32 H&R Magnum out of 7.62 Nagant

JBP · September 3, 2001, 03:35 PM

I'm not the kind of person that enjoys KBs and don't believe in pushing the envelope as far as ammo is concerned. That said I'm wondering if anyone has tried 32 H&R Mag ammo out of their 1895 Nagant revolver. The case and bullet is only 1/16 of an inch shorter than the Nagant ammo and fits the chamber better than the 32 S&W long that I've been using. The cylinder looks pretty sturdy and I'm wondering if it can take the extra pressure.

James K · September 3, 2001, 04:40 PM

The .32 Mag. case (like the .32 S&W Long) is far too small for the Nagant chamber and the cases swell and may split. I don't know if the .32 ACP cylinders made for the Nagant can be made to take the .32 Mag. or not. (I never bought one of the cylinders because I have a lot of original ammo, so don't need the auxiliary cylinder.) Strength of the revolver is no problem. The 7.62 Nagant makes any of those little .32 cartridges look pretty sick.

Jim

WillyT · June 11, 2005, 11:58 PM

Hello, All. I'm new to the Forum, and have just returned to the shooting sports after 15 years.

Recently was fatally attracted to the Nagant M1895's forward-shifting cylinder, lanyard ring, and general "look". Had done a lot of reading on various forums on the several chamberings said to be workable and safe, and so snuck it home with a box of Russian ammo and a box of JHP .32 H&R magnum (rated on the box, I think, at 1100fps). What I'd read about the M1895's strength and relative mildness of the 32 mag didn't cause me any concern that I was headed for a lobotomy, eye patch, and right hand cast.

The gun itself was a 1938 manufacture and looked to be in "unissued" condition. The accuracy of the Russian rounds turned out to be amazing, with very light recoil and a whole bunch of smoke.

The 32 mag was another whole deal: impressive fireballs from both muzzle and cylinder were produced with every shot, and seven rounds heated up the frame. The cases popped right out, though; they were uniformly bulged beginning about one-third of the way back from the case mouth but not split. Accuracy was not quite as impressive as the Russian stuff but still respectable.

So is the 32 mag ok for occasional use or not? Can I expect accelerated erosion of the forcing cone? Nobody seems to have heard of an 1895 blowing up with 32 mag - one lengthy post I read said that the 32 H&R was only a "loading-up" to what the original round was intended to be, and sort of "anemic" in any event. "Anemic"? I don't know - I've used .38 +P+, .357, .41 mag, and .44 mag with comfort, but the nice boom, muzzle and cylinder flashes compel me to ask again what may be an unanswerable question.

Any thoughts? Experiences?

Cheers,
Bill

jonathon · June 12, 2005, 12:04 AM

Only thing holding me back from a Nagant is the price of 7.62 Nagant ammo..

Webleywielder · June 13, 2005, 03:40 PM

I have shot boxes and boxes of .32mag in one of mine. No problems with erosion. I had more problems with .32long splitting. I also have Nagant rechambered for 7.62Tok. As others have noted in previous threads, they are not known for Kabooming. Don't worry about .32mag. For more info about how the 7.62Tok conversion is possible, do a search on TFL. I started shooting Nagants in 1986. I have never had an unfortunate consequence from doing so.

"In a world devoid of semiautomatics, a properly set-up Webley is the ultimate full-size self-defense handgun."

Wildalaska · June 13, 2005, 05:59 PM

If you look hard enough real ammo is cheap for the Nagants

WildloadsofitAlaska

jonathon · June 13, 2005, 06:03 PM

Point me in the right direction.. I might try to squeeze the money for one of the guns if I can find ammo for less than 50/$15...

Wildalaska · June 13, 2005, 06:24 PM

Have you tried SOG?

WilditscheapthereAlaska

jonathon · June 13, 2005, 06:33 PM

all they have is stuff that costs 40/$14.95 :barf:

Sort of sucks, buy a $90 revolver, that shoots expensive bullets

Webleywielder · June 13, 2005, 07:03 PM

It is filthy dirty. Fiochi makes Nagant ammo but I think it is more expensive than $14.95. I bought a couple of boxes years ago to occasionally demostrate gas-sealing to those who express interest.

"In a world devoid of semiautomatics, a properly set-up Webley is the ultimate full-size self-defense handgun".

Jbar4Ranch · June 14, 2005, 12:14 AM

I've reloaded .32 H&R mag cases for use in my Nagant with no problems. The cases swell a little, but have never split. A better solution is .32-20 cases, but depending on the revolver, the rims are often a few thousandths too thick to function. My solution is to chuck the cases in a drill press, then use a hacksaw blade flat against the case with the teeth pointed down against the rim to take about five thousandths or so off. Works great!

WillyT · June 14, 2005, 06:08 PM

Anybody else getting that "flashover" around the cylinder with 32 H&R mag?

mfree · June 15, 2005, 09:27 AM

No flashover here, but my cases fireformed into a really interesting looking kind of "reverse shoulder"

It seems they were right on the verge of ppopping with federal's 95gr hollowpoint load.

WillyT · June 16, 2005, 05:18 PM

LOL!

My cases had a very definite and sharp 'standard' shoulder, like the cylinder mouth was the correct diameter, but the next two-thirds were a little oversized...

Guess it was sorta 'in-spec', anyhow; no sign of immanent splitting, just uniformly bulged...

September 3, 2001, 03:35 PM	#1
JBP Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Maryland Posts: 471	32 H&R Magnum out of 7.62 Nagant I'm not the kind of person that enjoys KBs and don't believe in pushing the envelope as far as ammo is concerned. That said I'm wondering if anyone has tried 32 H&R Mag ammo out of their 1895 Nagant revolver. The case and bullet is only 1/16 of an inch shorter than the Nagant ammo and fits the chamber better than the 32 S&W long that I've been using. The cylinder looks pretty sturdy and I'm wondering if it can take the extra pressure.

June 11, 2005, 11:58 PM	#3
WillyT Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 4	Now I'm confused Hello, All. I'm new to the Forum, and have just returned to the shooting sports after 15 years. Recently was fatally attracted to the Nagant M1895's forward-shifting cylinder, lanyard ring, and general "look". Had done a lot of reading on various forums on the several chamberings said to be workable and safe, and so snuck it home with a box of Russian ammo and a box of JHP .32 H&R magnum (rated on the box, I think, at 1100fps). What I'd read about the M1895's strength and relative mildness of the 32 mag didn't cause me any concern that I was headed for a lobotomy, eye patch, and right hand cast. The gun itself was a 1938 manufacture and looked to be in "unissued" condition. The accuracy of the Russian rounds turned out to be amazing, with very light recoil and a whole bunch of smoke. The 32 mag was another whole deal: impressive fireballs from both muzzle and cylinder were produced with every shot, and seven rounds heated up the frame. The cases popped right out, though; they were uniformly bulged beginning about one-third of the way back from the case mouth but not split. Accuracy was not quite as impressive as the Russian stuff but still respectable. So is the 32 mag ok for occasional use or not? Can I expect accelerated erosion of the forcing cone? Nobody seems to have heard of an 1895 blowing up with 32 mag - one lengthy post I read said that the 32 H&R was only a "loading-up" to what the original round was intended to be, and sort of "anemic" in any event. "Anemic"? I don't know - I've used .38 +P+, .357, .41 mag, and .44 mag with comfort, but the nice boom, muzzle and cylinder flashes compel me to ask again what may be an unanswerable question. Any thoughts? Experiences? Cheers, Bill

June 13, 2005, 03:40 PM	#5
Webleywielder Junior member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 160	I don't think you will ever have unfortunate consequences with .32mag in a Nagant I have shot boxes and boxes of .32mag in one of mine. No problems with erosion. I had more problems with .32long splitting. I also have Nagant rechambered for 7.62Tok. As others have noted in previous threads, they are not known for Kabooming. Don't worry about .32mag. For more info about how the 7.62Tok conversion is possible, do a search on TFL. I started shooting Nagants in 1986. I have never had an unfortunate consequence from doing so. "In a world devoid of semiautomatics, a properly set-up Webley is the ultimate full-size self-defense handgun."

June 13, 2005, 07:03 PM	#10
Webleywielder Junior member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 160	Jonathan stay away from the cheap Russian Nagant ammo. It is filthy dirty. Fiochi makes Nagant ammo but I think it is more expensive than $14.95. I bought a couple of boxes years ago to occasionally demostrate gas-sealing to those who express interest. "In a world devoid of semiautomatics, a properly set-up Webley is the ultimate full-size self-defense handgun".

June 14, 2005, 12:14 AM	#11
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,721	I've reloaded .32 H&R mag cases for use in my Nagant with no problems. The cases swell a little, but have never split. A better solution is .32-20 cases, but depending on the revolver, the rims are often a few thousandths too thick to function. My solution is to chuck the cases in a drill press, then use a hacksaw blade flat against the case with the teeth pointed down against the rim to take about five thousandths or so off. Works great! __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

September 3, 2001, 04:40 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The .32 Mag. case (like the .32 S&W Long) is far too small for the Nagant chamber and the cases swell and may split. I don't know if the .32 ACP cylinders made for the Nagant can be made to take the .32 Mag. or not. (I never bought one of the cylinders because I have a lot of original ammo, so don't need the auxiliary cylinder.) Strength of the revolver is no problem. The 7.62 Nagant makes any of those little .32 cartridges look pretty sick. Jim

June 12, 2005, 12:04 AM	#4
jonathon Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Washougal, Washington. YEHAW! Posts: 1,872	Only thing holding me back from a Nagant is the price of 7.62 Nagant ammo..

June 13, 2005, 05:59 PM	#6
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,171	If you look hard enough real ammo is cheap for the Nagants WildloadsofitAlaska

June 13, 2005, 06:03 PM	#7
jonathon Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Washougal, Washington. YEHAW! Posts: 1,872	Point me in the right direction.. I might try to squeeze the money for one of the guns if I can find ammo for less than 50/$15...

June 13, 2005, 06:24 PM	#8
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,171	Have you tried SOG? WilditscheapthereAlaska

June 13, 2005, 06:33 PM	#9
jonathon Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Washougal, Washington. YEHAW! Posts: 1,872	all they have is stuff that costs 40/$14.95 :barf: Sort of sucks, buy a $90 revolver, that shoots expensive bullets

June 14, 2005, 06:08 PM	#12
WillyT Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 4	"Flashover"? Anybody else getting that "flashover" around the cylinder with 32 H&R mag?

June 15, 2005, 09:27 AM	#13
mfree Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Posts: 506	No flashover here, but my cases fireformed into a really interesting looking kind of "reverse shoulder" It seems they were right on the verge of ppopping with federal's 95gr hollowpoint load.

June 16, 2005, 05:18 PM	#14
WillyT Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 4	"Reverse Shoulder" LOL! My cases had a very definite and sharp 'standard' shoulder, like the cylinder mouth was the correct diameter, but the next two-thirds were a little oversized... Guess it was sorta 'in-spec', anyhow; no sign of immanent splitting, just uniformly bulged...