.32 S&W Primer Only? - The Firearms Forum

grover26 · 04-08-2012, 11:58 AM

Are any such rounds being produced? I'm aware of the .22's, like Colibre.

I have a few old H&R five shot revolvers; one solid frame black powder and two top-breaks, one black, one smokeless. All are in apparently good mechanical condition; index well, tight lock-up. Although I've read that most currently available modern .32 rounds are quite lightly loaded and are probably safe to use in the black powder guns, as well as smokeless one, I'd still prefer something a bit 'milder'. Basically, I'm interested in seeing if these guns are operable and plan on firing them only occassionally.

Goody · 04-09-2012, 06:59 AM

I don't think a primer would clear the barrel. Find a local Cowboy Action Shooting club and see if anyone would be willing to load some black powder rounds for you.

Alpo · 04-09-2012, 12:15 PM

No only would it not clear the barrel, it would most probably not clear the forcing cone. When Aquila made Colibri, they cut the bullet weight in half, from 40 down to 20 grains, and the bullets still got stuck often enough that they doubled the priming charge, to make the Super Colibri.

I agree. Find someone that will make you some black powder ammo if you wish to shoot them.

45Auto · 04-09-2012, 12:41 PM

I have experience from my youth shooting modern ammo through black powder era 32 Premier model revolvers. Most of the time, after 6 to 12 shots, the latch would become rather loose because the latch screw was starting to bend. I had one old Premier that I fired and found that the latch had broken in half. There were no injuries from any of my early shooting adventures. But I did learn alot about gunsmithing!

Some of the old Premier revolvers will shoot rather well if you load black powder shells for them. Black powder does not cause them any problems.

Jim K · 04-09-2012, 03:48 PM

AFAIK, you can't buy primed cases any more; the shipping regs are the same as for loaded ammo, so it doesn't pay. You can buy empty cases for SOME calibers, but I don't think .32 S&W is one of them. Basically, you would have to buy live ammo, and either fire it in a newer revolver and reprime or pull the bullets and load with black powder. You might salvage the bullets if you use an inertia bullet puller, but in my experience that is not always possible with heavily crimped revolver ammo. If you just want to fire a few shots, you can load with round balls (.31 caliber), otherwise you might have to find someone who can cast bullets for you.

Jim

Alpo · 04-09-2012, 05:54 PM

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...odID=FA45EP100

Now, whether 32 S&W primed brass is available, I couldn't tell you. But primed brass is still for sale.

Yeah, the shipping regs are the same as for loaded ammo - no hazmat fee.

Hammerslagger · 04-09-2012, 08:14 PM

Smokeless powder ammo mostly turned out to be a problem in Damascus barrel long guns. It appears that the reason was not higher pressures but the actual pressure curve of smokeless powders (that are progressive burning) and tend to put higher pressures further down a long tapered barrel than Black Powder does.

Most last half of 19th century and later firearms (with non Damascus barrels) have their pressure containing parts made of ferrous (iron) based metals. Sometimes the metal is correctly called steel, (even "nickle-steel" for the Colt 1860 army Revolver) and sometimes just a variety of iron. The metal in 100 or more year old guns is often interspersed with pollutants from its manufacture process that tend to weaken the integrity of the metal over long periods of time.

In a pistol or revolver the shape of the pressure curve is not likely to be a problem, if loading manual recommended light (low pressure) load are used that produce less pressure that the typical Black Powder load.

Some older and valuable antique arms have become notorious for breaking when fired or even cocked. One is ill advised to shoot them with any load unless one does not care about the potential consequences.

Max Donovan · 04-15-2012, 05:41 PM

Hi; I shoot old pistols a lot. 1. If you just pop a primer, the cup may set back and jam the cylinder. Pressure inside the pocket on a large rifle primer is around 30,000 PSI, I do not know about pistol primers. 2. S&W introduced the 32 and 38 S&W cartridges for target shooting, as much more accurate than the 32 Colt and 38 Colt because the S&W bullets were not crimped, just held by neck tension. Get an old tong tool and a can of FFFg and have a ball. Wear shooting glasses. Best, Max

04-08-2012, 11:58 AM	#1
grover26 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 6	.32 S&W Primer Only? Are any such rounds being produced? I'm aware of the .22's, like Colibre. I have a few old H&R five shot revolvers; one solid frame black powder and two top-breaks, one black, one smokeless. All are in apparently good mechanical condition; index well, tight lock-up. Although I've read that most currently available modern .32 rounds are quite lightly loaded and are probably safe to use in the black powder guns, as well as smokeless one, I'd still prefer something a bit 'milder'. Basically, I'm interested in seeing if these guns are operable and plan on firing them only occassionally. -->

04-09-2012, 06:59 AM	#2
Goody V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 333	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? I don't think a primer would clear the barrel. Find a local Cowboy Action Shooting club and see if anyone would be willing to load some black powder rounds for you.

04-09-2012, 12:15 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? No only would it not clear the barrel, it would most probably not clear the forcing cone. When Aquila made Colibri, they cut the bullet weight in half, from 40 down to 20 grains, and the bullets still got stuck often enough that they doubled the priming charge, to make the Super Colibri. I agree. Find someone that will make you some black powder ammo if you wish to shoot them. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

04-09-2012, 12:41 PM	#4
45Auto Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,119	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? I have experience from my youth shooting modern ammo through black powder era 32 Premier model revolvers. Most of the time, after 6 to 12 shots, the latch would become rather loose because the latch screw was starting to bend. I had one old Premier that I fired and found that the latch had broken in half. There were no injuries from any of my early shooting adventures. But I did learn alot about gunsmithing! Some of the old Premier revolvers will shoot rather well if you load black powder shells for them. Black powder does not cause them any problems.

04-09-2012, 03:48 PM	#5
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? AFAIK, you can't buy primed cases any more; the shipping regs are the same as for loaded ammo, so it doesn't pay. You can buy empty cases for SOME calibers, but I don't think .32 S&W is one of them. Basically, you would have to buy live ammo, and either fire it in a newer revolver and reprime or pull the bullets and load with black powder. You might salvage the bullets if you use an inertia bullet puller, but in my experience that is not always possible with heavily crimped revolver ammo. If you just want to fire a few shots, you can load with round balls (.31 caliber), otherwise you might have to find someone who can cast bullets for you. Jim

04-09-2012, 05:54 PM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...odID=FA45EP100 Now, whether 32 S&W primed brass is available, I couldn't tell you. But primed brass is still for sale. Yeah, the shipping regs are the same as for loaded ammo - no hazmat fee. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

04-09-2012, 08:14 PM	#7
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? Smokeless powder ammo mostly turned out to be a problem in Damascus barrel long guns. It appears that the reason was not higher pressures but the actual pressure curve of smokeless powders (that are progressive burning) and tend to put higher pressures further down a long tapered barrel than Black Powder does. Most last half of 19th century and later firearms (with non Damascus barrels) have their pressure containing parts made of ferrous (iron) based metals. Sometimes the metal is correctly called steel, (even "nickle-steel" for the Colt 1860 army Revolver) and sometimes just a variety of iron. The metal in 100 or more year old guns is often interspersed with pollutants from its manufacture process that tend to weaken the integrity of the metal over long periods of time. In a pistol or revolver the shape of the pressure curve is not likely to be a problem, if loading manual recommended light (low pressure) load are used that produce less pressure that the typical Black Powder load. Some older and valuable antique arms have become notorious for breaking when fired or even cocked. One is ill advised to shoot them with any load unless one does not care about the potential consequences.

04-15-2012, 05:41 PM	#8
Max Donovan V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 77	Re: .32 S&W Primer Only? Hi; I shoot old pistols a lot. 1. If you just pop a primer, the cup may set back and jam the cylinder. Pressure inside the pocket on a large rifle primer is around 30,000 PSI, I do not know about pistol primers. 2. S&W introduced the 32 and 38 S&W cartridges for target shooting, as much more accurate than the 32 Colt and 38 Colt because the S&W bullets were not crimped, just held by neck tension. Get an old tong tool and a can of FFFg and have a ball. Wear shooting glasses. Best, Max