Finally got the right ammo to shoot this
100 yr. old Russian 7-shooter. Roman was not too happy with the performance of the PPV ammo. It only ran 600 fps, not the full spec. 1100. I'm not sure what gives myself but I was just wanting it to go bang and get some correct boxer primed brass. The rims are thinner than .32-20 and it's bigger around and much longer. For what it is, the exotic, $0.50 a pop is not bad if the brass lasts. I think if I neck size only and bump back the shoulder I can minimize working it. We'll see if that works like it does on TC's.
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The ample cylinder gap and spring loaded cylinder actually help reliability but the zero gap at firing I still don't understand a need. It is interesting the concept of a total gas seal and it indeed functions.
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We found the little gun quite accurate and a full equal of the S&W Hand Ejector .32 WCF in performance. FWIW, Al Goerg killed his first handgun deer with a Hand Ejector .32, a 115 gr. running maybe 750 fps! Reloading is a bit cumbersome in comparison but no more than any SA. It's rated high on the fun scale.
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Sounds like a success so far!
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Sticky extraction is a small issue
Not case set back but sticky chambers. The chambers are rough as a cobb. Every hole is it's own too. Since it's a novelty keeping a ejection assist handy is not a problem. I hesitate to modify it in any way, even polishing the chambers a bit. We paid $350 for it and it might bring considerably more once we get it all ship shape with (100) rnds. of ammo. Roman found a correct WWII holster with cleaning rod for $12. It needs the lanyard ring replaced and she's good.
That's how I got my start. Buy a deal, fix it up, trade up, do it again. It took 40 yrs. but I've learned so much, had fun, and made friends doing it. Better than spending money on titties and beer.
Put aside $20 from every trade up to blow on T & B!
A night on the town can be a good fun time too!
Somebody told me $20 will only get
you a PBR and a kiss that tastes like stale Marlboros and Evan Williams these days... on the bright side, I am sure he would be the first to kill an animal with such a rig at the HHC.
Akin to the .38-40 and .44-40 for some reason
The loaded spec round and chambers look nothing alike. The loaded round begins at 0.348" OD near the case web and progressively tapers to 0.329 OD at the bullet end. The fired case is about 0.349" at the web and begins to bulge around 3/8" ahead peaking at the shoulder 0.358" then 0.332" at the fired case mouth end.
I'd figure "dies" would FL size to the original tapered spec which would work the brass over good, prompting splits prematurely. I'll continue to research this. Also the rims are indeed a slim 0.042" thick. .32-20 was just on the edge of too thick.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201806301934085b37db30924eb.jpg)