R-P .32 S&W L rim too small

[Trooperdan]

I have some loose R-P ammo head-stamped R P over .32 S & W L that I tried in my Smith 30-1. I assumed that it was .32 S&W long. I was stunned when they simple slipped right past the extractor and settled deeply in the chamber.

I miked them and got .335, some Fiocchi head-stamped G.F.L. over .32 wad cutter mikes .370. Case length was .778 and .911 respectively. Obviously, this is .32 S&W but I cannot understand the head-stamp. And I thought the short .32 would fit and fire in .32 long chambers but not in this case!

 

[austintexas]

Could it possibly be 32 short Colt? The 32 short and long colt are smaller rounds than the 32 Smith & Wesson long and short colt. Reason I know this Is I own a Marlin M-92, 32 caliber rifle, It takes a 32 long or short Colt and a 32 S&W long or short wont go in the chamber. The 32 Colt is outside lubricated like a 22 long rifle and the Smith round is inside lubricated. Ergo, The case of the short Colt is smaller in diameter than the S&W case but the lead bullets are both 32 caliber
SWCA 892

 

[444 Magnum]

I'm looking in my Cartridges of the World book. Rim diameter on .32 S&W Long is .375. Rim diameter on .32 Colt short and long is .374. Rim diameter on .32 automatic colt is .354. The .32 colt has a narrower shoulder diameter than the .32 S&W but basically the same rim diameter. If it slides through, it has to be a smaller rim.

The .32 S&W short and long have the same rim and shoulder. It sounds like an acp but I don't understand the "L" on the headstamp. Can you post a picture of the box and cartridge?

---I assume you've shot this pistol before with different .32 cartridges? If not, try some others to make sure the gun is still .32.

 

[H Richard]

Sure it isn't .32 ACP? It has a semi-rim.

 

[Hondo44]

I'll bet that was a surprise!

You have .32 ACP ammo or .32 Long and someone turned off the rims. Look again at the rim wording but with magnification! Read more than one round.

Odd lots of ammo often include some really odd stuff.

 

[Muley Gil]

I am familiar with .38 special cartridges that have turned down rims to feed through semi auto pistols.

Was this ever done with the .32 Long cartridge?

 

[H Richard]

Muley, probably only by individuals. A few European semi's handle .32 very well. Even with the rim's turned, there would be no extractor groove, so may have problems with extraction.

 

[Dave.357]

There was a French pistol , that ammo
Was hard to find DRM 50 on this forum
Had one. Nice gun but not worth the
Trouble .

 

[DWalt]

Could be .32 ACP, however its case semi-rim will not allow the case to fall into the chamber. The 7.65x20mm French pistol cartridge may fall into the chamber but you are not likely to find any of those on dealer's shelves.