32ACP Revolver

Has anyone come across a revolver than can safely and accurately fire 32ACP ammo?

There are various threads on other gun forums and a couple of YouTube videos which suggest that 32ACP can safely be fired in 32 Magnum revolvers, but most of the discussion seems to be around snub nosed carry revolvers.

Since 32ACP seems to be the preferred choice for centerfire class semi-autos, I wonder whether a target revolver can be converted and accurised for this cartridge.

Apologies if this subject has previously been the subject of another thread.

It would be easy to do. Moon clips might be hard to find but probably doable. But why? This pistol right here can be loaded to 32acp specs and since it has a rim it wouldn't need moon clips. I think the desirability of the acp is so you can shoot them in an automatic. If you like wheel guns then 32 lovers have it made.

Hello radjag,

When I was considerably younger (and dumber), I shot some .32ACP ammunition in my father's pristine .32 Colt New Police (Smith and Wesson Long) target revolver.  It worked but the accuracy was beyond abysmal.  I'm sure if you had enough money and/or time you could make it work but you would need plenty of both.

Jim

LenV wrote:It would be easy to do. Moon clips might be hard to find but probably doable. But why? This pistol right here can be loaded to 32acp specs and since it has a rim it wouldn't need moon clips. I think the desirability of the acp is so you can shoot them in an automatic. If you like wheel guns then 32 lovers have it made.

Beautiful revolver, LenV.  If that is yours, I am seriously jealous.

The .32ACP is semi-rimmed and doesn't need clips.

Jim

That's not mine. I wish it was. I think this one is just as pretty. I like blued. This K32 is on Gunbroker. NFI

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/814685156

OK. So at the risk of crossing-threads, let me try to answer Len V's question "Why?".

I'm struggling to find a revolver that suits me for shooting DA in Reeves Rapid. Tried a K14-4, then a small frame Ruger SP101 both in 38special. Neither seems to work well - probably just my poor technique.

So I started to think about a smaller frame 32 revolver.

At the same time I've been having problems at Centerfire 50 yards with my Walther GSP 32 S&W Long. The factory Fiocchi ammo I'm currently using shows distinct signs of tumbling. Many threads suggest that the standard twist barrel is the problem. I've got all the gear to reload to the favourite recipes, but no time to get going yet.

I'm also considering to upgrade from my old GSP's to Pardini or other, and, if so, switch to 32ACP for Centerfire.

If I make that switch I would prefer to have one ammo for both Centerfire and Reeves.

So.

Q1. What is best choice 32 revolver for the Reeves match?

Q2. How hard is it to customise such revolvers to 32 ACP?

Seems like if your going to shoot a revolver a K-16-4 would work well and just use 32 H&R cases with a HBWC and start from there.

You may want to call Hamilton Bowen for revolver caliber conversions.

Ruger GP100 in .327 Federal Magnum.

The K16's seem to be relatively rare (and expensive) these days. They look great and I will keep my eye open for one in the future.

I will contact Hamilton Bowen and will look into the Ruger (both GP100 & SP101) in .327 Federal Magnum.

Thank you all for the leads.

I contacted Hamilton Bowen and got this instant and very informative response. What a gentleman, much appreciated.

"Owing to the press of core Ruger work, sight manufacturing and publishing, we are no longer able to accept non-catalog projects such as your GP100 .32 ACP conversion.
 
My best advice would be to consult the the good folks at TKCustom who perform moon-clip cylinder conversions. Case head diameters in the ACP/.327 cartridges are quite similar and should be ok though you might see some slight case bulging, depending on chamber specs. In theory the .32 ACP is rimmed and MAY not need moon clips. However, maximum headspace (assuming 100% rim effectiveness) is at the minimum headspace on the .327. Good chance of ignition trouble if you just try ACP ammo in the Fed. Mag. chambers. However, the TKC guys might be able to configure some dedicated ACP moon clips of appropriate thickness to make it all work out. I would be curious to know what you find out.
 
Hope this will help; thanks for your interest.
 
Sincerely yours,
Hamilton S. Bowen
Bowen Classic Arms Corp."

Seems like a custom Ruger would start to approach the cost of a 16-4 in 32H&R.  Of course there is always a Manhirn;)

Here you go radjag. Buy this and you can bring it over to my place and we can fit a scope mount to it. It looks good but since I only found out about them today I don't have anything more then that to say. Except they look like Smith clones. 400.00 BIN

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/811274440

I didn't find any for sale in 6" but they make them.

Len,

Excellent, thanks for the lead. At that price I cannot resist. I just bought the one off GunBroker. Waiting for a response from the vendor - trying to get it shipped before the weekend, but too late I guess.

Happens that I have a (Victor brand) "clone" of an Alfa Proj target air pistol. They are actually made in Taiwan and sold under many different brands. Not bad quality and accuracy, although never tested by me in competition.

Whether these firearms are actually made in Czech or Taiwan or wherever matters not a jot - it's whether they work reliably and shoot straight that matters!

I watched a long and interesting Utube all in Russian about this revolver today. It will interest you to know that when they opened the "drum" you could clearly see that the frame had been drilled and tapped. 

Len    congrats

I'm sure you don't want to know about this one. But, someone might. New Old Stock Colt.  900.00 BIN

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/801512592

radjag wrote:Len,

Excellent, thanks for the lead. At that price I cannot resist. I just bought the one off GunBroker. Waiting for a response from the vendor - trying to get it shipped before the weekend, but too late I guess.

Happens that I have a (Victor brand) "clone" of an Alfa Proj target air pistol. They are actually made in Taiwan and sold under many different brands. Not bad quality and accuracy, although never tested by me in competition.

Whether these firearms are actually made in Czech or Taiwan or wherever matters not a jot - it's whether they work reliably and shoot straight that matters!

Radjag, I was looking at those a little while ago. Looked like a fun little fun. Let us know how it shoots!

Dave