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Jim Watson · October 29, 2011, 06:51 PM

The .32-44 (S&W Target) is NOT the same as .32 S&W Long.
It is an entirely different cartridge made for the No 3 New Model Target.
A long long case with bullet seated below the mouth. It is not cylinder length like the .38-44 Target but is longer than .32 S&W Long. It is also larger, a true .32 with .321" bullet.

I have read of the .32 Special and it is not the same as .32 S&W Long. It predates the 1896 .32 S&W Long and was loaded for IJ topbreaks with cylinders longer than the .32 S&W.

The various .32s (and a lot of other rounds low in power by 21st century standards) were considered adequate for self defense in the pre-antibiotic era when any penetrating torso hit could be lethal... eventually.

October 29, 2011, 06:51 PM	#17
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	The .32-44 (S&W Target) is NOT the same as .32 S&W Long. It is an entirely different cartridge made for the No 3 New Model Target. A long long case with bullet seated below the mouth. It is not cylinder length like the .38-44 Target but is longer than .32 S&W Long. It is also larger, a true .32 with .321" bullet. I have read of the .32 Special and it is not the same as .32 S&W Long. It predates the 1896 .32 S&W Long and was loaded for IJ topbreaks with cylinders longer than the .32 S&W. The various .32s (and a lot of other rounds low in power by 21st century standards) were considered adequate for self defense in the pre-antibiotic era when any penetrating torso hit could be lethal... eventually.