.32 S&W Long question

M88 · October 9, 2018, 07:59 AM

I'm looking to buy an older .32 S&W revolver. I'm finding .32 S&W revolvers and .32 S&W Long revolvers for sale. I understand that a .32 S&W Long round is a little longer than a .32 S&W. Is it safe to fire a .32 S&W in an old revolver designed for .32 S&W Long? In other words, is this similar to firing .38SPL in a .357 Mag revolver or .44 SPL in a .44 Mag revolver?

JERRYS. · October 9, 2018, 08:29 AM

yes.

Drm50 · October 9, 2018, 08:48 AM

Ditto, but I believe you will find 32S&W more expensive than 32S&W Longs. And
32long is easier to find.

FITASC · October 9, 2018, 08:56 AM

And reloading the 32SWL is easy and cheap; only 2-3 grains of powder

M88 · October 9, 2018, 11:26 AM

Thanks guys... this is what I thought but needed confirming. And yes, I have already found that .32 S&W Longs are easier to find and often cheaper than .32 S&W.

So... for $99 I just bought an H&R 732 at a local gun store. I believe these were made between 1957 and 1986 from what I've gleaned on the web so far. Can anyone tell me what year this one was made?

Ser# AP146577

It looks in pretty good shape for an "as is" revolver. Little surface rust here and there but nothing that won't come off with a little careful steel wool and Hoppes, followed by blueing.

FITASC · October 9, 2018, 12:15 PM

I own a 733 Guardsman and it is fun to shoot (even if it isn't the most accurate gun) and was from the late 50s/early 60s when my dad's cousin gave it to him because he was returning to Scotland

T. O'Heir · October 9, 2018, 12:37 PM

.32 S&W Longs are easier to find and less expensive because that's what target pistols are chambered in. The S&W is seen mostly in what are considered Saturday Night Specials. Or other low end stuff.

Will_G · October 10, 2018, 08:17 AM

That serial number would indicate a 1976 manufacture date, according to this:

https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/thr...umbers.131051/

M88 · October 10, 2018, 11:21 PM

Thanks Will_G for that link... 1976. Btw I took that little H&R 732 into the woods today and put a few cylinders full through it if only to see if the gun shoots, cylinder timed etc since it was a $99 "as is" gun. Shoots fine. Next step is take it to the range and see what kind of group I can get at 10 yds.

tallball · October 12, 2018, 08:09 PM

I have the 32 H&R magnum version. There is nothing fancy about it, but it goes bang every time and is accurate enough for what it is. That is a good price for a revolver "just for fun". It can take care of pests, and would probably protect you if needed.

44caliberkid · October 12, 2018, 08:43 PM

I shoot 32 longs in a Nagant revolver. Very accurate.

thibaultfelix40 · October 21, 2018, 01:32 AM

I have had and still do have several 32 S&W Long revolvers When I cant get other ammo I shoot 32 ACP through them. A bunch of guys usually yell at me when I say that. A good cheap blàsting load is a Hornady single ought buck shot lubed with mule snot ( Lee liquid Alox)over the Lee smallest dipper of a fast powder. You could probably get 2 or 3 of those buck shot in that case but I have not tried it.

October 9, 2018, 07:59 AM	#1
M88 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2018 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 278	.32 S&W Long question I'm looking to buy an older .32 S&W revolver. I'm finding .32 S&W revolvers and .32 S&W Long revolvers for sale. I understand that a .32 S&W Long round is a little longer than a .32 S&W. Is it safe to fire a .32 S&W in an old revolver designed for .32 S&W Long? In other words, is this similar to firing .38SPL in a .357 Mag revolver or .44 SPL in a .44 Mag revolver? __________________ NRA life member. Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless!

October 9, 2018, 08:56 AM	#4
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	And reloading the 32SWL is easy and cheap; only 2-3 grains of powder __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 9, 2018, 11:26 AM	#5
M88 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2018 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 278	Thanks guys... this is what I thought but needed confirming. And yes, I have already found that .32 S&W Longs are easier to find and often cheaper than .32 S&W. So... for $99 I just bought an H&R 732 at a local gun store. I believe these were made between 1957 and 1986 from what I've gleaned on the web so far. Can anyone tell me what year this one was made? Ser# AP146577 It looks in pretty good shape for an "as is" revolver. Little surface rust here and there but nothing that won't come off with a little careful steel wool and Hoppes, followed by blueing. __________________ NRA life member. Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless!

October 9, 2018, 12:15 PM	#6
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	I own a 733 Guardsman and it is fun to shoot (even if it isn't the most accurate gun) and was from the late 50s/early 60s when my dad's cousin gave it to him because he was returning to Scotland __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 9, 2018, 12:37 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	.32 S&W Longs are easier to find and less expensive because that's what target pistols are chambered in. The S&W is seen mostly in what are considered Saturday Night Specials. Or other low end stuff. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 9, 2018, 08:29 AM	#2
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	yes.

October 9, 2018, 08:48 AM	#3
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	Ditto, but I believe you will find 32S&W more expensive than 32S&W Longs. And 32long is easier to find.

October 10, 2018, 08:17 AM	#8
Will_G Member Join Date: January 6, 2017 Posts: 27	That serial number would indicate a 1976 manufacture date, according to this: https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/thr...umbers.131051/

October 10, 2018, 11:21 PM	#9
M88 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2018 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 278	Thanks Will_G for that link... 1976. Btw I took that little H&R 732 into the woods today and put a few cylinders full through it if only to see if the gun shoots, cylinder timed etc since it was a $99 "as is" gun. Shoots fine. Next step is take it to the range and see what kind of group I can get at 10 yds. __________________ NRA life member. Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless!

October 12, 2018, 08:09 PM	#10
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I have the 32 H&R magnum version. There is nothing fancy about it, but it goes bang every time and is accurate enough for what it is. That is a good price for a revolver "just for fun". It can take care of pests, and would probably protect you if needed.

October 12, 2018, 08:43 PM	#11
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,104	I shoot 32 longs in a Nagant revolver. Very accurate.

October 21, 2018, 01:32 AM	#12
thibaultfelix40 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2011 Posts: 154	I have had and still do have several 32 S&W Long revolvers When I cant get other ammo I shoot 32 ACP through them. A bunch of guys usually yell at me when I say that. A good cheap blàsting load is a Hornady single ought buck shot lubed with mule snot ( Lee liquid Alox)over the Lee smallest dipper of a fast powder. You could probably get 2 or 3 of those buck shot in that case but I have not tried it. __________________ olafhardt