.32 long vs .32 H&R magnum

gunnut2u · Jun 16, 2009

I have a derringer that is stamped .32H&R magnum . I can't find ammo . A few gun shops told me that .32 long is the same as .32 H&R magnum . I definitely don't want to fire the wrong ammo . Are these two cartridges the same ?

BUFF · Jun 16, 2009

No, they are different.

The .32 H&R Mag is, in short, a lengthened .32 S&W Long case loaded to higher pressures. Sort of like the relationship between the .44 Special and .44 Magnum or .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

You can shoot the shorter S&W Long cartridges in a .32 H&R Mag revolver, but if the chambers are in spec, the H&R Magnum cartridges won't chamber fully in a Long chamber.

gunnut2u · Jun 16, 2009

BUFF;
Thanks for the info . Do you think with this being a derringer .32H&R mag , that if I shoot .32long it will make a lomger life for my derringer , instead of using the mag ammo that i'm having trouble finding?

walnutred · Jun 16, 2009

FWIW you can also shoot 32 ACP in your 32 Mag. Just be cautious when ejecting empties. Shooting longs might extend the life of your pistol but most derringers don't get shot enough to matter.

NFrameFred · Jun 16, 2009

I predict anyone shooting a hundred rounds through a derringer would be ready to move on to something else. Not much you can do even plinking with one; you're just pulling the trigger to hear it go off.

Even with "serious practice" on a B27 silhouette, how many times you want to run that drill ?

Not knocking your derringer ( I have a High Standard 22 mag that has its place in the battery) . . . just reinforcing the idea that it's doubtful too many folks ever shoot one enough to wear it out.

Shoot the .32 longs until you can find the more effective mags - just clean the chamber good before you switch so the magnum empties extract easily.

stiab · Jun 16, 2009

And you can shoot .32 shorts also, sometimes just called .32 S&W.

Spotteddog · Jun 17, 2009

A Derringer is a velcro gun. (A lot like many .25 auto's)
Unless you have it pressed up against the intended soon to be departed you've found yourself opposite, you'll miss. I can't count the amount of time and ammunition I wasted trying to gain "competency" with a Remington O/U Derringer clone in .38 Special.
FWIW, it's the type of gun that will be fired a maximum of 3 times. Once, to see if it fires. The second time (God forbid) when you've found it necessary to screw it into some miscreants sternum or under his chin. And third, when the crime lab is trying to see if the ballistics match.
IMHO, practice pulling and cocking it in a timely fashion. Buy a 20 round box of the Magnums (because that's the smallest quantity you can buy them in) and call it good.
YMMV?

gunnut2u · Jun 17, 2009

gunnut2u said:
I have a derringer that is stamped .32H&R magnum . I can't find ammo . A few gun shops told me that .32 long is the same as .32 H&R magnum . I definitely don't want to fire the wrong ammo . Are these two cartridges the same ?

Man,you guys are great with the info. I have recently purchased a .32S&W and a .32long .since both of these cartridges will work, It makes it easier on my pocket book using ammo I already have AS I probably really won't be running alot of ammo thru the derringer.
Thanks

zenfly · Jan 6, 2010

All sellers on the web are out of stock on .32 H&R mag ammo...
I have a S&W442 paper weight..A worthless gun..

I posted here because I cant find the "new thread" button.

OKFC05 · Jan 6, 2010

To start a new thread

zenfly said:
...
I have a S&W442 paper weight..A worthless gun..

I posted here because I cant find the "new thread" button.

To start a post on your 442,
First go to the main menu
Click on S&W Revolvers, 1980 to the present
The New Thread button is on the upper left

gerb · Apr 6, 2013

32 Revolver long

Can I get the cylinder for my 32 revolver long drilled for the magnum cartridges? I have three boxes of 32 magnum shells. So I ether need to make it work with them or find some one to trade with.

Tex1001 · Apr 7, 2013

gerb:
The S&W models 30 and 31 can be safely rechambered to 32 mag. I would NOT do this in a S&W I frame or H&R 32 long. I've measured all of the cylinders and I frames and H&Rs are too thin. There hasn't been any mention in this thread, but FWIW, I absolutely wouldn't rechamber ANY of the above revolvers to 327 Federal.
_______________________
Boxers or briefs? At my age, Depends.

peyton · Apr 8, 2013

Gerb, welcome to the forum. Changing the 32 long to 32 magnum depends on how old the revolver is. Give us more details.

.32 long vs .32 H&R magnum

gunnut2u

Well-known member

BUFF

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

gunnut2u

Well-known member

walnutred

US Veteran

NFrameFred

Well-known member

stiab

US Veteran

Spotteddog

Member

gunnut2u

Well-known member

zenfly

Member

OKFC05

Well-known member

gerb

New member

Tex1001

Well-known member

peyton

US Veteran

Similar threads

Latest posts