A few years back I too had a 1950's nickel DS with hammer shroud in 32 NP. I had chronographed 2 brands of ammo (one was remington) and they both gave about 700 FPS. As funny as it sounds, this ammo really felt more like a 22 LR. Lyman reloading manuals do offer much improved performance over that but I had not tried any of the S&B or other ammo offered. In the 1980's, someone was offering 32 H&R cylinders for the D frame Colt. I considered finding one or having my DS rechambered. I doubt the cylinder or gun would have an issue in the hotter chambering but I instead sold the gun for a profit and since have added 2 or 3 more D frame Colts in 38 Special. Simply as it sounds, one can always download a 38 special for recoil sensitive shooters (factory mid-range wadcutters are one example) but up-loading a 32 is not as easy. I do kind of wished I kept the gun as it would be useful as a ladies training gun and right now some wifes and daughters are coming to the range to shoot. The mental picture of loading tiny "bullets" would maybe help with new shooters.
Fed Personal Defense 32 S&W Long ammo any better?
I have a link from Able's quoting that Federal Personal Defense 32 S&W Long ammo clocks the standard lead RN bullet at 780 fps at the muzzle and 130 ft lbs at the muzzle.
Federal Personal Defense Ammunition C32LB, 32 S&W Long, Lead Round Nose, 98 GR, 780 fps, 20 Rd/bx - Able Ammo
Compared to the standard Remington and Winchester loads (705 fps and 115 ft lbs) there is an increase of 75 fps and 15 ft lbs with the Federal round.
I am wondering if it's worth buying a few boxes? They are sold in 20 rd. packs that actually come out at the same cost or a little cheaper as half a box of 50 Remingtons or Winchesters. The increase in muzzle velocity is greater than the increase in ft lbs using the Federal round. I wish it were the other way around.
I like any increase in cartidge efficiency but I'm not convinced that the increases are enough to bother with buying some of this.
If I reloaded I could probably get a better performing 32 Long round without damaging the D frame, but that's not in the cards.
I also would not consider having the Colt DS converted to 32 mag! I definitely want to keep it as I received it. Colt didn't make a lot of DSs in 32 Colt NP. So it's kind of a scarce variation.
My thoughts are basically to keep this DS as an interesting early 50s Ds to shoot at the range ocassionally. I have no plans to use it for self defense or carry, but I am always considering alternatives.
What say you, gents and ladies?
Federal Personal Defense Ammunition C32LB, 32 S&W Long, Lead Round Nose, 98 GR, 780 fps, 20 Rd/bx - Able Ammo
Compared to the standard Remington and Winchester loads (705 fps and 115 ft lbs) there is an increase of 75 fps and 15 ft lbs with the Federal round.
I am wondering if it's worth buying a few boxes? They are sold in 20 rd. packs that actually come out at the same cost or a little cheaper as half a box of 50 Remingtons or Winchesters. The increase in muzzle velocity is greater than the increase in ft lbs using the Federal round. I wish it were the other way around.
I like any increase in cartidge efficiency but I'm not convinced that the increases are enough to bother with buying some of this.
If I reloaded I could probably get a better performing 32 Long round without damaging the D frame, but that's not in the cards.
I also would not consider having the Colt DS converted to 32 mag! I definitely want to keep it as I received it. Colt didn't make a lot of DSs in 32 Colt NP. So it's kind of a scarce variation.
My thoughts are basically to keep this DS as an interesting early 50s Ds to shoot at the range ocassionally. I have no plans to use it for self defense or carry, but I am always considering alternatives.
What say you, gents and ladies?
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