.32 S&W Long?

[uscs]

I recently obtained a Colt Pocket Positive that has stamped on the barrel, "Pocket Positive .32 Colt Police", not .32 Colt New Police, if that makes a difference. The gun is in excellent shape. A local gunsmith told me it's at about 97%. When I got the gun the front sight was tilted to the right as if someone had over tightened the barrel when they screwed it on. The gunsmith fixed it for me. When I shoot it with .32 S&W Long's I split the cases. What's the problem? I'm begining to think that the gun was originaly chambered for .32 Colt LONG and someone changed out the barrel on me to one that is chambered for .32 Colt Police which would be the same as .32 S&W Long I think. Someone told me that .32 S&W Long is not the same as .32 Colt Long. Any ideas as to why I'm spliting the cases and how can I fix it?

 

[gunfan]

I recently obtained a Colt Pocket Positive that has stamped on the barrel, "Pocket Positive .32 Colt Police", not .32 Colt New Police, if that makes a difference. The gun is in excellent shape. A local gunsmith told me it's at about 97%. When I got the gun the front sight was tilted to the right as if someone had over tightened the barrel when they screwed it on. The gunsmith fixed it for me. When I shoot it with .32 S&W Long's I split the cases. What's the problem? I'm begining to think that the gun was originaly chambered for .32 Colt LONG and someone changed out the barrel on me to one that is chambered for .32 Colt Police which would be the same as .32 S&W Long I think. Someone told me that .32 S&W Long is not the same as .32 Colt Long. Any ideas as to why I'm spliting the cases and how can I fix it?

The .32 Colt is NOT the same as a Colt .32 New Police. In oreder to shoot the .32 S&W Long (a.k.a. Colt .32 New Police) you will need to have a .32 NP cylinder installed.

You would be best served by looking to Numerich Arms (sp ?) to find a replacement.

I hope that this is of help to you in solving your problem.

Scott

 

[uscs]

.32 S&W Long

Thanks Scott;

I goofed. On the barrel it says, "Pocket Positive .32 Police ctg." What is the .32 Police ctg.? Is it the .32 Short Colt or the .32 Long Colt. Can I fire ANY of the S&W .32 ammo?

 

[Old Fuff]

.32 Long Colt preceeded the .32 Colt New Police (a.k.a. .32 S&W Long).

The .32 Long Colt has a case dia.=.318" The .32 Colt New Police/.32 S&W Long= .337" case dia. Obviously you shouldn't be able to chamber .32 Colt New Police cartridges in a revolver chambered to use .32 Long Colt.

The chambers on a .32 Long Colt are bored straight through. In the .32 Colt New Police there is a shoulder toward the front.

With this information you should be able to determine which cartridge your revolver is chambered to use.

By any chance is the .32 S&W Long ammunition you used made by Federal? We have another thread running where a member had .32 S&W Long/Federal cases spliting in his new Ruger SP-101.

 

[uscs]

.32 S&W Long Case Spliting

Thanks for the reply;

As a matter of fact I was using Federal .32 S&W Longs. These were spliting right down the middle of the cases on all chambers. Where is the thread running on this so I can read more. Also what is the ".32 Police Ctg"?

 

[Old Fuff]

As a matter of fact I was using Federal .32 S&W Longs. These were spliting right down the middle of the cases on all chambers. Where is the thread running on this so I can read more.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=171783

Also what is the ".32 Police Ctg"?

This would involve a long story, so to make it short for the time being because I'm pressed for time: ".32 Police Ctg" = .32 Colt New Police (also known as, .32 S&W Long.

 

[sabre]

My 1931 vintage Police Positive is also marked "32 Police Ctg"; it is the same as the 32 S&W Long (Colt couldn't bring themselves to stamp the letters "S&W" on a Colt gun!). 32 S&W Longs shoot fine in my old Colt. If your using Federal 32 S&W long ammo that might be the problem - I've had several case splits with it recently in my 32 Mag SP101 and my 70's vintage S&W model 30-1 (chambered for the 32 S&W long). Try some other ammo if you're using the Federal and see if you have a problem.

Bill

 

[gunfan]

I recently obtained a Colt Pocket Positive that has stamped on the barrel, "Pocket Positive .32 Colt Police", not .32 Colt New Police, if that makes a difference. The gun is in excellent shape. A local gunsmith told me it's at about 97%. When I got the gun the front sight was tilted to the right as if someone had over tightened the barrel when they screwed it on. The gunsmith fixed it for me. When I shoot it with .32 S&W Long's I split the cases. What's the problem? I'm begining to think that the gun was originaly chambered for .32 Colt LONG and someone changed out the barrel on me to one that is chambered for .32 Colt Police which would be the same as .32 S&W Long I think. Someone told me that .32 S&W Long is not the same as .32 Colt Long. Any ideas as to why I'm spliting the cases and how can I fix it?

Damn, I'm jealous! Good find!

Merry Christmas!

Scott

 

[Gordon]

"Colt couldn't bring themselves to stamp the letters "S&W" on a Colt gun!"


My Pocket Positive "for .32S&W Cartridges"

 

[sabre]

My Pocket Positive "for .32S&W Cartridges"

Interesting, they generally avoided using the competition's name, instead making up an alternative, like "32 Police Ctg".

IIRC, S&W did the same thing, not wanting to stamp COLT on a S&W gun.

Bill

 

[Old Fuff]

Gordon:

If you would, please post the serial number of your Pocket Positive.

Supposedly the "FOR 32 S&W CTG. marking was only used for a short time on very early production. I suspect they did it because their version - the .32 Colt New Police - wasn't yet well known.

 

[BOB D]

.32 S&W Long

I've been shooting PMC 98 Gr roundnose in my S&W 30 with no splits.

 

[gunfan]

I've been shooting PMC 98 Gr roundnose in my S&W 30 with no splits.

BOB D: What year is your Model 30? Is it an "I" or a "J" frame?

Scott