Handguns

The late Col. Jeff Cooper once opined that .25- and .32-caliber weapons were very dangerous and that anyone shot with one might resort to violence. A sage observation, but once upon a time, the .32 S&W Long cartridge was quite popular for self-defense.

The .32 S&W Long was introduced in 1896 for Smith & Wesson's First Model Hand Ejector solid-frame revolver. Smokeless-powder loads propelled a 90- or 95-grain lead bullet at about 700 fps, but the original load of 13 grains of black powder produced a velocity of almost 800 fps with a 98-grain bullet.

These days, only a few stalwarts shoot the old round, but at opposite ends of the precision spectrum. A couple of high-end European semiauto pistols so chambered are used in ISU competition. Those arms, of course, require wadcutter bullets seated flush with the case mouth. At the other extreme is the dedicated plinker and small-game hunter, such as moi.

Fortunately, there are a few quality .32 S&W Long revolvers around. Our test gun was a J-frame Smith & Wesson Model 31-1 with a three-inch barrel made in 1976. The M31 was discontinued in 1991.

It is easy to concoct good .32 S&W Long reloads. Federal, Remington, Fiocchi, Magtech and Winchester all produce factory ammo, and Starline makes quality brass. Many firms make reloading dies, and I used a three-die set from RCBS. Two expander plugs are provided one for .313- and .314-inch lead bullets and another for .312-inch jacketed slugs.

Both Hornady and Speer make soft lead swaged bullets with just the right amount of lubricant to prevent leading at .32 S&W Long velocities. Hornady, Speer and Sierra produce jacketed .32-caliber bullets in weights from 60 to 100 grains and show data for them in their manuals, but these bullets were really designed for the much more powerful .32 H&R Magnum and probably do not expand at .32 Long velocities. Thus, I stuck with lead bullets.