My .32 appreciation thread

[Nframe_is_no1]

I have lately been building an addiction for the small I and J frames in .32 S&W Long. I don't know what it is about the .32 S&W Long. I know it's rather light for self-defense, but I can't seem to resist these little Smiths. I grab up every one I see in good shape and a reasonable price, maybe it's because their such nice shooters. Here are mine from oldest to youngest. I know that the oldest are too old for this section, but the majority fit here. Feel free to add comments and pics of yours:

Model of 1903 .32 Hand Ejector, 4 1/4", shipped 1904:

Post-War Transitional Improved I-frame pre-model 30, 3 1/4", shipped 1952:

model 31-1, 2", shipped 1971:

pair of model 31-1s, 3", shipped 1971 (top) & 1977 (bottom):

And, their grandson, the model 632-1, 3" .327 Federal Magnum, shipped 2010:

 

[rbmac52]

I agree with you on the affection for this particular caliber. All I have at this point is a couple of Model 30-1 examples, both blue round butts, one 2", one 3". Most of the other models I'd like to have in this caliber have gone into the stratosphere, price wise, though I still hope to stumble onto something someday. Those are some nice ones you have!

Bob

 

[Hearsedriver]

Here's my minty 1972 Model 30-1 chambered in .32 SW Long. I havent shot it yet but, I bought 2 boxes of Sellier & Bellot 100 Grain Lead Round nose rounds today and plan on giving it a workout in the next day or 2. The action feels like glass so, I'll be surprised if its not a great shooter. I love these J-frames!

 

[Nemovir]

Not to be a jerk, but I don't think I've seen .32 SW Long being sold at my LGS. Do you have to order them online and how much are they?

 

[Hearsedriver]

My LGS had 2 different brands of it yesterday. I bought the L&B, 50 rounds for $25.00.

 

[Green Frog]

Not to be a jerk, but I don't think I've seen .32 SW Long being sold at my LGS. Do you have to order them online and how much are they?

The .32 S&W Long is fast becoming my favorite caliber to reload. The light powder charge (I use 1.7 g of Bulls Eye) makes for mild rounds that are a joy to shoot and lets the brass (straight sides, rimmed, easy to decap and size) last virtually forever. Lots of good bullet moulds and a fair number of precast bullets available. I picked up some "factory reloads" from Georgia Arms at a gun show to help bolster my brass supply.

Froggie

 

[JP@AK]

Not to be a jerk, but I don't think I've seen .32 SW Long being sold at my LGS. Do you have to order them online and how much are they?

I believe both Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse carry them. I recently bought two boxes made by Federal at Sportsman's.
JP

 

[JP@AK]

Hello Nframe
Nice photos - and an enjoyable thread. I collect mainly K frame target models, but it was fun to see these small frame guns.
JP

 

[tom turner]

Several LGS folks in our little town carry .32 Long. Heck, I was shooting a match recently with mine and got an even SOFTER report . . . and discovered that I'd taken a box of .32 SHORT with me too!

.32 Long revolvers are arguably the most fun-to-shoot centerfire handgun caliber! I try to always keep at least ONE of these little revolvers in my safe . . . and for use in the field on occasion.

This one is my latest . . . and will remain with me as a solid keeper until one of my sons inherits it! Heck, I WON that match with it a couple of weeks ago, talking match organizers into letting me shoot it in the .22 rimfire handgun class . . . since it has more kick than the .22LR for sure. Even so, I won! Great little guns . . . and this one has an incredible trigger too! 1916 . . .

 

[rbswede]

Here is one that I have and yes something about them! I have not shot this in a while but it is fun to shot. Not sure of born on date? 70's I think by sr#

Thanks RB

Oh yeah left out it is a model 30-1

 

[slumpy]

I love my .32 four inch handejector, I can buy .32 longs from my local pawn store and gun store, they usually stock a couple boxes for me, I pay around 18-20 dollars for 50 rounds. I love to carry this gun, sometimes forget it's even in my pocket.

 

[PMRet]

Not to be a jerk, but I don't think I've seen .32 SW Long being sold at my LGS. Do you have to order them online and how much are they?

I buy the Fiocchi wadcutters online at The Sportsman's Guide for about $15.50 per box of 50 shipping included, then sell the brass to get the net price down to about $12 per box.

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello
Neat thread. I have equipped everyone in my Family with a S&W chambered in .32 Long Cartridge. I Gave our Daughter my daily carry Pre-30 snub when she got married and moved out of our house to her new home. I bought her Husband a Pre-30 Transitional with a 3-1/4" Barrel and recently located a Model 30-1 the First series of the J-Frame Model 30 in Nickel for my wife to carry. I carry a model 431 PD Model chambered in .32 H&R Magnum and all of them are shown below with their ship dates. Long Live the .32 S&W Long Cartridge and those of us who adore it. Regards, Hammerdown


Pre-30 shipped July 1958

My son in Law's Pre-30 that shippped in June 1950

The newest addition to our Family a Model 30-1 that I Located for my wife in Factory Nickel finish that shipped in April 1971

My 431 PD Daily Carry revolver chambered in .32 H&R Magnum that shipped in September 2006

 

[PMRet]

Hello
Neat thread. I have equipped everyone in my Family with a S&W chambered in .32 Long Cartridge. I Gave our Daughter my daily carry Pre-30 snub when she got married and moved out of our house to her new home. I bought her Husband a Pre-30 Transitional with a 3-1/4" Barrel and recently located a Model 30-1 the First series of the J-Frame Model 30 in Nickel for my wife to carry. I carry a model 431 PD Model chambered in .32 H&R Magnum and all of them are shown below with their ship dates. Long Live the .32 S&W Long Cartridge and those of us who adore it. Regards, Hammerdown

.32 snubbies are carried around here also, except mine are a little newer than most of yours. Top to bottom: 632 Airweight, 631, 631 Lady Smith.

 

[M29since14]

I have been on the prowl for a modern Model 30 in 2-inch round-butt for some time. Like everything else it seems, though I can easily remember when those things laid around in shops for years and no one even considered buying them, these days the prices are stratospheric. I recently visited a shop that had one in like-new condition, priced at over $700 - and it sold within a week. Well, I have a few .32s already, so I am not desperate.

In the meantime, I mainly enjoy shooting a K-frame that was made into a "K32 shooter," and sometimes I take the little 432PD on my walks, which is always a fun little gun to shoot. Some day, another little .32 will come along.

 

[glenncal1]

I bought this one for little money a while ago just because it is cool. Nice little shooter, I carry it sometimes for nostalgia. I shoot the Fiocci wadcutters out of my .32's (also have a 16 no dash and a 16-4 and in search of a Colt OMT in .32), they are very accurate. If you shop around online you can get them for $14-15 per box.

 

[H Richard]

I'm a little partial to .32's in general.
Model 1 1/2 1st Issue Jan. 1866
Model 1 1/2 2nd Issue Jan. 1873
Model 1 1/2 NM 2nd Issue Aug. 1887
Model 1 1/2 NM 2nd Issue Mar. 1879

.32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model Mar. 1921

.32 Double action 5th Model Apr. 1911

.32 Hand Ejector 3rd Model Aug. 1920

.32 Hand Ejector (Postwar) Pre-30 Jan. 1953

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello
For serious Target work, I have a Five Screw Pre-16 K-32 Masterpiece that shipped in April 1951 and a Model 16-4 that Hamilton Bowen has converted to fire the new Federal .327 Magnum which I woods carry during Deer season. Two Years ago I dropped a Large Tennessee Bob Cat with it @ 35 Yard with one of my Hand loads. You can't beat the accuracy of a .32... Nor the Velocity of the New Federal .327 Magnum.
Hammerdown



Pre-16 Five Screw K-32 That shipped in April 1951

Modified Model 16-4 In Federal .327 Magnum Caliber, and the Bobcat I Harvested while Deer hunting. It weighed 41 Pounds dressed out and measured 41" In length. It is currently the Largest Bobcat to have ever been harvested in the State of Tennessee

 

[PMRet]

For serious Target work, I have a Five Screw Pre-16 K-32 Masterpiece that shipped in April 1951 and a Model 16-4 that Hamilton Bowen has converted to fire the new Federal .327 Magnum which I woods carry during Deer season. Two Years ago I dropped a Large Tennessee Bob Cat with it @ 35 Yard with one of my Hand loads. You can't beat the accuracy of a .32... Nor the Velocity of the New Federal .327 Magnum.
Hammerdown

Best target gun I have is this 5 screw K-32 that shipped in April 1955. Listening to some of you guys talk has me considering a .327 conversion for one of these 16-4's.