Dan Wesson 32 H&R

david s

Well-Known Member
One of the pistols I've always wanted to try is a Dan Wesson 32 H&R Magnum. I haven't ever seen one in person but for whatever reason it sort of captured my imagination. If you shot silhouettes in the 1980's one of the guns you ran up against was the Dan Wesson series revolvers. They were tough to beat though. But I can't remember ever seeing a 32 H&R. Anyway, while scrolling thru a gun selling web site this evening there it is, a Dan Wesson pistol pack in 32 H&R. A couple of 8-inch barrels, and a 4-inch set up with three-barrel shrouds and the 2 1/2-inch barrel just because. It also has a 32-20 cylinder. Before I even read the description, I made the mistake of looking at the price. For $3200 it's your, ouch. It's going to have to stay in the want column. This reminiscing makes me think how impractical I can be. At one point in time, I purchase a S&W K frame model 16 in 32 H&R. I shot some silhouettes with it and desert jack rabbits, but the heavy lug barrel wasn't to my liking. So why do I want an even heavier 32 H&R, not sure. But what does practicality have to do with toys anyhow.
 
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RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Had the Dan Wesson pac in 32/20 but it never shot that well. I suspect that is why I got such a "good" deal on it in the '80's.

My four inch S&W Model 16 in 32 H&R would be one of the last guns I would ever sell; accurate, easy to load for and enough power for a trail gun in the high desert. One of the few guns I still use with an outside the belt holster while wondering through the sage brush with a rifle.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Ric summed up most of my S&W Model 16-4 comments above. Mine is a 6" purchased in 1989 IIRC, and it stays until I go. It is the most accurate centerfire revolver I have ever owned or fired, including my sister's PPC wadcutter K-frame.

The cranks and quirks of the 32/20 WCF in revolvers are many and varied, but most of the flaws and their countermeasures were dissected and resolved in a 1981 article on the subject by the late Ken Waters in Handloader magazine. Since then, Starline has made better brass for the caliber than the crummy W-W and R-P stuff that folds and ruins if stared at intently. Add in that no two 32/20 chambers on earth are identical, and accuracy can be elusive. 32 H&R Mag and 327 Federal are TONS less work.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I like my 32/20 Colt Peacemaker! It shoots very well! My Octagon Contender barrel does as well. I had a 32/20 barrel
Made for a H&R from a SMLE take off. That shoots well
With 4227 & a MP 140g HP. Lastly the Savage 23 is a classic favorite.

But I also really like the 327. Im late to that party. Pupu'd it when it was released much like I did the 357 Sig. But BOTH have become favorites!

The 32 H&R was one I always felt H&R/NEF missed the CRUSE LINER for never chambering there Handi rifles for. I bought a Single Six when they released them and liked it allot as a trail gun. But leter realized it was only a warm 32 S&W and usually not as accurate. I love the versatility of the 327. 5 cartritages are available to such a shooter!! Talk about versatile!!!

CW
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
The 32 H&R mag only appeared to be a "warm 32 S&W long" after the 327 Federal appeared. Prior to the introduction of the 327, the 32 H&R mag was seen as an improvement on the 32 S&W Long, which it was. The real strength of the 32 H&R mag was that you could load it to performance levels above 32 S&W but below its ear-spliting max velocity.
I understand the concept of the 327 Federal and the advantages to it. You can fit 6 rounds into a J-frame size cylinder, the velocity is impressive and the ammo is lighter per cartridge than the larger calibers such as 357 mag. However, I don't see a 327 Federal in my future.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
We had a DW 357 pistol pack in the gun shop. It never did sell and I don't know what became of it. Yup, heavy, a little on the clunky side in my hand as I recall, but it was a shooter for sure. It was also a lot of $$$ even then. I can't blame anyone for being enamored with them, it's a lovely idea that just needed some more development IMO.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Best route to do one is get a DW .357. Then sleeve the cylinders and make a new barrel.
We have a DW 32-20. Very accurate !

Our next project will be a 41 Colt.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
DW had a good design and if they could have grabbed a bit more market share, probably could have got the price down some. They were always caught between that semi-custom label and mainstream market label. They were just different enough to spark interest but never produced in enough volume to get the price down.

Fun Fact - back in the revolver days of NYPD, Dan Wesson briefly made the approved list for NYPD duty guns with a fixed (non-removable) 4" barrel model chambered in 38 Special (as required by NYPD). They did not prove to be popular with the officers and soon removed from the approved list.
 

Wiresguy

Active Member
I keep going back and looking at a Dan Wesson .32 H&R advertised at $2450 starting bid with a buy it now of $2700. It is the IHMSA model with 8” barrel and an extra shroud and scope mount.

I’ve never shot a Dan Wesson revolver and don’t know if I would like the gun or not.

What I really want is a post-war K32 to go along with my .32 Long M&P.

Still, the Dan Wesson draws my attention and curiosity. But for that kind of money, I'd be well on the way towards the K32 I want.
 

david s

Well-Known Member
In junior high school a friend's dad had a Dan Wesson 357. I had a few opportunities to shoot it. It was an early one with the castle nut on the end of the barrel instead of the later recessed barrel nut. Later another friend also had a 357-pistol pack. And when shooting silhouettes other opportunities were had. Like CZ93X62 I've also shot a 32 Long PPC revolver. There couldn't have been to many of these made. Back in the early 1980's a friend had an FFL and he and another friend and I would place the random bids on some auctions that were listed in the SHOTGUN NEWS. The non-FFL friend won an auction item he'd bid on, and it was a S&W model 10 PPC revolver reworked to 32 Long. We're talking Bo-Mar rib, one inch diameter barrel, sleeved 38 chambers and a serious trigger job. The thing shot like a laser. Anyway, I've always had a thing for the various 32 cartridges. I do currently have a pair of 32 H&R revolvers, a Ruger Single Six and a S&W 631 and a pair of 32-20's a S&W 1905 4th change that pairs with a Browning 53 lever gun. Needs not really part of the equation with the Dan Wesson in 32 H&R more just nostalgia after seeing one listed.
 

Wiresguy

Active Member
At $2500 (plus shipping + transfer fee, +tax) I think you're solidly into the price range of a nice K32, assuming you can find one.
You’re right about the price. Approximately 3600 manufactured post-WWII. Then they get broken down into narrow rib, wide rib, 5 screw, 4 screw, model marked, etc.

I’m looking for one with the Speed (sometimes called FishHook) hammer and standard trigger, so that slims the number down to around 2400-2800 - SWAG.

Saw a couple as NIB for $5000, but I want a shooter. Saw a standard hammer with some rust for $3000, and a 16-3 for $3500.

It will take some time, but I’m stuffing the piggy bank so as to be ready when (if) the right one comes along.

I have previously owned 16-4 in 4" and 6", 631 4", Ruger Bisley, and a SP101 in .327.

Though the Dan Wesson might fill the empty spot for a shooter, my Keith Brown Ropers won't fit it;)
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
An M&P in 32 SWL?? THAT is a rarity, right there.

I am a life-long member of the Mid-Caliber Cult, for sure. It makes no sense at all, especially since the 30/32 handguns get real nasty & blasty once the FPS exceeds about 900 FPS.

My uses for the 30/32 handguns are purely sporting--small game and varmint hunting. My idea of "Perfection" in this role is the 32 H&R Mag or 327 Federal running the RCBS 32-98-SWC about 900 FPS. So much better than the 22 LR for the venues listed above, and not such an eardrum drill. The biggest surprise I got a few years ago came from my Ruger Blackhawk in 30 Carbine, when some 32/20-intended castings were sized to .309" and seated over the same powders I use in 32/20.......6.0 x SR-4756 or 5.8 x Herco. Tacks driven! Who knew? The 30 Carbine should have been called the 32/20 Auto-Rimless.
 

Wiresguy

Active Member
I was pretty fortunate to find the .32 Long M&P. It is a fun shooter.

The mild 32’s are an excellent caliber to relax with and just enjoy time at the range. In the 32 Long a couple of grains of Bullseye under the Accurate 31-100H and 31-114D are my usual loads.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Here in the high desert steppes, where you can see maybe 30 yards on the ground, that will do fine for a varminter most of the time.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
My 3 favorite handgun calibers are 32 S+W Long, 44 Special and 45 AR. I could get along fine with just the K32 but I'd be a sad old man dwelling on what could have been!
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Now you got my fire going. I have no idea how many varmints have fallen to the RCBS #32-98-SWC @ 900 FPS from the S&W 16-4. "Many hundreds" is a conservative estimate. WW-231 powder has been the usual fuel, in Starline 32 H&R brass and lit by WSP primers, and crimped lightly. It was derived from data given in the RCBS cast Bullet Manual, No. 1, so nothing exotic --3.0 grains of 231, which is listed as the start load giving 842 FPS. With my 16-4 x 6", the mean was a few FPS under 900 FPS, but the load was so accurate and so consistent I just left well-enough alone. 90% of the revolver's use is with this load, and I stumbled upon it 30+ years ago, within a month of the 16-4's arrival.