model 31-1 ammo choices

[chas1]

Can you please clarify, i know this model will shoot the 32 s&w and the 32 s&w long ammo safely but i keep reading that some of you say you also use 32 acp, is this a safe practice or should i stay away from it. your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BUFF]

The practice of shooting .32 ACP in .32 S&W Long revolvers is probably as old as the .32 pistols and revolvers are.

I never rcommend anyone shoot ammunition for which their firearm wasn't chambered, but I have done this myself and it didn't seem to hurt anything.

It shot several inches lower on the target at 25 yards than did the correct Long cartridges, though.

But it was better than nothing to shoot in the gun, at the time.

Your Model 31-1 is a fairly modern revolver, strong as small-framed .32 Longs are concerned, anyway, and should be "safe" if the gun is in good shape. I wouldn't to it in an old top-break.

 

[sjmjax]

I like the little .32 cartridges and have quite a few .32 acp pistols as well as .32 SWL revolvers.

I've tried shooting the .32 acp in the revolvers many times. Typical acp round runs 71 grains while the SWL is more often around 100 grains. So as Buff points out, they tend to print low.

While low, the groups are often quite good. Ejection is reliable in some revolvers and hit & miss in others. Appears revolvers with a nice tight chamber and well fitted ejector will pickup the vestigal rim. Looser fitted guns will slip past and leave the case in the cylinder.

I don't have any reservations about shooting .32acp in modern solid frame revolvers. But, you'll generally get better results with correct factory ammo and handloads.

 

[Smithboomer]

I've shot over a thousand rounds of FMJ Remington .32 ACP ammo from my Model 30 revolver. I never had a problem at all. The recoil was mild and extraction was flawless.

I practice with my 2" revolvers at 21 feet. At that close distance I haven't noticed the bullet printing low.

 

[chas1]

buff, sjmjax & smithboomer, Thank you for your time and knowledge, i will keep this in mind and if things ever get ruff i'll have an additional cartridge i can use, thanks.

chas1...........