The 32 ACP Field Pistol

[Caballoflaco]

I've got a .36 cal 1851 Navy and I'm going to build a .36 cal Squirrel Rifle to go with it.

Basically, the equivalent of a .32 H&R/.32-20 in black powder and percussion.

And there’s no such thing as a muzzle loading SBR. If I still had easy access to some hunting land a 12” front stuffer in .32 would be sweet little squirrel gun.

[OlongJohnson]

This and the wadcutter thread gave me a really dumb idea.

A Contender, but scaled down from N frame size to J frame size. Use J frame grips and as many J frame action parts as made sense to use. All the same advantages of lightness, short overall length, long barrel with closed chamber, etc. Dovetail the barrel for adjustable, low-profile Novak sights. No cylinder to make it fat in your pocket or in a pancake when tromping under the trees. No need for anything more powerful than .38 SPL +P. Could be pretty cool.

[Borderland]

S&W made a 32 long revolver with a 4" barrel. 32 APC is nice but if you want small game that's your ticket. Pretty amazing J/I frames but ammo is non existent. It's what they call a dead cartridge.

I see 32 APC on the shelf, or did, but 32 Long is long gone. It died with the I frame revolvers. RIP.

[Wheeler]

S&W made a 32 long revolver with a 4" barrel. 32 APC is nice but if you want small game that's your ticket. Pretty amazing J/I frames but ammo is non existent. It's what they call a dead cartridge.

I see 32 APC on the shelf, or did, but 32 Long is long gone. It died with the I frame revolvers. RIP.

I still see a fair amount of .32 Long on shelves at prices comparable to .32 ACP. It’s not a dead cartridge, it still has a pretty loyal following in the .32 caliber crowd. It’s also a handloader’s dream cartridge, especially if one casts one’s own boolits.

[Borderland]

I still see a fair amount of .32 Long on shelves at prices comparable to .32 ACP. It’s not a dead cartridge, it still has a pretty loyal following in the .32 caliber crowd. It’s also a handloader’s dream cartridge, especially if one casts one’s own boolits.

I don't cast but I load it. Just bought 500 from SNS Casting. There isn't a big run on 32 swc.

[Malamute]

This and the wadcutter thread gave me a really dumb idea.

A Contender, but scaled down from N frame size to J frame size. Use J frame grips and as many J frame action parts as made sense to use. All the same advantages of lightness, short overall length, long barrel with closed chamber, etc. Dovetail the barrel for adjustable, low-profile Novak sights. No cylinder to make it fat in your pocket or in a pancake when tromping under the trees. No need for anything more powerful than .38 SPL +P. Could be pretty cool.

I have a slightly different take, a K frame Smith. The K-22s are crazy expensive. Im sort of keeping an eye out for a beater grade K frame centerfire with adjustable sights that I can make a 32 out of. I have a K-22 barrel that can be rebored to 32, and am watching for an affordable 22 cylinder to do the same with.

[Crazy Dane]

Ruger® New Model Single-Six® Single-Action Revolver Model 6538


There is this, if only you could find one right now. I have emails in place to do the .410 conversion thanks to

https://chaszel.com/product/327-fede...tgun-adapters/
Above is the guy I’ve been in contact with. Last email he said he was hoping to have more .32 barrel stock this summer. My present plan is to get an 18” adapter from .410 to .32 H&R or .327, and have it permanently attached inside the existing .410 barrel & add an XS front sight on a short ramp & a rear peep sight. I have a local machinist that’s agreed to do the work after I get and vet the adapter.

Plan B is stubbing the barrel with a take off .30 cal rifle barrel and chambering it for .32 H&R.

I am thinking a birthday present to myself, its a big one in September.

[Wheeler]

I have a slightly different take, a K frame Smith. The K-22s are crazy expensive. Im sort of keeping an eye out for a beater grade K frame centerfire with adjustable sights that I can make a 32 out of. I have a K-22 barrel that can be rebored to 32, and am watching for an affordable 22 cylinder to do the same with.

I was really fortunate to acquire a 16-4 back when they weren’t collectible. I have a couple of .32 Mag J frames that get a bit sporty running heavier bullets. The K frame just absorbs that recoil like a champ. Running .32 Longs through it is an absolute pleasure.

I have a cosmetically challenged 17-5 with an 8 3/8” barrel that I’ve pondered converting to .32 Mag...of course then I’d need to acquire another K frame .22.

[revolvergeek]

This and the wadcutter thread gave me a really dumb idea.

A Contender, but scaled down from N frame size to J frame size. Use J frame grips and as many J frame action parts as made sense to use. All the same advantages of lightness, short overall length, long barrel with closed chamber, etc. Dovetail the barrel for adjustable, low-profile Novak sights. No cylinder to make it fat in your pocket or in a pancake when tromping under the trees. No need for anything more powerful than .38 SPL +P. Could be pretty cool.

A long time ago there actually was something kinda along those lines; the Stevens Model 35 in 32 Rimfire. Lower power than you are talking about, but super slim and light and more than a 22. http://ericnestor.com/the-forgotten-...tip-up-pistol/

Have you ever played around with a contender with a 6" barrel? A skinny 3-4" barrel with a minimal handguard and a cut down grip would be maybe a little lighter than you think, but still more than many revolvers and no sort of pocket pistol. I foolishly passed on a 6" .357 magnum barrel that Ron's in Bossier city had years ago. I have a picture of it somewhere but can't find it right off.

An old 4" Colt Police Positive is a lovely thing for this kind of work also, particularly in .32 NP / S&W Long. There are a decent number of 3" 60s vintage Cobra's our there in .32NP also....

[OlongJohnson]

I have 10-inch octagon barrels in .22LR and .38 SPL for my Contender. Haven't really looked into shorter, but as you suggest, it's just hard to see it being a pocket option, no matter how short the barrel. I don't think you can get it usefully more compact than a K frame, let alone a J.

I have a Browning 1911-22 that's delightfully flat and compact, as well as a Buck Mark Challenge 5.5 with the pencil barrel that has a URX grip in the box next to it.