32 S&W Long in a 32 S&W?

[mkl]

I inherited an H&R 32 revolver from my grandfather. It has "The American" stamped on the top strap, and "32 S&W ctg." stamped on the 6-inch barrel. Six shot, chrome plated in quite good condition. It is a solid frame, not a top-break.

The cylinder is bored straight through and a 32 S&W Long fits in just fine with the tip of the bullet being about 1/8 inch behind the cylinder face.

My thought is that since the cylinder is made to accommodate the "Long" version, it would be safe to shoot factory 32 S&W Long cartridges.

I am unable to find SAAMI pressure ratings on the 32 S&W, but my Speer reloading manual says 12,000 cup is the SAAMI rating for the Long version.

I would think that given the cylinder fits the Long, and the pressure of the Long is so low, it would be safe.

Opinions appreciated.

 

[Drgong]

sounds like the The American Double Action by H&R, which if I recall correctly, was built in the long in .32

Both 32S&W and 32S&W Long have the same chamber pressure but the 32S&W Long produces ~75FPS more velocity IIRC. So if it fits, I think you will be ok, but wait till someone else checks in to make sure.

 

[Shade00]

I would find out if the cylinder is actually chambered for .32 S&W Long. If it is not, I would be hesitant to fire a .32 Long. Not sure what might happen, or if anything bad would happen, but I know that you don't go firing just any cartridge in a gun just because it fits.

There will almost certainly not be an issue with the cartridge pressure - both of the little .32 S&Ws were relatively low pressure.

 

[Drgong]

Did some research, if your cylinder is 1.200" or longer, your good to go with the longs.

 

[mkl]

Thanks guys.

I do appreciate the information.

My granddad willed the gun to me and said it was his fathers.

I asked about pressure on the Reloading Forum here, and got a very good reply as to history and safety concerns [see 32 S&W Pressure? post].

I'm collecting all this info so I can give it to my son when I pass along his great-great grandfather's revolver.

Best wishes, and thanks again

Drgong: 1.232 inches. Thanks for the additional info.

mkl

 

[unspellable]

Pressure and other factors

I will state that I know next to nothing about the revolver under discussion here and will express no opinions about it.

In general, pressure is not the only consideration. The S&W N frame in 45 Colt is a good example. It is perfectly capable of handling the pressure of Ruger Blackhawk only loads, but frequent use of such loads will cause the revolver to quickly go loose. The method used to limit forward travel of the cylinder is much more delicate in the S&W than in the Ruger. You won't blow it up but you will batter it to death.

Another example is the old Webley Green revolver. Being young and ignorant I followed the bad advice of my gunsmith and ran 45 Colt factory loads in it. Eventually the forcing cone split. This was more a mtter of velocity than pressure. The same effect has been noted running light weight bullet, high velocity loads in the S&W M19.

 

[glw]

I have a similar experience. I bought a H&R American Double Action in .32 to be a shooter, and won't shoot the family heirloom as it is in too bad a shape.

Shooting the .32 is fun. Factory .32 S&W Longs have not been as good as handloads. The old Winchester and PMC I shot were fair, but the Prvi Partisan were not very accurate and were very dirty. I loaded 2.0 grains of Bullseye with the 100 grain Missouri Bullets cast bullet, and they shoot better than factory. (I think Alliant now says 1.8 grains max, so use this load at your own risk.)

The American Double Action will never be a target gun, but about 5" at 10 yds. isn't too bad!

Check the gun shows and gun dealers and buy a duplicate to be a shooter. Then hand down both the heirloom and the shooter to your son. You can probably find a nice H&R for about $100.

Glenn

 

[ArchAngelCD]

15,000 PSI is the current SAAMI pressure limit for the 32 S&W Long. That is from several sources so it's not a guess.