S&W 32 long

Yes.
Although the .32 S&W L may well be the only caliber for which the target wadcutter is more powerful than the original service load.
 
I roll crimp all my revolver loads for consistent pressure and better accuracy. Even in a S&W 32 long it will insure the bullet does not jump the casing, spilling the powder and locking up the action. JMO:)
 
I’m still concerned about high pressure, when I received my dies (Lee) there was a warning when using wad cutters of high pressure to use modern firearm only, should I be worried?
 
No, that is a standard " cover your butt" warning. The model 31 is a modern firearm.Use a current reloading guide and you should be good to go. Others?
 
I'm quite sure you have nothing to fear from standard vel. wadcutters in a 31 in decent shape. The .32's have been underloaded for decades because of all the weak top-break revolvers out there. For an idea of what the cartridge is capable of google the following and peruse the handloading section--
Complete Guide to Handloading, Philip Sharpe 1937

I've used his max .32 long loads in my 632 and Detective Special with absolutely no ill effects. 85gr Hornady Xtp at over 1100fps is a credible defense load. Don't sell the .32 short (unintentional pun--sorry).
 
The model 31 is a modern firearm.Use a current reloading guide and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
+1, particularly in the case of the "dash-1" M31-1. The "dash-1" versions of the Models 30 thru 33 are built on the J frame rather than the slightly shorter I frame used prior to 1960-1962.

The all-steel J frame Smiths are just about the strongest revolvers ever marketed in .32 S&W Long. If you want to push the limits of the cartridge, this is the platform to use. :) In fact, many of these guns have actually been converted to .32 H&R Magnum with no ill effects, although I don't necessarily endorse this practice. The load book overpressure disclaimers are mainly intended for pre-1920s I frames without heat treated cylinders and for top-break .32 Long revolvers offered by other manufacturers.
 
"I frame used prior to 1960-1962"

Prior to that time back to, I believe, the late 1940s, they were built on the Improved I frame, which was slightly larger than the original I frame and which also had a coil mainspring.
 
Yes, the Improved I frame was used from 1952 onwards. I don't usually differentiate between the Improved and "original" I frames for general posts like this. Besides, I regard the name as something of a misnomer because IMHO the change from a leaf mainspring to a coil mainspring was a step backwards rather than an improvement. :rolleyes:

Other than the mainspring change, IIRC the Improved I frame also had a very slight increase in overall frame length, no top sideplate screw, a ~1/4" longer grip frame, and a larger trigger guard. The latter 3 changes were also implemented on the J frame; collectors call prior Chief's Specials (the only J frame models in the lineup at the time) "short grip" guns or "Baby Chiefs" to reflect the last 2 differences. After the "improvements", the major difference between the I and J frames was that the frame of the J was significantly longer to accommodate a .38Spl-size cylinder.
 
"I don't usually differentiate between the Improved and "original" I frames for general posts like this."

Generalist.

Gotta disagree with you on the leaf spring, though.
 
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