Wildalaska
Moderator
Tamara why do you only have one Nagant...thats like eating only one potatoe chip
WildbriefinterruptioninthenagantcollectingduetoswedefeverAlaska
WildbriefinterruptioninthenagantcollectingduetoswedefeverAlaska
.32 Caliber Revolvers
- Thread starter BillCA
- Start date
Sir William
New member
Denis, if I had a revolver timed that bad, I would have it repaired or replaced. Somebody goofed. Ruger has had a few like everyone else. The question is, will manufacturers give a idea a chance or simply say why bother? Profit is nice and there are risks. I feel the whole 32 H&R Magnum Ruger project was a illconceived and less than perfect execution of a design exercise. The market was overestimated and maybe overinflated. Should a manufacturer listen and respond to a niche market? I would buy modern, high quality and reliable 32-20 revolvers in double and single action forms. I think the 32 in most all forms has become a minimal market. A 32 S&W 7 shot revolver would be a neat CCW. Anybody want to be the first to take the risk? 32 ACP meets that small market demand. If the demand was there, Wal-Mart would be selling Winchester white box of 32 anything. I would like to see it. I did find a box of 32-20 at a Gander Mountain recently. Expensive. It was on the shelf. The problem with 32s is that the performance ammunition isn't readily available.
When the .32 Mag was first introduced, I was very underwhelmed. I didn't see much use for it, since there were already other handgun calibers I thought were in place that worked for small bore targeting, and the .38 was a more effective defensive round with relatively low recoil.
Since then, the .32 Mag has pretty much limped along, and long outlasted the original H&R guns it was introduced in.
It's still limping.
Ruger couldn't sell enough of the adjustable Single-Sixes to keep them in the lineup, and brought back the fixed-sight models for the Cowboy crowd. Even there they weren't selling enough to keep them going.
I did a project on a blued one with a standard grip three or four years back, it was OK, but nothing I wanted to hang onto. Bubbles found it a little claustrophobic in loading & unloading through the small loading cutout & decided to stay with her full-sized .38s.
When another project came up involving the Ruger .32 Mag & the Marlin levergun, I asked for a stainless bird's-head this time to try something different, and something just clicked. I like this little beast. Ruger puts more effort into polishing and fitting on their stainless guns, it's cheap to load for, the straight walled cases don't require an outside case lubing step in the process & don't require wiping the lube off afterwards, I think I can come close to .32-20 velocities (I'll find out when I chronograph my handloads) in a smaller carry package, and I find I like the overall feel & balance better than I would a full-sized .32-20.
That's not saying I wouldn't like to see Ruger build New Vaqs in .32-20. I think they'd sell a few (including two to Bubbles), but I don't think they'd sell enough to meet minimum production numbers to keep it in the lineup. The .44 Special seems to be much more requested & Ruger doesn't see that caliber as being a viable seller, so I doubt they'll build any regular production .32-20s. You could still see a small run by Davidson's.
The original Vaqs were pretty heavy in that small bore, I think the New Vaqs would be a little better in weight.
Bubbles also tried the little Ruger SP101 in .32 Mag as a possible defensive piece, but we sorta jointly decided against it because of the uncertainty of the continuing ammo situation. Just not a lot of availability, and don't know how much longer it'll be made.
Denis
Since then, the .32 Mag has pretty much limped along, and long outlasted the original H&R guns it was introduced in.
It's still limping.
Ruger couldn't sell enough of the adjustable Single-Sixes to keep them in the lineup, and brought back the fixed-sight models for the Cowboy crowd. Even there they weren't selling enough to keep them going.
I did a project on a blued one with a standard grip three or four years back, it was OK, but nothing I wanted to hang onto. Bubbles found it a little claustrophobic in loading & unloading through the small loading cutout & decided to stay with her full-sized .38s.
When another project came up involving the Ruger .32 Mag & the Marlin levergun, I asked for a stainless bird's-head this time to try something different, and something just clicked. I like this little beast. Ruger puts more effort into polishing and fitting on their stainless guns, it's cheap to load for, the straight walled cases don't require an outside case lubing step in the process & don't require wiping the lube off afterwards, I think I can come close to .32-20 velocities (I'll find out when I chronograph my handloads) in a smaller carry package, and I find I like the overall feel & balance better than I would a full-sized .32-20.
That's not saying I wouldn't like to see Ruger build New Vaqs in .32-20. I think they'd sell a few (including two to Bubbles), but I don't think they'd sell enough to meet minimum production numbers to keep it in the lineup. The .44 Special seems to be much more requested & Ruger doesn't see that caliber as being a viable seller, so I doubt they'll build any regular production .32-20s. You could still see a small run by Davidson's.
The original Vaqs were pretty heavy in that small bore, I think the New Vaqs would be a little better in weight.
Bubbles also tried the little Ruger SP101 in .32 Mag as a possible defensive piece, but we sorta jointly decided against it because of the uncertainty of the continuing ammo situation. Just not a lot of availability, and don't know how much longer it'll be made.
Denis
Blue Heeler
Moderator
Here are some pix of my Model 16 S&W .32 H&R Mag - just back from the range (and needs a clean). The action has been tuned to perfection. The target trigger has been ground to 'combat' and a trigger stop put in.I replaced the Smith sight with a Millet and undercut the front sight to Patridge configuration. I replaced the wooden grips with a Davis Grip - much better for FBI combat shooting. This is the gun I shoot most. It's a littlle heavier than the M14 (same ext. diameter but smaller holes). I have two fully custom built .38's BTW - but I still prefer the .32 Mag. I don't know why - it's not terribly pretty and no more (or less) accurate than the .38's. I think it's the lack of recoil and relative quiet that does it for me.
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Blue Heeler
Moderator
Sir William
New member
I believe it to be 7.5". They were popular target revolvers in 320/32 S&W/32 NP. The Bisley Colt single actions in 32-20 were popular too.
Blue Heeler
Moderator
The trigger stop was home made Bill. I live out in the sticks and most stuff I do by myself - not that I want to particularly, it's just the way things are. If your door sticks you fix it or put up with it. If you get a snake in the yard, you kill it. I've lived in cities where everything can be done if you pay for it. Not out here though. It is a matter of 'Do or do not. There is not try.' (Yoda of course.) Mind you, it is bloody hard to make a new Hot Water Cylinder if the old one craps out. In that case you have to order one in and wait 'til the man comes to install it. Galling sometimes, but as with life in general, sometimes there are no options.
Blue Heeler
Moderator
Blue Heeler
Moderator
Any one who's ever really shot/owned (i.e., given a chance) the .32 Mag that I've talked to (includes a lot of 357 and 44 fans, including myself) come away amazed by the "little powerhouse that could" -- in just about any of the current offerings (including the just discontinued Ruger SA) -- the stellar small frame format that still permits 6 shots, the mild recoil but still enough punch to definitely (for you and the item/animal on the receiving end) know you're shooting no .22 mag, etc. Already mentioned is the round's reloadability vs the 32-20 (case lube and all that) and the 32-20's comparatively inherent weight disadvantage (small cylinder and barrel hole in a large(r) frame. And now Marlin and Taylor's 92 (Armi Sport) stepping forward with nice lever actions for the H&R. Let's get out of the esoteric arguments and recognize the little .32 for neat things it provides -- decent pow with little back push or noise in a great, handy CC size (as well as the slick mini-Vaquero format--I echo the positive birdshead comments) -- again, nothing else out there like it. Let's not again confuse poor market/ manufacturer (ammo and firearm) response with an ill-conceived design or format. The world is full of examples - discontinued models, calibers, etc., proving the contrary. (Yes, I agree, the market does indicate something...just not always "all")
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Chrono Results:
Ruger
B Hills 85 JHP 952FPS
B Hills 90 FPL 792FPS
2.6 Titegroup 90 FPL 835FPS
9.2 Grains H110 118 RNFP 1126 FPS
Marlin
Hills 85 1211FPS
Hills 90 1018FPS
2.6 Titegroup 90 FPL 1067FPS
9.2 H110 118 RNFP 1543FPS
Five-Round Averages
Oehler Chrono
Ten Feet From Muzzle
Both guns very shootable, cheap powder consumption, would work very well with Hornady jacketed HPs, lots of lead bullet choices, straightwall cases go through carbide sizers without the extra steps of case lubing & unlubing.
The Ruger stays, but looks like the Marlin will have to go back.
Denis
Ruger
B Hills 85 JHP 952FPS
B Hills 90 FPL 792FPS
2.6 Titegroup 90 FPL 835FPS
9.2 Grains H110 118 RNFP 1126 FPS
Marlin
Hills 85 1211FPS
Hills 90 1018FPS
2.6 Titegroup 90 FPL 1067FPS
9.2 H110 118 RNFP 1543FPS
Five-Round Averages
Oehler Chrono
Ten Feet From Muzzle
Both guns very shootable, cheap powder consumption, would work very well with Hornady jacketed HPs, lots of lead bullet choices, straightwall cases go through carbide sizers without the extra steps of case lubing & unlubing.
The Ruger stays, but looks like the Marlin will have to go back.
Denis
Denis (Dpris) - great posts! 32 one of my faves obviously/gem to shoot & handle: Ruger .32 Mag SA/SS Birdshead. (Frmrly owned orig .32 adj sight 5.5")Looking at DAs for CC as well as perhaps Taylor 92 (though a bit pricey) despite recent sad Ruger SA news.
Others similarly attached to:
Others similarly attached to:
Ruger .44 Mag Vaquero 5.5" SS/action job
Taurus .38 4" blue
Daewoo DH40 .40 S&W Auto
Ruger .22 Auto pistol
.30 Carbine (Inland)
EMF (fancy Rossi) 92 .44 Mag/.44 Sp. 20" SRC
Win Pre 64/Pre War 94 SRC 30 WCF (30-30)
Win Mod 70 .270
Win Mod 69-A .22 bolt (50s era)
Rem Mod 12 .22 oct.
Rem Mod 12 .22 rnd/carbine
Ithaca 37 16 ga
Taurus .38 4" blue
Daewoo DH40 .40 S&W Auto
Ruger .22 Auto pistol
.30 Carbine (Inland)
EMF (fancy Rossi) 92 .44 Mag/.44 Sp. 20" SRC
Win Pre 64/Pre War 94 SRC 30 WCF (30-30)
Win Mod 70 .270
Win Mod 69-A .22 bolt (50s era)
Rem Mod 12 .22 oct.
Rem Mod 12 .22 rnd/carbine
Ithaca 37 16 ga
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Denis (Dpris)
So you have decided on a Ruger .223 ranch rifle? That'd be a hard decision for me... a .32 H&R lever gun to match the Marlin 1894FG .41 Mag or another Ruger .223 to match the Series 180 Mini... Decisions decisions.
Just curious if there was something about the Marlin, besides caliber, that influenced your decision.
So you have decided on a Ruger .223 ranch rifle? That'd be a hard decision for me... a .32 H&R lever gun to match the Marlin 1894FG .41 Mag or another Ruger .223 to match the Series 180 Mini... Decisions decisions.
Just curious if there was something about the Marlin, besides caliber, that influenced your decision.
Well,
Don't want to hijack the thread, but just quickly the major heartache in being a professional gun borrower lies in returning them when I'm done. I can't buy 'em all (don't have Tamara's income level
), and that leaves me trying to decide what I really need to keep (or really need to find a way to pay for).
Sometimes I have my mind just about made up, and then something else shows up & knocks it out of the field.
The little Ruger .32 flat has to stay, it's just too cute & fun to let go. Feels great in my hand, may get another one before they're all gone.
The Ranch Rifle appeals with its simplicity, ease of cleaning (compared to my ARs), light weight for carrying (compared to the ARs), its all-weather package, and its upgrades over the older models. But, I do have other .223s.
The Marlin was kinda growing on me, shot well, functioned perfectly, and I decided I liked that tube-loading feature (much easier on the thumb than the side-loaders).
Then......
Yesterday the PTR-91 got here. Depending on how it does at the range in a couple weeks, I may end up keeping it. I don't have a semi-auto .308, just boltguns. Could be the new desert truck gun.
Which would mean BOTH the Ranch Rifle & the Marlin would be going back.
Didn't mean to give the wrong impression, there's nothing wrong with the Marlin at all, except for a 5-pound trigger that's easily fixed.
And now.....back to .32 handguns.
Denis
Don't want to hijack the thread, but just quickly the major heartache in being a professional gun borrower lies in returning them when I'm done. I can't buy 'em all (don't have Tamara's income level
), and that leaves me trying to decide what I really need to keep (or really need to find a way to pay for). Sometimes I have my mind just about made up, and then something else shows up & knocks it out of the field.
The little Ruger .32 flat has to stay, it's just too cute & fun to let go. Feels great in my hand, may get another one before they're all gone.
The Ranch Rifle appeals with its simplicity, ease of cleaning (compared to my ARs), light weight for carrying (compared to the ARs), its all-weather package, and its upgrades over the older models. But, I do have other .223s.
The Marlin was kinda growing on me, shot well, functioned perfectly, and I decided I liked that tube-loading feature (much easier on the thumb than the side-loaders).
Then......
Yesterday the PTR-91 got here. Depending on how it does at the range in a couple weeks, I may end up keeping it. I don't have a semi-auto .308, just boltguns. Could be the new desert truck gun.
Which would mean BOTH the Ranch Rifle & the Marlin would be going back.
Didn't mean to give the wrong impression, there's nothing wrong with the Marlin at all, except for a 5-pound trigger that's easily fixed.
And now.....back to .32 handguns.
Denis
