Iver Johnson .32 Top Break Revolver: A Nostalgic Find

As I held the Iver Johnson .32 top break revolver in my hands, memories of the past flooded my mind. It's been nearly 40 years since I last loaded its chambers with precision-crafted 32 Long cartridges. Life got busy, and like many projects, it was put on hold due to frustration and a lack of interest. However, this latest find has reignited my passion for reloading and owning a unique firearm.

The first challenge I faced when reloading the .32's was finding an accurate scale. At that time, I had two scales - a Redding and a Pacific - but neither seemed reliable enough to produce consistent results. The issue lay in ensuring that there were no breezes or drafts affecting the movement of the scale, particularly for extremely light charges.

I chambered my 32 Short brass, knowing that the gun wasn't overly sensitive to overloading. I shot these revolvers in a F&W revolver, not a Nagant, and obtained the partial can of Norma powder and some 32 store-bought cast bullets from a fellow collector.

After pouring over loading data - which I'm not entirely sure where I got from - I settled on using Unique powder and a Norma brand powder. The process was slow and tedious, requiring me to trickle up the powder charge by rubbing my thumb and finger against each other, dropping off the excess flakes as needed.

Fast-forward to today, and I've acquired a new Iver Johnson .32 top break revolver for a reasonable $75. It's in excellent condition, with no pitting or damage to the blued finish or grips. The bore is still good, and it appears stronger than ever. I've always had a soft spot for top break revolvers, and this one has only added to my collection.

When it comes to loading the .32 Long cartridge, what kind of loads would work well in this gun? I'm guessing about 1.5 grains of Bullseye might be suitable, considering its inherent weaknesses as a top-break design. But don't worry - with some patience and care, I'll make sure not to blow it up.

I've got all the necessary components on hand, including 32 Short brass and a mold for light bullets designed specifically for this caliber. It's been a while since I've worked on reloading, but the excitement of tackling this project has already begun. Time to dust off my skills and get loading!

Iver johnson .32 top break revolver