Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-30-2010, 01:24 PM
myellowc5 myellowc5 is offline
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ga.
Posts: 411
Likes: 11
Liked 144 Times in 31 Posts
Default 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?

I have had a real problem findin ammo as everyone is backorderd. I was told these would work.

Found this excellent + condition 32-1 in Pawnshop today and could not resist. serial # 98xxx with original matcing box but no tools or papers. I can't DOB locate in S&W catalog. The grips are the same serial as the gun. What ammo can I shoot and what is approximate value? Any info on this model appreciated. also would like to find papers. Sorry posted in wrong section.
Thanks
gary
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCN0144_091.jpg (78.2 KB, 396 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN0141_088.JPG (41.8 KB, 193 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN0143_090.JPG (77.1 KB, 251 views)

Last edited by myellowc5; 02-02-2010 at 05:44 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-30-2010, 01:29 PM
Witryantum Witryantum is offline
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Ozark, Missouri
Posts: 198
Likes: 9
Liked 50 Times in 10 Posts
Default

I bought one of those last year from a forum member. It was LNIB and has stayed that way. I have been trying to find some reasonable priced decent ammo, but it seems to be pretty high for what it is.
I think the 2" 32's bring more than the longer barrel ones. I would say $400+ any day of the week.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-30-2010, 01:46 PM
peyton's Avatar
peyton peyton is offline
US Veteran
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 1,171
Liked 2,450 Times in 712 Posts
Default

Is this 38 s&W, not 38 special?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-30-2010, 01:52 PM
myellowc5 myellowc5 is offline
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ga.
Posts: 411
Likes: 11
Liked 144 Times in 31 Posts
Default s&w

I believe it is a 38 S&W
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-30-2010, 02:37 PM
s&wchad's Avatar
s&wchad s&wchad is offline
Moderator
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 29,690
Likes: 12,673
Liked 33,609 Times in 7,847 Posts
Default

Nice Terrier. The "-1" change (J frame) was released in 1961 and the flat latch generally disappeared in 1966, so yours should fall somewhere in between.

It wasn't a terribly popular gun compared to the Chiefs Special, so they don't show up as often. It is a .38 S&W, NOT a .38 S&W Special. If you look at the serial numbers on pg. 397 (SCSW #3), you'll see that your gun falls into the 1949-1969 block for the ".38 Regulation Police and Models 32, 33". Production was less than 70,000 guns over 30 years, or about 1/10th their small frame production in .38 Special. Look for old ammo at gun shows.
__________________
"I also cook."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-30-2010, 11:56 PM
mel023 mel023 is offline
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Federal Way, WA
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Winchester does make .38 S&W ammo or at least they did. It's a 145 grain lead round nose. It can be difficult to find and somewhat pricey. Even though it's a stright case, reloading can be tricky for two reasons. First it's a bit larger in diameter, approx. .36, compared to the .38Special/.357 magnum. Second, it uses a heeled bullet like the .22 where the ridge or shoulder of the bullet sits on the edge of the case mouth. Other than that it's a fun caliber to shoot.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-01-2010, 09:08 PM
LouisianaMan LouisianaMan is offline
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 251
Likes: 89
Liked 71 Times in 32 Posts
Default

I have just purchased 4 Mod 32-1 and 4 Mod 33/33-1. The latter is a 4" bbl version, otherwise the same as the 2" Mod 32/32-1.

Winchester, Remington, MagTech and Fiocchi all make this ammo, although it's hard to find, as others have noted.

I'm reloading & casting my own bullets. Don't claim to have it all figured out, but initial indications are it's do-able w/o major problems. Midway sells MagTech bullets as a component, although they're out at the moment. Due to CAS, there's something of a market for this caliber still, although the factory loads are sedate ones intended to be safe in the old break-tops used in CAS, as well as old H&R's doubtless lingering in many dresser drawers & nightstands.

I'm looking at Lyman 46th (49th inbound to me), Speer 13, and Lee 2nd, and each shows loads far more potent than the factory .38S&W loads. I don't intend to hot-rod anything, but will shoot light loads for practice & load 'em to just below .38 SPL power levels for SD/HD by my wife & daughters. (My personal pair is for fun--my HD sidearm is .45LC, although a 32-1 with a 200g bullet will be my car gun.)

I standardized these pairs of revolvers to eliminate any uncertainty among my gals over cylinder latches, ammo, SA v. DA, how many rounds it holds, etc. Also, grip size, steel frame yet lightweight, low recoil but loadable w/decent meplat & bullet weight, mild report, 2" for car & 4" for HD. . .it all fits my ladies' needs as well as the .38S&W long did for many Americans in the old break-top version & cheaper H&R models for many years, but in a far better-quality gun.

I bought the 32-1's for high $300's to over 500, depending on condition. The latter were doubtless no bargain, but I wanted to move quickly even though it's a bit costlier. These guns are like a lot of similar S&W .32s--the people who bought these calibers often did so specifically BECAUSE they weren't as powerful as other choices, and these types of folks generally put it in a drawer & shoot it once in a blue moon. Therefore, condition can be very nice to mint.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-01-2010, 10:14 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is online now
US Veteran
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,474
Likes: 88,979
Liked 24,786 Times in 8,483 Posts
Default

"Second, it uses a heeled bullet like the .22 where the ridge or shoulder of the bullet sits on the edge of the case mouth."

I've never seen any .38 S&W ammo like that. If you have a heeled .38 S&W cartridge, could you post a picture of it?
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-02-2010, 11:14 PM
Ga Johnny Ga Johnny is online now
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 699
Likes: 359
Liked 230 Times in 100 Posts
Default

so can anyone tell him if .38 short colt ammo will fit and function properly in his gun?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-02-2010, 11:24 PM
mod34 mod34 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 133
Liked 1,609 Times in 518 Posts
Default

I've tried the .38 Colt ammo. Won't work. Keep looking.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-03-2010, 12:06 AM
nicky4968's Avatar
nicky4968 nicky4968 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Littleton, Colorado, USA
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 4,345
Liked 1,054 Times in 506 Posts
Default

Colt loaded this round as the ".38 Colt New Police". They just didn't want to put another manufacturer's name on their gun. (For the same reason S&W doesn't spell out what ACP means). The only difference was the New Police was a little more "blunt" and had a slightly larger metplat. Colt claimed this was an improvement.
However, and a big however, it hasn't been loaded under that name in many years. Probably worth several times the value of a box of .38 S&W to a collector. Maybe not, but it will be ancient.
Easy to load. Cast boolits forum will have a lot of information on this cartridge. Welcome to the S&W addiction. The only one better (and deadlier) is nicotine.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-03-2010, 12:38 AM
TACC1 TACC1 is offline
US Veteran
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wautoma, WI 54982
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 6,564
Liked 799 Times in 499 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by myellowc5 View Post
I have had a real problem findin ammo as everyone is backorderd. I was told these would work.

Found this excellent + condition 32-1 in Pawnshop today and could not resist. serial # 98xxx with original matcing box but no tools or papers. I can't DOB locate in S&W catalog. The grips are the same serial as the gun. What ammo can I shoot and what is approximate value? Any info on this model appreciated. also would like to find papers. Sorry posted in wrong section.
Thanks
gary
I see that "oldwesternscrounger" website has 38 S&W for about
$30/50 rds.
I believe their ammo is reloaded to factory spec.s, but not sure.
The vintage old stock on GouBroker seems higher by comparison.
TACC1
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-03-2010, 09:08 AM
Ga Johnny Ga Johnny is online now
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 699
Likes: 359
Liked 230 Times in 100 Posts
Default

"I've tried the .38 Colt ammo. Won't work"

Is that the same as 38 "short" Colt ?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-03-2010, 10:51 AM
s&wchad's Avatar
s&wchad s&wchad is offline
Moderator
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 29,690
Likes: 12,673
Liked 33,609 Times in 7,847 Posts
Default

The .38 Short Colt has a case length of .762", but is otherwise identical to the .38 Long Colt. The two have the same base diameter as a .38 Special, which is smaller than a .38 S&W or .38 Colt New Police (which are interchangeable). .38 Short Colt ammo in a .38 S&W might work, but I wouldn't recommend it. Cases will bulge and could split (but I doubt it).
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 000_6820.jpg (83.4 KB, 58 views)
File Type: jpg 000_6812.jpg (68.4 KB, 42 views)
File Type: jpg 000_6813.jpg (73.1 KB, 40 views)
File Type: jpg 000_6816.jpg (70.9 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg 000_6817.jpg (72.1 KB, 42 views)
__________________
"I also cook."

Last edited by s&wchad; 02-03-2010 at 10:54 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-03-2010, 10:53 AM
The Rabbi The Rabbi is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Nastyville Tennishoe
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Default

Blue Bunny has .38S&W 158gr plated.
__________________
"Vus ken men tin?" -Irving
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 02-08-2010, 07:28 AM
mel023 mel023 is offline
Member
32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work? 32-1 info please will 38 short colt ammo work?  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Federal Way, WA
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Muley,
I'll try but forum members know my photo skills would have to improve considerably to reach the awful level.

I'm actually looking at a round from a box Winchester .38S&W as I write this. There is a definite ridge or ring around the bullet just ahead of the case mouth. It sure looks like the crimp is under this feature. Perhaps "heeled" isn't the correct term but isn't this what .22s look like?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
357 magnum, cartridge, colt, crimp, fiocchi, j frame, remington, s&w, scsw, terrier, winchester

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
320 Short Corto can fire in 32 Short Colt? ol777gunnerz Ammo 5 01-02-2017 01:18 PM
Long or short lock work s2harry S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 5 08-05-2014 04:17 PM
32 short Colt ammo battle Ammo 3 03-02-2014 10:28 PM
32 short Colt ammo battle WANTED to Buy 0 03-02-2014 08:12 PM
.450 Short Colt Ammo BUFF S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 1 10-18-2008 05:15 AM

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 09:32 AM.


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