strange conversions

[walter o]

I have several Model 32 -S&W - 38 S&W snubbnose and 3"revolvers ,and i wonder if it would be practicable to convert them to 32 H&R magnums .Using a new barrel and cylinders in 32cal.It seems that 38 S&W ammunition will be a thing of the past soon,can't find any locally,. correct size bullets are not available.
How practicable would this project be ?

 

[D Brown]

Your lowest cost route would be reloading. I suppose any J-Frame centerfire would be a candidate if you had the appropriate barrel and cylinder.

I have converted one 2" Model 31-1 to 32 Magnum and will probably convert my 3" Model 31-1 at some point.

Model 31-1 converted to 32 H&R Magnum

 

[alwslate]

The .38 S&W ctg is not going to disappear any time soon. It is just as easily handloaded as any other ctg. Surely cast bullets of .360 dia are available. Or just buy unsized cast bullets for the .38 spl. Replacing barrels and cyls would be way more expensive than selling your guns and buying what you want.

 

[Muley Gil]

I love the .32 revolvers. However, in your case, I would sell or trade one of your .38s for a .32 Long and have the cylinder reamed to .32 H&R Magnum.

Then, start reloading for both wheel guns and for any other firearms you own.

 

[Alk8944]

As alwslate said the .38 S&W isn't going anywhere and is just as re-loadable as any other cartridge.

Your .38 S&W and .32 caliber guns are excellent prospects for re-loading, especially now when ammunition for them is so hard to find. If you don't re-load now you should strongly consider it. The money you would save by not converting your current guns would pay for a simple re-loading set-up. You would also save from $10-$20 a box compared to purchasing factory ammunition at today's prices! This will pay for re-loading equipment pretty quickly if you shoot these guns much.

For .38 S&W don't get too hung up over bullet diameter as many do! Anything from .358 to .363 is usable and will shoot just fine. SAAMI standard bullet diameter for .38 S&W is .358"-.361", and I strongly suspect a lot of factory ammunition is loaded with .358" bullets. And if push comes to shove .38 Special cases can be shortened to .38 S&W length and be perfectly usable.

 

[alwslate]

Speer and Lyman have lots of load data for the .38 S&W with light weight jacketed bullets and swaged and cast bullets normally used in the .38 spl. The stated groove diameter of the .38 S&W is only two thousands of an inch, .002, larger. Insignificant.

 

[Green Frog]

As someone who has had a couple of caliber conversions done (Project 616, faux Model 16-3) I see where you are coming from. BUUTT, if you can buy the same gun rather easily on the open market for about the price of your “donor” gun, it never makes economic sense. Models 30 and 31 are commonly available for about the same price as your Model 32 and even if you pay to have one rebored to 32 H&R, you will still be money ahead, way ahead!
Far be it for me to cast aspersions on caliber conversions, but a wise man will count the cost before he builds his house, and the cost of your “house” proposal just doesn’t add up as described.
JMHO, YMMV. But you do you.
Froggie

 

[John Adams]

Here is the only caliber conversion I have ever done and I did it a few hours ago. It's not on the sophisticated level of the work of Steel Slaver or Green Frog but since my mechanical ability stops at turning a screw driver, I am satisfied. I never shot my .22 MRF Model 650. I bought a Model 63 .22LR cylinder from Jack First. It dropped in and it works perfectly. A former safe queen will now be shot regularly.

 

[alwslate]

Lots of .38 S&W ammo listed on Ammo seek. Not cheap but plenty of choices. Free shipping with quantity buys.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I bought a decent .455 British Colt NS from a smith/ cas shooting bud that he had swapped barrel and cylinder for NOS .38 spcl parts. I can shoot my 6 inch NS .38 better but I love the look of the shorter barrel. They make a nice brace of 38s.

 

[walter o]

Thanks for ALL thegood help m & advise,think i will let them stay original 38 S&W

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I've found that modern Remington 38 S&W ammo chambered in all of my 38 Special and 357 S&W revolvers. However older vintage ammo did not. I suspect that the model marked 38 S&W revolvers may be more in line with 38 Special dimensions that the older guns, especially the pre WWI versions.
When I loaded for my old 38 top breaks I simply tumbled lubed my as cast 358" 158 gr bullets without sizing. They were close enough.
As far as converting any revolver to another cartridge, unless you can do it yourself, it is probably cheaper to buy an original. But I do understand the challenge.

John

 

[WR Moore]

For .38 S&W don't get too hung up over bullet diameter as many do! Anything from .358 to .363 is usable and will shoot just fine. SAAMI standard bullet diameter for .38 S&W is .358"-.361", and I strongly suspect a lot of factory ammunition is loaded with .358" bullets. And if push comes to shove .38 Special cases can be shortened to .38 S&W length and be perfectly usable.

The first time Remington got out of the component business, I bought a couple of 1000 round boxes of their 158 gr LRN bullets (at about $20/box wish I'd bought way more). They came with some hard (graphite?) lube covering the entire bullet and a very mild hollow base. Diameter was 0.360/0.361. Shot just fine.

 

[gwpercle]

Reloading for 32 S&W and 38 S&W might be your best bet .

A small Lee Hand Press Kit ($75.00 at Midway USA) and set of Lee Dies in each cal ($ 40.00 Midway USA) will get you going... Total $155 and a primer seater comes with the Hand Press kit & shell holders come with the dies !
The best bullet for the 38 S&W is the 148 gr. Hollow Based Wadcutter , the hollow base fills the slightly oversized 38 S&W bore ... look around and there are some casting companies that sell properly sized cast and coated bullets for the 38 S&W ... buy a good supply and you will be all set ... and you want to shoot lead bullets , factory HBWC or cast & lubed -plated or coated cast is best ... don't use jacketed bullets in these old cartridges ... they aren't meant to shoot them .

Have you been saving your brass ?