.32 ACP in .32 Long Cylinders?

[Texas Star]

Hope this is okay in this forum. If not, please move to Ammo.

I know that some fire .32 ACP in their .32 Long revolvers, mainly the little Hand Ejectors that are so often discussed here. I know one man who does it with his, made about 1952-53. I suspect the metallurgy is better than on older guns.

The .32 auto has a semi-rimmed case that may or may not work in all of these .32 revolvers. But that case is also tapered, and may fireform to the chamber, releasing some added energy that might otherwise cause excessive pressure in the cylinder of a revolver. (The .32 Long, of course, has a straight case.)

Has anyone here chronographed a .32 ACP bullet from a .32 Long revolver? What were the results? Barrel length?

Mind you, I am not personally suggesting using any ammunition in a gun not designed for it.

Thanks,

T-Star

 

[Muley Gil]

Never shot one over a chrony.

I have shot .32 ACPs in several pre WW II HEs, as well as in a M30-1, with no ill effects.

Remember, there have been tons of .32 ACP pistols built in the past 100 years that were not, to put it mildly, of high quality. I don't think the pressures are real high.

 

[DWalt]

Ditto, I have fired .32 ACP in .32 S&W Long revolvers, but not over a chronograph. SAAMI maximum peak pressures are somewhat more then .32 S&W Long, but not enough so to create a problem. Also the .32 ACP bullet is of a slightly smaller diameter than .32 S&W Long, and grouping capability may not be so great. The only hesitation I would have is in shooting the .32 ACP in one of the old breaktops.

 

[2152hq]

The max/avg psi for the 32S&WLong is 15,000 psi.
For the 32acp it's 20,500 psi.
That 32acp max/avg gets it right to the lower edge of 32S&W Long proof pressures.

Those are maximum (average) psi.
They are the averages of several rounds fired (I forget the exact # they fire to get the data it's quite a few IIRC).
Some, a certain % then are allowed to be OVER that number. Some will be under it. Some right on the mark.
All figured to an average of what the maximum allowable pressure for that cartridge is.

Also, with the right combination of 32acp cartridge (thin rim, but still within 32acp spec) and 32S&W Long headspace (right at the extreme length, but still in 32S&W spec), you can have an excess headspace situation using that mix,
Though it's not one that's grossly out of wack, it would fall out side of the gauge/spec. It would be a case of 'excess headspace' with the chance combination.

Many guns will take it in stride. Some are of weaker design, older metalurgy.
Yes it's been done and done a lot.
But anyone that damages a gun by knowing using the wrong ammunition will not normally go around and brag about it anyway.

Personally,, I tell people to use the right ammo.
Then many I suspect go off and do what ever they want.
Hey,,it's America,,