Now I'm confused
Hello, All. I'm new to the Forum, and have just returned to the shooting sports after 15 years.
Recently was fatally attracted to the Nagant M1895's forward-shifting cylinder, lanyard ring, and general "look". Had done a lot of reading on various forums on the several chamberings said to be workable and safe, and so snuck it home with a box of Russian ammo and a box of JHP .32 H&R magnum (rated on the box, I think, at 1100fps). What I'd read about the M1895's strength and relative mildness of the 32 mag didn't cause me any concern that I was headed for a lobotomy, eye patch, and right hand cast.
The gun itself was a 1938 manufacture and looked to be in "unissued" condition. The accuracy of the Russian rounds turned out to be amazing, with very light recoil and a whole bunch of smoke.
The 32 mag was another whole deal: impressive fireballs from both muzzle and cylinder were produced with every shot, and seven rounds heated up the frame. The cases popped right out, though; they were uniformly bulged beginning about one-third of the way back from the case mouth but not split. Accuracy was not quite as impressive as the Russian stuff but still respectable.
So is the 32 mag ok for occasional use or not? Can I expect accelerated erosion of the forcing cone? Nobody seems to have heard of an 1895 blowing up with 32 mag - one lengthy post I read said that the 32 H&R was only a "loading-up" to what the original round was intended to be, and sort of "anemic" in any event. "Anemic"? I don't know - I've used .38 +P+, .357, .41 mag, and .44 mag with comfort, but the nice boom, muzzle and cylinder flashes compel me to ask again what may be an unanswerable question.
Any thoughts? Experiences?
Cheers,
Bill