I found an old Wesson and Richardson .32 rf revolver online for a steal. Before I decide to purchase this I need to know if I can successfully convert this to fire a modern center fire cartridge. And also, will this revolver hold up to modern cartridge pressures. I was specifically curious if there is a way to ream the chambers for .32acp, or maybe .32 s&w. Any thoughts/facts/ideas welcome.
Converting a .32 rimfire revolver to fire modern cartridges?
- Thread starter Hobbja
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It may be able to be converted. However , the cost will probably be prohibitive. You have to move where the end of the hammer passes through the frame and close the other hole. I assume it is a top break. These were not particularly strong. The rimfire ammo was pretty low pressure. Any cf would probably be stressing the latch mechanism. From what I have been told the top breaks if worn enough would fly open when touched off. A couple of old timers swear this happened to them. Sure would be disconcerting! Do some thorough research before you jump in.
Hobbja,
Might want to take a look at this cartridge adapter sold by Dixie Gun Works http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=8154
In France, a company makes some reloading equipment kind of like the Lee Loader for obsolete rimfire cartridges. They did ship to the U.S. http://www.nrvoutdoors.com/OLD RIMFIRES/SHOOT THOSE OLD RIMFIRES AGAIN.htm From the forums that I saw, this company seems on the up and up and pretty well received by people. http://www.hc-collection.com/32-rf-c102x335271?PGFLngID=1
A guy in the U.S. has something similar as the French system for reloading, http://hlebooks.com/32rfkit/prices.htm
Rare ammo including some new production is sold periodically by the Old Western Scrounger and Buffalo Arms.
And there is a guy in Texas that handmakes rare ammunition for all sorts of strange cartridges but my google-fu is weak today. Shotgun News and other mags have wrote stories about him but I'll be darned if I can remember his name. You might find it on collector websites.
Might want to take a look at this cartridge adapter sold by Dixie Gun Works http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=8154
In France, a company makes some reloading equipment kind of like the Lee Loader for obsolete rimfire cartridges. They did ship to the U.S. http://www.nrvoutdoors.com/OLD RIMFIRES/SHOOT THOSE OLD RIMFIRES AGAIN.htm From the forums that I saw, this company seems on the up and up and pretty well received by people. http://www.hc-collection.com/32-rf-c102x335271?PGFLngID=1
A guy in the U.S. has something similar as the French system for reloading, http://hlebooks.com/32rfkit/prices.htm
Rare ammo including some new production is sold periodically by the Old Western Scrounger and Buffalo Arms.
And there is a guy in Texas that handmakes rare ammunition for all sorts of strange cartridges but my google-fu is weak today. Shotgun News and other mags have wrote stories about him but I'll be darned if I can remember his name. You might find it on collector websites.
That's why I am here. I can't afford to buy something I can't shoot. Upon further research it looks like I can't do s&w .32. I would have to go with .32 short colt for minimum alterations. I am concerned about pressures. Maybe cowboy action/bp ammo? Its early here and I think I have another day or two before the auction ends. Have to check out these links that stringnut provided. I appreciate your input about the possible issues with the top break.
These look pretty handy. I wish I would have posted this a week ago. Any thoughts on this? Seems almost too simple. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=8154
If you cant afford to buy something you cant shoot, how can you afford to alter something that will reduce its value?
32 rimfire ammo is loaded off and on. Not sure about the price, but its available from time to time.
Wesson and Richardson? I found nothing in a google search. Wesson and Harrington came up, an early iteration of the Harrington and Richardson company.
Not positive, but 32 rimfire is probably loaded with a heeled bullet, like 22 LR. Converting to centerfire may not produce good accuracy with most centerfire 32 cartridges. The 32 Short Colt may be the only round that may shoot well in a simple conversion, and be dimensionally compatible. I recall reading of guys working to convert 32 rimfire Marlin rifles to centerfire. That's what they used I believe.
32 rimfire ammo is loaded off and on. Not sure about the price, but its available from time to time.
Wesson and Richardson? I found nothing in a google search. Wesson and Harrington came up, an early iteration of the Harrington and Richardson company.
Not positive, but 32 rimfire is probably loaded with a heeled bullet, like 22 LR. Converting to centerfire may not produce good accuracy with most centerfire 32 cartridges. The 32 Short Colt may be the only round that may shoot well in a simple conversion, and be dimensionally compatible. I recall reading of guys working to convert 32 rimfire Marlin rifles to centerfire. That's what they used I believe.
It's currently listed on gunbroker as Wesson and Richardson .32 rimfire. Has a replacement cylinder pin. In reply to Malamute, if I don't have to drill, ream, or file anything, I won't. And from what I can tell now from further research I won't have to. The adapters on Dixie have really caught my eye. I love the look of the pre-99 revolvers and they generally go for very reasonable prices for the oddball chamberings ( .32, .38, and .44 rimfire).
beag_nut
Member
You originally asked about modern cartridges. The Dixie product assumes BLACKPOWDER cartridges, which are nowhere near "modern". The chamber pressures are much lower with BP than smokeless. So your original question, and its answer are: NO.
I should have been clearer in my intentions. I said modern cartridges when I should have said, "I am not a reloader and I want to know if there is any way to affordably shoot this gun, possibly a modern centerfire cartridge conversion." Either way, people here sent me in the direction I needed to be sent in as I had no idea these products existed and they solve the pressure problem as well as the ammo availability problem in one lick. Thanks a bunch to everyone who put in their 2 cents and saved me from wrecking a perfectly good antique.
Thank you for that info.
The idea of using .32 ACP is scary. That round runs almost half again the pressure of the .32 S&W, and I would not convert any old rimfire revolver to the latter round. I suggest saving your pennies until you can buy a serviceable revolver you can shoot, preferably a decent .22 which won't eat up the ammo budget too quickly.
Jim
Jim
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