32cal smolt.

[dwh]

Not wanting to hijack the colt omm 32 thread. I have a colt 32 heavy barrel. I'm think of making a smolt in 32 long/mag with an extra cylinder in 32-20. I'd use a model 15 most likely and model 17 cylinders. With the rarity of the colts barrel would it be better used to make an officers model match in 32 long.

 

[SAFireman]

Dave,

You only go around on this ride once. Make it what you want, let the rest of the world envy your creation!

I did make one 'just for me'. I'm sure a hard core collector somewhere had to go into his/her/it's safe space, but I am happy.

Good luck, and be sure to post photos of your progress.

 

[Green Frog]

I'm the guy who had a stainless K-frame 327 (see Project 616) and a recreated Model 16-2 built (see My Faux K-32 is Here!) so I say "Go for it!" For further encouragement, you might want to as Jebus35745, and WiregrassGuy, a couple of fellow 32-philes.

From your location you are relatively convenient to Andy Horvath in La Grange, OH. He has done such work for several of us on this forum and comes highly recommended. His contact info (snail mail and phone only, he doesn't use internet) is in the Project 616 thread. Keep us posted, vicarious 32 projects are almost as fun as our own.

Froggie

 

[Jebus35745]

I have been to Andy Horvath very frequently, he lives 35 minutes away. I have 4 custom .32's built by him and recently a 4" PPC on a model 10 round butt in .38 special. The .32 cal Smolt would be cool as hell because not many exist. I believe the main reason for .38 smolts is the faster twist of 1 in 14 the Python barrel has and the accuracy reputation of the Python. The rate of twist is great for 148 gr HBWC but S&W revolvers shoot great with the rate of twist they use. Not sure what rate of twist Colt uses in their .32 barrels to be some sort of advantage.

Was lucky enough to find a pre-war .32 target made from a pew-war .38 M&P target. It was made somewhere in the 40's or 50's, I own someone else's dream gun and it shoots great.

At any rate a custom revolver in a S&W or Colt is a fun project and we will love what you built as stated above. The hard part will be finding a .22 S&W cylinder to use, they are getting very hard to find. I love custom revolvers, build something and keep us informed. Enjoy the journey building one and shooting it when it's done.

Froggie's 616 was being built by Andy when I picked up the 5" K32 I had built from a K22. Andy says he won't retire but like all of us, he's getting older. Larry

 

[cgt4570]

Create what makes you happy! I have a Hamilton Bowen built pre-15 frame with a 16-4 8-3/8" barrel, K22 reamed cylinders in .327 and .32-20 with early Leupold scope.
Also have a pre-15 frame with reamed K22 cylinder and post-war Cogsworth barrel in .218 Bee. Modern Hornady rounds fit perfectly.

My 'smith is working on a K RB snub right now using a pre-10 frame, K32 2" barrel probably from the NYPD female officer run, and k22 cylinders reamed to .327 and .32-20

 

[Green Frog]

Just prior to having my first custom 32 built I missed a K frame 32 S&W L barrel on Gun Choker. I had dreamed of using this non-ribbed barrel and an old Victory Model or something similar to put together a "pre-version" of the K32. Came up a day late and a dollar short as usual.

Froggie