Got Improved I-frame .32 in a trade

[Erich]

I've wanted one of these for some time, so I'm pretty happy. I've got some warm-ish handloads that I developed for my H&R 732 that I'm looking forward to trying from it.

It had a whole lot of live rust on it when I got it, but it's mechanically very tight.

 

[DCWilson]

Excellent! While the Model of 1953 I-frames are fine revolvers, I greatly prefer the lines of the prewar and postwar transitional specimens. You have a nice one.

 

[Hondo44]

Nice little 32! I shoot 3.5 grs of Unique w/SWC 95 gr bullet in my Model 31-1, basically the same gun as yours but on the J frame from 1966. It gives it quite a little recoil snap.

 

[Erich]

Thanks, amigos! Can't wait for the weekend!

 

[Erich]

Shoots pretty well!

Didn't even have to go all the way up to Phil Sharpe country, but did go warmer than SAAMI now does.

 

[TACC1]

Looking great! Nice catch, mister.
TACC1

 

[gunfan]

Very Good, Erich! All you need is one of the 7 1/2" (or 10") barreled Freedom Arms in .327 Federal Magnum to "round out" your collection.

Good shooting!

Scott

 

[Jebus35745]

Nice little gun Erich. How does the H&R ashoot? The local LGS has a couple NIB. Always wondered how accurate they are. Larry

 

[H Richard]

Erich, was that load about 4.3 gr Unique behind a 98-100 gr cast bullet?

 

[Erich]

Mr. Richard, .4-gr less than that load of Sharpe's that you mention, actually, with a 100-gr hardcast RNFP. (All should please note that I'm not vouching for the safety of this higher-than-present-spec load in any gun but my own solid-frame guns. I would never shoot that in a top-break.)

Larry, honestly, the H&R 732 is pretty unpleasant to shoot with warm loads due to the shape of its gripframe - a normal hand can't hold it properly and the triggerguard whacks the heck out of you in recoil. That said, the Pachmayr stocks for these guns really change the dynamic, taking away the grip issue and giving you some leverage to muscle that heavy DA trigger. They also pretty much double the size of the gun, so I'm not sure that's a great solution.

Here are some pix of the H&R - I got it a bit over a year ago for $85 on GB, and I feel that was a great price. I would not say it's amazingly accurate (less so than the Improved I-frame that is the subject of this thread), but it's not bad by a long shot.

I'd been wanting to start loading for the .32 Long and thought it would be fun to have - the trigger is pretty awful and the gun itself is interesting in that it's a relic from a time in which labor was not the most expensive component to a gun build. Comparing this to the Hi-Points of today that are its functional equivalent, it's remarkably hand-fitted.

 

[Erich]

BTW, here's a couple of 10-yd groups for the Improved I-frame with the warm load:

Again, do not assume this old loading is safe in any gun except mine:

 

[chud333]

Erich,
Thanks for the posting and the info on the .32 long
I just picked up a model 30 no dash today at my LGS
and i have to pick-up some ammo and get it out to
the range to try it out. Its a Nickel Snub, flat latch and
that is about the extent of my knowledge on these neat
little guns. The LGS where i bought it did'nt have any
ammo so i'll be ordering a couple boxes online just to
shoot and then have some once-fired brass to reload
once i get some dies. I'm posting pix of my new model
30 in the hand ejectors section here shortly.
Any info you experts can give me would be appreciated.

Chuck

 

[Erich]

Hi Chuck,

Man, I'm jealous - will look for your pictures.

Before you buy loaded ammo, you might want to read this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/304112-displeased-federals-response-after-ammo-problems.html

 

[Hondo44]

There was a recall printed in gun magazines on Fed 32 H&R mag ammo with the hollow point bullet some 10 years or more ago. They admitted it was bad brass tempering/annealing. My cases looked exactly like yours. Fed replaced any ammo sent back at the time.

Your respondent is ducking Fedaral's culpability.

 

[Jebus35745]

Thanks Erich, I'm meeting Mule88 tomorrow to see a 4" 30 or 31. Welcome to the .32 club. I'm in Dayton Oh and I'll be home tomorrow in Cleveland and I'll post some pics of my .32 I had made by Andy Horvath. Hondo has a couple of cool 32's, Maybe he'll show us some pics. Larry

 

[chud333]

Hi Chuck,

Man, I'm jealous - will look for your pictures.

Before you buy loaded ammo, you might want to read this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/304112-displeased-federals-response-after-ammo-problems.html

Erich,
Looked around and found 3 boxes of Magtech 98 gr. RN lead
at Targetsports. It was 24 bucks a box so i only bought 3 bxs.
This was harder to find than i was expecting. I checked about
3 different suppliers before i could find any in stock and all i
found was close to 50 cents a round. Oh well, i will be reloading for it eventually. Have you looked at my post in the
HE section yet? I am trying to get someone with knowledge of
these fine little guns to help me out with date of manufacture, frame type etc... Any help is greatly appreciated.
Best Regards, Chuck

 

[Erich]

Hi Chuck,

I've had good luck with that Magtech brass. I will go check out your thread, but I know so very little about these guns. This sure is the right site to learn, tho, eh?

I'll post some pics of my .32 I had made by Andy Horvath. Hondo has a couple of cool 32's, Maybe he'll show us some pics.

Oh man! Larry, are you on the Single Actions Forum, by chance?

 

[Tex1001]

Eric:
I posted a group of 32 long loads for H&R 732 4", an I frame 3", and a J frame model 30 1 7/8". I worked with the Speer 60 gr GDHP. Let me know if you want me to look them up.

_______________________
Boxers or briefs? At my age, Depends.

 

[Erich]

This one, Tex?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/224409-speer-gold-dot-bullets-handloading-32long.html

I made a note of that a while back - thanks, partner.

 

[Tex1001]

That's it.
_______________________
Boxers or briefs? At my age, Depends.