22/32 Ammo Question

[carguychris]

My quest for a small-frame .22LR S&W revolver has come to an unexpected conclusion...

I have purchased a pre-war 22/32 Target aka Beakert.

It's beat up, which is fine since I intend to use it as a shooter. It just got its first test using Aguila Super Colibris at my secret indoor .22 testing range.

I was happy to discover that it's downright easy to enlarge the same hole at ~4 yds single action.

Question: is it OK to use modern high-velocity or hyper-velocity ammo in a 22/32? I would presume it is because of how much metal surrounds those little bitty .22 chambers.

 

[carguychris]

My quest for a small-frame .22LR S&W revolver has come to an unexpected conclusion...

I have purchased a pre-war 22/32 Target aka Beakert.

It's beat up, which is fine since I intend to use it as a shooter. It just got its first test using Aguila Super Colibris at my secret indoor .22 testing range.

I was happy to discover that it's downright easy to enlarge the same hole at ~4 yds single action.

Question: is it OK to use modern high-velocity or hyper-velocity ammo in a 22/32? I would presume it is because of how much metal surrounds those little bitty .22 chambers.

 

[roger rabbit]

Those chamber walls are very thin. I fired a few rounds of subsonic through my 1915 vintage at 25 yards. It proved to be amazingly accurate but it takes lots of concentration with those tiny sights. I wouldn't try anything other than the mildest rounds in it.

 

[H Richard]

I have a 22/32 from 1926, and I won't shoot anything but standard velocity in it. There is a date in (I think) 1925 when S&W started to heat treat the cylinders. Guns made before that date you should not use High Velocity.

I found that in most .22's standard velocity is "usually" more accurate than hign velocity.

 

[stonefly]

per my gunsmiths advise,( only standard velocity, not high or hyper velocity). would yours have the tip of the hammer ground off? mine does and i've seen alot of others that are too. if not could yours posibly pinch the web of your hand? i'm curious why so many are like that.

 

[pastorp]

Hi all, I have one shipped Nov, 1928. The hammer is complete and I shoot federal hp bulk pack ammo usually. Regards, Byron

 

[carguychris]

Originally posted by stonefly:
per my gunsmiths advise,( only standard velocity, not high or hyper velocity). would yours have the tip of the hammer ground off? mine does and i've seen alot of others that are too.

Could you post a picture of what the ground-off hammer looks like? Mine looks original at first glance, but the back edge is rounded rather than coming to a sharp point like most other S&W hammers.

 

[carguychris]

Originally posted by H Richard:
I have a 22/32 from 1926, and I won't shoot anything but standard velocity in it. There is a date in (I think) 1925 when S&W started to heat treat the cylinders. Guns made before that date you should not use High Velocity.

I found that in most .22's standard velocity is "usually" more accurate than hign velocity.

I was already thinking of sticking with standard velocity for accuracy reasons, especially since I don't have to worry about the bolt failing to cycle.

 

[stonefly]

chris, i am "of developing skills" when it comes to posting pictures but the crusty example on gb right now is ground exactly as mine and 6 or so others i have seen.

 

[carguychris]

Originally posted by stonefly:
chris, i am "of developing skills" when it comes to posting pictures but the crusty example on gb right now is ground exactly as mine and 6 or so others i have seen.

The hammer on this one is identical to the hammer of my gun.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=92288493

 

[Speedo2]

A concern with some of the earlier 22/32's is that the cylinders aren't recessed or counterbored for the 22 rimfire cartridge heads. I think they started doing that sometime in the late 20's. Anyway, there is some increased potential for the case heads to split with unintended and hazardous consequences. I've got an early one without the recessed cylinder and I wouldn't shoot anything hotter than standard velocity ammo in it (that is, if I ever found a rear sight for it). This feature (or lack thereof) is also found on the first model 22 single shots. -S2

 

[dinghysailer]

Detail of Bekeart shipped in 1915. I think the hammer is original and unmodified.

 

[carguychris]

Originally posted by Speedo2:
A concern with some of the earlier 22/32's is that the cylinders aren't recessed or counterbored for the 22 rimfire cartridge heads...

Good point... my 22/32 has an unrecessed cylinder. I think that seals the deal... no high velocity or hyper velocity! Time to use this as an excuse to buy a brick of Wolf Match Target or Winchester T22...

 

[stonefly]

dinghy,
grannys gun hammer looks orig. have you shot it yet? what a sweet little pistol. my pic posting skills haven't improved since yesterday but i dug up the pic from kull & supica of mine that shows the hammer.
fall 2006,sat. session 2,click photos,lot #130.
i bought it to shoot so i got kinda lucky on condition. the modified hammer and chunk missing from grip (not shown) made it less desired to a collector.(if its true condition mechanical condition were posted it would have been even less desirable)

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Hey Dingysailor; Been shooting these for over 50 years. None I've owned have counterbored cylinders. Still they were made for standard velocity ammo. My hunting carry 22-32 Target has seen better days, rough as a cob outside but still gets the grouse, squirrels, rattlers, and puts the cripples out of commission just fine.Have had 5 of these fine pistols, one time or another, all were good shooters. Enjoy yours & you will find it's another fine example of S&W's pistols.

 

[dinghysailer]

No, I haven't shot it yet. Waiting for the snow to melt and the woodchucks to come out.

 

[Jerry in SC]

I'd bet those .22's could tell a story or two

Really appreciate the photos, an elegant revolver.

 

[theneko]

I have a very similar 22/32 - I don't think it's a Beakert but I know it is from 1940. It is a target pistol that I think they call a "kit gun" and it looks like the photo posted in this thread. Since it was made in 1940 I thought it may be able to take HV ammo like someone suggested above (although maybe infrquently) but I received a reply from S&W while I was waiting for forum approval and they said to only use standard velocity. Unless anyone here thinks that is overly cautious that is probably what I will do. Thanks.

TheNeko
-------
S&W .22/32 Target Revolver
S&W M&P9
VZ24

 

[DHENRY]

Chris,
The standard-velocity stuff is all that I'd recommend, particularly in a 22/32 without the recessed charge-holes.
This old shooter is from 1917, and does very well with a diet of standard-velocity .22lr's.
Don

 

[stonefly]

wow!