Need some help with an old pistol

grizzly190 · 08-16-2006, 08:19 AM

I just got a Davis-Warner Infallible .32 acp pistol from 1914. Im gonna clean it up a bit and make it shootable but I cant seem to find any manuals or things on the net so if you know any little bit about it I would much appreciate it. And does anybody know about the .32 caliber? seems a bit small to me to do anything else but shoot possums.

jtb1967 · 08-16-2006, 11:51 AM

I can't help you with any info on that model, but I can tell you a little about the 32 ACP. For years it was considered an adequate police cartridge in Europe. In the U.S. it depends upon which "internet expert" or gunwriter you listen too. Many people feel adequately armed with a 32 ACP as a pocket pistol. While others of the "if Jeff Cooper doesn't say it, it can't be right" crowd swear anything less than a cocked and locked 1911 in 45ACP couldn't stop an ant. Common sense would seem to say it can't be as effective for defense or hunting as a larger caliber, but I feel it's fine for dispatching that trapped opossum you mentioned or as a close range self defence weapon.

USMC PMI · 08-16-2006, 12:02 PM

Neat little gun you have there. The .32 ACP with quality defense ammois an effective close range self defense round, a .22 is better than nothing for all that matters. The Modern Gun Values book says they were manufactured 1917 to 1919 but they have been known to have type errors in the book. 7 shot, 3" barrel, 6 1/2" overall. It was listed as the Warner Infallible. Have fun! Value ranges from $150 to $300 or so.

grizzly190 · 08-16-2006, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the info. alright this is my first hand gun exp. and Is .32 auto the same as the .32 acp? cause im not finding any of the acp ammo anywhere.

biscuit jake · 08-16-2006, 06:10 PM

The .32 auto is also known as the 7.65 Browning or .32 Automatic. Any worries, check with your dealer. It tends to feed well, and although not a lion in the den of today's cartridges, I would not ever want to be hit by it. There are hollowpoint loads for it, but check to see if they cycle thru before you carry it for defense.

USMC PMI · 08-16-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

The .32 auto is also known as the 7.65 Browning or .32 Automatic.

I have seen it referred to mostly as the .32 auto but all above are correct.
You will more than likely not see them but stay away from the .32 smith and wesson, it will not function in your .32 auto, it is an older rimmed round and they are not nearly as common. Have fun with it and be safe!