Stupid Ammo Question

[iwanna]

Well, I did it again. Second time this year I've carelessly picked up the wrong stuff from my local LGS. No returns on ammo.

They had their big annual sale yesterday so I grabbed some .32 Smith and Wesson. Uh, my little hand ejector takes .32 S&W LONG.

I'm guessing the .32 S&W will work? If so, might it have any advantages, other than the 10 bucks less it cost me?

 

[glowe]

Well, I did it again. Second time this year I've carelessly picked up the wrong stuff from my local LGS. No returns on ammo.

They had their big annual sale yesterday so I grabbed some .32 Smith and Wesson. Uh, my little hand ejector takes .32 S&W LONG.

I'm guessing the .32 S&W will work? If so, might it have any advantages, other than the 10 bucks less it cost me?

In theory you will lose accuracy. You will normally chamber a 32 Long in a cylinder where the bullet will rest at the shoulder which acts as a sort of forcing cone. When you use a shorter case, your bullet will have to jump the gap before it gets to the restriction in the chamber, allowing for a slight upsetting of the bullet and a loss of velocity. How much this actually affects ballistics is anyone guess, but many people use 32 S&W in their 32 Long guns.

You can buy 32 Long ammo for as low as $15 per box online today and if you purchase a few boxes, shipping will not raise the price much. Some ammo sellers offer free shipping.

 

[125JHP]

Time to go out and buy an good condition old S&W top break that takes that ammo

 

[iwanna]

Really? Jees, my first box of .32 S&W Long was almost 40.00 from a local LGS. One of the few that carry it.

I'm pretty new to the little I-frame. Glad to know I can use the ammo anyway.

Last time I bought .35 Remington for a Marlin Texan I picked up. Uh, it wants ROUND NOSE, not pointed. Far as I can see I could use the Spitzers provided I go one at a time. Doesn't matter. A good friend has a beautiful Kimber in .35 Rem and Christmas is coming anyway so the man has a plan.

Thank you. I was thinking maybe gun show for reasonable .32 ammo. I'll check online.

 

[iwanna]

Time to go out and buy an good condition old S&W top break that takes that ammo

Ugh. I had my chance a few years ago. There was a beautiful top break sitting there at the local counter. I knew it was a bargain, but the vintage Smiths weren't really on my radar screen yet. I'm biting my finger right now. Bad memory.

 

[TACC1]

There are some dandy little shooters out there, just
begging for you to put them back to what they were designed for!
In the pics, that Model 1-1/2 is hungrily awaiting a fresh
meal of .32's. The box of .32S&W Long ammo is just there to
keep 'em hungry for more.
Seriously, you've got the ammo, do like I do: If you have
ammo and no gun, it's time to get one.
(Protected by a SHOOBOY)
Works for me, TACC1

 

[Jack Flash]

You could shoot the spitzer ammo in your lever action as long as you only load and shoot one cartridge at a time (ie, target practice at the range or just plinking where it's safe and legal). Just don't attempt this if you are the absent minded type who may forget and fully load a tubular magazine with pointed ammo!

Many people shoot the .38 Special in a .357 Magnum revolver and report excellent accuracy. Your situation with the .32 S&W fired in a .32 S&W Long revolver should work just fine.

 

[cgt4570]

I've even put a few .32 S&W rounds through my .32 H&R Mag and .327 Federal Mag. They shoot accurately and have zero recoil out of my custom 8-3/8" K-327 Target (by Hamilton Bowen). It's like shooting .22 caps.

 

[iwanna]

There are some dandy little shooters out there, just
begging for you to put them back to what they were designed for!
In the pics, that Model 1-1/2 is hungrily awaiting a fresh
meal of .32's. The box of .32S&W Long ammo is just there to
keep 'em hungry for more.
Seriously, you've got the ammo, do like I do: If you have
ammo and no gun, it's time to get one.
(Protected by a SHOOBOY)
Works for me, TACC1

My little re-blued .32 3rd Model Hand Ejector (Is there a quicker way to describe?) with the nice grips just impressed me up at the cabin. No museum piece. Just a good 'ol gun. I even brought it out to the deer blind a time or two for company. It seemed utterly in its element. It made my Heckler USP look a little out of place.

When it comes to guns of all kinds, I've always liked the dainty little ones anyway. James Bond vs. Dirty Harry type deal. I respect the big ones, but I love the little ones.

 

[Chris L.]

Well, I did it again. Second time this year I've carelessly picked up the wrong stuff from my local LGS. No returns on ammo.

They had their big annual sale yesterday so I grabbed some .32 Smith and Wesson. Uh, my little hand ejector takes .32 S&W LONG.

I'm guessing the .32 S&W will work? If so, might it have any advantages, other than the 10 bucks less it cost me?

Regarding firearms, there are no stupid questions, and we all make mistakes. I recently picked up some .308 ammo along with the deer rifle I just bought that I thought was only $24.99, turns out it was $39.99 (ouch!) Didn't realize it until I got home.

 

[Chris L.]

When it comes to guns of all kinds, I've always liked the dainty little ones anyway. James Bond vs. Dirty Harry type deal. I respect the big ones, but I love the little ones.

I believe the reasons why some of us like the small guns so much is because we can actually carry them much more often, plus we have more room to keep them!

Unless you live in a rural area or are not a LEO, the handgun you are most likely to use in the real world will be on the small side.

 

[glowe]

Really? Jees, my first box of .32 S&W Long was almost 40.00 from a local LGS. One of the few that carry it.

A1Ammo.com has 32 Long RN at $70 for 4 boxes and free shipping. Ammunitiontogo.com has Federal wadcutters for $13/box, but have to pay for shipping. 4 boxes plus shipping is also $70 and the ammo is very accurate. If you look around you might find better prices.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There's nothing wrong with shooting 32 S&W ammo in a revolver chambered for .32 S&W Long. It's like shooting .22 Short or .22 Long ammo in a gun chambered for .22LR...

 

[iwanna]

There's nothing wrong with shooting 32 S&W ammo in a revolver chambered for .32 S&W Long. It's like shooting .22 Short or .22 Long ammo in a gun chambered for .22LR...

Thanks. That's what I would have figured. But, now I want a new Smith that takes .32 Smith.

 

[DWalt]

Buy a .327 Magnum. You can shoot .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 Mag, and .327, plus .32 ACP, in it.

 

[Stick895]

I believe the reasons why some of us like the small guns so much is because we can actually carry them much more often, plus we have more room to keep them!

Unless you live in a rural area or are not a LEO, the handgun you are most likely to use in the real world will be on the small side.

credit to Jim Croce: He had a .32 gun in his pocket for fun/ he had a rzor in his shoe!

 

[DWalt]

My carry gun is a .25. But I don't expect to need it. If I do, it will do the job as I practice with it, and it holds 6 shots.

 

[KarmannGhia]

I have found that 32 s&w, is harder to find and more expensive than 32 long. Like already covered, it is like shooting a 22 short in a 22 long rifle gun. I have had good luck with 32 long from aimsurplus.com for $13.95 per box (in stock). I would kill to be able to get 32 s&w for that price.

 

[iwanna]

Happiness! Thanks to the tips here my friend found me 4-1/2 boxes of PMC .32 S%W Long for 50.00 cash from a trusted seller. I'm set for life!
I paid almost that much for on-single box from a LGS across town. No more doling them out!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Happiness! Thanks to the tips here my friend found me 4-1/2 boxes of PMC .32 S%W Long for 50.00 cash from a trusted seller. I'm set for life!
I paid almost that much for on-single box from a LGS across town. No more doling them out!

That is an unbelievable price, good for you. Wow, what a great deal! The last time 32 S&W Long ammo was around for $10 a box was probably 30 or 40 years ago...