.32 S&W

Hey! Hey! I finally got it back from the second (competent) gunsmith and she's fixed and ready to go! It cost me 115.00. The guy made a new ejector rod for it and straightened the crane and removed a burr from one of the cylinders.

Now here's my question: The guys behind the counter at Capra's really seemed to take an interest in this one which was kind of cool. When I picked it up, they remembered it and told me that they had just gotten in a shipment of .32 S&W long. I asked if this would work for me (I've been so confused on the ammo issue on this piece) The guy was honest and told me he was 99% sure. He took the time to chamber a round which seems to fit the cylinder length just fine. I bought a box on trust, but now I want to verify before I shoot.

Can anyone tell me with fair certainty that this ammo will work or not?
 
That cylinder is definitely a S&W cylinder. The barrel is definitely a S&W barrel, and the picture shows ".32 Long Ctg" stamped on the barrel. There is no question, S&W only made one .32 Long. Shoot that .32 S&W Long ammo you have. Your 2nd gunsmith sounds like a more knowledgeable & competent individual.
 
Thanks! That's why I come here! And, of course, to see all the beautiful Smiths!
 
Bravo! A $165 32 Hand Ejector and it's all checked out and ready to go. You got a bargain in the final analysis. I have no doubt it's chambered for and the proper ammo is the S&W .32 Long (and 32 Colt New Police which you won't find)!
 
Range Report!! This thread is begging for a range report after we vicariously followed your trials and tribulations. I'm guessing it will turn into another favorite like your Model 36... shooting the little 32 caliber has that effect on folks! I have finally gotten everything together to load for this caliber with a little 95 grain semi-wadcutter (old Lyman mould) and am in Hog Heaven!! :D I hope all is well now with yours. :cool:

Froggie
 
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receipt.jpg
 
I plan to bring it with me up to the cabin next month and try it out. But, I might treat myself to the local indoor range in the meantime.

I will post a report.

Now I have all 5 frame sizes. The .32; my beloved 36-1; a Model 48; a model 686; and a model 629.
 
iwanna said:
I plan to bring it with me up to the cabin next month and try it out. But, I might treat myself to the local indoor range in the meantime.

I will post a report.

Now I have all 5 frame sizes. The .32; my beloved 36-1; a Model 48; a model 686; and a model 629.
Click to expand...

Oh how I love to be an enabler....but you still need an M frame :')! (tongue in cheek)
 
That range report may be delayed yet again. I have a burr on the barrel face. I forgot about that these long months and I can only guess that the 'smith somehow missed it. It's plain to see even looking down from the muzzle. Looks fixable to me, but I'd better have it checked out.

I noticed it when I took the revolver apart for the grips-off "G96 treatment".
 
It's just not that scientific to remove a burr on a non-match gun. Chances are it won't even show up in your accuracy. It's certainly not unsafe. Take a piece of 400 or 600 crokus cloth or wet or dry sandpaper
wrapped around the pointy end of a pencil and remove it first. Then go shoot it.
 
Sorry. I meant the forcing cone.

I'm gonna try that! Thanks!
 
Hondo44 said:
It's just not that scientific to remove a burr on a non-match gun. Chances are it won't even show up in your accuracy. It's certainly not unsafe. Take a piece of 400 or 600 crokus cloth or wet or dry sandpaper
wrapped around the pointy end of a pencil and remove it first. Then go shoot it.
Click to expand...

Ah, I ended up using a round jewelers file from the muzzle. The file has a long coated handle anyway, just like a cleaning rod. The angle was right. I'm happy. And relieved.

I may have to wait a few weeks to try it. Deer season is coming and in a few weeks I'll be bringing far too many guns up to the cabin. Otherwise, I'm considering a little treat of indoor range time.

Thanks. Maybe this one doesn't need to go back to the 'smith for a hundred more years.

Will post range report.

My friend studied the revolver and is convinced that the first 'smith, the gorilla around the corner, only glanced at the side of the barrel where it says: .32 LONG CTG and thought he saw .32 LONG COLT! We both just hate this guy, but I got to use his services sometimes just because he's walking distance away. Maybe never again though. The 'smith across town has a great reputation. The job got done quick and efficient.
 
Quote: My friend studied the revolver and is convinced that the first 'smith, the gorilla around the corner, only glanced at the side of the barrel where it says: .32 LONG CTG and thought he saw .32 LONG COLT! We both just hate this guy, but I got to use his services sometimes just because he's walking distance away. Maybe never again though. The 'smith across town has a great reputation. The job got done quick and efficient.

The bitter taste of poor quality lasts long after the tempting aroma of low price (or convenience) is gone. Go with the one who will fix it right the first time. Which takes longer: driving across town or waiting until you've forgotten you owned the gun?

By the way, that little .32 will make a fine companion in the deer woods.
 
My little I-frame, s/n 985xx, has a 4 1/4" barrel and says 32 long ctg. on the left side of the barrel. It shoots 32 S&W long or short and chambers 32 Short Colt. It's a neat little gun that's fun to shoot.

Rod


. .
 
wraco said:
My little I-frame, s/n 985xx, has a 4 1/4" barrel and says 32 long ctg. on the left side of the barrel. It shoots 32 S&W long or short and chambers 32 Short Colt. It's a neat little gun that's fun to shoot.

Rod.
Click to expand...

Rod,
The .32 Colt Short and Long Colt cartridges are smaller diameter than the 32 S&W. But the 32 Colt New Police cartridge is exactly the same size with flat nosed bullet and will shoot as accurate as the S&W cartridges. You can also safely chamber and shoot the 32 ACP cartridge which is a semi rimless cartridge, not a true rimless round.
 
The bitter taste of poor quality lasts long after the tempting aroma of low price (or convenience) is gone. Go with the one who will fix it right the first time. Which takes longer: driving across town or waiting until you've forgotten you owned the gun?

By the way, that little .32 will make a fine companion in the deer woods.[/QUOTE]

You are right. This is the first time I've tried (Larry), but I've always heard good things. I'm told he even does engraving. I'll never go back to the gorilla.

Say, this would make a neat little holster gun for around the cabin. The same friend I mentioned has frequently suggested this or that pistol of mine for that purpose. He always carries while in the woods. I never do. He carried a .22 for years, but he's all the way up to a S&W .44 mag these days. Says he's concerned about the rise in the local wolf population.

Let's see how it works first. Maybe next week at the indoor range.
 
Hondo44 said:
Rod,
The .32 Colt Short and Long Colt cartridges are smaller diameter than the 32 S&W. But the 32 Colt New Police cartridge is exactly the same size with flat nosed bullet and will shoot as accurate as the S&W cartridges. You can also safely chamber and shoot the 32 ACP cartridge which is a semi rimless cartridge, not a true rimless round.
Click to expand...

Jim:
Your correct, the 32 Short Colt has a smaller diameter case, but the bullet seems tight enough. . I've not shot any of the Short Colt in fear the case will split. If I recall correctly the cylinder meas. .336 and SW cartridges measure .334. . The 32 Short Colt case meas .315. A tad loose. . The antique box of 32 Colt is still full.

Yes, I've shot 32 ACP in my I-frame and they work fine. If I push too hard on the extractor rod the rims will sometimes slip underneath, but still fall clear. . The 32 ACP chambers in my Lemon Squeezer, as well, but I believe they're too stout for the little gun.

Rod
 
The oldest, cheapest gun I own is a 1919 HE in 32 long. It is also, irritatingly, insanely accurate at 100 yds. The extremely thin front sight blade and teeny little rear notch don't leave any room for any interpretation about where to point it. I had been shooting it with a Wondersight, and it was okay, but since I started shooting it using the factory sights, it's a wonder all by itself. I thought it was a parts gun when I bought it!
 
Interesting comment about the sights. No room for interpretation...

I wonder if that's why my little Beretta Bobcat is so accurate (within its limits--10yds)?

I bought and sold a Japanese Nambu that had similar sights--very fine for a pistol. Never shot it though. Not much-what is it- 8mm Jap around.

My most accurate pistol has always been my Model 41, and it has big honkin' sights.
 
iwanna said:
....We both just hate this guy, but I got to use his services sometimes just because he's walking distance away. Maybe never again though. The 'smith across town has a great reputation. The job got done quick and efficient.
Click to expand...

I see this a lot in the airplane world (I'm a pilot). Guys use the local mechanic even after poor service-- over-charging, overly-long wait, rude behaviour, broken promises, etc. Ask 'em why: "it's convenient, he's right on the field"; "I've always used him"; "he does good work (sometimes)"; "I don't know".
I don't like to reward poor performance or behaviour with my continued patronage. "Fool me once, shame on you- fool me twice, shame on me" comes to mind. I prefer to spend my money with someone who's a straight-shooter & gives me good value, and is hopefully pleasant to deal with to boot.
 
Finally got to take the .32 out for a little target shooting. It was during deer season up at my cabin so I had to sprinkle out a cylinder-a-day because so-called "promiscuous" or target shooting is discouraged (illegal?) in my area during the season. It functioned great with no issues--don't you just love revolvers? Accuracy was pretty good with fliers I attributed somewhat to the very small handle on the gun. Finding the right grip might take some practice. Delightfully low recoil.

I also even brought it out to the deer blind with me a couple of times--something I normally don't do. It was indeed a fine companion...

What impressed me a lot was how much in its element the old piece seemed to be in a rustic cabin/woods setting. The ideal cabin gun out of all my pistols and revolvers. (It sure made my H&K USP look out of place!)

So we have finally closed the circle on this thread. I sincerely thank all those who stayed with me these many months and for all the valuable help I received here. I hope I can return the favor.

At 165.00 total investment, the .32 is the cheapest Smith I've owned by fifty bucks. I've bought and sold some guns, but not this one. Getting it running again added much to the pleasure and satisfaction of the experience. Maybe this odd, fifty-dollar afterthought will turn out to be the most memorable memento from the fifty-four guns, some of them costing over two-thousand dollars, that I bought from that gentleman earlier this year.
 
Seven months...man, your thread played out like a fine drama. Twists and turns, disappointments and triumph.

Congrats on your find! And your perseverance. Beautiful little revolver.
 
I have a SW 32 OTG that has no model number on it, can someone tell me what I may have, what it may be worth etc, I would say the gun is 85 to 90% as far as finish. It shoots great and I don't think it's been fired that much.
 
Kuruk said:
I have a SW 32 OTG that has no model number on it, can someone tell me what I may have, what it may be worth etc, I would say the gun is 85 to 90% as far as finish. It shoots great and I don't think it's been fired that much.
Click to expand...

For starters, it's "CTG", which is Smith's abbreviation for "cartridge". The experts here will need more information to help you. There should be a serial number somewhere on the gun. If it's been removed or defaced you have a highly illegal piece.

If you can post a picture, or at least a detailed description, it'll help the really knowledgeable folks here to identify the gun.
 
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