H&R Model 732 , 32 S&W Long

[Thumbcocker]

I believe I understand your premise except for one aspect of .32s and that is the semi-auto. I find it hardly economical to lose your brass. I doubt that those Appalachian folks shot in clean indoor ranges.
To my way of thinking the single most economical brass back in the day was .38 spl. Almost every Police Dept. shot .38 spl. and the brass was often available for free.
I get excited over the idea of a .32 S&W long in a J frame, 3" or 4" barrel, round butt. Then I remember I have a 3" Model 60 round butt stainless .38 spl. The 130 grain rnfp bullet isn't really wasteful of lead, has a flat point, works well with speed loaders, is pleasant to shoot, and revolver has adjustable sights. I have scads of brass. A primer is a primer. Yup, a .32 would use less powder, but I'm sure I could get by with 2.5 grains of BE, although I go a little heavier as still get 2,000 rounds per pound.
I had one of those cool looking Savage .32 semi-autos and I scrounged up some brass and dies and a mould and was disappointed that I lost nearly half of my brass in the grass when I shot it. Away it went, pronto.
I'll dig around and find the .32 auto brass and dies and put in the Buy, Sell, Trade page. I could use .25 caliber gas checks.
Ooh ooh, I just had a fantasy. How about a Ruger Bear Cat in .32 S&W long. How about that?

If it had adjustable sights I would be on it like a duck on a June bug. I would really like to check out a Uberti Stallion in .32 H&R.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

To be clear, in rural settings, particularly poor ones, I saw far more 32 revolvers than 32 pistols. But the 1903 Colts, the Savage models and even the Walther PP (likely a war bring back) were around. I think if money was to be spent on a handgun, it was more likely a revolver would be chosen. But if a 32 pistol was available (like a war bring back or family hand me down) the 32 ACP was acceptable.

 

[oscarflytyer]

I get excited over the idea of a .32 S&W long in a J frame, 3" or 4" barrel, round butt.

I have that exact gun. 3" Mdl 30-1 J. Six shot. Nickel and cam with (Patton) pimp grips! I put a set of stag and a "T-grip" adapter on it. Love it.

Ooh ooh, I just had a fantasy. How about a Ruger Bear Cat in .32 S&W long. How about that?

Oooooh more better (imho) - A Ruger Single Six! And I know, you can get one in 32 Mag and shoot 32L, but... dedicated to 32L, or even better, a 32L extra cyl for the 32 Mag (and no use for a 327...).

 

[CZ93X62]

My 32s are sport handguns. The most accurate revolver I have ever owned is my S&W Model 16-4 x 6". Its best load is the RCBS #32-98-SWC at ~1000 FPS. Almost as good is the Lyman #313631 (a SWC/GC of 100 grains) run at about 1250-1300 FPS. This bullet is a DOG under 1100 FPS, but once launched at speed it behaves itself. I have taken it to 1600 FPS in the Ruger 30 Carbine BH, which is loud, accurate, and devastating on rats hit with it. Instant parts department. It has found a home in the Ruger SP-101 x 4" in 327 Fed, where it has seen the 1500 FPS Zip Code with frequency. I'm concerned about setting off earthquakes in fault zones, so I have to be selective about where I light these loads off from. That 327 BARKS!

Stunt work like this is why my hearing is kaput. I don't want to hear a lot of what gets said today anyway, so the loss is a back-handed blessing.

The 32s are fun. Anything that turns money into noise and motion pleases most men, though.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Many years ago, I foolishly parted with a nice Ruger Single-Six chambered in 32 H&R Magnum. That was due to the impulsiveness of my younger days and general ignorance.

Being more of a fan of DA revolvers than SA revolvers, the 4” Ruger SP101 revolvers chambered in 327 Federal look interesting to me. I have no desire to play with the 327 Federal but those chambers will take 32 H&R Mag; which would be a fun toy if the price was right.

My S&W model 31-1 just puts a smile on my face every time I shoot it. That 32 S&W Long doesn’t have lot of horsepower but it sure is fun. In the meantime, I’m lurking in the tall weeds waiting for the right gun to come along.