I bought a 32 lemon squeezer, 3rd model, yesterday and I'd like to ask what you all thought on using using 32 acp ammo. . The 32 acp ammo seems hotter than 32 S&W with the lemon squeezer possibly not be able to handle it. . I've shot 32 acp ammo in my 1919 I-frame, but it's chambered for 32 S&W long and most likely a bit stronger than the lemon squeezer. . Reason I ask is 32 acp ammo is easier to obtain in my area.

Rod

There were a lot of guns made in Belgium and Spain that were advertised to take .32 S&W and .32 ACP, and their quality was no better (and probably worse) than S&W. However, I personally wouldn't use .32 ACP in your gun because of its age. Maybe nothing would happen, but it's a risk. I don't know about mail order or Internet ammo sales in Canada, but if you can't get it directly because of the law, perhaps someone in a gun shop would get it for you.

Added... Could "M. B. of C." be something like "Montreal Bank of Canada"?

Buck

Regarding chamber pressure specs, SAAMI indicates a peak for .32 ACP of about 24,000 psi. The .32 S&W and S&W Long are about 14,000 psi. Keep in mind, these are not the actual chamber pressures as the cartridges come from the factory, as they usually load somewhat below those levels for safety. Would .32 ACP be safe in an old .32 S&W? I don't know. As, prior to the early 1920's, S&W did not do heat treating of cylinders, it is certainly a little risky to shoot .32 ACP factory loads in an old lemon squeezer, which is not to say it couldn't be done. I have fired a LOT of .32 ACP in newer .32 S&W Long revolvers with no problems, but have not done it with any of the old breaktops.

The gun came from Saskatchewan where it spent it's early life in a teller's drawer, but the bank I was told was the long since gone "Merchants Bank of Canada".. At first I figured the Bank of Montreal as well.

There's no problem with the law acquiring any kind of ammo in Canada as we're all individually licenced appossed to FFL dealers. We're able to send guns back and forth from one end of the country to the other through the post office with no questions asked. The Post Man delivers it right to our door. . Sending ammo can be a bit tricky as it's classified as dangerous goods and must be dealt with accordingly. . There are a few couriers I've used to ship ammo but it's expensive and easier to just buy it locally. . I have more 32 acp ammo on hand than 32 S&W but it's not worth the risk. . I checked around today and 32 S&W is available just costs more. No problem as I can reload the brass as I reload for 32 S&W long..

Regards:
Rod

A word to the wise... DON"T DO IT! You are risking disfigurement, injury and possibly death.

Shoot the round for which the handgun is chambered, period

You will not be happy with ejecting 32 ACP. It is a real pain, since the rims are smaller than 32 S&W, the casing will often pass through the ejector star and drop back in the chamber.

BTW, you have a 32 Safety Hammerless, not a Lemon Squeezer. Is the serial number 133XXX, or 183XXX?

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Gary
SWCA 2515

A bad idea to shoot 32 acp in a break top revolver that old.

Best to find some 32 S&W -- even if it's a pain to get.

Can Canadians get reloading equipment and components? That's also an option.