.32 Automatic Ammo in old Hand Ejector Revolver ??

S

South Alabama

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
8
Reaction score
2
Location
Lee Co.,Alabama USA
Can .32 cal. Automatic Ammo be fired in my old Hand Ejector Revolver ?? Many years ago I was sold box Remington UMC 32 Automatic metal case ammo for it but never got around to firing.
32 Auto bullet length .984 inch
32 S&W bullet length .92 inch
.064 inch difference in length
32 Auto 71 grain bullet weight in metal case L32AP UMC Reming
32 S&W 85 grain bullet weight in lead round nose =LRN case in Winchester Super X Handgun brand
Muzzle velocity (FPS) 32 Auto= about 870 32 S&W=680
Muzzle energy (FT-LBS.) 32 Auto=about 119 32 S&W=90

My revolver is 6 shot ,cylinder opens to left side (NOT top), Serial Number 18,400 something, black all over, barrel seems 3 4/16 inches long & last patent date on cylinder is JULY 1895. I have never fired it and would NEVER try 32 Long S&W ammo. I ask opinions about firing 32 Auto bullets since I cannot find any 32 S&W at any local stores at all, nor online either.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
In a word. "NO!" .32 auto will fit but it could be very dangerous to fire. The .32 auto has a higher maximum pressure than the .32 S&W long and much higher than .32 S&W.

The revolver you describe is interesting. As far as I know S&W never made a Hand Ejector (That is the design where the cylinder swings open to the side.) in .32 S&W that was hammerless or had a grip safety. The Hand Ejector design was concurrent with the introduction of the .32 S&W long.
 
The only reference I can find for pressures is that the 32 S&W develops around 12,000psi and the 32 ACP can go up to 20,000psi, depending on load, bullet weight, etc. I would not shoot 32 ACP in an early S&W hammerless. Besides, you will find it a frustrating experieice since the rim of the 32 ACP is smaller than the 32 S&W and it will fall behind the extractor when trying to eject spent casings.

I assume you are stating that your revolver has a side latch? If so, it is not a S&W revolver.
 
Get the right ammo.
Trade it off with somebody.
Do not fire it in your revolver.
Buy a .32 acp.
Do whatever you have to, but don't load your revolver with it.
Period.
Safety first.
 
Welcome (if no one offered this greeting before). Your gun may be a 6-shot .32 S & W with a swing-out cylinder or an S & W Safety Hammerless (5-shot, top break) but it is one or the other. S & W did not make a Hand Ejector in .32 S & W (short).

If your gun is in sound mechanical condition, it should be fine for factory .32 S & W but not .32 ACP. As of this AM Bass Pro (.com) has this available, but sit down before you look at the price :) . Hope this is helpful.
 
Last edited:
If your life depended on it and 32 acp was the only ammo available, you could probably get by with it, but it would stress the revolver made for 32 SWL. If you are not in danger for your life, avoid using 32 acp as it is much higher pressure than the gun was designed for. The acp will fit as the cartridge is a "Semi-Rimed" and won't slide past the chambers, but can be a problem in extraction, getting under the extractor star.
 
In a more modern .32 revolver, I have no hesitation in using .32 ACP, and have done so extensively without problem. I would not use it in any .32 top break revolver.
 
You need one like the top boxes to shoot.

Mike
 

Attachments

  • 100_0670.jpg
    100_0670.jpg
    86.9 KB · Views: 58
Really appreciate the help, guys. I know very little about handguns as I've always used rifles/shotguns. I rechecked & see I'm mistaken. It is not a safety hammerless. It is a 6 shot 32 S&W with swing-out to left side cylinder. My late uncle bought it after 1945 from a West Georgia policeman who thought highly of it as lightweight S&W revolver. I'd guess weight about a pound.

Thanks for setting me straight re ammo. Everyone confirms what I suspect : Automatic 32 should NOT be used with internal Pressure too HIGH being key. " Safety First "

I find Serial Number in 3 places (have not undone right handle panel to see if 4th). Seems a high quality pistol fitting easily in pocket. I know 32 S&W ammo lacks stopping power but it would be easy to conceal wearing hot summer clothes in my state.

murphydog & collects --thanks for online sites with ammo. Sportsmansguide must have just got in some because they had none the other day.
Everyone thanks again for your help !
 
Your gun is a Model 1903 Hand Ejector. it will shoot .32 S&W Long just fine, if it's in good mechanical condition, as that's what it was designed to do. It will also shoot .32S&W, and in a pinch, .32acp. These were popular handguns and 1,000 were made over the years. Ed.
 
Thanks opoefc --might be a Model 1903 Hand Ejecter

Sometimes I'll photo it & see if I can figure how to post them on forum, maybe in new thread. That should ID it much better.

Since it was owned by policeman I was guessing it might be similar to an early version of S&W Military & Police. It is in good shape, came in old leather holster -- Serial Num 18,400 something for anyone recording that number.
 
South Alabama said:
Since it was owned by policeman I was guessing it might be similar to an early version of S&W Military & Police.
Click to expand...

Similar yes, but not the same. The Model of 1903, chambered for the .32 S&W Long is an I frame gun, smaller than the K frame of the Military & Police series of revolvers (Models of 1902 and 1905). The latter were chambered for the .38 Special and the .32 Winchester cartridges.

Jack
 
South Alabama,

Welcome to the forum. If that # 18,4XX is on the butt of the grip frame, I think it is truly the serial #. And it's an awfully low number and was made in 1900! You have the very 1st Model of 1896 .32 Hand Ejector, the first S&W swingout cylinder model and the 1st made for the .32 S&W Long cartridge; a very desireable collectors item. It should look like one of the top two on the right:
IMG_017310.JPG


I agree, no 32 ACP in that gun.
 
Last edited:
Hondo44--mine looks like the 2nd one down from right top in photo you posted ! Mine seems black: no blue left on metal. The hard rubber grips are dark brown color. Yes, the 5 digit serial number is easily read on 1. grip frame butt ( 18,4xx ) 2.flat underside barrel 3.rear of cylinder near firing pin 4. scratched inside right rubber grip panel.

The most recent patent date on cylinder : May 21. 95.
July 16. 95.
Size 7 1/8 long by 4 1/8 high
Weight 17 1/2 oz. unloaded
The knob one pulls forward toward muzzle to swing out cylinder is rectangle shape, somewhat square. I read another thread knobs may be "mushroom" shape sometimes.

opoefc says it is Model 1903 .32 Hand Ejector
Hondo44 thinks it may be Model 1896 .32 Hand Ejector, 1st Model . Both these were made for 32 Long S&W ammo you answered my original question. FOOLISH me to think it's safety hammerless. Thanks for help from this handgun newbie !
 
When you said the patent dates were on the cylinder, I had no doubt. The 1903 has them on the top of the barrel. Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Now we know for sure what you have since you have identified it as a Model of 1896.

The Model of 1903 looks quite different and has the 'mushroom' knob, a locking lug in front of it, no rib on the barrel and a thumb piece cyl release on the left side of the frame looking similar to this:
SWIFrame006_zps9cfb69f2.jpg
 
South Alabama. Now that you have had a chance to pick out what you S&W looks like from Hondo44's pictures, I can correct my early identification as a Model 1903 to a Model 1896. .32S&W Longs are still the correct round for your gun. Good Luck & Good shooting. Ed.
 
South Alabama

When I bought my 32 1895 S & W a couple of months ago I also purchased 2 1/2 boxes of 32 ammunition. They were with the the revolver when it was found.( I purchased on this forum.) A round from one of these boxes was fired from my revolver.
I am not a ammunition collector and will never fire half a box let alone two and a half boxes thru it. If you cannot find it elsewhere I would consider selling a box to help offset the cost of my pistol. Although I would caution you in advance its pricey.
 
Collects said:
I think the S/N will also be stamped inside the hand-fitted sideplate.
Click to expand...

That # is a factory assembly # also found in the yoke when open and the left side of the grip frame under the grip.

Serial #s will be found in 6 locations:
butt,
under barrel,
rear face of yoke arm looking thru a chamber with flashlight,
rear face of cyl,
the front or back of extractor star
and backside of right grip panel.
 
Last edited:
Dons1040--I think local shop has 32 Long S&W but no 32 S&W. But thanks I'll remember your offer to sell ammo if can't find any.Apparently 32 Long S&W ammo is made by more suppliers & is more available. Fewer folk probably fire 32 S&W lead nose.I'll find ammo & go to the family farm to fire this revolver. I found cleaning brushes & swabs in 32 cal, but it took some looking compared to other calibers.

Hondo44-you made my day by taking time to post those photos.I should have photoed this one before starting this thread.
 
In a gun ' Blue Book ' I read only 19,712 total were made of my .32 S&W Hand Ejector Model of 1896. All have fluted cylinder with patent dates on cylinder as Hondo44 said above. My serial # 18,400 something is towards end of production run & may be around year 1900.
I am debating sending for S&W factory letter telling when it shipped.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top