French P35A pistol

[BHP FAN]

Just bought one of these fine little pistolas...anyone know of a source of ammo,or a good recipe for making my own? Schematics, history ...it's a neat small to mid size gun, and I want to know all about it!

 

[McCall911]

I've been interested in those pistols for some time myself.

I'm sure the cartridge you're referring to is the 7.65 Longue (aka .32 French Long, etc.) I found loaded ammo here at Buffalo Arms, but IMO it's pricey at $60 for 50:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm?viewfrom=25&catid=412&step=2

I'm not a reloader, so I can't say about loading data.

There's a little history about them on this page under MAS Mle 1935.

http://www.pmulcahy.com/pistols/french_pistols.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[BHP FAN]

That does help,thanks!

 

[tekarra]

BHP FAN,
Please post photos and a range report.

 

[BHP FAN]

I will, just as soon as I get done with the silly California waiting period! it's a great looking gun, in 95% NRA ''Extra Tasty'' condition....

 

[McCall911]

What has intrigued me about the .32 French Long round is that it sounds similar to the 7.62x25 Tokarev, though with about 30 percent less velocity. IIRC, it's an 85 grain bullet of about a .308 caliber going about 1100 fps. The 7.62x25 has a bullet of similar weight and diameter, but going at about 1500 fps.
I'm not saying the two are in the same league, but I'm pretty sure it's a big step up from the .32 ACP.

 

[BHP FAN]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

You're right.Comparing it to .32acp is about like comparing .32 S&W to .32 H&R Mag.I'm thinking I'll make a test batch of a 90 gr. lead pill pushed by 2.5 HP38, and work up towards 3.0 of HP38 as my standard load, watching for signs of over pressure,and stopping when I get reliable cycling of the action.

 

[Steve in Merritt Island]

In my bag of tricks I have five and half boxes of French GI 7.65 pistol ammo and no pistol. If anyone has any interest let me know.

 

[BHPshooter]

Yes, please do post pics. There seems to be precious little information -- and especially pictures -- about these on the internet.

Wes

 

[Pilot]

I have a 1935A and reload for it using 7.65 Mauser or 7.65 Luger bullets. I forget my load data as both my data and dies are packed away somewhere from my recent move and I have yet to find any of my reloading supplies. I did use W231/HP-38 but I forget how many grains.

 

[bannockburn]

In J.B. Woods book, Troubleshooting Your Handgun, he wrote about the French Model 1935-A pistol. In the last paragraph of the article, he mentions that if the pistol is not a collectors piece, then it could be converted to use .32 ACP ammo. And because the locking system used is fairly strong, warmer than usual handloads could be run through it without any problems. I'm not sure what all was required to get it to work properly, but I think he made an insert to allow the shorter .32ACP case to fit in the 7.65mm. Long chamber.

 

[Onmilo]

Cartridges of the World lists 3.8 grains of Unique under a 77 grain fmj .32 acp bullet for 1100 fps.
Cases can be made from .30 Carbine brass but the process is somewhat involved.
Use small pistol primers in place of the small rifle primers with .30 Carbine brass. HTH