I have been wanting a target revolver in .32 S&W long. I want it to conform to ISSF centerfire rules. I cannot come up with a gun to convert or much of any kind of a good idea. I have heard of converting a model 17, but you have to change the lock work to centerfire. Maybe a model 14 with a reboared .22 cylinder. Any ideas would be great, even an auto loader conversion would be OK (1911?) Twist rates and barrel length would be good thoughts too. Just no .32 H&R Magnum - just not what I want.


Dwight

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Veritas et Humanitas

If you're set on a Smith for this, and you don't want to dump the loot for a serviceable 16 or Pre-16, you may have nailed your best option. The only alternative I can think of right off the top is to take a K-38 with a shot-out bore , then sleeve both the bore and the chambers to make it a .32.

Are there any non-Smith alternatives you would consider? Isn't there an old Colt .32 Target revolver that was pretty good but would be cheaper than either a 16 or a modified 14?

If you get a 16-4, nothing says you have to shoot H&R magnum rounds in it. Does the accuracy deteriorate if you shoot .32 longs in the chambers that would accommodate longer cases?

Good luck. Nice project to contemplate, but I think it might get expensive to implement.

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David Wilson

+1 to Dave's response. He should know ... he's the master of .32 S&W accuracy/barrels.

The Colt is a good place to start, the Manhurin is expensive. The M16 in H&R Magnum can shoot .32 S&W-Long brass at 25 yds with no accuracy or function problems. I'm currently using 98gr Speer HBWC over 1.5 gr WST in both .32 S&W-L cases and the same load in .32 H&R Magnum cases. You can use DEWC or HBWC. Be sure to seat flush with the case mouth.

I was trying to do the very same thing. I aquired a S&W Model 31 revolver in .32 and a blank .32 barrel. I was going to have a gunsmith machine and fit the barrel (just like the old PPC revolver) and put the Bo-mar rib on top. I just haven't got it done yet.

So...nothing like this, then?



It's a S&W 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905, 3rd Change, dating to the 19-teens, and wearing a red-dot...it ain't .32 S&W Long, but it is a .32 =)

I wonder if I could find a .32 S&W Long cylinder somewhere and have it fitted...

Don't think I've seen that kind of mount before. Is that stock, or did you have to fabricate it?

Because I too have an old fixed-sight .32-20 that could use some help in the aiming department.

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David Wilson

It's an Aimtech scope base that mounts to the side (using the behind-the-trigger-guard and cylinder screw holes) and clamps over the top-strap to give a pretty secure base. The downsides are that it looks funny and it puts the scope up very high relative to the bore axis. But for fixed-sight revolvers, it's a good, non-permanent way of mounting a scope.

You could also get a Wondersight that will mount to the gun using the upper screw hole and provide an elevation- and windage-adjustable rear sight to a fixed-sight S&W (obviously it only works on 4-screw sideplates, and only older ones at that, since the newer 21-4 and 22-4 re-makes have slightly redesigned frames to accommodate the frame-mounted firing pins, and so the Wondersight doesn't work quite right on those).

Thanks for the references. I may pick up one of those bases and a red dot sight.

The problem with the Wondersight for me is that the guns I would put it on are all old enough to have front sights that are invisibly thin to these crummy old eyes. I have even thought about grinding off the top of the thin blade on my .32-20 and attaching a bit of 1/8" brass rod to make it more visible.

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David Wilson

Dwight,
Why do you exclude the S&W 16-4 in 32 H&R Magnum ? You can load very light loads in 32 H&R cases using either Bullseye, trail Boss, or American Select. Or alternatively you can shoot 32 S&W Long without any significant decrease in accuracy. The only other relatively inexpensive option would be a Colt OM in 32 - the K-32's have gone into orbit. I shot a Walther GSP and Pardini HP when I shot Intnl CF.

I don't want the extra chamber length. Same reason .38s shot in a .357 tend to gum up the chambers. I also have a hard time believing that the extra chamber length does not effect accuracy.

D

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Veritas et Humanitas

I have a pre WWII Reg Mag which was used for many years in bullseye CF matches with the old 2.7 gr. Bullseye behind the 148 gr. LHBWC with gilt edge accuracy. The previous owner was the states bullste pistol champion in the 1950's. Never had any crud which could not be removed with a broze brush with a tender application of elbow grease followed by Hoppes#9.

If you're open to the idea of an autoloader and you want a pure target pistol, look around for a Walther GSP Model in 32Long.
There are a couple of different versions but they all chamber the 32Long W/C ammo. There is also a 22rf version which is probably more common.

Made to do one thing and that is shoot target competition. Prices run $1600 and up from what I've seen,,,usually up!.

Dealer Joe Salter has an all factory 22 w/32 conversion that is pending sale that was priced at $2150.

>
Also,,Clark made some conversions on the Ruger 22 Target Pistol to 32 S&W Long years back.
A very long shot chance that you could find one of those around. I have no idea what they may be priced at now.

For the more traditionalist (like me), if I absolutely had to have a .32,,I'd either go and find an original K-32 or convert a K-38 to .32 .
On a conversion,,I'd cut the barrel to 5",,just because it'd look right!


Good luck in your search!

For revolvers, the use of the .32 H&R Magnum case makes sense. With the bullet seated flush with the case mouth, it's as close to the chamber throat as a .32 S&W-L in a K-32.

If your serious about a target shooting.



Walther GSP .22 LR & .32 S&W Long Wadcutter caliber pistol. | Guns Lot

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In case of emergency call 1911

Dwight, I have the same idea on a .32 long revolver. I was lucky to find a new 4" 32 mag bbl. I have a line on a new 17 cyl also that could be converted to a .32 round (.327 or .32 long). I have a model 16-4 in 32 mag and could use the cyl for 327 and not ruin the basic gun. Just swap the cylinders. I could also buy a model 14 and convert it to a 4" 32 long with the cyl and bbl I found. I always wanted a 32 long revolver but would have a hard time paying the price for an origional model 16. I would have abt 800.00 in the converted gun depending on how cheap I find the model 14. That still seems high for a throw together gun but A 32 long is still an interesting gun, Larry.

It would be neat for Ruger to offer the Mark II in .32. They might sell a few. Of course S&W could build us some model 16's in .32 Long with their recent reproduction series. I could even stand it in stainless.

Dwight

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Veritas et Humanitas

I wonder if a staight blowback 1911 has ever been done in .32 S&W Long?

D-

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Veritas et Humanitas

Don't think so, but S&W was experimenting with a Model 41 in .32 S&W-L about 30 years ago.

Looks like there a few of us thinking along the smae line, I would also like to have a revolver for shooting ISSF center fire pistol match, a while back saw a M&P Model 1905 4th change .32-20 at a gunshow, blueing aren't in the best condition; checkering on grip kinda wore out, otherwise cylinder lock up tight and overall seems OK, the price isn't outrageous, however a look into the barrel changed my mind, its badly pitted, for a few second I thought about having another barrel installed, but like another poster said those tiny rear sight are just too small for my old eyes, I passed.

For now I'll stay with my FAS 603, but will continue the search.

I wonder if a staight blowback 1911 has ever been done in .32 S&W Long?
Not sure...but I know a shooter that had his Hammerli 280/32 S&W converted to fire 32 APC.
I used a K38, Model 52, and a Pardini HP, and was about the same score with each. Slow fire was the best with the revolver, but duelling with the 52 was the best. So the scores evened out.