Marlin 1891 32 Colt rimfire converted to 32 S&W - video.

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Was .32 rimfire no longer available as a viable option?

I've never seen a 32 Colt rimfire outside of a collection. Even the 32 Colt center fire has been obsolete for a long time. Both cartridges use a "heel type" bullet that is problematic to reload. The 32 S&W uses the same diameter bullet but inside lubed like all modern cartridges. Dies, cases, bullets are no problem (in normal times) to find. The 32 H&R Magnum is based on the 32 S&W so handguns chambered in 32 H&R will also shoot the 32 S&W.

 
I started buying 32 rimfire cartridges long before I bought a gun to shoot them in because I knew I would get one sooner or later. 32 rimfire weren't called 32 Colt rimfire. The 32 rimfire was created during the Civil War by Smith & Wesson for their No 2 Army revolver. I bought quite a bit back when it was selling cheap and not $3 to $4 a round. Now I have 5 of them and my 92 has the centerfire pin too so I shoot 32 Colt in it too. I also picked up some of that at a reasonable price but keep my eyes out for more. The little shooter above the LCP in the 2nd picture is an 1875 Marlin Standard that is 32 rimfire short.
 
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I also have some of those reusable ones in your video and some primed new cases that I traded for. The heel bullets are available on GB.
 
Very cool! I have an 1892 in 22 s/l/lr that my grandfather got for his 16th birthday in 1905. It’s fitted with a Marbles tang sight and I shoot it in competition at 100 yards. They are so elegant and so well made. Great job saving that one!
 
Don't get carried away. I read of a Marlin conversion from .32 RF/LC to .32 S&W Long.
Good stout .32 S&W L loads beat the gun up in short order.

Another gunzine writer converted a Stevens single shot .32 to centerfire.
He said a black powder small bore sounds like no other rifle.



On the other hand, I also read of .22 LR BPCR. A poster was loading .22 RF with black powder. He started out with improvised tools but ended up with specialty dies and a wee little bullet mold.
He showed a target with a pretty good iron sight group out of his 39A and said it was the last 10 shots out of 57 without wiping.
 
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Don't get carried away. I read of a Marlin conversion from .32 RF/LC to .32 S&W Long.
Good stout .32 S&W L loads beat the gun up in short order.

I only plan to shoot black powder loads. The loads I'm shooting are loaded with .7CCs of Grafs FFFg. Bullet compressed. The load is subsonic.
 
Hello guys,

It's to late now, but I have formed 32 S&W cases to 32 Colt without the need to turn the bulge off.
I pushed them into a block with precision reamed holes, in .005" increments, 4 steps.
I didn't measure the primer pocket of flash hole as I intend to use a 27 cal power cartridge and shoot these as a RF.
Of course this could have been done for center fire primer with a different mandrel on my arbor press.
I pressed them into each hole till the rim bottomed out, then pushed them out with a bolt.
I don't think Bibbyman is going to have any issues other than fouling with the Black Powder.
Curious if he has any Black MZ left to try in it.

AntiqueSledMan.
 

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I don't think Bibbyman is going to have any issues other than fouling with the Black Powder.
Curious if he has any Black MZ left to try in it.

I'm down to about 15 lb of BlackMZ. :( I'll save it for special applications like this.

The conversion to 32 S&W was much easier than going through reforming cases. And I already had the stuff to load the 32 S&W.
 
bibox,

No, the 32RF rim measures .377".
The 27 cal power load cartridge rim measure .326".
The hammer on my H&R Bull Dog will reach the .27 cal when centered in the case.

AntiqueSledMan.
 
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