Caliber switching

[Fireatwill]

I recently bought a pistol which fires the.32 H&R mag. I had heard that the gun would hold .32 ACP, maybe even shoot them but it would not eject the empties. Well, I had to try it and it will shoot them and it will eject them. At least in my gun. Two advantages to this combo; cheap practice ammo compared to federals .32 mags. No recoil to speak of. It is like shooting a .22.

My question is, will .380 acps work in a .38 special revolver? I don't think the pressures would be an issue in a modern pistol of quality. Any body know? Thanks for the input.

 

[Jim K]

The .32 Auto (.32 ACP) is what is known as a semi-rimmed cartridge, which means it has a rim, but one not as large in diameter as the normal revolver cartridge. That is why it works in your .32 H&R Magnum chamber.

But the .380 ACP is a true rimless, and is supported on the case mouth. It will drop right into the chamber of a revolver chambered for .38 Special or .38 S&W. To fire the .380 in a revolver would require some kind of "clip" arrangement and that would require modifying the revolver.

FWIW, I bought one of those .32 ACP cylinders for the Russian Nagant revolver and reamed it out to .32 H&R Magnum. So it now has the same versatility you mention. (Never mind that I can't think of any practical use for a Russian Nagant in any caliber, but that is another question.)

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

It is true that you can sometimes shoot .32 ACP cartridges in a .32 revolver, but the accuracy usually isn't particularly good. The bullet yaws in the oversized chamber until it gets to the throat. It would be a much better idea to reload your empty .32 Magnum brass using wadcutter bullets and a light powder charge. In a quality revolver this combination can shoot one-hole groups at 50 feet - and often at 25 yards.

 

[Hal]

My question is, will .380 acps work in a .38 special revolver? I don't think the pressures would be an issue in a modern pistol of quality. Any body know? Thanks for the input

There's a special revolver that is supposed to chamber and shoot all of the 9mm/.357 bore family.

Do a google search for:

"medusa revolver"

 

[usnavymasterchief]

HAL, Great signature line best I've seen in a long time.

 

[Hal]

Master Chief,
Ironic that an old salt would comment on it because the "she" in question is a "hole in the water you pour money into" AKA a boat.

Q. "What are the 2 happiest days in a boat owner's life?"
A. "The day they buy their boat and the day they sell their boat"

 

[tbeb]

.380 ACP will not work in a .38 special revolver. In a .38 special revolver you can use .38 special, .38 short Colt, and .38 long colt.

 

[usnavymasterchief]

Roger that HAL but it still fits the other "she" to a T.