Reloading for S&W 1913

[Rambler42]

I have been thinking about getting a 1913, the .35 semi auto, and was wondering if there is a source of brass and bullets for it? I wouldn't shoot it very often, but would like to know I could if I wanted to. Buffalo Arms has some very expensive ammo but I would rather make my own.

 

[huthike]

The true experts will be along shortly, but IIRC, you can shoot 32 ACP out of it with no issues. I have slept since then, but have done it with mine.

 

[murphydog]

I don't have one, but my understanding is the .35 S & W Auto cartridge is a .32 ACP with a lead bearing surface for the bullet for less wear on the bore. Happy to hear otherwise if untrue.

 

[shil]

I won't swear to it without some digging, but I seem to recall some minor dimensional differences between the two cartridges. I have an M1913 and tried it many years ago with .32acp. The rounds fired, but there were feeding and ejection issues. Ballistically, the .32 would appear to be the higher pressure round, which is probably why I was advised by a wiser soul NOT to do it. The pistol, along with a partial box of original ammunition, is now a "heirloom", but I enjoy just owning it. It's a neat piece of firearms history.

 

[Rambler42]

I won't swear to it without some digging, but I seem to recall some minor dimensional differences between the two cartridges. I have an M1913 and tried it many years ago with .32acp. The rounds fired, but there were feeding and ejection issues. Ballistically, the .32 would appear to be the higher pressure round, which is probably why I was advised by a wiser soul NOT to do it. The pistol, along with a partial box of original ammunition, is now a "heirloom", but I enjoy just owning it. It's a neat piece of firearms history.

Like you I want to have it as a neat piece of firearm history, but I do want to shoot it once of twice, just to say I did.

 

[venomballistics]

Reloading brass?!?!?? Tis is not the season.
Current production is on mainstream cartridges

 

[DWalt]

Just use .32 ACP. Very little dimensional difference between it and the .35. I had one of the pistols years ago, no problems with using .32 in it. As I remember, the .35 used a little heavier metal capped bullet at a slightly lower MV, but bullet diameters are very close. I have no idea where anyone would find shootable quantities of genuine .35 brass or loaded ammunition that wouldn't cost a small fortune. Reloading dies would probably need to be custom made and very expensive.

Not one of S&W's better ideas to make a pistol using such an oddball proprietary cartridge just because they didn't like FMJ bullets.

There are several older threads on this forum on this topic, you might want to search them out. This is one of them. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-ammo.html?highlight=Model+1913+.35%2AAuto%94

 

[Rambler42]

I found the following information online. I don't think I will have any trouble using .32 ACP.

Dimension .32 ACP .35 S&W Delta

Bullet Diameter 0.313 inch 0.312 inch 0.001
Neck Diameter 0.337 inch 0.347 inch -0.011
Base Diameter 0.337 inch 0.348 inch -0.011
Rim Diameter 0.357 inch 0.348 inch 0.009
Rim Thickness 0.045 inch
Case Overall 0.680 inch 0.678 inch 0.002
Overall Length 0.984 inch 0.951 inch 0.033
Velocity 1100 ft/s 830 ft/s 270
Energy 161ft-lbf 116 ft-lbf 45

This was a table in Excel, didn't copy to here very well.

 

[Heinz]

It would appear from the numbers, you could take a 20 round box of 32 ACP and fire them, then save the brass. Trim the rim and case length and find a lead bullet mold and you would be in business. But you would not want to put them back in a 32 auto box!

 

[DWalt]

It's not essential to do anything to the .32ACP case.but using cast lead bullets is preferable.

 

[shil]

Rambler, like you, I wanted to fire some rounds through my gun "just because". I don't recall how accurate it was with the .32 acp but despite the occasional feed and ejection issues, it was fun and the pistol didn't break!
I just did a search for shootable .35 auto ammo. Buffalo Arms, 50 rounds, $85.89 (but out of stock). Ouch!

 

[Rambler42]

The gun is at an LGS. I am going to look it over and make an offer after Christmas, and pick up a box of .32 ACP.

 

[DWalt]

For possible future reference, Donnelly's manual of cartridge conversions provides the following data for the .35 S&W (.32 ACP).
These dimensions are slightly different than those shown in #8 above, data source unknown/uncited.

Bullet diameter - 0.309" (.32 ACP is the same)
Case body diameter - 0.345". (.32 ACP = 0.336)
Rim diameter - 0.348". (.32 ACP = 0.354)
Rim thickness - 0.04". (.32 ACP = 0.043)
Case length - 0.670". (.32 ACP = 0.680)
Loaded cartridge length - 0.970". (.32 ACP = 1.03)
Case volume - 6.13 grains of water. (.32 ACP = 6.47 grains)
Load with 76 grain bullet - 1.6 grains Bullseye, MV= 806 ft/sec

 

[shil]

The gun is at an LGS. I am going to look it over and make an offer after Christmas, and pick up a box of .32 ACP.

If you do get the pistol, it will be fun! Have a Merry!

 

[Rambler42]

The gun is at an LGS. I am going to look it over and make an offer after Christmas, and pick up a box of .32 ACP.

I got it. Made a good deal too. Now to find some .32 acp to feed it!

 

[shil]

I got it. Made a good deal too. Now to find some .32 acp to feed it!

Congratulations! They are neat little pistols. Enjoy it!

 

[Rambler42]

I couldn't find any .32 acp but I did find a store with a 50 round bag of brass. I have some 78 gr LRN I use for .32 Longs so I decided to make my own.

1.8 gr of Bullseye and a 78 gr LRN and it was a lot of fun to shoot.

I think it shoots better than I do!

 

[shil]

Not bad!! Windage right on!

 

[DWalt]

Did you load with .32 L or .32 ACP dies? What diameter were the lead bullets?

 

[Rambler42]

Did you load with .32 L or .32 ACP dies? What diameter were the lead bullets?

I used a set of .32 ACP dies, though I didn't see a lot of difference with the .32 Long dies I already had. The bullets were .312.