In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Question on a old gun and ammo.
jericko
Member Posts: 15 ✭✭
Hello
I recently acquired a H&R Premier which belong to my Grandfather who passed away in the mid 70s. While cleaning out my Grandmothers basement, I found the gun along with a half box of Remington 32 Short Colt bullets that are at least 40+ years old. You guys here help me identify the gun a month ago. My wife and I who previously did not own a gun want to use this as home protection.
In another forum, a few people posted this gun is from 1895 and CAN NOT shoot regular ammo, as it needs black powder. If thats true, why did my grandfather have a regular box of ammo with it? Do you experts think I can fire regular 32 short bullets?
Also, do you think the box of bullets that are 40+ years old are still good to shoot? I went to a few gun shops and it seems impossible to find these bullets anymore.
One last question, would this gun be good for home protection?
Thanks to all who reply, sorry for the novice level question.
http://www.tconl.com/~jericko/001.JPG
http://www.tconl.com/~jericko/HR1.JPG
Jason Norton
I recently acquired a H&R Premier which belong to my Grandfather who passed away in the mid 70s. While cleaning out my Grandmothers basement, I found the gun along with a half box of Remington 32 Short Colt bullets that are at least 40+ years old. You guys here help me identify the gun a month ago. My wife and I who previously did not own a gun want to use this as home protection.
In another forum, a few people posted this gun is from 1895 and CAN NOT shoot regular ammo, as it needs black powder. If thats true, why did my grandfather have a regular box of ammo with it? Do you experts think I can fire regular 32 short bullets?
Also, do you think the box of bullets that are 40+ years old are still good to shoot? I went to a few gun shops and it seems impossible to find these bullets anymore.
One last question, would this gun be good for home protection?
Thanks to all who reply, sorry for the novice level question.
http://www.tconl.com/~jericko/001.JPG
http://www.tconl.com/~jericko/HR1.JPG
Jason Norton
Comments
2. Here is what you need.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,7770.html
Note that the catalog description says .32 S&W Short which is not accurate. The box is labeled with the correct name, simply .32 S&W. (There is a .32 S&W Long, but the shorter cartridge is not named "short.") Modern smokeless powder ammunition will not blow it up... probably, but it would put more wear and tear on it than black.
I don't consider an elderly .32 to be a very effective home protection weapon. The best buy in basic defense is a police trade-in .38 Special. The Smith & Wesson Military & Police Model 10 is the most common, but a Colt or Ruger of the same type would be good, too.
Very quaint.
To answer backwards:
Your gun won't make a very good choice for self defense if you can't find ammunition for it! How are you going to practice?
Now, even if you could find ammo for it, this .32 caliber round is really weak and would make a pretty poor choice for self defense. As mentioned a relatively inexpensive .38 special revolver would work a lot better.
Are the 40+ year old bullets still good? I'd actually bet they are, but there is really only one way to find out for sure.
Still, rather than firing them, consider that they (and the gun) may have collector's value, and maybe you shouldn't fire them.
I'd suggest retiring this old gun as a family heirloom (or selling it), and investing a relatively small amount of money in a better one.
Thanks
Jason