32 S&W UPDATE!

[20cows]

Does anybody have any experience with this cartridge? (not 32 S&W long)

I figure it's really wimpy, but is it even worth popping a cap on one, much less picking up a little break open revolver for?

[2ndovc]

I put up a post not long ago about a .32 S&W.

I have an old H&R top break hanging on a basement floor joist as a kinda "paranoia" gun.
Anyway my old DVD player gave up and quit on the wrong day!

Pulled the .32 stuck it up against the DVD and popped a cap in it!

Very satisfying but I was surprised at the lack of penetration. Only went a few inches
Before the bullet was stopped.

Rat gun at best!

jb

[Hobie]

I would not think that it would be worth much in this day and age.

Today I saw several fine Colt Pocket Positives. These darling, diminutive revolvers are just the ticket to make the .32 S&W Long look like a big cartridge. But, truth be told, I couldn't bring myself to spend $450 on such a thing. In my Single-Six, the .32 S&W Long makes a tolerable killer of squirrel and rabbit but with a short barrel and tiny grip as well as fixed sights, it seems more suited as a long distance cattle prod. Take away the extra powder one can stuff in the Long case and it hardly seems worth the effort. Then again, they are fun to shoot! Maybe that is reason enough.

[AJMD429]

Wait until YK posts - I think he's got some of those little old revolvers, and seems to have tons of fun with them...

[20cows]

I tried to do a search on the 32 S&W and there isn't even enough letters in the name for the search function to notice.

[adirondakjack]

Circa 1882, S&W "Double Action" (that was the model name, and is the origin of the term). Though a BP gun, I shoot 77 grain LRN bullets on top of a WEIGHED 1.4 grains of Unique for CAS side matches.

Even though it's a 'real" smith, I paid $90 out the door for the gun. I wear it holstered in that little holster, on my leather suspenders for CAS. Kinda cool jewelry. I HAVE carried it in my back pocket when riding a bicycle. I was always concerned about loose dogs when riding a rural trail.

[yooper2]

My dad has a Police Positive in the Long. While I agree that it's performance isn't terribly impressive, it does just fine on critters coon size and smaller. Plus it awful accurate and fun to shoot. If you're looking for loading info just PM me and I'll get a copy of my dad's notes (he has shot the Short quite a bit as well).

Eric

[20cows]

I know this isn't a question anybody can really answer for someone else, but would it be worth $150 for a toy? (If something "needs" shooting it "needs" a 45. )

[adirondakjack]

I think of mine as jewelry that shoots. Not practical, but still fun.

[olyinaz]

I know this isn't a question anybody can really answer for someone else, but would it be worth $150 for a toy? (If something "needs" shooting it "needs" a 45. )

Some of these are lovely little things and I have almost pulled the trigger on buying one probably a dozen times over the years. It just always seems like there's something else that the money can go towards...like a BIG top break revolver!

But yes, if you fancy it why not?? You work hard for your money - spend it how you see fit.

Best,
Oly

[BenT]

I have a couple H&R's top breaks. One for parts and one works. I don't have $100 into both together. I bought them because it is cheap decoration. The broken one hangs on a nail on the wall. But I shoot alot of 32's so they kind of draw me in. I do have a H&R pistol in 32 S&W long that I do shoot and I paid $100 for it, it will kill small game .

[bsaride]

Last year shot some from 327 revolver, hit hanging metal swinger....

Heard Ding...

No Sing...

could actually see the fullet fall off the swinger, this was about 7 yrds

[JB]

I know this isn't a question anybody can really answer for someone else, but would it be worth $150 for a toy? (If something "needs" shooting it "needs" a 45. )

I have a number of 32 S&W's just because I tend to gather up old pocket pistols. Ammo wise you could find cheaper options for plinking, but if it tickles your fancy, but it.

[damienph]

I know this isn't a question anybody can really answer for someone else, but would it be worth $150 for a toy? (If something "needs" shooting it "needs" a 45. )

I have a number of 32 S&W's just because I tend to gather up old pocket pistols. Ammo wise you could find cheaper options for plinking, but if it tickles your fancy, but it.

I have two topbreaks in 32 S&W and two in 38 S&W. I think that they are fun to plink with. Both of my 32s are Harrington & Richardsons. I shoot them with smokeless powder but VERY light loads. Personally, I would not shoot any factory loads in a 32 S&W topbreak, only in a solid frame.

As for spending $150 for one, for me at that price, it would have to be either a Smith & Wesson manufactured revolver or a real cream puff if any other maker.

[hightime]

I like 'em. They're cool. I sure would run if it was pointed at me.

Owen

[Marlin32]

Hobie, where did you see several Pocket Positives????

[Hobie]

I know this isn't a question anybody can really answer for someone else, but would it be worth $150 for a toy? (If something "needs" shooting it "needs" a 45. )

I have multi-thousand dollar "toys" (an RV, a truck to pull it, guns, and so forth), I own a dog on which I have spent who knows how much in almost 12 years, and I've been married twice. $150 for a "toy" is cheap. Darn cheap. You have convinced me that you should get it.

[20cows]

Ok, you forced me into it!

[20cows]

This should be headed my way soon:



It ain't "purty", but I think it's cute. $75 plus shipping and transfer fee.

The pitting is only on the outside of the cylindar according to the seller.

[damienph]

This should be headed my way soon:



It ain't "purty", but I think it's cute. $75 plus shipping and transfer fee.

The pitting is only on the outside of the cylindar according to the seller.

And even better, if those are original grips, the position of the owl head indicates that it is a later smokeless model. I am certainly no authority on much of anything but it is my understanding that if the owl head is positioned like yours they are smokeless, if it is rotated 90 degrees (sideways - facing the trigger guard) they are blackpowder.

I think that you got a great deal on it. I certainly would have bought it. I really like the Iver Johnsons

[hightime]

Tell us more about these little guns. I have the Smith and a Hopkins and I see the Ivers now and then, but they are all so much alike. They sure were popular and cheap at the turn of the century. Is there any to avoid shooting? Do they wear out fast? It looks to me that my Hopkins and Allen has never been shot. I keep it loaded and hidden away as a little defender option.

Owen

[L_Kilkenny]

My brother in law picked up a .32SW Harrington and Richardson this last year in 90% condition for $225 IIRC. I've never seen one in that good of condition. Still, he decided it was a good conversation piece hanging behind the bar, sometimes sitting on it.

I've looked at them numerous times but have kinda decided if I were to get an old top break it would be in .38 S&W. Any opinions on the difference?

LK

[damienph]

My brother in law picked up a .32SW Harrington and Richardson this last year in 90% condition for $225 IIRC. I've never seen one in that good of condition. Still, he decided it was a good conversation piece hanging behind the bar, sometimes sitting on it.

I've looked at them numerous times but have kinda decided if I were to get an old top break it would be in .38 S&W. Any opinions on the difference?

LK

I like shooting both but prefer the 38S&W over the 32s. In the pic below, at the top is my hammerless Iver Johnson Safety Automatic in 38 S&W (my favorite of my 4 topbreaks) the nickle one with the mother of pearl grips is an Empire State Arms (made by Meridian Arms?), also in 38 S&W. My Taurus 38 Special is in there to compare size.

[damienph]

This should be headed my way soon:



It ain't "purty", but I think it's cute. $75 plus shipping and transfer fee.

The pitting is only on the outside of the cylindar according to the seller.

20cows, the direction of the owls head on mine below indicates that it is an older blackpowder gun where yours, facing different should be good for smokeless. Either way, I would still shoot very light loads in it.

[Ysabel Kid]

Wait until YK posts - I think he's got some of those little old revolvers, and seems to have tons of fun with them...

Sorry guys - been swamped doing two jobs for the past two months. Relief is in sight though (another 4-6 weeks...).

I have a pair of old .32 S&W's that my Dad owned. Fun little guns, but as noted, not much in the way of accuracy or power. I had a chance to get a true S&W. Was very tempted, especially after Sixgun's discussion on the merit of these, but just couldn't bring myself to pay what they were asking, which was what it was worth. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one, but if one came my way at a very attractive price, I'm not sure I could resist. A fun little gallery gun.

[M. M. Wright]

I have a Smith and Wesson top break in 38 S&W which I load with fffg for SASS side matches. Great fun! The other one is a Merwin Hulbert in the same caliber.
If you've never handled a Merwin Hulbert, to unload you must pull the hammer back a little while pushing a button the bottom of the frame then the barrel assembly will rotate on the base pin. Then pull the barrel forward which takes the cylinder with it just far enough empties to clear the cylinder. If they are empty you can shake them out while live rounds remain in the revolver. Push it back together and load through the loading port on the right side.

[hightime]

That's cool. I see when I try and get info on my Hopkins and Allen, the refer to Merwin and Hulbert as well as Bacon. I actually havn't been able to get much on Hopkins and Allen 32's.

Owen

[jackruff]

I have a 32 S&W, but it's a more recent vintage H&R with a transfer bar. It doesn't say it will shoot S&W Long, but it handles them just fine. It's a fun little gun to shoot.

[20cows]

I did good!

Everything is tight, bore and chambers are great. Beyond the cosmetic pitting on one side of the cylinder, everything has a nice, even patina.

Need to get some brass.

[Hobie]

I did good!

Everything is tight, bore and chambers are great. Beyond the cosmetic pitting on one side of the cylinder, everything has a nice, even patina.

Need to get some brass.

[20cows]

Ok, I loaded a few experimental rounds.

I LIKE IT!!!

Reloading for it looks like it will be an adventure in itself.

And who'd thought such a little revolver would have such a long trigger pull? Even single action!

[kimwcook]

I like it!