32 Rimfire Convert to Centerfire?

Dezynco · August 9, 2008, 08:09 PM

My dad picked up a VERY nice old Marlin lever action 32 Rimfire today at a gunshow. I have found a few importers for some ammo, but he would really like to load his own ammo. I understand that a 32 Colt should chamber in the old rifle, but the rifle will have to have the firing pin converted to centerfire.

Does anyone out there make a firing pin conversion for this rifle so the original will not have to be altered, or have a custom firing pin made?

Clemson · August 10, 2008, 08:50 AM

Periodically, someone makes a run of 32 rimfire cartridges. I suggest you Google for them. I think Southern Ohio Guns was selling them in boxes of 50 within the past year, and you may be able to get some from them.

At least some of these guns, if not all, were made with a firing pin that could be "reset" to the centerfire position. I have never had personal experience with this arrangement, but do some research to see if you have such a gun.

Clemson

Jim Watson · August 10, 2008, 10:18 AM

The Marlin 1891 and 1892 .32 rifles were meant to shoot either .32 rimfire or .32 Colt, long or short in either rimfire or centerfire. One article says it came with a separate centerfire firing pin part, not a "reversible" firing pin. Load data and discussion at:
http://www.gunfighter.com/cgi-bin/bb....cgi?read=5589

Quote on the system from the 1892 Marlin catalog at:
http://antiquearmsinc.com/marlin-1892-rifle.htm

A .32 centerfire firing pin is listed for $35 at
http://www.gun-parts.com/marlin/

Don't push the loads very hard. One intrepid experimenter rechambered one to .32 S&W Long for the superior inside lubricated ammo and beat up the locking engagement in pretty short order.

Dezynco · August 10, 2008, 09:08 PM

Thanks guys! I've just about figured it out. Midway has almost everything in stock to start shooting this little rifle.

One thing that we've noticed is that the firing pin in this rifle is "flat" across the tip, having no little bump for rimfire or centerfire. Could this be a blank firing pin that hasn't been shaped yet? I've noticed that the firing pin seems to project out of the bolt nearly 1/4 inch rearward when the lever is closed. Seems to me that we could slip that firing pin out of there and hit it with a Dremel tool and be in business....

Also, does anyone know of a good source for 32 Long Colt, I can only find 32 Short Colt. That's OK, but would like to have some of the long cases if we can get them.

Clemson · August 10, 2008, 09:25 PM

I would not advise taking a Dremel tool to anything. Get that gun to a gunsmith. Let him show you how to convert it. If it is set up for rimfire, it will be a whole lot cheaper to just shoot the rimfire ammo that can still be found.

Clemson

August 9, 2008, 08:09 PM	#1
Dezynco Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2008 Posts: 401	32 Rimfire Convert to Centerfire? My dad picked up a VERY nice old Marlin lever action 32 Rimfire today at a gunshow. I have found a few importers for some ammo, but he would really like to load his own ammo. I understand that a 32 Colt should chamber in the old rifle, but the rifle will have to have the firing pin converted to centerfire. Does anyone out there make a firing pin conversion for this rifle so the original will not have to be altered, or have a custom firing pin made?

August 10, 2008, 08:50 AM	#2
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Periodically, someone makes a run of 32 rimfire cartridges. I suggest you Google for them. I think Southern Ohio Guns was selling them in boxes of 50 within the past year, and you may be able to get some from them. At least some of these guns, if not all, were made with a firing pin that could be "reset" to the centerfire position. I have never had personal experience with this arrangement, but do some research to see if you have such a gun. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

August 10, 2008, 09:25 PM	#5
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	I would not advise taking a Dremel tool to anything. Get that gun to a gunsmith. Let him show you how to convert it. If it is set up for rimfire, it will be a whole lot cheaper to just shoot the rimfire ammo that can still be found. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

August 10, 2008, 10:18 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	The Marlin 1891 and 1892 .32 rifles were meant to shoot either .32 rimfire or .32 Colt, long or short in either rimfire or centerfire. One article says it came with a separate centerfire firing pin part, not a "reversible" firing pin. Load data and discussion at: http://www.gunfighter.com/cgi-bin/bb....cgi?read=5589 Quote on the system from the 1892 Marlin catalog at: http://antiquearmsinc.com/marlin-1892-rifle.htm A .32 centerfire firing pin is listed for $35 at http://www.gun-parts.com/marlin/ Don't push the loads very hard. One intrepid experimenter rechambered one to .32 S&W Long for the superior inside lubricated ammo and beat up the locking engagement in pretty short order.

August 10, 2008, 09:08 PM	#4
Dezynco Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2008 Posts: 401	Thanks guys! I've just about figured it out. Midway has almost everything in stock to start shooting this little rifle. One thing that we've noticed is that the firing pin in this rifle is "flat" across the tip, having no little bump for rimfire or centerfire. Could this be a blank firing pin that hasn't been shaped yet? I've noticed that the firing pin seems to project out of the bolt nearly 1/4 inch rearward when the lever is closed. Seems to me that we could slip that firing pin out of there and hit it with a Dremel tool and be in business.... Also, does anyone know of a good source for 32 Long Colt, I can only find 32 Short Colt. That's OK, but would like to have some of the long cases if we can get them.