I know the old Colt 32 Long is a internally lubricated bullet, but it seems to be smaller in diameter than the S&W 32 and 32 long. Is this so, and is there any use for this round in a modern gun?
Thanks, Bimmer

The 32 Long Colt uses a case .313" in diameter, the same as the original externally lubricated bullet size, while the 32 S&W long case is .335"

Later 32 Long Colt ammo used a .299" hollow based internally lubed bullet intended to expand on firing to grip the rifling.

The Colt load will almost certainly split the case if fires in a 32 S&W Long chambered gun due to the undersized case.

Per Cartridges Of The World only Colt chambered this round in the US. Sounds pretty useless unless you have an old Colt or european revolver so chambered.

Thanks Rich...I have an old Western X box of Colt 32 longs that I found in really nice condition but I think I will put them up for trade rather than shooting in my Ruger 32 mag. I appreciate your information!...They did look smaller than the 32 S&W long.
Bimmer

The Marlin Models 1891 and 1892 lever action rifles were made in 32cal. They were chambered to fire the 32RF short & long and the 32 Colt short & long centerfire all in the same rifle. The change from RF to CF was done by taking the fireingpin and interchanging it with another that was supplied with the rifle from the factory. While you do see one once in a while at a show, they're usually in tough shape and the 'extra' fireing pin is long gone. The RF pin is the one usually still in the gun for some reason,,RF ammo must have been the cheap stuff back then.
But it is another gun that was chambered for the 32Colt Short and Long cartridge in the US. Some of the early US single shot 'boys' rifles were chambered for the 32Colt Long also. The Hopkins & Allen #832 and #932 come to mind quickly and I believe Marlin chambered the Ballard in this caliber. But as Rich says, Colt and for some reason European arms, seem to be the majority of those found in this caliber.
Good move to trade them.

An Aguilla 98 grain .32 S&W Long flanked by a Winchester 80 grain .32 Short Colt and a Remington 82 grain .32 Long Colt.



A Colt New Pocket revolver in .32 Long Colt.


I've fired the .32 Short and Long Colt ammunition in a .32 S&W Long revolver and it was an utter non-event. The cases extract normally and give no visual sign of distortion. Accuracy was comparable to the correct use of the Colt ammo in the Colt gun.

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