rebored .32 Long for .32 h&r mag?

[681ismyfavorite]

I've read a few times of folks doing something to the chambers of their model 30 revolvers so they will chamber the .32 H&R mag. I've seen the H&R mag velocities from a 2" bbl to be in the low 900s and the Buffalo Bore .32 Long rounds to be in the mid to high 800s from the same length bbl. it would seem that the old post war I & J frame guns can handle this, but is it safe? how common is this practice? who here has actually done it or had it done?

 

[Hondo44]

I've done a few over the years.

No problems at all experienced, but I only recommend factory .32 H&R Mag loads, or factory equivalent hand loads, no hot reloads.

The J frame cyl is plenty long enough and will provide extra length for more bullet variety.

S&W stopped heat treating most cyls in 1945 due to much improved metallurgy.

So no strength problem with the early post war I frame but the cyls are too short for .32 H&R, (pre Mod of '53 cylinders are only 1.250").

The Model of 1953 New I frame to 1961 cylinders are nominally just 1.257" and the .32 H&R Mag rounds, depending on bullet weight, are about 1.260". However, the good news is, the barrel/cyl gap will accommodate the .003" over length and allow the cyl to turn! So bullet variety is somewhat limited.

It's the simplest conversion there is; the part of the chamber for the 32 Long case length is extended and shaved out of the chamber throat about 1/8". There's very little metal removed and it takes about 10 minutes in a drill press on very slow speed. Or 20 minutes by hand using a 'T' handle.

One can use the original cyl and still shoot 32 Long (like 38/357 cylinders) or use an extra fitted cyl with or w/o an extra yoke, and easily swap cyls.

 

[Cal44]

Or you can keep your eyes open for a 431PD which is an airweight in 32 H&R Magnum from the factory.

Not many out there, but you can find one of you aren't in a big hurry.

I use Critical Defense H&R Magnum ammo in mine.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

thanks for the replies folks. I understand that the I frame cylinder cannot be used because it is not long enough, but the J frame cylinders can.

 

[6string]

The 32 H&R Magnum is a "magnum" in name only.
SAAMI maximum pressure is 21,000 cup.
That's the same as 45 ACP!
Compare to 35,000 cup for 357 magnum or 36,000 cup for 44 magnum. Heck, even the 9mm Luger is 35,000 cup!

Arguably, the 32 S&W Long has been "kneecapped" by SAAMI due to the huge quantities of junk revolvers, mostly cheap imports, that have been made over many years. In such light, the H&R cartridge just opens up the sensible potential of it's parent cartridge.

I tend to view things like the 32 long conversion in the same light as rechambering a bolt action rifle to it's relevant "improved" cartridge, ie: converting 30-06 to one of the 30-06 "improved" cartridges (Ackley, Gibbs, etc.).
You get a useable velocity increase and retain use of the original cartridge. The cost is modest, and such conversions are safe in quality American made arms.

Jim

 

[Hondo44]

thanks for the replies folks. I understand that the I frame cylinder cannot be used because it is not long enough, but the J frame cylinders can.

Depends on which I frame as discussed in my first post.

If concerned about the very close Model of 1953 I frame cyl length, reloaders can run factory ammo thru their seating die and slightly seat them .003" deeper and same with their reloads.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

Depends on which I frame as discussed in my first post.

If concerned about the very close Model of 1953 I frame cyl length, reloaders can run factory ammo thru their seating die and slightly seat them .003" deeper and same with their reloads.

Thanks for the info but if I am restricted to special handloads instead of factory loads I will not have this done to my gun. I have a factory nickeled 3" bull barrel model 30 no dash flat latch, not a hand ejector.

 

[Muley Gil]

Thanks for the info but if I am restricted to special handloads instead of factory loads I will not have this done to my gun. I have a factory nickeled 3" bull barrel model 30 no dash flat latch, not a hand ejector.

Uh, your M30 IS a hand ejector.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

Uh, your M30 IS a hand ejector.

I thought the hand ejectors were signified by the lack of stamped model numbers in the frame and the large knobby ejector rod end.

 

[Muley Gil]

I thought the hand ejectors were signified by the lack of stamped model numbers in the frame and the large knobby ejector rod end.

All of the revolvers with swing out cylinders are hand ejectors, regardless of when they were built. S&W called the early ones "hand ejectors" to differentiate from the top breaks that had "automatic ejection" when they were opened.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

All of the revolvers with swing out cylinders are hand ejectors, regardless of when they were built. S&W called the early ones "hand ejectors" to differentiate from the top breaks that had "automatic ejection" when they were opened.

I thought that designation was reserved for the pre model numbered guns, like the pre model 10, etc.... thanks. either way, regarding my gun, the cylinder does not allow the modification mentioned and the use of factory ammo.

 

[Hondo44]

I thought the hand ejectors were signified by the lack of stamped model numbers in the frame and the large knobby ejector rod end.

I have no idea why. If it's a S&W revolver it's a Hand Ejector, and they all only eject manually.

 

[delcrossv]

In all fairness, while it's true and correct that all S&W's that have swing out cylinders are hand ejectors, I'm as guilty as most in saving the "Hand Ejector" moniker for my Pre-Model guns.

 

[Muley Gil]

At the moment, I own two S&W I frame .32 Long revolvers, a pre war .32 HE 3rd Model & a post war .32 Regulation Police. I also have a Cimarron Model P Jr (think 7/8 scale Single Action Army) that has a .32-20 cylinder and a .32 H&R Magnum cylinder. Since a .32 Mag won't fit a I cylinder, I think I'll just load some mildly warmer loads in .32 S&W Long brass. And I'll mark them as "Solid Frame Revolvers Only"

 

[Green Frog]

Hey M/G, at the Roanoke and Salem Gun Shows, the folks from Georgia Arms often show up with their "Factory Loadings" of 32 S&W Longs... JHPs in new brass. The last bag I bought was $24.95 for a 50 rounds IIRC. That's what I have in my post-War snub nose I-frame for EDC, and I think they are loaded to sufficiently enthusiastic levels to get the job done. Of course for range and target use I reload my own.

Froggie