Suggestion for K-32 revival

[Jerry in SC]

Of the hundreds of revolvers I've owned, only one K32. Just out of High School I got it used on a trade. This was in the magnum mania period of 60s. I got several boxes of factory target ammo with it. Shot up ammo and must have traded it off/ sold, don't remember. The LGS were full of 32 revolvers at the time, going cheap. One of the few S&W that I never purchased new. I remember seeing them in display cases like orphans. I think guys my age missed the boat on 32s, especially those with adj sights.
In most cases the 32 would make a better field cartridge than the 38sp.
For shooting such things as small game and varmits where a little more than 22 would be nice. Takes awhile to figure out with a lot of revolver cartridges you are burning more power and lead necessary for the job. I guess the last 30yrs anti personnel guns have been the major market and not much done for field type.

I distinctly remember a K-32 sitting on a dealers shelf about 1971 or 1972. My biggest regret (much later of course) was walking past it and leaving the store without it. It was the only one I'd ever seen new for sale.

 

[steelslaver]

They should produce a 16-5, a -6 and a -7. One having s tapered barrel another the full under lug and a fix sight variation. All in 327 mag and with various lengths.

Lets all dream

My realities were built on 10-7 J&G frames
a 6" 327

a 3" 327

 

[Green Frog]

Well, if they could find the tooling to make pre IL frames, they could make the model 16s you mention, then in stainless I could see 6" Model 67 barrel blanks and Model 617 barrel blanks being bored to .312" groove with a 16" twist to make Stainless Masterpiece and Stainless Heavy Masterpiece Model 616s and then make a fixed sight stainless 4" 327 FM using a Model 64 parts with smaller holes!
There would be a brief loud clamor for them and a few of each would actually sell, then they would languish unsold on dealers' shelves. But we'd each get the ones we want!
Froggie

 

[steelslaver]

I am pretty sure you mean barrels with a 312 grove and a 1 in 16 inch twist.

16 turns in an inch is a bit on the aggressive side.

I know why they are nervous about sales, but right now there seems to be quite a bit of interest in small caliber high velocity hand guns. The 5.7 and the 22TCM are selling in semis

It doesn't take any more work to make hot rod 32s than it does for them to make 38s and 357s. I would take a 6 shot 327 steel J over a 5 shot J frame 357 every time. In fact at this point I would take a K 32 over a 38/357 myself.

I now have 2 alloy J frame H&R mags. One of them is now a alloy framed 327 mag. The recoil is such that 2nd shot time sucks. But that would apply to 38 or 357 alloy Js even more so. Would rather have a steel frame 327 mag J frame. My 640 cylinder and barrel maybe getting replaced with 327 parts

 

[Green Frog]

FIXED IT!
Hey steel… isn't .312" pretty small for a grove? Those trees must really be tiny! See, I'm not the only one who makes typos!

 

[steelslaver]

FIXED IT!
Hey steel… isn't .312" pretty small for a grove? Those trees must really be tiny! See, I'm not the only one who makes typos!

I had no decimal point and 312 trees is actually quite a few for a grove 313 would just about have to be a forest.

 

[raljr1]

Sounds like Pittsburgh would be a good central meeting place for everybody. I'm game.

Keep me posted. Pittsburgh is hometown for me and I get back every chance I get. I have a 32 or two as well.

Wife and I passed by Froggie's on our way to lake Lure from Arlington a few weeks ago. Things we know too late.

 

[Tom K]

Just to keep the juices flowing, you might go back over this build;

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980- present/260686-project-616-a.html

In the words of Jimmy Buffett, "All it takes is looks and a whole lot of money."

This is what it looks like

Billy Joel, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" from the 1980 album Glass Houses.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAQa4MOGkE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAQa4MOGkE[/ame]

The drawback to Smith & Wesson making a new K-32 of any type, is the ugly profile of the current frame due to the lock. The flattened curve of the back of the frame where the hammer is just completely turns me off.

That said, with a whole lotta money you can get your own made. Here's my 8-3/8" .327 Federal done by Andy Horvath.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/472728-seldom-seen-8-3-8-k32.html

A few years ago you could get the Brno Alfa-Proj revolvers in .32 S&W Long (and .22 and .38) for a reasonable price but they don't seem to be available any more.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firear...607854-alfa-revolver-triplets-22-32-38-a.html

 

[rbmac52]

I'd be all in for a reissue of sorts in K or J frame, but in .32 S&W long only. I'm not a fan of the 327 or 32 Magnum calibers.

 

[Marlin57M]

The post from 6string brings this back to reality. While it would be very easy to retool the model 67 for 32 S&W or .32 H&R like the 16 -4 this probably is not something S&W would do.

At this time I have a pre model number 30 and a .32 Regulation Police that was made in 1940. About 3 or 4 years ago I picked up a set of RCBS Cowboy dies with a carbide sizer , an RCBS mold for a 98 gr SWC, 1,200 PPU unprimed cases and a good supply of powder and small pistol primers. I have been able to load for this caliber with about the same ease and economy as the .38 Special. I have been able to shoot my .32s quite a bit and they are a lot of fun. But I would like to have something bigger than an I frame in this caliber.

Since I am only going to be shooting.32 Long a revolver chambered in .32 H&R or .327 is not needed. I would not however pass up a Ruger or 16-4 if one came my way.

One less expensive option that I have been considering is a .32 J frame with a 3 or 4 in barrel or a Colt Police Positive Special. While these are still on the small side they still have more to hold on to than an I frame.'

I do have one question for any forum member who has a .32 H&R or .327.

If and when you fire .32 Long ammunition how is the accuracy?

I have a 6" S&W 16-4, 5.5" Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R Mag and 4" S&W 31. All are accurate and love S&W Long with 98 grain HBWC bullet with 2.0 grains of Bullseye. On occasion, I shoot the 16-4 in outdoor bullseye league. Only wish I had larger holes to improve my score

 

[Skeet 028]

Might sound off a bit but I would like to have a K frame adj sighted 5 inch(well 6 inch would work) bbl'd 32 probably chambered in 32 H&R mag. My 16-4 4 inch shoots the 32 S&W L just fine. It is a great shooter. Just like to have the same gun without the extra weight that the 16-4 has. In fact I even have a donor pre 15 I would use... But an EXTRA 1000 dollars or more is a huge stopping factor. Heck I have a 4 inch 327 Fed...But...It's not a S&W...it's a Ruger. I even have a stockpile of 32 caliber molds to play with...I even have a single action Ruger combo 32 H&R/32-20 I should re-chamber. to 327. Like many...I wish I had the expertise of Steelslaver

 

[Skeet 028]

You know what? My overactive imagination just over flowed..just think...a Dan Wesson 15...extra 327 cylinder...extra screw in 32 caliber bbl. I know...out of the realm of doable...but It would still have half the name and some of the looks

 

[moonsterman]

I have the same 32s that Marlin57M has to a tee , I would love to see a J frame in 32 again , or something like a model 18 but for 327mag.

 

[Green Frog]

I have the same 32s that Marlin57M has to a tee , I would love to see a J frame in 32 again , or something like a model 18 but for 327mag.

That would be a Model 16-5, or if stainless a Model 616. Other people have mentioned those same wishes, but not enough people "in power" seem to have heard them. More's the pity!

Froggie¡

 

[moonsterman]

with the current trend of small ccw handguns , I am honestly stunned that they dont revisit a J frame in 32 H&R mag.......they have the tooling already. Make a limited run say 5000 , heck take preorders first. You look at the models 14-5 and 16-4 they didnt sell so they pulled them , in the case of the 14-5 people didnt know they were even available until after they put a stop to them. What I am trying to say is the marketing sucked!!! To me a 6 shot revolver in 32 or even 9mm would great for alot of people , yes semi autos rule I get that , but I rather own a smith in 32 then some other "thing" in 30 super carry.

 

[jkingrph]

I have a K 22 and K 38, late 60's models and always wanted a K 32 but never found one. When I searched the internet I found prices were out of sight. Twelve to fifteen years ago I found a little Marlin 1894CL in 32-20, new at a nearby Gander Mountain and grabbed, and started looking for a 32 revolver for a companion piece. I finally located a decent looking model at some dealer up in the NE. Having a C&R license made a purchase easy, It is marked 32WCF, not 32-20, same cartridge and loads, but different markings.

 

[Bullet Bob]

"The question is does Smith and Wesson's marketing department listen to suggestions?"

I'll bet they do listen, but know enough to determine if it's economically viable. Probably not; but you never know.

Somewhere in this thread a question was asked about .32 Long in a .327 cylinder. I only have a sample of one, a Ruger Single-Seven Bisley in .327 (which it will never see while I own it) which shoots Longs very accurately. I did shoot a few .32 H&R magnums in it just to try them out, they also shot fine. If I felt the need for more power than that, I'd reach for a bigger caliber.

 

[Green Frog]

I have a K 22 and K 38, late 60's models and always wanted a K 32 but never found one. When I searched the internet I found prices were out of sight. Twelve to fifteen years ago I found a little Marlin 1894CL in 32-20, new at a nearby Gander Mountain and grabbed, and started looking for a 32 revolver for a companion piece. I finally located a decent looking model at some dealer up in the NE. Having a C&R license made a purchase easy, It is marked 32WCF, not 32-20, same cartridge and loads, but different markings.

I am going to make a leap of logic here and guess you found a 32-20 DA, either an M&P from S&W or one of the two likely Colts. Either way, you've got a great package! One of my unfulfilled dreams was to find that same Marlin in 32 H&R or the similar Henry in 327 FM. Both the 32-20 and the straight sided 32 pistol cartridges make great casual target and woods loafing guns. Congratulations.
Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

Bullet Bob, I would encourage you to hunt up a box of Federal's High Performance/Low Recoil ammo in 327. They aren't cheap, but the performance is worth it! I have used them in both my Ruger Blackhawk (8 shot Super BH frame) and my custom K frame guns with awesome results and manageable recoil, about like the old police load for 38 Spl or maybe a +P. They can be loaded up to ground shaking, storm bringing levels and I've done that too, but you don't have to load 327 to the max to enjoy them. At least I don't!
Froggie

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A new K-frame .32 ain't gonna happen. Bear in mind that when the 16-4 was released that it was a flop. They only made a few thousand and it took years to sell them. Its only in the last 10 years or so that they've become popular and that is primarily due to their scarcity. Collectors want the rare gun, not necessarily the cartridge.
Sure, members of this board would run right out and buy one. But the general public would completely ignore it.
Also bear in mind that the .32 long, .32 H&R and the .327 Federal are all barely hanging on by their fingernails. The market just isn't there.

Correct.......When they first announced them I was in for 2..........Then I saw all had those stupid heavy full useless underlugs.......Turned me off big time.
I do have a Ruger 4 5/6" SS in 32 mag that scratched the itch.