Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors [b][/b]? Hotter loads ammunition for 17 Savage 32[b][/b]?

I have owned 17 Savage 32 ACP for 50 years.
I recently decided I was going to start carrying again.
Although I have other hand guns they all feel like a brick in my side when I carry them and I really prefer this little 32 for personal protection.
It is also incredibly accurate especially for a weapon that only has a 3 and 5/8 inch barrel.

So here is my question... does anybody have any idea what the test pressures were when these guns were originally manufactured.
Typically proofing a gun they use much hotter loads to make sure it's going to be safe.
I'm trying to determine if it would be safe to use
+ P or +P+ ammunition if I can find it on the market

I’m not a metallurgist, but I sure wouldn’t use those in a 100 year old 32.

Maybe find yourself a 380 to carry?

Btw, welcome to the campfire!

I have no first hand knowledge proofing, test pressures or reloading for that matter.
Logic would certainly discourage me from attempting heavier loads in a small automatic pistol for safety reasons as you mention.
I suspect the later Model 1917's are more robust than the earlier 1907's, but, ...
Perhaps someone with some first hand knowledge will chime in with some input, but until then you are on your own.
I know a guy who carries a Ruger LCP 380. Portable and decent power.

Let's see. A 100 year old little blowback semi-auto .32? What do you think?

I keep a magazine full of Winchester 60 grain Silvertip hollowpoint ammo in my night stand .32ACP, a 1940-vintage Walther PP. Go light with the bullet and hollowpoint it, load it to standard pressures, and trust it'll be way more effective than a FMJ bullet.

As alluded to by others, if a .32 isn't enough gun then step up the game with a different gun/cartridge. You'll never make a .32ACP into a 9mm or .45 no matter how grossly you over-pressure it.