Need help Identifying my old Hand Eject, and proper ammo.

[banjoron]

I have an early model, swing out cylinder, 32 S&W long, 3 1/4 inch barrel,
Blued, serial number 4XXX. The last patent number on the barrel is Sep 2, 1902. I believe it to be a 1903, No change. Any help would be appreciated.

I do have a question about what factory ammo i can shoot. I have been
considering the Buffalo Bore 115 gr LRFP, but do no want to stress the old
lady. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Muley Gil]

Any standard velocity .32 S&W Long cartridge will be fine. .32 S&W is the parent round and is shorter and weaker and can be fired in a .32 Long revolver as well. .32 Colt New Police ammo is the same as the .32 Long cartridge. IIRC, .32 Colt NP rounds have a flat nosed bullet.

 

[banjoron]

Thanks Muley Gil!
My concern was Buffalo Bore stating that the 115 gr round stays
within the 15,000 PSI limits for 32 S&W Long using modern powders. I reload so I checked Lee's Second Edition, the max reloads only show up to 12,000 PSI. Have been concerned that the metallurgy of these early guns is "up to snuff"
Go Dawgs! It's gonna be a wild ride in the SEC the next week!

 

[H Richard]

I would also be concerned about the Buffalo Bore loads. They are known to be more portent than normal loads. In this old piece I would stay with only standard velocity loads, which are plenty in this old gun. I would also not shoot it extensively, just a few rounds to keep familiar with on range days.

 

[Retired W4]

For an old 32 Regulation Police or 32 Hand Ejector I would stay with standard factory loads. I have some modern 32 SWL wad cutters for my model 16 no dash, not because it could not handle Buffalo's higher pressures but because they are accurate target rounds. If one is looking at a 32 SWL for self defense I would recommend concidering something more powerful. Target shooting and self defense are two very different games.

 

[gwpercle]

I wouldn't feed the old girl a "steady diet" of the Buffalo Bore ammo ...
it is loaded to the Max ... Shoot a few and carry it ... but for tin cans , paper and plinking get some standard 32 Long ... the 32 Long Wadcutter Target loads were known for accuracy ... and shoot the lighter loaded rounds for fun .
Nice score , the little 32 Hand Ejectors are ...Sweet !
Gary

 

[banjoron]

Gentlemen,
you are both the advice I needed to hear. This was my Grandmothers gun,
passed down through my Father, and I want to respect this heirloom.
Other self defense options are available. I have taken a real liking to 357's, both lever-actions and revolvers, plus my stand-by SW1911.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. Go Dawgs! Beat Tech!

 

[Model19man]

Magtech ammo in 32 S&W and 32 S&W Long seems to be everywhere. It is good stuff and reasonably priced.

 

[glenncal1]

I have also had good luck with Fiocci (sp?) .32 wadcutters, very accurate.

 

[Green Frog]

I have also had good luck with Fiocci (sp?) .32 wadcutters, very accurate.

Plus One to this! If you’re not willing or able to reload ammo to the power levels your antique needs and deserves, target strength ammo such as factory Wadcutters will be your safest bet. I also look for factory round nose loads (preferably lead) like Remington and Winchester used to load.

I once loaded my post War I frame with a cylinderful of rounds I accidentally loaded to 32 H&R level (or higher in these small cases) and although recoil was a bit brisk, no damage was done. I say this only to say these little guns are stronger than one would be led to believe, NOT to suggest that we stress them! I won’t be repeating that mistake any time soon.

You seem to have self defense needs well covered with other guns, but if you do need to give the old lady some more punch, my choice would be occasional use of the JHP rounds sold by Georgia Arms. I’ve shot these in all of my I frames with great satisfaction.

Green Frog

 

[banjoron]

Thanks to All. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Muley Gil]

Question about your username-clawhammer or Scruggs style?

 

[banjoron]

Clawhammer vs Scruggs

Question about your username-clawhammer or Scruggs style?

Sorry Muley Gil , I thought I had sent a reply.
I am a clawhammer player, Melodic style to be exact.
Ken Perlman, Mark Johnson, David Holt, Mike Iverson, are
my favorites.