Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo
o

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-26-2013, 02:42 PM
HoundDog316's Avatar
HoundDog316 HoundDog316 is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 69
Likes: 80
Liked 105 Times in 29 Posts
Default .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?

I periodically see posts in this forum where someone is using .32 ACP ammo in a .32 S&W/long/H&R Mag/327 Mag. To the best of my knowledge, the ACP is a smaller bullet diameter, and most of the available ammo would be hotter than the original .32S&W loads as well. Any thoughts on this?
__________________
AGM-28
S&WCA 3711, S&WHF 809
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-26-2013, 02:49 PM
PPCSHOOTER PPCSHOOTER is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 9
Liked 673 Times in 272 Posts
Default

I'VE BEEN SHOOTING .32ACP IN S&W .32 REVOLVERS FOR YEARS. I COUD GET THE .32 ACP AMMO CHEAPER. JP
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 08-26-2013, 03:00 PM
murphydog's Avatar
murphydog murphydog is offline
Moderator
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,741
Likes: 913
Liked 18,816 Times in 9,217 Posts
Default

I would not use .32 ACP in a black powder era .32 S & W top-break, but it should be fine in a modern .32 S & W Long or H & R/Federal Magnum gun.

Edit to add: Can you? Yes. Should you (when you can find the proper ammo for the chambering)? I wouldn't.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Last edited by murphydog; 08-26-2013 at 08:00 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-26-2013, 03:25 PM
k22fan k22fan is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 5,161
Liked 5,242 Times in 2,483 Posts
Default

SAAMI maximum average chamber pressure for .32 ACP is 20,500 psi. SAAMI has not set a pressure limit for .32 S&W but for .32 S&W Long it is 15,000 psi. The pressure .32 ACPs are intended to produce amounts to a proof load for modern .32 S&W Long revolvers. Those who want to make their .32 S&W Long revolvers inaccurate by firing .32 ACP in them claim that as the undersize bullet passes through the long chamber gas escapes around the bullet lowering pressure. .32 ACP cases are .075” longer than .32 S&W cases which has the potential to jam the .32 ACP case mouth into the .32 S&W chamber throat pinching it and raising .32 ACP pressure. Additionally all the .32 S&W revolvers that I am aware of are weak old hinge frames.

There’s no stupid question but there surely are unsafe ideas posted on the internet.

PPCSHOOTER, did you read the question carefully? HoundDog316 is asking about firing .32 ACP in a .32 S&W, not a .32 S&W Long.

Last edited by k22fan; 08-26-2013 at 03:33 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 08-26-2013, 03:48 PM
CTG_COLLECTOR CTG_COLLECTOR is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 79
Liked 282 Times in 164 Posts
Default

(Here we go again...)

Use the proper ammunition for the firearm at hand. Listen to people who say otherwise at your own risk and peril.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 08-26-2013, 03:57 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,425
Likes: 234
Liked 28,856 Times in 13,972 Posts
Default

.32 ACP should not be used in place of the .32 S&W as most .32 S&W guns are weak top-breaks. The chamber pressure is too high. I have fired a great number of .32 ACP rounds in newer revolvers (in .32 S&W Long and .32 Mag), and they have worked OK for me. Using .32 S&W Long ammunition is the preferred option.

I long ago reloaded very mild .32 cast bullet loads in .32 ACP cases for use in a .32 S&W breaktop, and they worked,
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 08-26-2013, 05:27 PM
PPCSHOOTER PPCSHOOTER is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 9
Liked 673 Times in 272 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HoundDog316 View Post
I periodically see posts in this forum where someone is using .32 ACP ammo in a .32 S&W/long/H&R Mag/327 Mag. To the best of my knowledge, the ACP is a smaller bullet diameter, and most of the available ammo would be hotter than the original .32S&W loads as well. Any thoughts on this?
K22FAN
YEP I READ IT RIGHT, DID YOU?

MURPHYDOG
IS CORRECT, I DO USE THEM IN .32S&W LONG AND .32H&R MAGS REVOLVERS
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-26-2013, 06:15 PM
HoundDog316's Avatar
HoundDog316 HoundDog316 is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 69
Likes: 80
Liked 105 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Thanks for the discussion-pretty much answers my question. While I did reference the other .32s, my main question concerned the .32 S&W (short) due to multiple issues of pressure, case length, bullet size, etc. with the acp. Mostly wondering what the folks on this forum thought.

For the long & magnum 32s, the only issue 'should' be the smaller bullet diameter. While certainly no expert, I know some hand loaders experiment with slightly different bullet diameters to improve accuracy, operation in worn barrels, etc. Didn't know what the community thoughts were.
__________________
AGM-28
S&WCA 3711, S&WHF 809
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 08-26-2013, 06:30 PM
k22fan k22fan is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 5,161
Liked 5,242 Times in 2,483 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PPCSHOOTER View Post
K22FAN
YEP I READ IT RIGHT, DID YOU? [...]
I can see how you interpreted the body of his text to mean HoundDog316 was asking about firing .32 ACP in .32 S&W Longs. I don’t doubt J frames and perhaps I frames going back as far as their cylinders have been heat treated have an adequate margin of safety, but reloading some S&W Long brass makes more sense to me.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-10-2016, 01:50 PM
Arkady Arkady is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the info,,,I recently bought a sweet .32 revolver and was trying to figure out the difference in ammo!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-10-2016, 02:35 PM
gwpercle's Avatar
gwpercle gwpercle is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 7,307
Liked 7,997 Times in 3,633 Posts
Default

Don't believe everything you see on the internet.
There are only a few, very few , instances of safe ammo interchangability.
Be careful.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-10-2016, 03:08 PM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
US Veteran
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 4,162
Likes: 341
Liked 3,944 Times in 1,494 Posts
Default

I had the same question about my 432PD (.32 H&R Magnum) as I sometimes carry a .32ACP Seecamp as back-up to it. I called the S&W factory and asked them the question. Their response was if you can safely load the .32ACP rounds in the cylinder (you can on mine), then yes, you can shoot the .32ACP rounds out of the 432PD. No guarantees on accuracy, but in an emergency situation, this could work. YMMV

Regards,

Dave
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #13  
Old 03-10-2016, 04:36 PM
Cal44 Cal44 is offline
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Northern California
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5,472
Liked 6,415 Times in 1,860 Posts
Default

There are two other issues.

The 32 acp has a very small rim. So does it hold the cartridge in position and not let it go too deep into the cylinder that you have light primer strikes or no primer strike?

The second issue is, will it extract? Or will the extractor star slip off the tiny rim and leave one or more cases in the cylinder to be picked out by hand? This wouldn't be at all good in a self defense situation, and would be a PITA in a range gun.

As to whether it is accurate, if you have a suitable gun, try it and see.

Theoretical analyses on the internet about accuracy aren't worth a heck of a lot.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-10-2016, 04:54 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
.32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver? .32 ACP in a .32 S&W revolver?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,425
Likes: 234
Liked 28,856 Times in 13,972 Posts
Default

Having recently purchased a .32 S&W Long revolver, I revisited firing .32 ACP ammunition in it. Not a new experience for me, but it has been awhile since I last did it. I fired several boxes of both factory (Remington) .32 ACP FMJ loadings, plus some overly warm .32 ACP lead bullet reloads that I felt a little uncertain about firing in a semiauto. Both seemed to group about as well as .32 Long loads at 15 yards. The major problem I encountered was occasional misfires. The reason for this is that the semi-rim of the .32 ACP is thinner than the full rim of the .32 Long. Therefore, it creates enough excess headspace to result in a shallow indent of the primer by the firing pin and the potential for a misfire. That is not really significant for fun shooting, but I wouldn't stake my life on using .32 ACP cartridges in a revolver used for any serious purpose. Second, I did experience some rim overrides by the extractor star, just something you need to be careful about. Again not a serious problem for fun shooting, not so desirable for anything else.

Conclusion is that yes, you can use .32 ACP in a more modern solid frame revolver, but don't do it for any targets more dangerous than paper or tin cans.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
.38 special revolver more accurate than .357 magnum revolver... Wheelgunner840 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 28 10-25-2020 09:07 AM
One Additional Revolver = Double the weight of my S&W Revolver Collection WisconsinKen S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 01-23-2016 11:11 AM
picking a s&w revolver to restart revolver collection mg357 The Lounge 40 11-10-2012 04:14 PM
WTB: First revolver - 28-2 XDfense WANTED to Buy 1 09-13-2012 01:53 PM
WTB: S&W 648-2 22 WMR Revolver MikeXD WANTED to Buy 4 10-13-2009 08:15 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:04 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)