32 H&R Question

[Flattop54]

I just acquired a Ruger SA 32 H&R revolver in excellent shape for $275. I can't find any information on the Ruger site as to ammunition this gun will fire. I know I can fire 32 H&R magnum and 32 SW Long. However I was told I can also shoot 32 SW Short and 32 acp. Is this true? I have also been told this gun can be converted by Ruger to 327 Federal. Can you gurus help me out? I'm new to this caliber. Thanks in advance.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
I happen to have several of the 32's.
You are correct in that it'll shoot 32 H&R mags, and .32 S&W Longs.
It will also shoot .32 Shorts. THe 32 ACP will not seat properly on the cylinder, so it'll not work properly. It takes a rimmed cartridge.

Yes, some folks have had their 32 H&R's re-chambered for the .327 mag, but I'd suggest you leave it "as is."
It's a barrel of fun, accurate, & pleasant to shoot.

 

[Ethang]

You overspent for an obsolete revolver that you can't get any ammo for. It will pain me to do it but I would cover you loses and let you recoup your money. You can thank me later.....


Really though. Great pick up. The 32 mag is a great little gun. Mine has become a favorite. Ruger won't convert it, you would have to go custom. I have not shot anything but regular mags in mine but the Long, and the short will work. The ACP might give you some headspace issues but I will defer to the more experienced of the forum members for an answer to that.

 

[Flattop54]

Wow! That was quick. I have been lurking here for years and knew I'd get the straight skinny from someone. I am well versed in my other Rugers but this is a new caliber for me. Thanks again and "Straight Shooting".

 

[Flattop54]

Ethang:
Thank you for your philanthropic offer but I would hate to burden you with my problem child. I'll muddle through somehow.

 

[RugerHound]

Ethang:
Thank you for your philanthropic offer but I would hate to burden you with my problem child. I'll muddle through somehow.

The charity & sense of giving just permeates this place!

I love the .32 caliber revolvers and have a bunch of 'em stashed away in the safe. And Contender has given you the best advice (IMO) going!

 

[Rainman]

Fair Warning! The 32's are addictive and they tend to multiply like rabbits. The last time I looked there were at least four lurking around my gun safe!

You got an awesome deal for that price BTW.

Welcome to the Forum.

Dan

 

[Ethang]

Well I am a generous soul.

Really. Shoot the heck out of it. I was on the fence when I bought mine but the guys here convinced me to shoot it. Now it comes with me on every dog walk and range trip I go to. I load a 100 grain lead slug to around 1000 fps and it is just a really fun package all around. I have not seen the need for the 327 but some day if funds allow I would like to send it off to one of the custom smiths and have some work done. I might have a new cylinder fit at that time just because.

 

[Ethang]

BTW I love a 32 Magnum thread.

 

[2 dogs]

Tyrone is almost right. The 32 ACP is in fact a semi rimmed cartridge and will indeed work in your 32 H&R.

Tyrone, you will now turn in your expert card at the counter....

 

[Flattop54]

I have developed an addiction to all the other calibers I have so I'm sure it will happen again. I am so weak. My wife feeds my addiction by saying " If it makes you happy get it". I have no support system. Can you imagine being married to a woman with that attitude? There is no hope for me.

 

[louiethelump]

I have shot quite a bit of 32 ACP old ammo I have laying about in my Ruger 32 H&R and 327 guns with no trouble. This is due (in my opinion) partially due to the heavy hammers and hammer falls of the Single Six, GR100, and SP101s that I have shot 32 acp in without a single misfire. I DID get some misfires in a Charter Arms 32 S&W Long Undercover when shooting double action. No troubles when shooting single action. (the DA hammer fall is shorter) Had no problems DA or SA in S&W 32 revolvers with the hammer nose on the hammer.

With the 32 ACP it does have a bit of excessive headspace, but it has never been an issue other than as mentioned above.

GREAT BUY on your little gun. I LIKE the 32 guns and REALLY like the 327 even though I generally shoot 32 H&R in my 327 guns. I have a bit of the expensive 327 factory ammo for the times I load it for potential defense purposes. (the two SP101s, that is. The GP100 is a bit big for carry but a BLAST to shoot)

 

[Bob Wright]

The .32 ACP is a semi-rimmed round and can be fired in revolvers taking .32 S&W or .32 Magnum. Used to be true for the .38 Super, not too sure about current production, though.

In the case of the .38 Super, competition found they got better accuracy if the case headspaced on the case mouth rather than the rim. Don't know if current ammo has the semi-rim or not.


Bob Wright

 

[gak]

Congratulations--great gun and great round! My favorite(s) since my first SS .32 in its 1984 intro year. A trio of Vaquerito .32s now. No more fun guns/cartridge IMO.

 

[Hondo44]

Great buy as has been acknowledged. I too have had no problems shooting the 32 ACP semi-rimmed cartridges in mine. Which model did you get, fixed sight or adj?

Custom 327 conversions on that single six frame are very expensive. The round is a little too long for the cylinder and frame window so extensive mods are required including a custom cylinder.

However if you get ahold of the Blackhawk 32 H&R/32-20 WCF convertible, it's a piece o' cake to lengthen the H&R cylinder chambers. Or just get the new Ruger 327 8 shot Blackhawk.

This 32 is one of my favorite shooters:

 

[gak]

...Custom 327 conversions on that single six frame are very expensive. The round is a little too long for the cylinder and frame window so extensive mods are required including a custom cylinder.

However if you get ahold of the Blackhawk 32 H&R/32-20 WCF convertible, it's a piece o' cake to lengthen the H&R cylinder chambers. Or just get the new Ruger 327 8 shot Blackhawk...

It's true .327 Single Six conversions are not cheap in that it's not just a rechambering...a new cylinder is required--and because the b/c gap needs to be "adjusted" to sync with the new cylinder, it renders the existing H&R cylinder defunct (for the gun)--BUT, the cyl frame window itself is fine as is. Not a small deal, and one of the beauties of the conversion is that "at least" no mods are needed to the frame/window itself. You see a fair number of SS H&R cylinders on the market because of these conversions.

You're right in that the most--or at least "as"--cost effective route is the current BH .327. Converting an older .32-20/.32 convertible not only puts you out the initial purchase (assuming you don't already have one) but the rechambering of the H&R cylinder. The latter's not a huge deal, but is an added expense. At that point you might as well get the BH .327; you'd be $ ahead, and presumably slightly lighter vs the Buckeye or Vaquero .32 convert. Either way, relative to the SS you've still got a hunk of metal on your hands--if the compact SS is more what you had in mind.

OTOH, an SS .327 conversion will put you back at least $250 IIRC for the Bowen (typ) piloted cylinder blank, PLUS specific boring (chambering) for .327, fitting/timing/tuning, and refinishing and (assuming/if) re-scribing the caliber on the frame. A conversion not for the faint of pocketbook but from what I hear highly satisfactory, and can still shoot the shorter .32s as well. The real shorties (S&W "short" and ACP especially) I would imagine would then have quite a jump however, just as I would think they would in the BH .327.

 

[Hondo44]

It's true .327 Single Six conversions are not cheap in that it's not just a rechambering...a new cylinder is required--and because the b/c gap needs to be "adjusted" to sync with the new cylinder, it renders the existing H&R cylinder defunct (for the gun)--BUT, the cyl frame window itself is fine as is. Not a small deal, and one of the beauties of the conversion is that "at least" no mods are needed to the frame/window itself.

Gak,

Thx for reminding me, I was thinking of the SS conversion to 32/20 which affects the cylinder window.

 

[contender]

Ok 2 dogs, I'll have to put my card on hold. But a little explaining as to why.
I was going off the time I tried it myself with some 32 acp stuff I had. I didn't work everytime, and I had a crapper of a time getting one loaded round out of the chamber of one of mine. It got pushed in the chamber of one cylinder and stuck. It never fired, just dented the primer a bit. I must have had some off rounds, or a slightly oversized chamber.

 

[gak]

It's true .327 Single Six conversions are not cheap in that it's not just a rechambering...a new cylinder is required--and because the b/c gap needs to be "adjusted" to sync with the new cylinder, it renders the existing H&R cylinder defunct (for the gun)--BUT, the cyl frame window itself is fine as is. Not a small deal, and one of the beauties of the conversion is that "at least" no mods are needed to the frame/window itself.

Gak,

Thx for reminding me, I was thinking of the SS conversion to 32/20 which affects the cylinder window.

10-4. I've been thinking a .32-20/.327 Convert NV and Flattop would be just the thing. However, it's one I really wish Ruger would do--at least as a special distribution/run--as that conversion would run a pretty penny. Also no existing cylinders to go off of (re-chamber), and a new barrel needed to boot. Sure would be a sweetie though!

 

[Flattop54]

I wish I could do pictures but I'm no photographer. I envy those of you who are. Mine looks like the one in Hondo44's photo but with a different front sight. On mine the front sight is chamfered to the rear on the front end and notched in the rear. Does that make sense? It also has checkered grips which I really like. And yes it has the adjustable rear sight.

 

[M'BOGO]

I have developed an addiction to all the other calibers I have so I'm sure it will happen again. I am so weak. My wife feeds my addiction by saying " If it makes you happy get it". I have no support system. Can you imagine being married to a woman with that attitude? There is no hope for me.

Great, another junkie in the already thin S/N pool....

Seriously, enjoy, they are a fun round between the normal rimfires and centerfires.

 

[Flattop54]

Who makes a good western holster for this gun?

 

[G2]

I like 32's x 3

 

[Hondo44]

Waay coool! All three styles not counting the Baby Vaquero!

 

[gak]

Who makes a good western holster for this gun?

Lots (and lots) of choices out there. Triple K makes a reasonably affordable one specifically made for the SS..I prefer the looks of one not quite as overtly molded, but I can't argue the fit and this has done well for me for several years (as general duty; I don't CAS). Edit: this IS one of my .32s. Color match with the recent-issue Ruger laminates was unintentional, but remarkable.

I'd also look at El Paso Saddlery and Cochise Leather, among many available.

Sentimental favorite. My father made this for me in 1959 for my toy sixgun (!) and it's perfect. I'd love to have someone re-create this just to have an extra field holster..

 

[Flattop54]

gak, your dad was very talented. I also prefer the distressed leather look.

 

[gak]

gak, your dad was very talented. I also prefer the distressed leather look.

Thanks Flattop. Somehow, that leather-working talent gene skipped me! Like a lot of other things in life, had I known then - I would have had him make a bunch more (he made several "SS" size (it turns out) for us kids and one for a Model 10/M&P, but the majority got stolen in a burglary years back. Sniff ) I prefer the loop-over-belt type--which the John Wayne/Duke was--versus Buscadero drop style, as cool as they are. For my larger frames, I've got the same Triple K design as well as "Eastwood/Spaghetti" rig (also loop over), the latter I admit is more a fast draw design not particularly oriented to "retention" (has a hammer thong and that's about it), but I've always loved them, speaking of cool. In fact, this was a budget model I got mostly for show/display (mostly for me) which is "ok" but would like to get another higher quality one (El Paso, Paul Combest (Reddog) etc) sometime. Though fast draw, it's a high enough ride with that loop over design to make for a decent walk-about set up.

 

[louiethelump]

What are those light colored grips on the birdshead made of and who made them if you don't mind me asking.

 

[gak]

What are those light colored grips on the birdshead made of and who made them if you don't mind me asking.

They're elks w/o much if any bark. A gent here in rural-central Arizona had a set he was working on when I visited him about possibly doing a stag knife handle for me. I had the birdshead in the car and we fit them right there. They're "second" quality by his own admission, a little porous in parts, but I liked them anyway. Picked up a similar set of midframe plowhandles at the same time. I'll PM you if I can track his name down, it's been a couple of years. Sack Peterson is a great elk grip maker here however, and I got a very nice set (also "seconds" to him, not porous but a little metal proud in some missing bark/gouge areas) I love--in part actually "because" of the imperfect areas--on my Montado/Sheriff.

 

[louiethelump]

Thanks. If you find his info I would appreciate it.

Louie