32’s (primarily the “First Models”) were designed to use cartridges made with black powder, an antiquated ammunition propellant that hung around until the widespread adoption of smokeless powder during the first few years of the 20th Century. 32 S&W Long cartridge (which won’t fit).Īdditionally, it’s important to note that some Iver Johnson break-top. 32 S&W “Regular” because it should never be confused with the physically-longer. Speaking of safety, there’s the extremely important matter of ammunition. 32, I made sure to have an experienced gunsmith look it over and verify that it was fit to fire. arms manufacturing history, being an infamous one certainly makes things more interesting, a feat Iver Johnson achieved as a result of its revolvers being used to assassinate both President William McKinley in 1901 and Senator Robert Kennedy in 1968.īeing the antithesis of someone who would want to do politicians physical harm, I went about testing this 19th-Century Kel-Tec equivalent using nothing more than a paper silhouette target on which to unleash the little gun’s fury. However, if you’re going to be a footnote in U.S.

And then think of it as old.Ĭompared to iconic names like Smith & Wesson and Colt, Iver Johnson is not much more than a historical footnote except for very recently). Think of it as one of the original low-cost, mass-market compact handguns. Of course, this “small gun so you’ll actually carry it” concept is old news, which leads to the subject of this TTAG gun review: the Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Third Model “Safety Automatic” break-top.

Iver johnson champion schematic