No longer a safe queen

[Ethang]

I held out with this one longer then any other gun I have bought. I picked up a box of Black Hills 32 magnum ammo and took my SS to the range. Wow. You guys were not kidding about how perfect this combo is. Even with the under powered factory stuff I really like this combo. This I think will make the perfect packing pistol for the Michigan woods.

I am now on the hunt for some dies, brass and bullets. I have been searching various loads and bullets.

I think when funds allow I am going to treat myself to some Holly grips and an El Paso Saddlery Lawrence type holster.

 

[flatgate]

Welcome to the .32 club! I sure like the Ruger .32 mag. Single-Sixes I have!

flatgate

 

[Pinecone]

Well let's see, right now I have a Colt Pocket Positive 1st model in .32 Long Colt, does that qualify me for the club?.......................Dick :mrgreen:

 

[Rainman]

Fair Warning! They are addictive and tend to become "favorite" Rugers before you realize it. Next thing you know, you'll be hunting for one of the Marlin 1894s in 32 H&R. It never ends.....

As info, mine like to be fed Hornady 85 gr XTPs with Unique or H110.

Dan
Life Member 32 Club

 

[Ethang]

I found an 1894 just can't afford it right now.

 

[gak]

Been saying this for years, since my first .32 SS in 1984, a 5.5" in Ruger's intro year. And I seem to be in the minority, but have always thought it was a great round "even" in factory loads. I'm not talking just the reduced cowboy loads but the oft-criticized "regular" Federal stuff,...but most certainly and especially Georgia Arms' warmer 100s. All of these have more than enough pop and down range zip to tell you they're much more than a .22-anything and won't remind you either of most other .32-anythings. I've also said, IMO, the .32 H&R and the SS is the best marriage of cartridge and chassis yet devised. If I ever get around to converting one of mine to .327, I may amend that, but I don't necessarily think so. I do expect it will be just more of a good thing. Welcome to the club--late though you may be!

 

[GhosT]

Never shot,handled, or seen a Ruger ..32
And prolly will never see one locally.

Admit...the first time heard of the round, thought ...."WHAT A WASTE"....

But a decade of reading threads on the .32......

I will say......Threads saying to use that caliber for self defense,never impressed ...better rounds out there.

But the threads for plinking, target shooting....and most impressive...HUNTING......Blew me away.

SEEN COUNTLESS threads of .32 owners using the round to hunt
Small game for food or varmints .

Any game that you would use a .22 rimfire handgun on....the .32
hits it like a hammer!

Odds are, I will never fire a .32 ....But I got total respect for the round!

 

[gak]

I will say......Threads saying to use that caliber for self defense,never impressed ...better rounds out there.

I would agree as a primary SD there are--and I use--better, but neither would I want to be on the receiving end of a .32
H&R (who would--anything--of course), and the little .32 makes for a J-frame wonder as a BUG or "convenience" gun. This is straying from the SS-orietation of the thread, but my Smith Airweight goes with me *everywhere* as that BUG, but also when the larger guns are less convenient, too heavy or bulky. This may not pass all tactical logic tests--I will grant that--but with good shot placement and useful/accurate follow-up shots more likely with the low recoiling .32, it works for me. As they say, "better than nothing," but that doesn't tell the whole story. It's quite the round in its own right. The Smith is the perfect CC-IWB/OWB, ankle, travel, trail/hiking (non bear country), evening walks and cycling companion.

 

[WARD]

FUN - FUN - FUN Thats what I think about 32 mags and Ruger SS. Four live at our house these days and they sure catch a lot of use.

Ward

 

[Ethang]

Now if Starline would get off it's duff and get some brass in stock and I can find some bullets I will be all set. Anybody use Missouri Cast 32 bullets?

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I never buy safe queens. Heck I don't even have a safe. I enjoy all my handguns. I don't believe there has ever been a gun made that wasn't built to be enjoyed

 

[Ethang]

I was able to purchase some Lee dies and my daughter got me some 100 grain bullets to try. I loaded a few with 3.5 - 4.0 of Unique today. The 4.0 was flattening primers, the 3.5 shot ok into the beer can I was shooting at.I will get to the range for a better test and chrono next week. I still need some more brass as the 50 I have won't be enough.


I am looking forward to working with this pistol. The more I shoot it the more I like it.

 

[jamesellik]

I've been watching various auctions on Gunbroker for S.S.'s in .32mag....... I've just about talked myself into it, other than the fact that I cant find factory ammo anywhere, and even brass seems to be hard to come by.

 

[Snake45]

Always good to hear of experiences with the various "super .32s," thanks for sharing!

 

[gak]

Couldn't quite get the quote button to work off my Blackberry, but Jamesellik, I hear you. The ammo situation is quite irritating. All I can say is that it's such a good gun and cartridge, it's worth the purchase and subsequent masochistic search for ammo! At least one of mine is destined for a .327 conversion at some point, but sure wish the H&R ammo situation would pick/clear up as I cannot reload at the moment.

 

[jamesellik]

has anyone been able to locate a source for brass? Midway says its back-ordered until end of October, but I've been waiting on Starline brass in .45colt and they've bumped the backorder date by 3 months already.

tell me more about the .327 conversion. Will the super-single six frame handle it?

 

[gak]

Jamesellik said
"tell me more about the .327 conversion. Will the super-single six frame handle it?"

It's an increasingly popular conversion with Bowen, Clements, Gallagher, Harton, Reeder and others, who have determined the SS frame is well up to the task. Contrary to earlier speculation, no frame/cylinder window modification is needed. However, it is not just a "reaming out" conversion. The stock cylinder is too short for the .327, so the smith provides a new, longer cylinder--that still fits in the existing window. However, the barrel/cyl gap then needs to be "adjusted." Because of this latter aspect, I gather future shooting of the H&R round should use the new cylinder, which will also still accommodate the other .32 rounds the old H&R cylinder did.

It's a gun Ruger really should build, and may yet (?)...but, I have not even heard any rumors lately--as we did re .44 Special Flattops and New Vaqueros before production. So, it's probably "safe" for awhile yet--if not permanently--to do a conversion. Still, hoping, I've procrastinated on this one. Never say never though, as we've found out on some other guns! Not sure the 7 shot GP100 and 8 shot large frame BH .327s were all that foreseen.

 

[Ethang]

Granted my experience with the 32 Mag is very limited and I have no experience with the 327. I don't know that I am interested in a 327 SS. I think the H&R will be just fine. Loaded to 1000 fps or so what are you going to shoot with a 327 that the H&R won't handle with less noise?

 

[gak]

I've had no complaints with the H&R, even with ooff the shelf, but particularly like Georia Arms'. The .327's just another option, more of a good thing, and just adds further to the flexibility of the platform, including future ammo availability. Also, broadens the envelope--makes it more of a viable camp/trail gun in big cat (etc) country. Yes, the .357 may do that even better--and why I carry it into such circumstances! but the .32__ and SS are that mch lighter and more fun!

 

[Ethang]

I have a backorder in with Starline. I am hoping to pick up a mold set in a suitable bullet style and start casting my own slugs for this.


I think we need to start another 32 Mag loading/shooting/using thread.........