Safe Ammo

[pmanton]

What ammo would be safe in a S&W .32 single action tip up revolver S/N 108XXX?

Thanks.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Just to make sure I understand you correctly, you are
looking for .32 Rimfire?

Cheers!
Webb

 

[gwpercle]

Question #2 ... Condition of the gun ?

Is the gun in good condition able to fire ammo safely .
Gary

 

[desi2358]

What ammo would be safe in a S&W .32 single action tip up revolver S/N 108XXX?

Thanks.

If it's a Tip Up in 32 Rimfire then just about any ammo you could find should be safe in it if the gun is in good condition. Even the late production stuff from Navy Arma was loaded to be safe in the antique firearms it was intended for.

If the revolver is actually a Top Break in the 32 S&W center fire then you can get into endless discussion on what is or isn't safe. Don't have a book handy to check serial number ranges but in general late guns would be safe with modern smokeless ammunition. Earlier guns were intended for use with black powder. Ammo manufacturers have tended to load older rounds such as the 32 S&W to pressure levels that are safe in older guns for liability reasons if nothing else. Though unlikely to "blow up" a mechanically sound example many believe using modern smokeless will cause excessive wear and stress. It then becomes a personal decision based on how good a shape the firearm is in and what you are willing to risk.

 

[Blue dog]

The Navy Arms smokeless ammo for 32 Rimfire and 41 Rimfire calibers was discontinued due to excessive pressure and damage to early antique derringers.
Put plainly, they weren’t safe for many early antiques.
The Black powder Era was NOT STANDARDIZED and extreme variations in groove and land diameters between manufacturers deemed a SAFE SMOKELESS LOAD IMPOSSIBLE TO MANUFACTURE.
EXTREME PRESSURE SPIKES WERE THE RESULT.
The manufacturer in Brazil did not take that fact into consideration.
Stick with Black powder and substitute.
Reloading Rimfire is possible if you do the research but it’s NOT FOR BEGINNERS.
Special tools are also required.

This is a complex subject. Not a simple solution to achieve a safe working smokeless load. Every manufacturer during the Black powder Era had their own specific concept of each caliber.

A one size fits all SMOKELESS LOAD during the black powder Era is not possible.

 

[pmanton]

This is .32.center fire in god condition. Tight lock up on all cylinders.