I just shot my new sp101 .32 mag today. I was shooting federal classic ammo in .32 mag and also .32 S&W long. The mag ammo brass was swelling some and a little hard to eject.This did't bother me to much,but when I shot the longs (only 6) the brass on two of them split open and were very hard to eject. Just want to know what yall think, an ammo or gun issue?
Sp101 .32 H&R Mag
- Thread starter rking
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I think the chambers are oversized for some reason. The revolver should be returned to Ruger with some of the fired brass. I have fired .32 S&W Long ammunition in some pretty sloppy chambers, and while the brass swelled it never split.
SP101 with .32 S&W Long
I purchased my Ruger SP101 4" .32 H&R Mag in 1996. I have not fired many .32 H&R Mag rounds in it (around 2 boxes - Federal Classic 95gr SWC) but I have fired well over 1000 .32 S&W Longs (PMC 98gr LRN) through it without any issues! Try another brand of ammo first but if you get the same results send the gun back to Ruger!
I purchased my Ruger SP101 4" .32 H&R Mag in 1996. I have not fired many .32 H&R Mag rounds in it (around 2 boxes - Federal Classic 95gr SWC) but I have fired well over 1000 .32 S&W Longs (PMC 98gr LRN) through it without any issues! Try another brand of ammo first but if you get the same results send the gun back to Ruger!
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gunfan
Member
Send the gun back to Ruger! There's not a single reason in the world for .32 Longs (or .32 H&R Magnums for that matter) to suffer from case splitting in your handgun! ITS A NEW REVOLVER!
I'd be "madder than a wet hen" if that happened to me!
Scott
I'd be "madder than a wet hen" if that happened to me!
Scott
I'm going to talk to ruger tomorrow see what they say. I also emailed federal. One thing that makes me think that it could be the shells is that the brass that ruger sent with the gun looks fine. I asume that it is the one they test fired it with. I know that is only one chamber, but all the mag ammo that I shot is swollen.
Awhile back, Federal had a run of weak 32 mag brass used in their factory loads. Might still be some around. Had a SP-101 in 32 mag, and never had any problems with it. Might also have some sharp edges around the chamber, or a rough chamber.
Stainz
Member
Every .32 S&WL case I have ever shot has bulged - some even split. Every .32 H&R Magnum was even worse. Of course, everyone you talk to will tell you to try another brand - but it shouldn't have room for a bulge! In my case, their was - I was shooting an 1895 Nagant revolver, which takes a tapered M1 Carbine-style cartridge, big at the rim, .312" bullet at the mouth. The S&WL and H&R M cases are straight walled - and the 'proper' chamber, again, should support the case fully. Send it back!
I had to send back my day-old new 5.5" .45 Colt Redhawk 3/04 due to burst casting bubbles/defects - even on the machined cylinder face. It came back perfect - I think it had a trigger job, it really is nice. A friend ordered the same gun along with me - and got his a day later. It was a week before he sent his back - and he got another new Redhawk - his frame was warped! They will get it right... sad you have to even call them at your expense. S&W even has an 800 number!
Stainz
I had to send back my day-old new 5.5" .45 Colt Redhawk 3/04 due to burst casting bubbles/defects - even on the machined cylinder face. It came back perfect - I think it had a trigger job, it really is nice. A friend ordered the same gun along with me - and got his a day later. It was a week before he sent his back - and he got another new Redhawk - his frame was warped! They will get it right... sad you have to even call them at your expense. S&W even has an 800 number!
Stainz
Federal emailed me back and wants my address to send replacements and also wants me to mail them the split shells. I talked to a lady at Ruger and she said the only way for them to tell if it was the gun was for me to send it to them. I asked her if she thought that I should try a different brand of ammo and she said yes. I could not find any magnums in anything other then the Federal, but I bought a box of Winchester super X .32 S&W longs and fired two cylinders full with no problems. The emptys ejected fine and had no defects that I could tell. I may have gotten some of that bad brass that Federal had. I won't know for shure until I get my hands on some magnum ammo of a different brand.
P. Plainsman
Member
Could be the gun, could be the ammo. We'll see.
Either way, sorry you're having problems. That's no fun at all with a new gun.
I'm a fan of the .32 Magnum SP101s. Offbeat, likeable little sixguns. I don't reload (yet), but if you want a double action kit gun in which to experiment with hot .32 Mag handloads, it seems that is your baby. The SP design, after all, is mostly employed as a .357 Magnum! Its cylinder and frame should be way overbuilt for the .32 H&R Mag. cartridge.
Either way, sorry you're having problems. That's no fun at all with a new gun.
I'm a fan of the .32 Magnum SP101s. Offbeat, likeable little sixguns. I don't reload (yet), but if you want a double action kit gun in which to experiment with hot .32 Mag handloads, it seems that is your baby. The SP design, after all, is mostly employed as a .357 Magnum! Its cylinder and frame should be way overbuilt for the .32 H&R Mag. cartridge.
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.32 Case Spliting
I too have had recent problems with .32 S&W Longs spliting.. I've got a Colt Pocket Positive marked .32 Police Ctg which I've been told is the same as .32 S&W Long. The gun is in 97% condition. Been checked out by a local gunsmith. He can't figure out why the cases are spliting either. Check out my thread of 12/19 ".32 S&W Longs?".
I too have had recent problems with .32 S&W Longs spliting.. I've got a Colt Pocket Positive marked .32 Police Ctg which I've been told is the same as .32 S&W Long. The gun is in 97% condition. Been checked out by a local gunsmith. He can't figure out why the cases are spliting either. Check out my thread of 12/19 ".32 S&W Longs?".
Given your experience, and that of the member who started this thread, I think it's likely that the ammunition is the problem. I suggest you try a different band, and that should tell the story. Given the time frame when I think your Pocket Positive was built (I have one too by the way) I think it's unlikely that the chambers are at fault unless someone tampered with them.
The serial number is stamped on the frame behind the carne. If you swing out the cylinder and you can see it. If you post that number (use "xx" for the last two numbers) I can tell you when your particular revolver was made.
The serial number is stamped on the frame behind the carne. If you swing out the cylinder and you can see it. If you post that number (use "xx" for the last two numbers) I can tell you when your particular revolver was made.
.32 S&W Long Case Split
Thanks "Old Fluff"
My Pocket Positive's serial number is 131,XXX which means it was built around 1938 I think. It also has a smooth top strap and not stimpled. I believe this means it was the 1st model. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm trying to get some other ammo to fire other than Federal. When I do I'll let you know. The gunsmith and I both noticed that there was a fair amount of "slop" or side to side movement when you put a round in the cylinder. However, he didn't think it was excessive. Does yours do this? If I need to replace the cylinder where can I find one? Numrich has them for the Police Positive but not the Pocket Positive. Except for the grip, these are the same guns arn't they? If they are then the cylinder for the Police Positive should fit my Pocket Positive. I'm going to wait first until I fire someother brand of ammo and see what happens.
Thanks "Old Fluff"
My Pocket Positive's serial number is 131,XXX which means it was built around 1938 I think. It also has a smooth top strap and not stimpled. I believe this means it was the 1st model. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm trying to get some other ammo to fire other than Federal. When I do I'll let you know. The gunsmith and I both noticed that there was a fair amount of "slop" or side to side movement when you put a round in the cylinder. However, he didn't think it was excessive. Does yours do this? If I need to replace the cylinder where can I find one? Numrich has them for the Police Positive but not the Pocket Positive. Except for the grip, these are the same guns arn't they? If they are then the cylinder for the Police Positive should fit my Pocket Positive. I'm going to wait first until I fire someother brand of ammo and see what happens.
Colt's "New Pocket Model" was introduced at serial No. 1 in 1893, and production ended in 1905 at some number within the 30,000 serial number range. At that time they revised it, added some new safety features, and renamed it the "Pocket Positive." The first one started somewhere in the serial No. 30,000 series and continued until 1940 when the model was discontinued at around serial No. 159,000, although a handful were made thereafter - one as late as 1960. A revolver in the 131,xxx range should have been made in 1928, not 10 years later.
The only difference of consequence between a Police Positive and Pocket Positive is the size and shape of the butt. The Pocket Positive's is smaller and more rounded then that of the Police Positive. They do use the same cylinders, but it is unlikey they'd interchange fithout fitting. Also, I think it's unlikely that your gun would be chambered to use the .32 Long Colt at so late a date. A "New Pocket Model" would be another matter. Yes, there is a little loosness between the cartridge and cylinder wall, and should be. The serrated/matted topstraps were introduced around serial No. 150,000 so your revolver shouldn't have this feature.
Given that others are apparently having problems with certain lots of Federal ammunition, I think that this is likely the cause of your problem with split cases, not the revolver itself. At this point I would do nothing to the gun, except perhaps clean it.
The only difference of consequence between a Police Positive and Pocket Positive is the size and shape of the butt. The Pocket Positive's is smaller and more rounded then that of the Police Positive. They do use the same cylinders, but it is unlikey they'd interchange fithout fitting. Also, I think it's unlikely that your gun would be chambered to use the .32 Long Colt at so late a date. A "New Pocket Model" would be another matter. Yes, there is a little loosness between the cartridge and cylinder wall, and should be. The serrated/matted topstraps were introduced around serial No. 150,000 so your revolver shouldn't have this feature.
Given that others are apparently having problems with certain lots of Federal ammunition, I think that this is likely the cause of your problem with split cases, not the revolver itself. At this point I would do nothing to the gun, except perhaps clean it.
Concerning ammunition: I would have your dealer contact the On Target Gunshop in Kalamazoo, Michigan; at (269) 375-4570
They were selling some European match-grade full wadcutters @ around $12.00 per 50 round box. Very good stuff at an excellent price.
But I wouldn't sit around thinking about it for too long.
They were selling some European match-grade full wadcutters @ around $12.00 per 50 round box. Very good stuff at an excellent price.
But I wouldn't sit around thinking about it for too long.
gunfan
Member
uscs said:
Thanks for the information! The load sounds like a peach!
Scott
gunfan
Member
Old Fuff said:
Dear Old Fuff:
Since we have been shooting the Federal .32 S&W Long 98-grain RNL and Wadcutters exclusively in our H&R Model 732 revolvers, we haven't had a single hiccough, burp or any other malfunction in the budget-priced blasters.
Is Federal experiencing difficulty with both the Long and the Magnum loads, or is this a malady that seems to plague only the lots of Long that you had mentioned?
Scott
With in the last week or so we have had two threads running where two different members using (1) a new Ruger SP-101 and (2) a 1928 production Colt Pocket Positive, are complaining about split cases when they shot Federal .32 S&W Long cartridges, and in the case of the Ruger (this thread) Federal .32 H&R Magnum was dificult to extract. The truth remains to be seen, but at the moment I suspect the ammunition, probably limited to certain lots. Generally speaking, Federal makes good stuff. More will be known when the two revolvers are tried with different brand(s) of ammunition, or perhaps Federal will comment.
If you aren't having trouble I wouldn't worry. No one has damaged any guns, and if there is a problem with the ammunition, Federal will likely make it good.
If you aren't having trouble I wouldn't worry. No one has damaged any guns, and if there is a problem with the ammunition, Federal will likely make it good.
As it stands right now I have shot a box of Georgia Arms .32 H&R magnums,and a box of Winchester .32 S&W longs (50 each box) with no problems with the shells. I am almost positive that it was bad brass from Federal that was causing my problems. I am still waiting to hear from Federal about the split shells that I sent them, when I do I will post what they had to say.
gunfan
Member
Glad to hear it! If anything like that happens regarding the .32 S&W Long, I'll let all of you know IMMEDIATELY! (If not sooner!)
Scott
Scott
only1asterisk
member
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- Jun 13, 2003
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Some years ago Federal had problems with 32 H&R Mag cases splitting.
David
David
I have shot the 32 mag for over 15 years. I purchaes Federal 85 gr HP to get the brass. Numerous cases split. The new cases that did not split, were reloaded several times. I now use Starline brass and have no splitting. By he way, I did a water expansion test on my reloads and the 85 grain Hornady XTP expanded to about 48 caliber. It lost 7 grains of weight. My gun is the Ruger Single Six. Byron
I received an email today from Federal stating that the shells that I sent them split due to stress corrosion cracking, and that they have shipped me 4 boxes of ammo to try. So shoot Federal and if you have a problem they will do what they can to make it right. Verry good customer support.
Car Knocker
Member
Thanks for the follow-up!
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