Can I shoot .32 ACP rounds in my S&W 431PD

[Haku]

I have a S&W 431PD an was woundering if it was safe to shoot the .32 ACP round through the pistol? The .32 ACP has the same lip as a regular .32 long and .32 H&R mag round. The lip is a little thinner but is the same in circumference.

 

[Haku]

I have a S&W 431PD an was woundering if it was safe to shoot the .32 ACP round through the pistol? The .32 ACP has the same lip as a regular .32 long and .32 H&R mag round. The lip is a little thinner but is the same in circumference.

 

[john traveler]

While a .32 ACP round may indeed chamber in a .32 S&W Long revolver, firing it is not a good idea. First, you have an excessive headspace condition. Second, the semirimmed .32 ACP will be difficult to extract and eject. And third, the .32 ACP takes a jacketed bullet several thousandths of an inch smaller in diameter than the .32 S&W Long barrel groove diameter. You risk getting a bullet stuck in the bore.

It's the sort of thing one would consider only under the most desparate of circumstances: armed with a gun for which only "iffy" functional ammunition is available.

 

[robertrwalsh]

If the semi-rim will hold the cartridge in place for the firing pin to hit, it's safe. .32 auto is often .001 smaller in diameter than .32 revolver bore size, so you might have some accuracy issues with hardball, plus there will be a CONSIDERABLE jump from the case into the forcing cone which won't help accuracy either. But it will probably work, at least usually, and should be safe. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

 

[Andy Taylor]

In answer to your question. Yes you can. Is it a good idea? Probably not, for all the reasons listed above.

 

[Erich]

Worked on a case once where a fella killed another fella with a .32 S&W Long (I know that's not what we're talking about with your 431PD) that was loaded with a couple of .32 S&W Longs and three .32 ACPs. Gun delivered all of them as needed to secure the desired result.

That said, I shoot my guns with the ammo intended for them, and I'd call the engineers at S&W for an authoritative answer on the safety question.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I worked a similar case years ago. Bad guy was using a (stolen) Charter Arms chambered in .32 S&W Long, loaded with .32 ACP ammo. Pulled the trigger at least 5 times (primer indents), but only one round actually fired.

We still got an attempted second-degree murder charge to stick. The intent was pretty clear, even though bad guy's ammo selection was bad. Lots of lawyering went on at the preliminary hearing, but the lawyers were smart enough not to try that defense in front of a jury.

As I recall the Charter Arms used a frame-mounted, spring-loaded firing pin. Different than the S&W this poster is discussing.

 

[2152hq]

There's a note on the SAAMI website that states not to shoot 32acp in firearms chambered for 32 S&W Long.
Yes it works, but there is a headspace problem and a considerable service preassure difference in the two.

If 9mmLuger had a semi-rim on it (like the 32acp does) most people wouldn't think it was smart to fire it in their 38special revolvers for the same reasons.
But some would,, and with no reported problems.

I'd stick with the intended caliber ammo.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Prvi makes .32 SW Long ammo that you should be able to get for under fifteen dollars a box if you're looking for a cheap practice load.

I have a 432PD myself with a Walther PP coming in. I'd expect bad accuracy and possibly ignition problems, but I can't imagine that you'd do anything drastic like blowing up the gun firing .32 ACP in a .32 Mag revolver. Years ago the gun mags said doing this was fine. Shrug. Different standards of safety and all that.

 

[walnutred]

Originally posted by 2152hq:

If 9mmLuger had a semi-rim on it (like the 32acp does) most people wouldn't think it was smart to fire it in their 38special revolvers for the same reasons.
But some would,, and with no reported problems.

I'd stick with the intended caliber ammo.

9x19 Rimmed would fit a 38 S&W revolver but should not fit a 38 Special revolver. Some British troops in North Africa during WW2 were reported as using captured 9x19 ammo in their 38/200 chambered revolvers when the normal ammo supply fell through.

 

[2152hq]

A survival situation, absolutely,, you do what you have to.

If the 32acp was safe to shoot in a 32S&W/Mag gun,,the mfg would gladly mark that on the gun & would loudly market it to the public that way.
You'd probably even see moon clips for them. That'd be kind of neat! Those SilverTips would find a new home.

The answer is in the orig posters question,,"the lip (rim) is a little thinner",,exess headspace.

 

[animalmother]

I would not do it in my gun, but to each his own. Can be done but not a good idea.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Originally posted by walnutred:

9x19 Rimmed would fit a 38 S&W revolver but should not fit a 38 Special revolver.

This was one of the reasons of the downfall and discontinuance of the "9mm Federal" round.

Plus, only one gun was chambered for it- a Charter Arms revolver.