My shooting buddy bought ten junker “gunsmith specials” for 50 bucks each (including shipping, transfer, and backgrounds). There is a local buy-back coming up where any handgun can be surrendered for a $150 Visa gift card. He’ll clear a grand, which he will use to buy a new gun.

One of the clunkers was this H&R Hammerless .32, which was in pretty good shape.

I have a soft spot in my skull for old H&Rs, especially ones that work fine. I swapped him a non-functional Davis derringer for this one, and we’re both happy. (I paid $25 for the Davis).

Here it is in all its Taft administration glory. If I ever find some .32 S&W ammo I will post a range report. Even I won’t try .32 ACP in this ol’ fella.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

LOL!! I happen to have five rounds for that gun, possibly the same age as your gun. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

I have a set of MOP stocks too.

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I “inherited” one of those, though not a nickeled one, from my maternal Grandmother. She left us in 1973, but I didn’t receive it until several years later, when my Uncle found it amongst some of her things. Uncle Bob had been in the Army during WW II and he had had his fill of guns. He gave it to me. And like ColbyBruce, I still have the five cartridges that were in the revolver when I received it. No MOP grips though!

With my best high-school level woodworking skill, I made a rudimentary picture box for it. It hangs on the wall in my reloading room, to remind me of Grandma - as if I’d ever forget her. (Not happening.)

Congrats on your little .32. I would have tried to save it, too. And definitely no .32 ACPs, IMO.

I like the way your shooting buddy thinks!!
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Capitalism works.

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Sure you did

I like those old H & R’s too…….very nice!

I need to find an H&R. Here are a few friends. I have shot them all. The percussion Colt is fun and probably has the most power.

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Kind regards, Heinz

In the 1990's I picked up two Davis Derringers in 32 ACP. I use them for "Belly Gun" side matches at SASS shoots. Since all SASS ammo must be with lead bullets, I loaded up 200 using 32 S&W (short) loading data, in 32 ACP cases. They are safe for anything you can chamber them in, and surprisingly, the operate the slide on 3 different 32 auto pistols.

Look the load data up for the bullets you can find or already have. But mine are loaded with 2.1 gr of WW231 and a 82/84 gr LRN and are accurate enough, I could cut a playing card in half at 10' 3/5 times.

BTW 200 rounds for a "Belly Gun" is a lifetime supply!

Ivan

You buddy has a great way of upcycling junk into nicer guns.

Glad you saved the H&R, those are made about 30 minutes from where I live. I know a local shop that has a bunch of different H&R 22's, and maybe a 32 as well- they don't sell very frequently, but are decently built. Most are like a slab of flat steel with a barrel and hammer, and they work ok, made simply.

While it is a sad story that a bunch of great historical firearms are being melted down, it is also great to hear that some of us are coming out of it smelling like roses. I too seek out junkers for those once a year "buy back events". One of my best scores was a Sears bolt action shotgun. Turned out to be a still active recall on some models---one which I happened to have acquired for $50. I sent them just the bolt and got a check for $150. Left it as a wall hanger until a "buy back" came around. Then turned it into gift cards worth an additional $150. Still a dang shame to see the police just checking out all the good stuff and tossing them into plastic barrels like trash to get melted down.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

You shouldn't have any problem finding 32 S&W ammo; they use it a lot in NRA bullseye for the centerfire stages. I have a box of it for my Ruger LCR, and my son has case in his basement.... all 98 gr lead wadcutter by Magtech.

I have a "minty" Hopkins & Allen 3" Nickel w/ case hardened trigger and hammer ; it's a top break,5 shot in .32. with star ejector.
On the top strap "Pat Dec 6 88"..... maybe 98 the top strap is only .175" wide w/ two lines of text.

No caliber markings Cylinder is only .91" long?????



That I suspect someone turned in at the Station ( pre-67) and Dad brought it home... it may never have been shot.......

Also have a little Colt 7 shot .22 2" barrel, brass frame and "open top" above the cylinder. Fun little paper weight! Were made; 1871-1877

Glad you saved that nice little gun. Personally I have no use for the so called "buybacks" as they are mainly a feel good deal for the naive and the anti gun crowd. The gangbangers certainly aren't lining up to turn in their guns. Turning in broken or low quality junkers certainly is a way to take advantage of such foolishness.

Though even there I often wonder how many good, salvageable parts are lost. I used to be able to find broken guns cheap at the shows with good parts that were worth saving (and often allowed me to fix a nicer gun that had simply suffered a broken spring for instance). Not many of those any more sadly, if I find any parts guns the prices are much higher because "they're worth more at a buyback". And then there are the cases where the "buyback" photo op for the media shows quality stuff like Colt's, S&W's and other good guns that will be headed for the smelter............. "Buybacks" are sad, foolish and wrong in my opinion.

Glad for both if you. Nice to see the system being worked to help buy a gun!