What Pistol/How Old a gun to shoot modern .32 SW Long?

[Redcoat3340]

So I've got a half dozen boxes of .32 Longs in the safe. But don't have a .32 revolver.

Rather than sell the bullets, I figure I'd buy a gun to shoot them. (Which makes no sense at all, but hey, what the heck?)

So I'm wondering how old a gun I can safely shoot these cartridges in? There's all sorts of top breaks, older S&W models, and newer guns on the big auction site and I haven't gone looking in my local gun stores yet. I understand I can also shoot these safely from a .32 H&R magnum as well.

I know I can't shoot them from "regular" .32 S&W (not "long") guns, but I am looking to find what I should be shopping for.

Suggestions? Advice? (Help?)

 

[ColbyBruce]

The pre model numbered S&W I frame guns up to the J frame 30 and 31 variants, K32 and model 16 variants, Colt Detective Specials and Police Positives, Ruger SP101 .32 H&R magnums, Charter Arms, various Taurus and Rossi models of revolvers would be suitable.

 

[steelslaver]

I have some really early I frames (1903&1905) and I shoot them all with modern 32 longs. The pressure limit is 15,000psi and I have never seen or heard of a +P 32 long

They really are neat little guns and fun to shoot.

I don't believe S&W made a top break 32 long.

My wife carries an I frame 32 long and while there are more powerful guns it beats nothing or IMHO a 22

To me the only real improvement from the I frame to the J frame is the J frames have better sights,

I also have a 431 which is an alloy 32 H&R. They are hard to find and not cheap, They also made a few alloy 327 mags.

A k frame 32s are sweet and hard to find and very high dollar when you do. Even the last model made, the 16-4 in 32 H&R now brings $1500 up

 

[raljr1]

Don't do it!

Be very careful about buying a 32. I bought one once.....and then was compelled to repeat the process over a dozen times.

Any of the Hand Ejector models chambered in 32 long would be fine...some of them are available at very reasonable prices if you aren't too fussy about condition. If I was buying my first 32 today, it would probably be the J frame model 30 or 31.

 

[cmansguns]

Fun time caliber--sweet shooters

Don't know much about ".32 Hand Ejector" (Model 30), but I can tell you that the ".32 Regulation Police" (Model 31) is a great small gun perfect for average hands in my opinion.

Seriously, there was a recent post about the subject of Hand Ejector vs Regulation Police titles from the factory but doesn't really affect the inherent quality, workmanship, desirability of these classics.

I don't think you could go wrong finding a Model 30 or 31 for accommodating that surplus ammo you already have on hand. These gems are still out there and still in a reasonable price range.

Mine came from an estate sale with the original sales receipt under the paperwork in the original box.

 

[handejector]

There's all sorts of top breaks,

No, you won't find a Top Break in 32 Long, unless you find a New Mod #3, and it would be a very rare gun.
The small frames were 32 S&W, not 32 Long.

 

[leonardocarrillo]

More than the age of the weapon, I would look at its state of conservation.

 

[Green Frog]

All factory loaded ammo in 32 S&W Long is loaded to safe levels for the multitude of revolvers in this caliber that were so common around the turn of the Twentieth Century up to just after its midpoint. By the late Twentieth Century, manufacturers were starting to taper off production of the various 32s, but we shooters, obstinate lot that we are, have now pounced upon them with a perverse enthusiasm. Although we're told they are obsolete, weak, and generally useless, we just smile, nod, and keep on buying and shooting them.

To answer your question, the most easily available S&W models would probably be the Mod 30 & 31, but don't ignore the pre-Model numbered I frames, especially the late pre-War and early post-War examples. They are still recent enough to have parts available (mostly used) and unless badly abused should give good service.

Be careful though, the little 32s can be addictive, and 1 is probably not enough. You might want to spare yourself the hassle and just send that ammo to me for safe disposal.

Froggie

 

[old tanker]

.32 S&W Long is a pleasant cartridge and nicely accurate. We have a Colt Pocket Positive from 1938, a Police Positive from 1923, an S&W Hand Ejector from 1952 and a couple of large frame Owl Heads. The 5 inch Iver Johnson is from 1911 while the hammerless one is from 1929.

 

[raljr1]

The only thing I would add, is that the I frame trigger guards are a little small for large hands. That's why I would lean towards the J frames...says the man who has large hands and a half a dozen or so I frame 32s.

 

[DWalt]

There are even M&Ps in .32 Long, but you are not likely to find one. I once had a newer H&R revolver in that caliber, also a Llama.

 

[desi2358]

I really like the 32 Long, you couldn't go wrong with any swing out cylinder S&W in that caliber or a Colt Police Positive (though with the Colt make sure it is cambered for the New Police and not the older 32 Long Colt). There are other brands such as H&R who made pull pin and swing out cylinder models and the Ruger Single Six in 32 Mag works very well with 32 S&W Long ammo.

As to top breaks S&W never made any Long chambered 32 cal guns but H&R and Iver Johnson did make some on their large frames that they used for 38 S&W. Made as a 6 shot in 32 Long instead of 5 shot in the 32 S&W round like their small frame guns. Not as common as the 38's and seem to have gone out of production before WWII.

 

[raljr1]

There are even M&Ps in .32 Long, but you are not likely to find one. I once had a newer H&R revolver in that caliber, also a Llama.

I just bought a 32 M&P and you can get two Model 30s for that price, and I found a nice Taurus that hasn't arrived yet, but it too cost me as much as a model 30. I bought it because ...see my earlier post...

 

[kscharlie]

As you have been warned, the I-frame .32s can be a bit addictive. There are members who have a lot more of them than I do, but to date I have managed to accumulate 5 I-frames in .32 S&W Long, dating from 1906 to 1957. Paid from $215 to $422. Prices are up from what I paid, but they are still out there for a reasonable amount if you are patient. I shoot all of mine, and they are really fun.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had a 4" mid 70's Rossi copy of a Hand Ejector target that was a very fine little gun. I sold/traded it off when I found a Model 30 snubby!

Ivan

 

[Hondo44]

Any S&W 32 hand ejector and regulation police I and J frames from 1896 to 1991 is safe for 32 Long ammo.

The 1953 Model I frames have the larger J frame size trigger guard like the J frames that began in 1961.

 

[Redcoat3340]

First, thanks to all who helped me here. I'm looking at a Colt Police Positive at my LGS, they have two one at $325 and another at $375, will be choosing on Friday.

However, I was warned by raljhr1, "Be very careful about buying a 32. I bought one once.....and then was compelled to repeat the process over a dozen times" and I gotta confess I've been through that with .38 S&W.
My son gave me a .38/200 BSR that someone gave him and after about 15 minutes (or so it seemed) there were seven in the safe -- a Perfected, a .38/32 Terrier, a Model 33 and a few others.
I will be cautious about adding any more, but a nice model 30 or 32.....hmmmnm.

 

[Muley Gil]

To save you from all of that grief, just send me your ammo. Heck, I'll even pay for the shipping.

 

[steelslaver]

In the summer when Light clothing is the order of the day one of the newer alloy J frames in 32 H&R is easy to pocket carry, gives you a 1 round advantage over the 5 shot 38 special models and is in the same power range.

In 327 Federal mag the recoil in one of these feather weights is on the sharp side.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

First, thanks to all who helped me here. I'm looking at a Colt Police Positive at my LGS, they have two one at $325 and another at $375, will be choosing on Friday.

However, I was warned by raljhr1, "Be very careful about buying a 32. I bought one once.....and then was compelled to repeat the process over a dozen times" and I gotta confess I've been through that with .38 S&W.
My son gave me a .38/200 BSR that someone gave him and after about 15 minutes (or so it seemed) there were seven in the safe -- a Perfected, a .38/32 Terrier, a Model 33 and a few others.
I will be cautious about adding any more, but a nice model 30 or 32.....hmmmnm.

Redcoat3340, I'd be interested to know how you like the Colt if you get it. I recently picked up a Colt New Police in 32 Long circa 1950 thinking it would be a much cheaper substitute for 32 Long M&P though slightly smaller frame. Being so used to S&W trigger pulls, I find the Colt is taking a lot of getting used to and learning to shoot in comparison to other Smiths.