Trying to use of 32 S&W "short or 32 SW "long" in this gun

NOname · Apr 22, 2016

Trying to establish if problems of felt lead spaltter could be because we are using wrong 32 S&W cartridge in this gun. I just thought that gun specs might help one of the experts reply easier. I just learned about 32 S&W "short".

Gun: Harrington & Richardson
5 shot Top Break Revolver, 32 S&W CTGE.( bbl. measures 3")
This firearm has a hammer with firing pin.
Number stamped on bottom of firearm's (metal) grip 455363
Top of Barrel Info: Harrington & Richardson Arms Co.
Worcester. Massachusetts U.S.A.
Grips are plastic and have a target with 5 shot dots in a circle at the top. Gun is nickel with a blued trigger and trigger guard.

Again: I really suspect that problem is the ammunition that was used was not 32 S&W short but I do no have the ammo or the box.

I'm new so try not to burn me to hard, Thanking all of you.
Nn

opoefc · Apr 22, 2016

Welcome to the Forum. Your H&R revolver is chambered for .32 S&W which was a popular caliber for most of the .32 revolvers made around the world 100yrs ago. ( There's no .32 S&W Short, it's just .32 S&W, which is originally a black powder round and is still made today but loaded to pressures that are safe to shoot in revolvers like yours, if they are in good mechanical condition. ) H&R revolvers with the hard rubber grips having a "target" logo were the lower end of the price range for H&Rs, but still effective guns. There's a new book in print now - " H&R Arms Co. 1871-1986" by Bill Goforth that describes your gun. It was made by Harrington & Richardson, of course, and not Smith & Wesson, but chamber for the .32 S&W cartridge. You might try Googling H&R Revolvers and see if there is a Forum for H&Rs. Good Luck, Ed.

NOname · Apr 22, 2016

Thank you for replying and I hope that the edit makes the question more germane to the S&W Forum. I just didn't phrase it well.
Nn

DWalt · Apr 22, 2016

What do you mean by "lead spatter?" Did you actually fire the gun and with what ammo? Maybe .32 ACP? I doubt that .32 S&W Long cartridges would chamber in this revolver, but I don't know for sure.

ky wonder · Apr 23, 2016

sounds like the gun is having some issues with timing and lock up, the splattering sounds like the cylinder is not locking into the correct location and causing the bullet shearing some lead as it forces itself into the barrel,

proceed at your own risk

alwslate · Apr 23, 2016

I agree with the above. The .32 S&W is often called the .32 Short even
though it's not technically correct. Your problem is almost certainly the
gun and not the ammo. It wouldn't even chamber the wrong ammo, .32
S&W Long that is, and .32 ACP doesn't have lead bullets. Those old
top break revolvers were cheap when new, made for keeping loaded in
a dresser drawer just in case and never meant for lots of firing. The
vast majority of them will have ceased to be functional long ago and
are not worth the expense of repairing even if parts were available,
which they're generally not. My suggestion would be to do what
countless other owners of these old guns have done, relegate it to a
closet or the attic and buy a modern gun to shoot.

glenwolde · Apr 23, 2016

I'll agree that the problem is most likely something other than the ammo. Lead splatter is by either a cylinder/ barrel alignment issue and/or an excessive gap between the cylinder and barrel.

The gap is easy to check, just insert a feeler gauge between the cylinder and barrel. If the cylinder can be moved fore and aft by hand (which is a problem in itself), measure it in both positions.

Sometimes you can see a chamber mis-alignment with a bright light shined in the gap or rear of the cylinder and staring down the barrel. Needless to say make sure the weapon is not loaded.....

I can't seem to find it here on this forum but there's lots of threads around the web titled something like "Revolver Checkout". Most forums have one. You might want to read one of those and apply the inspection methods to your weapon.

NOname · Jul 27, 2017

Actually I found S&W 32 cal Short and tried it. No lead splatter. Checking Wikipedia convinced me to keep looking. The box was actually labeled S&W short. I believe that many here were right and I told user to put this gun away and get something that could be considered reliable. Thanks for all of the help.

Trying to use of 32 S&W "short or 32 SW "long" in this gun

NOname

opoefc

US Veteran

NOname

DWalt

Member

ky wonder

US Veteran

alwslate

Member

glenwolde

Member

NOname

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