[DOK]

Marshall,

Ignorance on my part (but I do it so well&#33<!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->, didn't realize Ruger made a double action 32Mag..

Sure enough, ye ole Ruger web site shows the SP101 model KSP-3241X .32 Mag, 6 Rnds., Adj. Full Sights, 4" barrel, 33 oz at 482.00 retail. My functional usage would be slightly different as I fill out my jeans such that a holster will be required.

I've upped my search level from "looking for a bargin" to "gotta have one".

Dan

 

[Marshall Stanton]

Uh-Oh,

I've heard rumor of a nasty tempered group of wives forming a coalition against the Beartooth Shooter's Forum... seems it's a temperence movement to prevent the superflous proliferation of new-gunitis, found rampant in these ranks!

Dan, let us know when you get your little 32 shooter!

God Bless,

Marshall

 

[DOK]

Marshall,

I ordered the Ruger yesterday, but that's not a problem because we (the boss and I) have an agreement called "matching funds". It's also called
"join bank account". I buy a new, indispensable tool and she gets a new chair ($756 just last week) and now we need the matching leather sofa. The sofa replaces a two year old one that has evolved from "isn't it beautiful" to "I can't stand looking at it another minute" in just two years!

The actual problem she has that I can "kinda" agree with is buying a new gun and then sending it to the gunsmith for double what I paid for the new gun. But since I'm deaf, all the muttering isn't all that bad. And we eat out all the time, so she lost that leverage. And I don't mind the new sofa so I have a nice place for the dog and I to sleep.

Dan "and that's the truth" K.

 

[William Iorg]

Marshall,
I mentioned this thread to my wife and we laughed about it last night.
Her carry gun is a S&W M-631 Lady Smith in .32 Mag. she has trouble leaving any .32 caliber gun at a gun show, they're orphans you know...

We were remembering back to when we lived in San Antonio, about fourteen years ago... .32 Magnum brass was so very hard to come by. Drury's guns used to stock Federal unprimed brass in the red boxes, $9.00 for 50! At least they would stock it! There was a small group of dedicated .32 shooters in San Antonio at the time. At a range called "A Place To Shoot" we used to run into them on the silhouette range or the pistol bay, there were the usual factory guns and two converted Colt Diamond Back's and at least one converted K-22. I think all were local conversions.
The fact that the cartridge lasted (barely&#33<!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo--> is really a surprise to us.  The .32 Mag. got good write-ups in some of the press, but that doesnt always help.
Starline's introduction of good brass probably had a great deal to do with saving the cartridge.
Prices have sure risen over the years, a new Ruger Single Six with fixed sights and color case hardend frame wears a price tag of $450.00 localy. Hard to believe!

 

[Scott]

Hey DOK,
Have you received the SP-101 yet? All of the .32 talk has rekindled my interest for another one. I've never owned an SP-101 and would be interested in knowing about it's performance.(I've been following IDShooters thread about his also)
Scott <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

 

[DOK]

Scott,

Unfortunately not yet. I expect it sometime next week. I'm ready and waiting with loads already to go.  Over the last few years, I've migrated from the longer barrels, 7 1/2 min. to the shorter barrels. I very seldom trade a gun in, but just traded a Super Redhawk 9 1/2" barrel --- just too big and clumsy. I used to be leery of the shorter barrel (4 to 5") accuracy, but that hasn't been true in the last two guns I've purchased. The 4 5/8" Blackhawk and 5" Model 29 shoot as well as any of my longer barrel revolvers.

Anyway, I hope this new one does as well.

Dan

 

[alyeska338]

Hey DOK,
You sound a bit biased, so for the sake of science, if you buy one of each flavor of the guns listed on the first page of this thread and send them to me, I will test each and every one and report my results back to the forum.  As you are probably aware, it may take many many years of ongoing tests to come up with a clear winner.  <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

I would promise to withold judgement until several thousand rounds have been fired in each imaginable combination of bullet, powder, primer, case, etc... for each gun.  All in the name of science, of course.

 

[DOK]

Well, heck, I was half way to the gun shop to take you up on your self-sacrificing gesture when it dawned on me why it wouldn't be fair to you, would result in a poor testing conclusion, not to mention the threat to society.

There's no way your wife would believe you didn't buy those revolvers, and would search the dresser drawers, the dirty laundry, all those "developed over the years" hiding places, putting undue stress and pressure on you which in turn would result in poor test results. You'd develop an eye twitch, a flinch, and other ailments trying to shoot while looking over shoulder, waiting for the other foot to fall. In an act of desperation, you'd sue me for alienation of affection and then my wife would get involved. I'm losing sleep just thinking about the directions this could go. You're not out in the wilderness, protecting us for the wild beasts, the bear population gets out of control and garbage cans are mutilated, unspeakable residue (yes, that's what I meant) is left in people's yards and pretty soon civilization as we know it is jeopardized. Just too risky, it could ruin your life and impact future lower 48 and Alaska relations. Can’t have that on my conscience, but I do have a better offer. I just finished a book I recently ordered and no longer have any use for it, “Forty Years with the .45-70” (Revised) by Paul A. Matthews.  If you’ll email me your address, I’ll send it instead and life here in Smallville will go on undisturbed.

Dan

 

[alyeska338]

DOK,
You are truly a kind soul.  Thank you for considering the consequences of my ill thought out plan.  You surely saved my wife, myself, the good residents of Alaska and indeed the all in the lower 48 and Hawaii undue grief.  I salute you.  You are a man among men.

 

[m141a]

32 H&R mag.

Just ran across a Smith & Wesson model 16-4, 6" bbl. 95% condition in .32H&R mag. The dealer was asking $280.00, I made an offer of 250 and he accepted! My permit is filed, and a down payment left.

My question to anyone still following this thread, esp. William; what's the best Factory ammo till I get set to load for the gun?

Thanks,
Chris~

 

[m141a]

Dok, Alyeska and the gang!!!
After reading this thread over & over & over & over I deceided I "need" a mid range gun.
I searched around the local haunts, and came upon a set of Smith K frames, both full lug and VERY moderatly priced. Well, I couldn't just leave one of 'em
I found a Smith model 16-4 in 32 H&R magnum, 6 inch , blue and yelling "take me home" It's little brother, a model 17-6 followed..
So far, It's very accurate with minimal recoil, and If it performs like DOK's reporting, I think I've got a find!!!

Top>>32H&R..........Bottom .22LR

 

[DOK]

Well, apparently all that clean living is paying off? I've no doubt that you'll be very pleased. Please keep us informed of your experience(s).

One of the advertised advantages of this caliber is it's flat trajectory which gives it the potential for 100yd. targets. Are you considering any optics to take advantage of that capability?

Dan

 

[m141a]

32's...

No DOK,
I think I'm gonna stay the purist on this one. It took me a while to get 'em, and as they are "older" Smiths, they aren't drilled and tapped at this time.
The .22 will stay as is, 'cept for perhaps a set of Smith target grips.
The 32 is getting it's original grips put back on.> they are a smooth finger groove wood combat grip[the first owner threw them out
Being the ballistic wonder it is, I think I'll sight it in at 50yds, and leave it there. I'll do it from the bench, cause my eyes are not what they were.
I shot .32 longs and shorts from this one at 25yrds, shoots to POA with ZERO recoil. Still have not gotten any Magnum ammo yet. I'll keep you advised.
Be well, Chris~

 

[DOK]

Sounds like the correct thing to do. And I think you'll find that the magnum loads will still be close to zero recoil. If memory serves me, many of the recommended magnum loads used H110 with excellent results.

Dan

 

[m141a]

Yes,
in reading through the posts, it has been stated that "10 grains of H110 and any 100 grain bullet will work"- - I'll have to get the dies and get tooled up for reloading if I do in fact find that it's a feasable shooter. Other wise, looks like factory ammo for now.
How's your's working out for you? You went with the Ruger if the posts and memory serves.
Anyway hope all is well. Gents, I bid you g'night, as 05:00 comes too early on the east coast!


Talk again soon,
Chris~

 

[DOK]

5:00 is early anywhere! I wouldn't mention what time we retired folks get up. I'm going over to an indoor driving range (electronically gives speed, distance, angle, etc.) to test nine different golf balls (there must be one that will help my game!) and had to get up early to make it there by 9:00.

The Ruger is a very good combination of accurate and convenient to carry/handle. I've found the 10 to 10.5 gr. to be my best performers. I continue to find it very enjoyable to shoot and have kinda put the .38/357s away.

Dan

 

[m141a]

DOK:

Good luck with your Ruger .32 But me, I don't think I'll ever give up the .38's Just such a fun round to punch holes in paper with, and I think at last count, I'm loading them for about .08$ a round...

This was a great thread!!!
Chris~

 

[EEA]

Gentlemen,
I own and like the 32 Mag. and the Model 16 S&W. Mounted with a Leupold 2X scope it is capable of one inch groups at 25 yards. Recoil is nonexistant and muzzel blast has been described by the cowboy action boys as "mouse farts". However, my favorite 32 is the 32-20, a very versatile caliber in modern strong firearms. I have loaded a number of different powders in the caliber and have found none that will not shoot very well, better in fact, than my old eyes can do with iron sights. In my Buckeye Ruger convertible one needs only to match the powder to the occasion. 4 or 5 grains of Unique and the RCBS 115 gr. cast bullet produce 25 yard groups in the 1 1/4 range while a stiff load of 2400 will bring velocities right up to the heels of the 357. We have a 100 yd. six inch steel "swinger" at the gun range I use and the above mentioned bullet and load will stay on this target when I do my part. As the velocity increases, so does the muzzel blast. Hearing protection is required.
Another caliber mentioned by DOC is the 38-40. Again this caliber comes to life when used in a modern, strong firearm. Mine came from Davidson's Gallery of Guns, and is a Ruger Vaquero convertible in stainless. Having non adjustable sights I was skeptical of the loads that could be used and still stay on target. It worked out quite well as the gun printed on at 25 yds. with standard velocity factory type loads. With higher pressure loads that the Ruger is capable of this old cartridge delivers 1400 fps with the RCBS 180gr. cast bullet and 2400 powder. This load reminds me of 41 mag. velocities and the Ruger again printed on the 100 yd. 'swinger'.
As said in previous posts these cartridge cases are thin and fragile and require a bit more care in reloading them. If one slops a bullet on top of the case and runs it into the seater die expects to withdraw a nice reloaded cartridge with the bullet seated nice and straight, he will be greeted by a crumpled case. I neck size only and put a heavy bevel on the inside of the case mouth which eases the bullets passage into the case. It is also neccesary to align the bullet with the case prior to seating and if possible hand start the bullet into the case to assure the case will not crumple. If a little care is taken, the thin cases of these old calibers can be successfully loaded.
In short, these are my favorite calibers. Given them in the strong guns now available, I feel little need for the present day "magnums". My nickles worth.

 

[DOK]

EEA,

Excellent input and information, and we all appreciate the help on this category that appears to be frequently overlooked. Could you comment a little more on the reason(s) you prefer the 32-20 over the 32 mag.?

Again, excellent post.

Dan

 

[MikeG]

EEA,

Ever tried the Lyman "M" dies for expanding 38-40 cases? I would think that it might make life easier. Don't know if Lyman markets one specifically for that case but the .40 S&W/10mm version should work.