Can I use this ammo for S&W model 431PD 32 H&R Magnum

[rmax001]

I am having alot of trouble finding ammo for this gun:
S&W 431 PD 32 H&R Magnum (Airweight). Anyway, I found some ammo called "Buffalo Bore Heavy 32 H&R Mag +P. Here is a message on the box: For use in all firearms chambered for 32 H&R MAG, except H&R revolvers. NOT for use in H&R revolvers."
Does that mean H&R brand revolvers or does that mean anything with H&R in its name? The ammo looks the same as my Federal 32H&R Magnum C32HRB ammo.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I would call the company and get it straight from the Buffalo's mouth...

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! The recommendation seems pretty clear so it will be safe for your 431. The company makes heavy loads that stay within SAAMI pressure limits but expect more recoil than many other loads. Range report!

 

[rmax001]

Thank you! Will send an update in a few weeks when my kid comes home from college during winter break. That's my next chance to get to the range.

 

[Cal44]

It's probably safe, but in my 431pd I had very sticky extraction.

I won't carry it since I need a pliers to pull the cases out.

 

[Green Frog]

The 32 H&R was codeveloped by H&R and Federal back in the day. Of course H&R was never noted for the brute strength of their revolvers, so they made their basic factory loads fairly anemic. The Ruger and S&W entries in the caliber were considerably more stout and the ammo for them could be a lot more powerful. Your 431pd is probably stronger than anything H&R made, and I would guess will handle anything that any reputable loading company puts together for the caliber, but as murphydog suggested, a quick call or email to Buffalo Bore will give you the reassurance you need.

My dear friend Dale53 maintains that the 32 H&R is the apex of 32 development, but I'm still having trouble warming up to it, even now. I have a couple of revolvers in 327 FM that I really prefer, but in that 431pd, it would be too much of a good thing!

Froggie

 

[wrangler5]

That's my daily carry round in a 632 and it's as safe as any other 32 H&R ammo you can buy. When I asked BB directly, they said it was also safe for "unlimited use" in my 30 and 31 whose chambers have been reamed from 32 Long to take 32 H&R. There's a bit more info on the BB web site, too. Basically, it's safe for any modern revolver in good condition EXCEPT the H&R brand guns.

Be aware, though, that it has more muzzle energy than Remington's 38 Special +P 158g lead hollow point from the same length barrel, and it is equally unpleasant to shoot in a lightweight gun. Luckily, it's too expensive to shoot a whole lot of.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Here's an alternative...

HANDGUN - **SELECT BY CALIBER - .32 H&R MAG - Georgia Arms

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[wrangler5]

For reference, I shot the GA Arms 100g load and the Buffalo Bore 100g load from the same gun (a 432) across the same chrono on the same day (in 2016). Average MV of the GA Arms round was 860fps, while the BB round was 1100fps.

My hand and wrist agreed with the chrono.

An advantage of using something like the GA Arms round for daily carry is that you can duplicate it by handloading, for more affordable practice, without going over published maximums in the load data sheets from powder and bullet makers. But I have never been able to duplicate this Buffalo Bore load (or any other, for that matter) without going way over published powder maximums - something I have never been willing to try.

 

[rmax001]

The ammo worked just fine and the casings did not stick. It had a great recoil and did not feel weak at all. This little gun is great, I'm not sure why everybody disrespects it so much.

 

[jack the toad]

The ammo worked just fine and the casings did not stick. It had a great recoil and did not feel weak at all. This little gun is great, I'm not sure why everybody disrespects it so much.

Sounds like a great time, congrats.
I dunno either on any disrespect other than maybe in the shadow of the .327 Fed mag???

 

[sigp220.45]

You can also shoot .32 ACP when your wallet needs a break.

 

[M29since14]

…My dear friend Dale53 maintains that the 32 H&R is the apex of 32 development, but I'm still having trouble warming up to it, even now. I have a couple of revolvers in 327 FM that I really prefer, but in that 431pd, it would be too much of a good thing!

Froggie

I tend to agree with Dale53. The .32 HRM does anything I need a .32 to do, but I will admit my experience with the .327 is very limited. (I have shot a fair amount of .30 Carbine in a Ruger single-action, years ago. )

Actually, the .32 SWL with my “modern handloads” is perfectly satisfactory to me. I’ll leave it to the reader to imagine what my modern handloads are, since if I specified I’d likely be condemned for “contributing to the delinquency of handloaders,” like Jeff Cooper used to be whenever he mentioned his old 5-grains of Red Dot load for .38 Specials.

Getting back to the .32 HRM, I’m perfectly happy with a 100 gr LSWC at 1000-1100 FPS, in a small-frame revolver like the S&W 631, which can be done with published loads, in a 4-inch revolver.

 

[glenncal1]

For practice/plinking Georgia Arms, for more serious work Buffalo Bore, Cor-bon etc. I especially like the Georgia Arms .41 mag (I think they call them cowboy loads) SWCs for range rounds. They used to make a good .32HRM practice round, don't know if they still do.