Antique calibers

travisanderson

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I was wondering if it would be possible to convert a 32 rimfire to 32 auto.. Since its not on the no go list and an antique status.. It would still be ok correct? Any input or a discussion would be cool. Thanks for your time all!
 
If such a conversion were made, never fire a factory cartridge in it.
The .32 Auto cartridge is larger in diameter. Cylinder wall thickness might be an issue.
 
Ok the difference is approximately .02 inches between the two of them. I was planning on doing something like this so that an easily reloadable centerfire case can be used without problems. And obviously I'd reload with black power etc etc.. Is it possible and practicable? I have a drill bit that is .002 bigger than the required size.. It should headspace off the small rim that is there and work properly and be reliable right?
 
Forget a drill bit. Use a reamer. The reamer's pilot will have to be ground to fit the existing cylinder bore.
 
The .32 ACP is a significantly stronger cartridge than many give credit.


Please be careful, unless you are talking about just using the case, and under-loading the charges.
 
Ya and make sure the 32 Auto is not the same Dia case as any of the other NO listed 32 Caliber CF ammos as if one of them happens to fit perfect id not want that gun in my collection of antiques. you could end up looseing everything and paying alot in legal fees.
Theres alot of 32 Caliber CF cartridges on the NO List eh so you better check.

With the H.C Collections and Dixie gunworks reloadable 32 Rf cases available its not worth the effort of changeing the hammers tip and makeing the gun weaker and posibley dangerous.
Just seems like a bad idea to me.
 
for .32 rimfire you can use .32 short colt cases drilled out to use .27 cal hilti blanks as a primer (i say uncrimp them and dump the smokeless then cut off the crimp load up with bp) its cheap and still rimfire
 
32 acp. will chamber index and fire in a 32 S&W revolver so they may consider it a 32 S&W.(but is more powerful and shouldn't be fired in one)
but with b.p. it doesn't matter anyway.
If there's not a lot of space between the rear of the cylinder and frame to allow the 32 S&W to chamber and index you could probably do it.
i don't know if the frame could be altered with weld or something to prevent the S&W round from working?
 
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myself, id be worried that if i sold the gun, or my estate did, it could change hands until someone less informed turned it into a grenade with factory ammo. feel pretty bad if someone down the road lost a finger to my creation.
 
In answer to your earlier question, no, the .32 acp will not headspace off the small rim recess that is there, because it is a rimless cartridge which is made to headspace off the case mouth. I would say chamber it for .32-20 and stamp it .310 Cadet. That way, you could load black for it, the chambering is still off the no-go list, and someone getting it later wouldn't have any modern ammo to throw into it causing a problem.
 
That is exactly what I was thinking the rim diameter of the s&w is larger test that of the acp. So a small weld to prevent chambering a s&w would prevent any on the no go list from working
 
I think i should add that welding the frame might change the temper of the metal which could cause the gun to come apart.
possibly a .30 luger may be a better calibre to look at.
 
I think i should add that welding the frame might change the temper of the metal which could cause the gun to come apart.
possibly a .30 luger may be a better calibre to look at.

.30 Luger would be a really bad idea. Very few .32RFs would have any cylinder wall left if reamed to take the bottle necked .30 Luger. Let alone the fact that the .30 Luger is a high pressure cartridge.
 
How about 7.62x38mmR nagant? That one supposedly will shoot most 32 cal pistol cartridges why would someone not want one of these? Because it may fit a prohibited cartridge?

I think that ill call the firearms office
 
How about 7.62x38mmR nagant? That one supposedly will shoot most 32 cal pistol cartridges why would someone not want one of these? Because it may fit a prohibited cartridge?

I think that ill call the firearms office

just read both of my comments here you can make your own reloadable cases out of .32 short colt its easy
 
.32 Auto is not rimless; it is semi rimmed. Case is about.336 diameter, rim .358.
The case is larger in diameter than .32RF. The hammer and frame would need to be converted to center fire.
Any revolver of suffieient quality to convert would probably be too nice a gun to mess up with the alterations.
 
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