I want to keep the discussion of the .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long alive for the sake of Alphonso and those of us who cherish the little cartridges.

A friend from another Forum sent me some reproduced magazine pages concerning the cartridges. I feel that those that shoot the little .32's could benefit from reading tidbits of information from these writings.

The little .32 S&W (Short has some interesting ballistics from a 3 1/2" barrel. 88-grain Remington-Peters factory fodder runs about 657 fps. 85-grain Winchester-Western runs about 679 from the same tube. Energies produced are about 84 1/3 fpe and 60 2/3 fpe respectively. Place this energy on a .311"-.314" diameter bullet, and - Plunk! These should stop either an enraged field mouse or put "the hurts" on most gargen pests without threatening to put a hole in the neighbor's house! Moles, ground hogs and other abberent vermin, beware! No matter what anyone says, these little loads beat the daylights out of the .22 handgun when it comes to close-range pest eradication!

When it comes to the .32 S&W Long, modern propellants make this cartridge deliver quite a "nasty-gram" at close range! If the pests, are between 25 and 50 pounds, the .32 S&W Long should get the job done. Factory loads hve a bit more "oomph." From a 2" barrel a hefty 98-grain Remington RNL runs 632 fps and provides 87 fpe and the 98-grain RNL provides 626 fps and about 85 fpe. You must bear in mind that these loads were designed with the weaker, break-top revolvers in mind.

I frequently see 98-grain RNL ahead of 3.5 grains of Unique, delivering 979 fps and about 99 1/2 fpe from a 6" barrel. While not earth shaking, it can put down many a good-sized varmint quite easily.

I'll continue this later.

Scott

Scott I am also a 32 lover. Thanks for the article.

I carry one daily, though it's a 32 Mag.

I would not want a 32 S&W(short) launched into my eyesocket.

That's were I will aim my 32 Magnum if threatened in a CCW situation. Less than several feet.

I still believe in a standard assualt/robbery the 32 is a competent round. When I know I am headed for rougher ground I carry a SIG 226.

I have a story that started my affection for these guns. Back in the 50's in rural Michigan the local Mom & Pop Grocery store's owner kept a cigar box next to the cash register with a new looking nickle .32 Iver Johnson Safety Hammer revolver 3" barrel. I was in the 5th grade and remember the details clearly so you know I was impressed. Anyway one summer I came by and he was sitting on the front porch drinking a coke and shooting the .32 at one of the old hourglass shaped coke bottles he had set against a telephone pole across the street.

Occasionally he would hit the bottle with the little Iver Johnson but although it would move he never broke it. Ammo was fresh Super X. I thought it was all pretty cool. I have had several, and still do have, .32's including a nice S&W. They are great fun.

AS I have mentioned before my love of the 32's started with a Stevens Favorite my dad had converted to 32 S&W Long for me. I'm sure I had never heard of a ballistic chart at that time. However my eyes were all I needed to tell me that the 32 was more effective on groundhogs than the 22 LR it replaced. That is also the first ctg I ever reloaded.

I got three of the M1895 Nagant revolvers, in which I shoot .32 S&W longs pretty much exclusively. Then I own a number of .32 auto's of various brands, from WWI vintage Astras to German police trade Walther PP.

You can count me among the group of .32 fans.

The obsession started for me when my dad introduced me to his Pre Model 30. Spent hours upon hours at an old dirt pile shooting range with that and will never forget it.

Thanks for the cool read gunfan. I look forward to the next addition.

Here's my favorite .32 in the safe. 1959 Model 16 no dash.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlackSky,

I like the .32 also. A favorite is to shoot the .32 out of a 30-40 Krag using a Marble's adaptor.

Like the man said..got 4 S&W 32's, 1 Ruger and 1 10" T/C barrel..each and everyone brings a smile to my face that last until I fire the next one..thanks..all5x

I have two 30-1's, one 2" and one 3", pluse several .32ACP autos. Walther PP, PPK, Browning 1910, and Colt pocket 1903. Love them all!

You all have missed one of the other great aspects of the .32 S&W Long. It's one hell-of-an accurate round. Especially out of one of these......

...now THAT'S a 32!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Stevie:
I got three of the M1895 Nagant revolvers, in which I shoot .32 S&W longs pretty much exclusively. Then I own a number of .32 auto's of various brands, from WWI vintage Astras to German police trade Walther PP.

Stevie, that is really interesting. I had not heard that before. I have often thought about buying one of those Nagants since they are so cheap but 2 boxes of ammo for it are more expensive than the gun! Is this a generally acceptable practice or are you just a renegade? All kidding aside, you have really got my attention.

EDIT: OK, I just had to do a little research for myself. This is from Wikipedia:

quote:

Other cartridges—.32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and custom handloads using .32-20 Winchester or .30 carbine cases—will also chamber and fire in the revolver, but will not achieve the gas seal.

I haven't been able to afford the S&W .32s I've come across. I did buy a Ruger SSM on closeout nearly two years ago - and a LNIB 4" SP101 over a year back. Both were a tad challenging to clean-up - all poor/no QC. I resprung & regripped the SP101 and added free-spin and a Bisley hammer to the SSM. I also have four Nagants - the last two delivered to my door (C&R FFL) for $140 total (Where else can you get an antique piece of Victorian-era engineering with holster, lanyard, screwdriver, and cleaning rod that cheaply?).



My favorite load for the true .32s, the Rugers, has been a .32-20 lead 115gr .313" LRNFP over 2.5gr Titegroup in Starline .32 H&RM brass, which makes 760 fps from the Rugers - and hits close enough vertically to be a fun plinker from 12-35 yd. I also load 96/98 gr LRNFP to 650 fps in .32 S&WL cases, which seem to just appear from time to time.

My Nagants get homebrews - not straight walled cases like the .32 S&WL/H&RM - they bulge and split - and are ruined - when fired in the Nagants. If you don't reload, just find the correct ammo - like the Sebian 'Hot Shot' - or the milder Russian target ammo - or the pricey, and mild, Fiocchi. They will gas seal, too. I reload - and do horrific things to nice, new .32-20 brass to get it to work - even if it doesn't gas seal. Fun revolver - develops trigger finger strength.

I need a S&W .32...

Stainz

PS If you want a new .32 - get the new Ruger SP101 .327 Magnum. It is just a leftover 3" .32M SP101 with the chambers reamed another eighth of an inch or so - and remarked .327 Magnum! It'll chamber .32 S&W, S&WL, H&RM, * .327 Magnum - if you can find them.

You all have missed one of the other great aspects of the .32 S&W Long. It's one hell-of-an accurate round. Especially out of one of these......

Nice Pardini!!

I have an SP (.22) that I really like. I guess I am much more likely to get a Pardini HP than a S&W Model 16-3.

Dwight

OK, Here's my .32's. Just plain FUN!!!!!!
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