[BullSkater]

I have a like new S&W 32 Long with a 3" barrel. I was wondering if I could rechamber it to take the 32 H&R Mag. If not it may be cheaper to reload for it?

[Jim K]

You don't say what model your gun is. I wouldn't suggest rechambering any of the older .32 S&W guns to .32 H&R Magnum, even if the longer round will fit. Reloading the .32 S&W is easy and you can get a bit more power than factory loads IF the gun is fairly new.

Jim

[BullSkater]

The gun has hardly been fired. it is a model 31-1.

[Starter52]

I agree the .32 Long ammo prices are crazy, but please don't rechamber your Model 31. Buy some .32 ACP loads and fire them from your J-frame. They work just fine in my 3" S&W pre-31.

Reloading is your best bet. Like Jim K says, the .32 S&W Long is easy to reload. I use a Hornady swaged bullet with 2.4 gr. of Bullseye for an easy-shooting load.

With care you can work the .32 Long up to 900 fps. That's getting close to the magnum load.

[Old Fuff]

I am aware of Colt Police Positives being rechambered with no problems, because as Magnums go, the .32 H&R Magnum is pretty mild. That said, the model 31-1 has collector's value potential, and that being the case if I had one I wouldn't rechamber it. You can duplicate .32 H&R Magnum performance in .32 S&W Long reloads, as long as you don't propose to shoot them in an old top-break revolver. The main reason for the .32 Magnum was to up the load while making sure it wouldn't find its way into a 19th century top-break.