Gecado (Arminius) Revolver safe to fire 32 H&R Magnum?

[t165]

I recently purchased this Gecado revolver pictured below. It has HW3 stamped on the crane. I was told this revolver is simply an Arminius revolver that was sold under a different name. The revolver is chambered for the 32 S&W. The man I bought it from said he has used 32 ACP and 32 H&R Magnum ammunition in it for years because he had difficulty finding 32 S&W ammunition. I did not think it would be safe to fire these higher pressure rounds. He then loaded up some of the 32 H&R Magnum ammunition I pictured with the firearm and fired a cylinder full of the stuff. The revolver survived and it is actually a pretty tight firearm. Still, does anyone know if these guns are safe to fire the 32 ACP (20,500 psi) and 32 H&R Magnum (24,000 psi, 21,000 cup) ammo? The previous owner said he did it hundreds of times but I am leery.

 

[mnrivrat]

Well I am a little confused : The gun appears to be chambered for the .32 S&W long cartridge (based on the cylinder length).

If that's the case, the .32 H&R magnum should not chamber . It is longer than the .32 S&W Long and should hit the shoulder inside the chamber and not go completely in.

So my question is are you sure that the shell pictured is the H&R magnum ? Look at the head stamp to varify. If it is, then perhaps the previous owner had it re-chambered to allow them to fit.

The gun should shoot either the .32 S&W or the .32S&W long cartridge. The .32ACP is a semi rimless cartridge not made for revolver usage. It however will chamber in a .32S&W long chamber and will generaly fire. It is however as you kinow a more potent loading and realy should not be used in that gun. Neither should the .32 H&R magnum round unless the gun is marked specifiacly for that chambering.

Doesn't mean it won't work - but as you already know, it is not advisable.

 

[t165]

My initial thoughts exactly. It will chamber...the flat nose of the wadcutter will be almost flush with the cylinder face. The previous owner never stated he modified the cylinder...and I did not ask. And the case is stamped "A-MERC H&R MAG". I would be curious to know if any owners of other Gecado/Arminius 32 S&W revolver owners can get the 32 H&R Magnum to fit in their revolvers? The cartridges (unfired) will slide in and out easily. There is very little information on the internet concerning these revolvers. I paid $75.00 for the revolver/holster and some ammunition. I just wanted a cheap fishing gun to wear and not worry about rust/losing. These revolvers may have been built before the 32 H&R Magnum was available and safety measures may not have been built into the cylinder to negate chambering. Oh yeah...I stood behind Ronny when he was firing the revolver with the mag cartridges.

 

[JohnKSa]

I don't know if the revolver is dangerous or not, but if I were you I'd throw away the rest of that A-Merc ammo. That is, bar none, the worst factory ammunition I have ever encountered.

The HW (Hermann Weihrauch) Arminius revolvers seem to be of decent quality based on the one I've handled and the posts about them I've seen online. However, the Arminius name was used by more than one maker.

 

[peyton]

If the barrel marking is showing the 32S&W long that is what you should use. Take a look in the cylinder and see if there is a ridge inside towards the front if not it has been drilled out and will fit the 32 mag.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The chambers must be bored straight through, with no shoulder, to allow a H&R Mag. to fit.

 

[Jim K]

IMHO, those guns were one step above the Rohm revolvers, and I would be leery in firing them with anything, or depending on them to work.

Jim

 

[t165]

The barrel is marked 32 S&W Long. I can chamber a 32 H&R Magnum loaded cartridge from the back and front of the chamber. There is no shoulder within the chamber to stop from loading the 32 H&R Magnum. Perhaps I should just throw the damn thing in the river and be done with it.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

I recently purchased this Gecado revolver pictured below. It has HW3 stamped on the crane. I was told this revolver is simply an Arminius revolver that was sold under a different name.

I thought this was about purses.

 

[peyton]

I would shoot it, just use the right ammo, besides it is a good kit gun. You can find 32 S&W long ammo at most stores (panic buying excluded).

 

[t165]

I just hate owning a firearm that isn't safe. If the chambers have been bored out I'll just never trust it. I threw it in back of the safe and pulled out an old pitted 3 inch S&W model 36 to carry mushroom hunting/fishing this year. I know it is just an old cheap handgun but until I can find out more about it I'll not use it. And I will destroy it if it has been rendered dangerous. I'll contact a gunsmith and see what he thinks. Thanks for the reply guys...apparently there are just not many of these out there to determine if this one has been modified or not.