7.65x22 French Long

[Sparky]

A fella in my office has "discovered" that he owns a French M 35 pistol.Aside from the astounding good luck at owning a famous piece of French ordnance, he wants to shoot the thing! All the issue ammo he had was dud. Anybody got a clue about an ammo source? Old West Scrounger came updry.

 

[Jim K]

I don't think this will be much help, but the only ammo with an identical case is the .30 Pedersen device ammo, and that is far scarcer than the French round.

However, if you have some tools, either round is fairly easily made from .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Magnum cases by cutting off the rim, cutting an extractor groove, and trimming to .775". Not an option if you want a million rounds in a hurry, but good for a few dozen. Any .30 bullet of 90-110 grains can be used. Working up a load should be easy enough using a fast pistol powder. Start with a load for .32 S&W Long and work up until the gun functions. (In spite of what some have written, .32 ACP won't work. It is semi-rimmed and too short.)

Actually, aside from the small caliber and the odd safety, those French pistols are well made, rugged and reliable. The Model 35A is especially well made and has a wonderful feel to it; it is very accurate as well. The Model 35S is not as well made but is also rugged and accurate.

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

If you don't have the tooling to do that, Buffalo Arms does.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,774.html

$30 a hundred sounds like a lot for a hundred dollar gun, but it ought to be a lifetime supply. .32 ACP dies ought to work, I don't know if you would need a .32 shellholder, a .30 carbine, or something special.

 

[McCall911]

Oops! Accidental thread necromancy!