Performance of .32 S&W Long in a .327?

[ShadyGrove]

So I have a strange fascination with the .32 S&W long, and I feel its a shame that there are essentially no more new production guns in this caliber available (in the US at least). I think it definitely fills a niche for those who may be looking for a centerfire caliber with very low recoil. Something bigger and more reliable than a .22lr, but easier to handle than a .38 special.

The guns that are still available are revolvers chambered in .327 Fed Mag, and perhaps to a lesser extent, .32 H&R mag. I know that you can shoot .32 Long in these guns, but how is the performance? I wonder how well the shorter .32 long wadcutters would perform when used in the much longer .327 chamber.

If anyone has tried this, could you report your findings in regards to accuracy, reliability, and if there were any issues with excessive fouling/leading in the cylinder or barrel?

Would it be a better plan to look for a nice used S&W model 31-1?

Thanks!

 

[wayneinFL]

I occasionally shoot 32 long in a 32 H&R mag snubby.

No noticeable difference in accuracy, but I'm not shooting it off a rest. In 100 rounds or so, not enough leading to make any difference in reliability.

 

[Dan-O]

I occasionally shoot 32 long in a 32 H&R mag snubby.

No noticeable difference in accuracy, but I'm not shooting it off a rest. In 100 rounds or so, not enough leading to make any difference in reliability.

Same here. I have had decent results at snubby distances.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I enjoy shooting long,H&R mag and 327 mag in my SP101. Accuracy is fine.

 

[fxvr5]

a quick search found this;

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/ruger-sp101-revolver-327-federal-magnum-review/369761

The 4.2-inch-barreled SP101 shot both of the Federal .327 loads and the Sellier & Bellot .32 S&W Long wadcutter into five-shot groups that averaged less than 2 inches.

 

[P Flados]

My 4.2" SP-101 shoots better with light loads in 327 cases than loads in 32 H&R cases.

 

[Sistema1927]

You can still find some good deals on S&W Regulation Police (30, 30-1) and .32 Hand Ejectors (31, 31-1). I purchased these in the past couple of years without breaking the bank. At the same time, both my SP101 in .327 and CA in .32 H&R handle .32 Long with no problems.

 

[GRIZ22]

I shoot 32 Long in my 327 Taurus. Like others, no real difference in accuracy, performance, or fouling.

I often carry that revolver with 32 Long in urban environments. I'm talking environments where there is often less than 6' between people. Many blow it off but overpenetration is a concern of mine. If I had to use it a 327 mag might go through a few people.

I rarely carry the gun with 327 mag. 32 Long and 32 H&R magnum give adequate penetration and much less recoil and muzzle blast than the 327.

 

[Tallball]

32 long will be my choice when I can't shoot 38's or 32 magnums anymore.

I've shot 32 longs out of my 32 magnum revolvers bunches of times. If there's any loss in accuracy, I can't tell.

I also shoot 38's out of my 357 revolvers, 44 specials out of my 44 magnums, and use my 45acp cylinder in my 45colt Blackhawk. All of them seem as accurate with either caliber. If the shorter cartridge in the longer cylinder makes any difference, I'm not a good enough shooter for it to matter. My suspicion is that the lack of accuracy talk with the shorter calibers in the longer cylinders is just that, talk.

 

[Bullet Bob]

My Ruger Bisley Single-Seven in .327 has only shot .32 S&W Long wadcutters, they're very accurate in my gun. I have no use for the .327, if I feel I need more power than the .32 H&R magnum, I'll use a bigger gun. I haven't tried .32 magnum because I haven't seen any for sale, anywhere.

 

[Walkalong]

32 long will be my choice when I can't shoot 38's or 32 magnums anymore.

The .32 Long is a big part of my old age plan as well.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

My 4.2" SP-101 shoots better with light loads in 327 cases than loads in 32 H&R cases.

Mine 3" Sp-101 does too.
90 gr Lee Tumble lube SWC in .327FM cases with 4.5 gr of Universal or 231 either one. Very accurate at 25 yds.
83gr plated double end wadcutters from Barry's were also a really good bullet with these powders but Barry's quit making them years ago.
So did Xtreme.

 

[EMC45]

You can still find some good deals on S&W Regulation Police (30, 30-1) and .32 Hand Ejectors (31, 31-1). I purchased these in the past couple of years without breaking the bank. At the same time, both my SP101 in .327 and CA in .32 H&R handle .32 Long with no problems.
View attachment 1152856 View attachment 1152857

Both perfect!

 

[JERRY]

I regularly shoot 32 Smith and Wesson Long out of my Smith and Wesson 32 H and R magnum and my Ruger 327 federal magnum. Other than low recoil I see no difference in accuracy.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

There's still some activity in the target world for .32 S&W Long. For example, there are new manufacture target autopistols available using wadcutter ammo:

The Pardini HPE and the Walther GSP 2000 are both advertised for sale new today:


https://www.pardiniguns.com/hp-hpe/
https://carl-walther.com/sport/products/p/2850575M_0010

There could be others today, but I mainly know about some earlier models. The original Walther GSP and SIG P240 & Hammerli 280 were big deals in their time:



Benelli offered models, and there were some pretty wild .32 pistols at the very high end like the MG4 -- this may still be available new from Moroni, but I can't find it at their website:



https://www.morini.ch/

There were also a number of great .32 S&W target revolvers at this level, but I'm not aware that any are still in production. Korth and Manhurin were two of the best:

 

[Tallball]

It would be nice to own one of those lovely 32 target revolvers. My redneck substitute is my 6.5" Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R magnum.

 

[Sistema1927]

The .32 Long is a big part of my old age plan as well.

The 31-1 (pictured in a post above, and here with different stocks) will be the gun that I will have on me if and when I am frail enough to be in a wheelchair.

 

[Walkalong]

The 31-1 (pictured in a post above, and here with different stocks) will be the gun that I will have on me if and when I am frail enough to be in a wheelchair.
View attachment 1153193

I like the way you think. My 31-1

 

[cfullgraf]

I have 32 S&WL, 32 H&R Mag, and 327 Fed Mag revolvers. I tend to shoot ammunition whose cases match the chamber the revolver is chambered in. But, since I reload, that is not an issue.

I load lots of target type loads with target bullets in the appropriate cases.

But, there is no issues with shooting 32 S&WL cartridges in the longer 32 caliber chambers. Just be aware that after a bunch of ammunition is shot in the longer chamber, there may be enough carbon build up in the chamber that may restrict the chambering of a longer round. No big deal, just give the chambers a good scrubbing and cleaning and all will return to normal.

Yes, I'd like to get a K-32 or Model 16-0 through Model 16-3, all chambered in 32 S&WL, but they are like finding hen's teeth and they are expensive.

FYI, only about 3000 guns were produced by S&W in K-32 through Model 16-3 in 32 S&WL chamberings.
About 8000 revolvers were produced in the Model 16-4 chambered in 32 H&R mag in the 1990's.

 

[Tallball]

LoL! This is my pitiful old person revolver that I'll need in a decade or two when my hands barely work.

It was inexpensive, probably because of the color.

Charter Arms 32 Magnum

• Tallball
• Feb 12, 2018

 

[racepres]

Too Many Self-fullfilling Prophecys
Gonna shoot as well as You Can!!!!
Our Ruger 32H&R shoots Regular 32S&W as well as 32S&WL just Fine thank you.. Just like the 357 Max excells with the Same Target 38 Wadcutters target shooters use... Sheesh... my 45Win Mag Contender absolutely Never Misses with our Target Load 45ACP's... Bounce That One off the Internet Experts!!!!!

 

[GEM]

No problem with SW 32 Longs in a SW 632 327 mag. Don't reliably knock down steel poppers though at times. So I carry some 32 HR mags if a target array has them.

 

[PzGren]

While I do not know about the .327 angle I can speak confidently about the accuracy of the .32 S&W Long WC cartridge and with H&N bullets that is the choice of master level shooters.
I shot with a (relatively) young man for a year who won the state championship here and in the absence of H&N .32 bullets a lot of his peers had altered the Hammerli 240s from .32 S&W Long to .32 ACP and those guns shot extremely accurate.

Just something to consider...

 

[tightgroup tiger]

LoL! This is my pitiful old person revolver that I'll need in a decade or two when my hands barely work.

It was inexpensive, probably because of the color.

Charter Arms 32 Magnum

• Tallball
• Feb 12, 2018

I like the way you think. My 31-1
View attachment 1153200

Yeah Man!
I got mine too.
Ready and waiting.

 

[Walkalong]

That's sweet!