I know there is a difference of opinion on the use of 32 ACP in a 32 S&W Long revolver. Has anyone experienced any damage doing it? Also, shooting one out of a 4 in barrel revolver, how would the velocity be affected? Higher because of the longer 4 inch barrel or lower because of gas released from the cylinder? It just seems like the 32 ACP ballistics would be better in a self defense situation.
VELOCITY OF 32 ACP IN MODEL 30-1
- Thread starter Edknn123
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I believe the main problem with trying to use a 32 acp in a revolver is the round is only "semi rimmed", and will not extract properly and can easily get caught under the extractor star and tie the weapon up. Not a situation you want in a self defense situation. There is very little to be gained as the 32 long has just as good of ballistics and can be loaded even better. I would not recommend using the acp round in a revolver.
With commonly available factory ammo the velocity with good .32 acp
ammo is likely to be even more than 300 fps faster than the .32 Long
from a 4" revolver. I personally would stick to FMJ .32 acp ammo for
penetration and the bullets will likely tumble in soft tissue which
increases wounding ability. Good velocity can be had with S&B and
Aguila brands. Extraction shouldn't be an issue in a SD scenario where
the average number of shots fired is about two.
ammo is likely to be even more than 300 fps faster than the .32 Long
from a 4" revolver. I personally would stick to FMJ .32 acp ammo for
penetration and the bullets will likely tumble in soft tissue which
increases wounding ability. Good velocity can be had with S&B and
Aguila brands. Extraction shouldn't be an issue in a SD scenario where
the average number of shots fired is about two.
I've run perhaps 250 rounds of 32ACP through my 3" with no problems ejecting or otherwise. Now I was just plinking so if you were in a big rush I bet you could get one stuck under the extractor. It makes a mess that's tough to clean before you can use 32SWL again but that's it. Some of that was a bit warm as well but I really don't think you are going to see the improvement you are looking for because you are going to lose some of that velocity to the forcing cone and more to the cylinder gap.
I think if you reload you can get better results overall with 32SWL but I wouldn't hesitate to use "normal" (no crazy +P) .32ACP in a defensive situation if I wasn't worried about reloading.
I'll try to remember to take it out next time I chrono something and report back.
I think if you reload you can get better results overall with 32SWL but I wouldn't hesitate to use "normal" (no crazy +P) .32ACP in a defensive situation if I wasn't worried about reloading.
I'll try to remember to take it out next time I chrono something and report back.
Thanks, I would appreciate that. As you can probably tell I have never got into reloading. The mess you're talking about is from one getting stuck or from just using 32acp?
The mess comes from the 32 ACP being shorter than the 32 S&W Long. All cartridges leave combustion residue just in front of them and it might be problematic to insert the lengthier 32 S&W Long's into the cylinder charge holes without first cleaning out the carbon that was left at the mouth of the 32 ACP.
Stu.
Stu.
