Progressive in 32 S&W

[Green Frog]

Hello all,

     I posted the following as a response to another thread but only got one response to it, so I thought I would start a new thread devoted to it.

"Since the 32 S&W L is smaller than the 38 Spl, I am wondering why it wouldn't be relatively simple to convert a Star Progressive (not Universal) to this caliber.  Is it the shell plate?  Something else?  Inquiring minds...     

Froggie"


I know there were a relatively small number of Universal Progressives built in 32 S&W Long, but wonder specifically whether I could buy or have built the parts to make my unused 38 Spl Progressive into a highly useful 32 S&W L?  Would the cost be totally out of sight? Would a Universal be significantly less expensive to buy either as or a 32 or to convert to 32?  I would love to hear from anyone with experience in this direction.  I've only had a couple of (relatively discouraging) comments on the topic here or elsewhere to date.  Thanks in advance!!

Green Frog

[rbwillnj]

I have a 32 s&w set sitting here as we'll as a Progressive, so I will give it a try.  Give me a couple days.

[Joatmon]

I asked this question a while back (I did find the thread searching 32 long), I think the biggest issue with trying to convert the progressive is without the locating straps the .32 case may not be properly positioned under the die when cycling the cases around.  You could probably solve this with a universal, I found an old beater universal with 38 dies that I want to make the conversion with.  Now I just need to come up with the money for the die set 
 Oh well, cant have everything at once.  I will be interested to hear how your experiment goes with the progressive Bruce.  Be sure to give us an update. 

[rbwillnj]

Joatman,

I would be happy to trade you a 32 S& W long set for that Star Rifle machine.

[Joatmon]

Bruce, 

Well.......  I am not quite that anxious to get the 32 project going that I want to give up that little gem  .  I just dont know if I would ever find another one.  If the time comes though, I will be sure to give you a call.   Still want to know how you make out with the progressive experiment. 

John

[rbwillnj]

The answer is yes, sort of.

I currently have two 32 S&W shell plates in my possession.  The diameter of the shell plates are 3.577" and 3.576.   

I checked the dimensions of the recess of the progressive's steel base where the shell plate is mounted and got 3.625 +/- .001" on the three progressives I have sitting here.  So there is room for the shell plate.

I checked the diameters of a whole bunch of 38 Special Shell plates and they measured 3.618" +/- .003"

I mounted my 32 S&WL tool head (after changing the angle lever cam) on a progressive with the 32 S&W shell plate and cycled a few cases thru the press.   The only real problem was at the sizing station.   Since the 32 S&W shell plate is smaller than the 38 Special shell plate, and the case is smaller as well, there is a fair amount of slop between the case and edge of the steel base.  If you push the case all the way into the shell plate, no problem.   If the case is sitting out against the edge of the steel base, you are likely to catch the edge of the case and crush it.  A was using a Lifetyme sizing die.

At the primer station, the movement of the primer slide carries the case into the proper position, plus the expander has a pretty good bevel on the end, so that also helps assure the case is in the right position for the primer.

Likewise the mouth of the seating die has a pretty good bevel, or lead in which tends to move the case over to the proper position, so I didn't encounter any problems there with the limited number of cases I cycled.

So while I don't think it's optimum  I think you can load 32 S&W on a Progressive.  You just have to push the case into the shell plate at the sizing station.

It has been said that Star made Progressives in 32 S&W.   I assume Star machined the "rim" of the steel base to the proper size to properly position the cases on those machines.

Bruce

[z4lunch]

Bruce
Thank you for the great information, and taking the time to try it... I too wondered if this would work
Steve

[Joatmon]

I guess it follows that the place for the biggest potential issue would be the sizing station. It is encouraging to hear that this can be compensated for manually by taking a bit more time to push the case under the die with your thumb.  I followed your lead and checked the diameter of the 38 spl shell plate that was on the beat up universal and that diameter matches yours almost identically, 3.616.  Even though the shell plate for the 32 is smaller I believe that with the locator straps the cases will be able to be positioned correctly at the stations, hopefully this will work so that no additional manual manipulation will be needed to make sure there is alignment.  Thanks for taking the time to test the concept with the progressive, now if I save up the funds to buy the 32 dies I am more confident that it should work.   

John

[cc656d]

Maybe you could fabricate a flat spring finger on the inside of the base rim with a bump on it to push the case in.

[rbwillnj]

On a Universal there is no problem at all.  The shell locator straps do the bumping for you.

Joatmon,   I measured nine 38 Special Shell plates.  The meaurements ranged from 3.615 to 3.621, but the median and the mean was 3.618.    I have one additional 38 shell plate with a "U" stamped on the bottom (Universal?).  It measured 3.623

[xring2245]

If anyone is interested, I will be posting a Phelps set up for .32 S&W L for sale.  Let me know if you are interested and I can provide more details.  When I do formally post this machine for sale, I will include photos.

James

[Green Frog]

If anyone is interested, I will be posting a Phelps set up for .32 S&W L for sale.  Let me know if you are interested and I can provide more details.  When I do formally post this machine for sale, I will include photos.

James

I don't suppose you would be interested in a Star Progressive in excellent condition in some sort of trade deal would you? 

Froggie

[xring2245]

I don't suppose you would be interested in a Star Progressive in excellent condition in some sort of trade deal would you? 

Froggie

Froggie,
     I have two progressives already.  A third won't be much be much help right now.  I have been out of work since May and am looking for cash right now.
     Thanks for the offer; it is appreciated.

Regards,
James