Malysh
Member
I guess every gun is different. I had no accuracy problems with S&B ammo.
I found it a little dirtier than any other brand I shot.
Model 30 .32 S&W long revolver, ammo question
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I guess every gun is different. I had no accuracy problems with S&B ammo.
I found it a little dirtier than any other brand I shot.
just based on advertised fps/ fpe the top four commercial brands i could find were
Sellier and Bellot 100 gr. 886fps/174 fpe
Georgia Arms 85 gr hollow point 850 fps / 136 fpe
Federal 98 gr wadcutter 780 fps/ 132 fpe
Mag Tech 98 gr hollow point 778 fps/ 132 fpe
of course as malysh point out these numbers will vary significantly from what you will get depending on gun, barrel length and even from round to round.
Sellier and Bellot 100 gr. 886fps/174 fpe
Georgia Arms 85 gr hollow point 850 fps / 136 fpe
Federal 98 gr wadcutter 780 fps/ 132 fpe
Mag Tech 98 gr hollow point 778 fps/ 132 fpe
of course as malysh point out these numbers will vary significantly from what you will get depending on gun, barrel length and even from round to round.
Malysh
Member
Joe, that is precisely how I started my "research".
Hearsedriver
Member
•Caliber: 32 S&W Long
•Bullet Weight: 98 Grain
•Bullet Style: Lead Round Nose
•Case Type: Brass
Ballistics Information:
•Muzzle Velocity: 705 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 115 ft. lbs.
Hearsedriver
Member
32 S&W Long Winchester Super-X Handgun Cartridge, 98-grain Lead Round Nose Bullet 705 fps.
Use for plinking and target shooting.
Features: Accurate, Sure Functioning, Controlled Recoil
Description: Excellent Accuracy, Lubricated Bullet, and Sure Functioning
115 ft/lbs. energy muzzle
670 fps at 50 yards
98 ft/lbs. at 50 yards
635 fps at 100 yards
88 ft/lbs. at 100 yards
Alk8944
US Veteran
Hondo 44 and sureshotbob,
The question was regarding S&W revolvers, there was never a S&W top break in .32 S&W Long.
There may be some .32 S&W Long top break H&Rs from the 1950-60s, hardly the period usually associated with this frame style, and far stronger than the early black powder era guns.
Early, at least some, H&R and I.J. revolvers chambered and marked for .32 S&W were bored straight through and will chamber the .32 S&W Long, but that doesn't mean they should be used with that cartridge.
If you can come up with a photo of any pre-1940 top break revolver of any make which is marked on the barrel for .32 S&W and S&W Long, I would be interested in seeing it, please post! Otherwise we will have to assume you are merely speaking of early guns that will chamber either, not intended bu the manufacturer to be used with both cartridges.
The question was regarding S&W revolvers, there was never a S&W top break in .32 S&W Long.
There may be some .32 S&W Long top break H&Rs from the 1950-60s, hardly the period usually associated with this frame style, and far stronger than the early black powder era guns.
Early, at least some, H&R and I.J. revolvers chambered and marked for .32 S&W were bored straight through and will chamber the .32 S&W Long, but that doesn't mean they should be used with that cartridge.
If you can come up with a photo of any pre-1940 top break revolver of any make which is marked on the barrel for .32 S&W and S&W Long, I would be interested in seeing it, please post! Otherwise we will have to assume you are merely speaking of early guns that will chamber either, not intended bu the manufacturer to be used with both cartridges.
revolvergeek
Member
I suspect that some lots of the S&B .32 NP ammo may have crimping issues. I bought two boxes last year from J&G Sales, and both boxes have given me problems with bullets jumping crimp. In the larger guns is isn't a functional issue, but I suspect that it has to impact accuracy and velocity. When fired from a Colt Pocket Positive or an I-frame Terrier however, the jump is so bad that it will bind up the gun after 2-3 rounds are fired. The bullets can then be 'snapped' back into place with finger pressure and then fired normally. This was disconcerting to be because it is the first time that I have ever had this problem with factory ammo in any of my guns.
That would be like looking for a revolver marked "For 357 magnum and 38 Special Ctgs". Take a look at old advertising from the pre WW2 era, especially catalogs. It was not unusual to show revolvers with pictures of the intended ctgs. The smokeless era large frame, 6 shot H&R and IJ revolvers were intended for 32 S&W Long. Heck, most of the old top brake revolvers made before WW2 have NO caliber marking on the barrel. Maybe they were not intended to be used with ANY cartridge since they were not marked with a caliber. ;-D
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32 long Model 30
My father gave me his model 30, 32 long Smith & Wesson. Still in the box, holster, all looks like new. Questions: what is this gun worth and is it a good concealed carry handgun? Heard ammo is hard to find?
My father gave me his model 30, 32 long Smith & Wesson. Still in the box, holster, all looks like new. Questions: what is this gun worth and is it a good concealed carry handgun? Heard ammo is hard to find?
Cal44
Member
It might have been better to start a new thread as this one is four years old.
I bought a nearly new 31-1 (same as yours only square butt) about year ago for $500.
At that time, that was a bit high, but I live in California so prices are higher because we can't buy mail order.
I would think $500 is about right now days for a nearly NIB Model 30.
Buffalo bore has a couple loads (wad cutter, and flat point) that are pretty good for SD.
I carry mine some times.
Also Georgia Arms has some nice 85 gr hollow points in 32 S&W long.
I've never seen any ammo in a store, so you will likely have to mail order ammo for it.
I bought a nearly new 31-1 (same as yours only square butt) about year ago for $500.
At that time, that was a bit high, but I live in California so prices are higher because we can't buy mail order.
I would think $500 is about right now days for a nearly NIB Model 30.
Buffalo bore has a couple loads (wad cutter, and flat point) that are pretty good for SD.
I carry mine some times.
Also Georgia Arms has some nice 85 gr hollow points in 32 S&W long.
I've never seen any ammo in a store, so you will likely have to mail order ammo for it.
Captain O
US Veteran
To the OP:
I am a fan of the .32 S&W Long (undoubtedly a 'deadly accurate' cartridge). Yours can take the higher pressure loads without ill effects. I wouldn't use any hollow point loads if I couldn't exceed 1000 fps. (Just my personal "rule of thumb"). In handguns, the friend of the .32 caliber is penetration. Do not put "speed brakes" on a bullet that isn't 'breaking any speed records' from the beginning!
The .32 S&W Long, loaded to maximum levels is perfectly adequate for self defense providing that the bullet is well placed! The beauty of the .32 Long is in it's superb accuracy and relatively low recoil. The .32 H&R Magnum allowed the .32 caliber to perform well at higher velocities while providing better penetration. With the shorter barrel of your handgun, you will be best served by loading the .32 S&W Long cartridge with 98 SWC ammunition to the highest velocities you can attain, wihtout loss of accuracy. This will provide adequate penetration and effective "killing power" (through penetration) available from your revolver.
Don't let anyone tell you that the .32 Long isn't an effective self-defense cartridge. While it may not have the power of the larger bores, it's ability to place bullets accurately under "stress fire" conditions shouldn't be underestimated. .32 revolvers can, and still will, kill with consummate efficiency.
Never forget that.
I am a fan of the .32 S&W Long (undoubtedly a 'deadly accurate' cartridge). Yours can take the higher pressure loads without ill effects. I wouldn't use any hollow point loads if I couldn't exceed 1000 fps. (Just my personal "rule of thumb"). In handguns, the friend of the .32 caliber is penetration. Do not put "speed brakes" on a bullet that isn't 'breaking any speed records' from the beginning!
The .32 S&W Long, loaded to maximum levels is perfectly adequate for self defense providing that the bullet is well placed! The beauty of the .32 Long is in it's superb accuracy and relatively low recoil. The .32 H&R Magnum allowed the .32 caliber to perform well at higher velocities while providing better penetration. With the shorter barrel of your handgun, you will be best served by loading the .32 S&W Long cartridge with 98 SWC ammunition to the highest velocities you can attain, wihtout loss of accuracy. This will provide adequate penetration and effective "killing power" (through penetration) available from your revolver.
Don't let anyone tell you that the .32 Long isn't an effective self-defense cartridge. While it may not have the power of the larger bores, it's ability to place bullets accurately under "stress fire" conditions shouldn't be underestimated. .32 revolvers can, and still will, kill with consummate efficiency.
Never forget that.
Welcome to the forum.
Is it actually stamped Mod 30 in the yoke? That would make it an I frame, not a J frame like the M 30-1 and 31-1.
Is it actually stamped Mod 30 in the yoke? That would make it an I frame, not a J frame like the M 30-1 and 31-1.
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Thanks for the information. I really like the little gun.
I have shot 32acp in 32 Long revolvers, went off fine but there
was no accuracy at all. So basically you can"detonate" 32acp in
a 32 long revolver, bullet comes out the barrel, and that's it.
was no accuracy at all. So basically you can"detonate" 32acp in
a 32 long revolver, bullet comes out the barrel, and that's it.
