Is 32 S&W long still popular as a target round for revolvers

shootingisfun · Post by **shootingisfun** » Sun May 27, 2018 11:20 am

Just curious, is there still target shooters that use the 32 S&W long? How popular is it?

Thanks

fc60 · Post by **fc60** » Sun May 27, 2018 11:27 am

Greetings,

Quite a few shooters outside the USA use revolvers.

Cheers,

Dave

David M · Post by **David M** » Sun May 27, 2018 2:18 pm

The .38 special is more abundant because more revolvers are available.
Only limited brands are available in .32sw long, and the .32 Mag
is a dud for target shooting.
The Manurhin and Alfa are available in .32 sw long as well as a number
of converted Toz 49's.

Capri · Post by **Capri** » Mon May 28, 2018 1:43 am

Hi David,
Are the Alpha good value for centrefire match?

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon May 28, 2018 2:29 am

The best cheap option is a K frame Smith is .38 special.
Change the sights to partridge and fit a good grip.
Not really enough Alfa's around to comment.
If you can afford it a Manurhin Match is the way to go, I
shot both the .32 and .38 side by side for about three
years. Then I sold the .32 and still shoot the .38.

j danielsson · Post by **j danielsson** » Mon May 28, 2018 2:44 am

I have tried the aluminium framed Alfa.
It is pure crap. Like a childs toy.

Mike M. · Post by **Mike M.** » Mon May 28, 2018 7:14 pm

I think .32 would be more popular if the guns were available. Smith & Wesson could probably sell a run of Model 16s by subscription.

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon May 28, 2018 10:48 pm

Better would be bring back the Smith model 14 K32 Masterpiece.

Leon · Post by **Leon** » Tue May 29, 2018 4:42 am

The Taurus Model 76 .32 revolver is very nice. It is almost an exact copy of the S&W K32 - without the stratospheric price tag these now attract.

The Model 76 is no longer available new, but good S/H ones are relatively easy to find.

I have two of them now and often use one in preference to my Manurhin Match 32..

JamesHH · Post by **JamesHH** » Thu May 31, 2018 5:08 am

7.62x26 Is the only cartridge worth shooting.

David M · Post by **David M** » Thu May 31, 2018 4:08 pm

JamesHH wrote:7.62x26 Is the only cartridge worth shooting.

Be careful with Russian Ammo, the 7.62×25mm (Tokarev) is a bottle neck auto round.
I think you mean the 7,62x26,2R Nagant (also known as 7.62 mm Nagant short)
as used in the Toz 49 revolver.
Also the 7,62x38,7R Nagant Long as used in the Toz 36 revolver.

JamesHH · Post by **JamesHH** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:03 pm

Well
7.62x25 is for pocket auto-loaders
7.62x26 (Short) is for the Toz49
7.62x38 (Long) is for the Toz36

j danielsson · Post by **j danielsson** » Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:24 am

Any advantages with 7.62x26?
Besides the fact it is loaded in a wonderful revolver?

If l ever run across some machinery l think l will rebuild mine to .32 s&w l.
Maybe.

JamesHH · Post by **JamesHH** » Sat Jun 16, 2018 11:16 pm

7.62x26 cases are a bit thicker and more consistent in thickness than .32SWL
Its tapered so the cases fall out when ejected, you don't have to full-length eject.
Its tapered so you can tune the bullet tension by adjusting the sizing die.

But not many people use it so cases, dies are hard to find.

Incidentally 1st and 2nd at the Australian nationals went to Toz revolvers, one Toz36 one Toz49, both in the original Russian configurations I believe.

j danielsson · Post by **j danielsson** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:27 am

Mine do not eject that easily, so l do like l see the ukrainians are doing, take out the cylinder and push them out with the center rod. Hitting the rod most often.
I can live with that, and l guess l will have to do that after a conversion too.
I have got enough russian cases too last me a lifetime and l use .32 s&w L dies when reloading. It could work better but it works.
The problem as l see it is the berdan primers. I use water
And a full length expander to get them out, wich means l have to go outside because it's messy. New primers are ridiculously expensive. 3 times more than boxers is still a cheap round when finished, but it hurts anyway.
And last, l would not have time to reload if I start using the revolver. Can't get a progressive for it.
The question as l meant was, are there any advantages in performance of that cartridge vs .32 s&w l? I don't think so. Same accuracy, needs more work, needs more powder.

JamesHH · Post by **JamesHH** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:05 am

7.62x26 seems much easier to load than .32SWL

I've had endless trouble getting a half decent load out of .32SWL in multiple guns.

With 7.62x26 I can vary almost anything and it won't change the accuracy much.
It could be the quality fo the Russioan barel and its very fast twist 1:10"

New boxer cases are available from Bertram Bullet co and sometimes from Starline - only for the Toz36 but they can be cut down.

kubikula78 · Post by **kubikula78** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:18 am

Hi,

I have many years Alfa Steel 32SW Long.....it is similar as Alfa with alu frame but is made from steel. LPA sights. It is called Alfa Steel Sport.

Accuracy is superb, I have no problém at all with this revolver. With good ammo from hand rest shooting about 2-3cm/25 meters.

Rgds

Jakub

Hubert · Post by **Hubert** » Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:35 am

Alfa revolvers, both alu and steel ones, are very popular in Poland. Relatively cheap. Steel models are preferred representing good value for money.
Manurhin MR32 Match costs a fortune. I have made an order for one, price tag about 2150 Euros imported from Germany to Poland. Waiting time for any Manurhin ordered in Europe is about a year or two at the moment. In Poland, they price Manurhins about 500 Euros more.
Last two polish records in OPEN group in precision shooting (30 shots) were shot by a shooter who did it with MR32.

deadeyedick · Post by **deadeyedick** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 4:22 am

JamesHH
Post subject: Re: Is 32 S&W long still popular as a target round for revolPostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:05 am
Offline

Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:10 pm
Posts: 20
7.62x26 seems much easier to load than .32SWL

I've had endless trouble getting a half decent pload out of .32SWL in multiple guns.

With 7.62x26 I can vary almost anything and it won't change the accuracy much.
It could be the quality fo the Russioan barel and its very fast twist 1:10"

New boxer cases are available from Bertram Bullet co and sometimes from Starline - only for the Toz36 but they can be cut down.

1. I find the 7.62 nagant short round a pain in the arse to load as having a tapered case means each round has to be lubed in order to be extracted from the flrd.

2. Once a reloader has been given ( or attained ) the correct level of knowledge regarding what is needed for .32 s&wl rounds there is no trouble in attaining a perfectly consistent round.

3. Bruce Bertram in Seymour Victoria Australia also manufactures and stocks the 7.62 nagant short case for the Toz 49 and no shortening of the 36 case is needed. The last ones I bought from Bruce were $1 AUD each.

Dies for the nagant 7.62 cases are also readily available from Simplex dies in Sydney.

Leon · Post by **Leon** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 4:54 am

"I find the 7.62 nagant short round a pain in the arse to load as having a tapered case means each round has to be lubed in order to be extracted from the flrd."

The M1 Carbine case is dimensionally similar to the 7.62 Nagant case and Lee Carbide M1 Carbine sizing die works a treat.

Or have your normal steel sizing dies ( RCBS, Simplex ) titanium nitrided and you won't have to lube cases either.

(I have both , and use both ( I purchased the steel die set from CH and they titanium nitrided the sizer, expander and taper crimp dies)