7.62 Russian Nagant

Gunfounder · June 17, 1999, 10:48 PM

This one has me stumped: Can't find dies for the specific cartridge, all the brass is berdan primed except the expensive Fiocchi. A box of ammo costs almost as much as the gun. Trying to figure out some way to reform something to use.
I have used the 32 Colt(long) and 32 S&W (short) cases with some success but the cases bulge to fit the chamber, I used a set of 30 carbine dies and mild loads with an 88gr lead bullet sized to .312 dia. No crimp obviously with this set up and no gas seal at the chamber/throat gap. Any other suggestions to keep these pieces shooting?
Now I see why the Russians played roulett with this gun, one of the first with 7 chambers??? From an 1895 model and we think the 6+1 revolver is a new invention.

cornered rat · June 18, 1999, 11:51 AM

Actually, revolvers with 9-12 shots were not uncommon in 19c Europe...some were 30-rounders, even!

Gunfounder · June 18, 1999, 12:13 PM

Their governments probably didn't see anything wrong with having a high capacity revolver? Either that, or the consensus was that one or thirty didn't matter it only took one, seems to me that a double edged sword has an unlimited capacity only limited by the skill of the swordsman.
Much like using the sword, a skilled handgunner only has to drop the mag or carry a speed loader and they have the double edge. Practice makes perfect and perfect practice makes the center of mass seem small.

cornered rat · June 18, 1999, 03:36 PM

Seems to me late in 19th century, the ruler of Montenegro (or some Balkan country) had required every adult male to own and be proficient with a revolver (some 10.4mm standard model, maybe rimfire). Russians before 1917 could buy any arms they wanted, including machine guns. Few did, except for hunting. Seems to me we are heading the same way...

Gunfounder · June 18, 1999, 08:09 PM

Cornered Rat: Sure does appear that way. All of the civilized countries that go this route eventually fall don't they. Doesn't matter what the idiology is called(Rome,Tzar,Nazi, Communist,Monarchist Colony, Facist. etc..)when the people are disarmed the tyranny that replaces freedoms consumes itself and will collapse.
In the meantime, history tells me the people will prevail some sooner than later. Certainly all with bloodshed. As the American Indian believes that all things are circular in life, so goes civilizations.

rangerco · June 21, 1999, 05:44 PM

Alledgedly, when I picked up my revolver many years ago, you could use .32/20 cases. They are a trifle short and you do not get the gas seal effect but load the bullet a little deep and get maximum available power. Standard case is slightly more tapered so not all guns will take 32/20's without "sizing..." but most. Factory ammo has bullet out too far. You can cut it off or file it off but that makes for some weird accuracy. .32 short and long are a joke in comparison. Dies?-- I have no idea unless you want to pay for custom. I wouldn't. Old West Scrounger has the broadest supply of goodies like this I know of. Might have dies... might have surplus ammo. But the old days are gone... good luck. You can decapp berdan with water, wear a swim suit and goggles, and I think Scrounger has RWS berdan primers... !!

Gunfounder · June 21, 1999, 07:19 PM

thanks for the ideas, can use all the help on this one I can get.

Nestor Rivera · June 22, 1999, 01:00 PM

7.62 Nagant may use the 32s&W Long ( I have done this my self) the cartridge will not gas seal but it does work well, Century and others sell a 32ACP cyloinder for about $50 if you want to go that way. I personaly use 32s&w Long.

Really neat gun Give it a go

JA · June 27, 1999, 03:03 PM

I have three nygant pistols in calibers 7.62nygant,.32acp,and 7.62x25mm. The .32acp is a cylinder from SOG for $50. It is cheap to shoot and is in the .22 recoil catagory. The 7.62x25mm cylinder was reamed by a gunsmith in MO who advertises in Shotgun News $50. This conversion makes the nygant a very affordable shooter. Judging by the recoil it puts this pistol in the magnum class. It recoils slightly more than the Fiocchi ammo. Which seems pretty hot compared to the Russian surplus target ammo.
The dies are avalable from www.huntingtons.com part# 56272 for $91.80
I would recomend the 7.62x25mm conversion to make the pistol cost effective to shoot.

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June 17, 1999, 10:48 PM	#1
Gunfounder Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 67	This one has me stumped: Can't find dies for the specific cartridge, all the brass is berdan primed except the expensive Fiocchi. A box of ammo costs almost as much as the gun. Trying to figure out some way to reform something to use. I have used the 32 Colt(long) and 32 S&W (short) cases with some success but the cases bulge to fit the chamber, I used a set of 30 carbine dies and mild loads with an 88gr lead bullet sized to .312 dia. No crimp obviously with this set up and no gas seal at the chamber/throat gap. Any other suggestions to keep these pieces shooting? Now I see why the Russians played roulett with this gun, one of the first with 7 chambers??? From an 1895 model and we think the 6+1 revolver is a new invention.

June 18, 1999, 11:51 AM	#2
cornered rat Junior member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: Minnesota Posts: 920	Actually, revolvers with 9-12 shots were not uncommon in 19c Europe...some were 30-rounders, even!

June 18, 1999, 12:13 PM	#3
Gunfounder Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 67	Their governments probably didn't see anything wrong with having a high capacity revolver? Either that, or the consensus was that one or thirty didn't matter it only took one, seems to me that a double edged sword has an unlimited capacity only limited by the skill of the swordsman. Much like using the sword, a skilled handgunner only has to drop the mag or carry a speed loader and they have the double edge. Practice makes perfect and perfect practice makes the center of mass seem small.

June 18, 1999, 03:36 PM	#4
cornered rat Junior member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: Minnesota Posts: 920	Seems to me late in 19th century, the ruler of Montenegro (or some Balkan country) had required every adult male to own and be proficient with a revolver (some 10.4mm standard model, maybe rimfire). Russians before 1917 could buy any arms they wanted, including machine guns. Few did, except for hunting. Seems to me we are heading the same way...

June 18, 1999, 08:09 PM	#5
Gunfounder Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 67	Cornered Rat: Sure does appear that way. All of the civilized countries that go this route eventually fall don't they. Doesn't matter what the idiology is called(Rome,Tzar,Nazi, Communist,Monarchist Colony, Facist. etc..)when the people are disarmed the tyranny that replaces freedoms consumes itself and will collapse. In the meantime, history tells me the people will prevail some sooner than later. Certainly all with bloodshed. As the American Indian believes that all things are circular in life, so goes civilizations.

June 21, 1999, 05:44 PM	#6
rangerco Member Join Date: June 18, 1999 Posts: 56	Alledgedly, when I picked up my revolver many years ago, you could use .32/20 cases. They are a trifle short and you do not get the gas seal effect but load the bullet a little deep and get maximum available power. Standard case is slightly more tapered so not all guns will take 32/20's without "sizing..." but most. Factory ammo has bullet out too far. You can cut it off or file it off but that makes for some weird accuracy. .32 short and long are a joke in comparison. Dies?-- I have no idea unless you want to pay for custom. I wouldn't. Old West Scrounger has the broadest supply of goodies like this I know of. Might have dies... might have surplus ammo. But the old days are gone... good luck. You can decapp berdan with water, wear a swim suit and goggles, and I think Scrounger has RWS berdan primers... !!

June 21, 1999, 07:19 PM	#7
Gunfounder Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 67	thanks for the ideas, can use all the help on this one I can get.

June 22, 1999, 01:00 PM	#8
Nestor Rivera Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 1998 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Posts: 446	7.62 Nagant may use the 32s&W Long ( I have done this my self) the cartridge will not gas seal but it does work well, Century and others sell a 32ACP cyloinder for about $50 if you want to go that way. I personaly use 32s&w Long. Really neat gun Give it a go

June 27, 1999, 03:03 PM	#9
JA Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: JACKSONVILLE,AR,USA Posts: 68	I have three nygant pistols in calibers 7.62nygant,.32acp,and 7.62x25mm. The .32acp is a cylinder from SOG for $50. It is cheap to shoot and is in the .22 recoil catagory. The 7.62x25mm cylinder was reamed by a gunsmith in MO who advertises in Shotgun News $50. This conversion makes the nygant a very affordable shooter. Judging by the recoil it puts this pistol in the magnum class. It recoils slightly more than the Fiocchi ammo. Which seems pretty hot compared to the Russian surplus target ammo. The dies are avalable from www.huntingtons.com part# 56272 for $91.80 I would recomend the 7.62x25mm conversion to make the pistol cost effective to shoot.