector in .32 S&W long. Obviously it's had a bit of work done to it, and with wadcutters it shoots little groups at 25 yards. But every time I shoot it, I cry a little bit knowing that someone did this to an original I-frame target model. Yup, this one started life as a super rare adjustable sighted target model I frame 32 S&W long (total production in the dozens according to some collectors). I don't know who did the work, or why, all I know is it's beyond reasonable restoration, so I shoot it as is.

http://nozombies.com/sw32i.JPG

[Green Frog]

NoZombies, I would opine that your "upgraded" target model I-frame was built long ago before the current lust after factory original specimens displaced the more practical desires of shooters to have tools that did what they wanted to do. With the barrel replaced and the rear sight mounting area covered up by that big adjustable sight, are you sure it was originally a factory target model and not just a Regulation Police? It appears that the original gun was nickel plated, which would not be a likely finish for the target models.

BTW, the grips are interesting... are they perhaps by Sanderson? What does the left grip panel look like, does it have a thumb rest? Regardless, you have a neat piece of shooting history and I would jump at the chance to obtain and shoot one like it. :Fire:

Froggie

[miniwini]

Oh My Dad had 32 caliber S&W... It was very very good gun. Feeling bad I've sold it and bought Glock 43 :( :( :(

[Harry O]

Harry O, that 631 looks just like mine, grips and all. Mine came that way when I bought it used, but surely they aren't original.

Nope, the grips are not original. They originally came from the factory with what was called "gunfighters grips" that looked like someone took regular grips and partially melted them. It also did not have checkering. I got some Herrett's grips that felt (to me, anyway) a lot better. I have been using them ever since. I later sold the original grips on Ebay at an obscene amount of money.

[NoZombies]

NoZombies, I would opine that your "upgraded" target model I-frame was built long ago before the current lust after factory original specimens displaced the more practical desires of shooters to have tools that did what they wanted to do. With the barrel replaced and the rear sight mounting area covered up by that big adjustable sight, are you sure it was originally a factory target model and not just a Regulation Police? It appears that the original gun was nickel plated, which would not be a likely finish for the target models.

BTW, the grips are interesting... are they perhaps by Sanderson? What does the left grip panel look like, does it have a thumb rest? Regardless, you have a neat piece of shooting history and I would jump at the chance to obtain and shoot one like it. :Fire:

Froggie

I agree completely that it was done some time ago. I had an original K-frame target model circa 1909 or so that was factory nickel as well, so the finish doesn't throw me.

The top strap is cut for the original adjustable sights as fitted on the target models, and at one point for unknown reasons was filled in with brazing. (part of why it's unrestorable). Here's what the top strap looks like with the 'new' target sight removed:
http://nozombies.com/swtop.JPG

The stocks do have a thumb rest on the other side, I'm not sure if they are sanderson's or not, they're only marked with a 1955 date inside as far as I can recall, though I wasn't really looking for markings when I had them off...

It's an ugly gun that shoots beautifully. I snagged it at an auction to keep the unwashed masses from further molesting it. (I overheard one 'gentleman' pondering if it could be rachambered to H&R mag!)

[Green Frog]

That is a strange one all right NZ. Is there any indication of who made either the front or rear sights?? As the old saying goes, they look "Hell for stout," but I would certainly feel safe shooting it... they won't be damaged from the "heavy recoil" of the 32 S&W Long! :mrgreen: The giveaway for identifying Sanderson grips is the way they stamped a one or two digit number inside both sides to keep the pair together through the finishing steps. I only have one pair of Sandersons (on a High Standard Model H-E) and would love to have some for an I- or K-frame.

Froggie

PS I agree that your revolver has suffered enough indignities. I wouldn't rechamber it either.

[NoZombies]

The rear sight at least appears to be made by LPA of Italy. No idea if the front sight was, as only the rear is marked. Now that you mention it, I suppose the 1955 marked on the inside of both grips could have been an assembly number rather than a date... The mystery continues.

[Harry O]

I learned something new today. My new/old S&W 332 Airlite was difficult to extract cases from when I bought it used. Someone had probably used a brass or steel wire brush cleaning them. S&W prohibits that with Titanium cylinders. I sent it back to S&W for refinishing. They polished the chambers and recoated the insides of them. Things were considerably better when it came back, however, it was still not a gun that you could shoot very long with. I could shoot 30-35 rounds after repairs before the cases stuck and the gun had to be cleaned.

I thought about it a while and realized that my cases were old, old, old (from the early to mid-1990's) and had been reloaded many times. Being that most of them were Federal cases, they had been annealed at the mouth. This was not a problem with my stainless steel cylinders, but I wondered about the Titanium cylinder. I decided to buy a couple of hundred brand-new, nickle-plated Starline .32 Mag cases and loaded them with the same load I have been using many years. Took it and the new handloads to the range today and shot 50 rounds without any extraction problems. The extraction problems have been solved.

I also took my S&W 642 to the range today to check it against the new gun. Both grouped as close as could be expected firing DAO. I am not sure which to use for my primary carry gun, now.

[Traffer]

Question:
I would think that even the 32 "short" S&W, provided it is used in a strong enough gun, could be loaded to just under supersonic speed with modern powder. That is probably the route I would go ...and may indeed in the future. Any ideas on that? Load experts" How much red dot can you stuff in one of those little cartridges?

[Outpost75]

Can't speak to the short .32 S&W, but I have a Remington 580 bolt rifle converted to centerfire and relined to .32 ACP. Ordinary FMJ 73-grain RWS ammo gives 1200 fps. An 87-grain cast bullet with 2 grains of Bullseye gives 1050 fps. A 90-grain cast bullet with 5.5 grs. of Alliant #2400 gives 1200 fps.