Author Topic: Model 32 Smith  (Read 558 times)

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Offline ftlupton

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Model 32 Smith
« on: November 24, 2008, 05:49:51 AM »
Help! Just bought a like new Model 32 Smith in .38 S&W. Not sure if I want to reload for it or just buy 100rds of new stuff just for carry. I don't suppose it is possible to rechamber to .38 special is it? Just not familiar enough with Smith's. Any suggestions? It is in really nice condition and sure slips in the pocket nice.

Offline StrawHat

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Re: Model 32 Smith
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2008, 07:41:28 AM »
The old 38 S&W round is larger than the 38 Special, both the bullet and the case.

Many were reworked just after WWII to accept the 38 Special but none were very satisfactory.

If you really want a 38 Special, sell the M32 and use the funds towards a S&W M15 or S&W M64.
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"  Winston Churchill

"A law without a punishment is merely advice."  anonymous

Offline ftlupton

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Re: Model 32 Smith
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2008, 11:18:56 AM »
Did some more research and decided to leave it alone. I just ordered dies, brass etc and will have fun working up some milder loads and just shootin and carryin it. Too sweet to mess with. I have all the moulds and have cast a lot of bullets lately with good results. Goin to keep it as a shooter, thanks for the reply. I've owned a bunch of Smiths but never a .38 S&W.

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Model 32 Smith
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2008, 11:41:39 AM »
The 38 S&W I have is a 3" single action Smith but the round has more of a POP than a Bang of a 38 Spl.  The 148 grain round nose bullet packs a thump.
You will be happy.
My Step mothers father had a Victory model issued to him in WWII in 38S&W and it's a neat little gun to shoot.

Offline Mohawk

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Re: Model 32 Smith
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2008, 09:22:15 PM »
  Would leave it as is. The caliber is adequate for defense. But as was stated, the Smith Victory models that were re-chambered are horrible. A good example was the Victory revolver that Lee Harvey Oswald used to murder Dallas PD officer Tippet. The rifling marks on the recovered slugs were so light that it was difficult to find consistancies since the .38 spl bullets are a smaller diameter and were being shot through a .38 S&W barrel. That could not have been a very accurate revolver. However, the factory chambered Victory revolvers are dandy in .38 Special. The Remington 146 grain, I think it was, LRN were accurate in a friends Webley revolver in .38 S&W. That was his raccoon gun in east Texas.

Offline ftlupton

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Re: Model 32 Smith
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2008, 03:45:17 AM »
Yep, going to leave it alone and just reload. Just got off the phone with Cabela's for brass and dies. It is about the perfect size for pocket carry. Will start with 3.0 grs Unique and 125 gr cast(swc). I load for a lot of calibers but this one just looks like fun. Gun looks unfired, or fired very little and is tight as a new one.