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01-11-2017, 05:08 PM
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.32-20 Range Report
I got this gun last week, made it to the range today. Shot 30' offhand, two handed. This is the oldest gun I've shot, from around 1921. Trigger felt heavy but very smooth, I'd guess around 10#. I only put 18 rounds through this old girl. I guess I'm spoiled by price of 22lr and red dots but these sights worked well for me. I'm very happy with this revolver.
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01-11-2017, 05:09 PM
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Very cool indeed!
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01-11-2017, 05:45 PM
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Love the nostalgia of a 32-20
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01-11-2017, 08:07 PM
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Congratulations . I;d be happy with it too .
Eddie
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01-11-2017, 08:53 PM
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It's only 96 years old, so the trigger still needs some breaking in. It should loosen up in due time.
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01-12-2017, 08:01 AM
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Get yourself a bullet mold and some dies. You can shoot that 32-20 for less than you can shoot a 22lr. I have several 32 S&Ws and the most expensive part is the primers. Little more powder for a 32-20, but not much for plinker powered ones and a couple hundred rounds of brass should last a long time.
A good soak in some solvent with the grips off and a lube job might just drop some fat off trigger pull.
Last edited by steelslaver; 01-12-2017 at 08:02 AM.
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01-12-2017, 08:03 AM
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I'm no expert, but the OP's revolver is later than 1921.
The barrel ejector rod indicates it is 1927 at the earliest.
The S&W small logo on left side indicates 1937 at the latest.
If the stocks are original, the absence of medallions would put the date toward the early end of this range.
I'm not disparaging your gun. It's a really nice .32 HE. I would love to see more photos. I'm a great fan of the .32 HE and have two myself.
It looks like a very late 20s or early 30s production to me. Experts, correct me if I am wrong.
Curl
Last edited by CptCurl; 01-12-2017 at 08:04 AM.
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01-12-2017, 05:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CptCurl
I'm no expert, but the OP's revolver is later than 1921.
The barrel ejector rod indicates it is 1927 at the earliest.
The S&W small logo on left side indicates 1937 at the latest.
If the stocks are original, the absence of medallions would put the date toward the early end of this range.
I'm not disparaging your gun. It's a really nice .32 HE. I would love to see more photos. I'm a great fan of the .32 HE and have two myself.
It looks like a very late 20s or early 30s production to me. Experts, correct me if I am wrong.
Curl
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Here's more pics from a previous post and more info. SN 977XX. I'm surely no expert and realize it should have a mushroomed ejector rod knob but all five SN's stamped in the metal match. Probable repair on ejector/ barrel but even the # on back of the ejector star match the frame SN. The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread I understand these were not produced after 1929 and were shipped until the 40's due to lack of demand but the high serial numbers made in 1929 were 144XXX. There is no " Made In USA" stamped on right side of frame below the cylinder which if I understand correctly, started in or around 1922.
I know you're not disparaging the gun and no offense taken. All I know for sure is I had the most memorable range trip ever and I even got my Mod 41's new barrel to function as it should.
Maybe I should letter this one. Who knows, might have been a special order for Elliot Ness.
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Last edited by FifthWheel; 01-13-2017 at 08:52 PM.
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01-12-2017, 06:58 PM
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Boy, that ammo brand is new to me...
BTW, I once met a guard at the Texas State Fair with a S&W .32-20. Only person I've ever seen carrying one.
I guess we should offer a caveat not to use the high velocity .32-20 rifle ammo in revolvers.
Last edited by Texas Star; 01-12-2017 at 07:03 PM.
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01-13-2017, 09:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star
I guess we should offer a caveat not to use the high velocity .32-20 rifle ammo in revolvers.
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The chances of running across any of that these days are on par with being struck by lightning.
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01-13-2017, 10:31 PM
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"BTW, I once met a guard at the Texas State Fair with a S&W .32-20. Only person I've ever seen carrying one."
You should have come by the Lee County, Alabama Sheriff's Office back in the mid to late '70s. I carried mine a lot when I was working the office.
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01-13-2017, 11:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W.E.G.
The chances of running across any of that these days are on par with being struck by lightning.
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Regards,
Bruce
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01-14-2017, 12:16 AM
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That gun will shoot clear through a man!
OK, we just don't know when the last guns were assembled. And we don't have a lot of control over post factory changes.
Reloading the 32-20 can be a challenge. I've crumpled more cases with it than all the other calibers I've ever reloaded combined.
Other than that, its a fun caliber. I quit trying to find a genuine Winchester and just bought the Browning remake. Probably better metal and metalwork, its Browning so the wood is great.
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01-14-2017, 01:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rburg
That gun will shoot clear through a man!...
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Some one had to say it!!!
Here is mine, a Police Positive Special, made in 1911 by Colt:
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01-14-2017, 07:47 AM
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No more crumples!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rburg
That gun will shoot clear through a man!
OK, we just don't know when the last guns were assembled. And we don't have a lot of control over post factory changes.
Reloading the 32-20 can be a challenge. I've crumpled more cases with it than all the other calibers I've ever reloaded combined.
Other than that, its a fun caliber. I quit trying to find a genuine Winchester and just bought the Browning remake. Probably better metal and metalwork, its Browning so the wood is great.
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Dick,
The key to successfully loading the .32-20 is to avoid a roll crimp and use a Lee Factory Crimp die. You will never crumple another case again and your crimps will be perfect. There is no downward push on the bullet or case when using this die, so nothing can crumple.
I like my Winchester M1892, but a Browning would be just fine.
Curl
Last edited by CptCurl; 01-14-2017 at 07:49 AM.
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01-14-2017, 08:00 AM
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I hope to run my two through their paces this weekend.
Regards,
Bruce
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01-14-2017, 08:45 AM
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The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread
Post#66 from the 32-20 hand ejector thread is the closest SN I've found to mine so far. It has the MERK, it's blue. The stocks match mine and has the small S&W logo on the left side of the grip frame as does mine. This one is 996XX, mine is 977XX. Just thought I'd put this out there.
Firebird V8, I'm adding the pic you posted here.
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01-14-2017, 11:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CptCurl
Dick,
The key to successfully loading the .32-20 is to avoid a roll crimp and use a Lee Factory Crimp die. You will never crumple another case again and your crimps will be perfect. There is no downward push on the bullet or case when using this die, so nothing can crumple...
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That right there.
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01-14-2017, 12:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CptCurl
Dick,
The key to successfully loading the .32-20 is to avoid a roll crimp and use a Lee Factory Crimp die. You will never crumple another case again and your crimps will be perfect. There is no downward push on the bullet or case when using this die, so nothing can crumple.
I like my Winchester M1892, but a Browning would be just fine.
Curl
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Good to know Cpt, I'm exploring reloading for this gun. Thank you.
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01-14-2017, 04:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver
Get yourself a bullet mold and some dies. You can shoot that 32-20 for less than you can shoot a 22lr. I have several 32 S&Ws and the most expensive part is the primers. Little more powder for a 32-20, but not much for plinker powered ones and a couple hundred rounds of brass should last a long time.
A good soak in some solvent with the grips off and a lube job might just drop some fat off trigger pull.
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All good advice. Looking into reloading with a few questions I'll post here for now.
What powder is recommended?
Dbl cavity bullet? 115gr.
I gave it a good bore/ chamber cleaning & lube prior to trip but I like the idea of a good soaking and will do it soon.
If I need to I'll repost questions in the reloading forum. Thanks
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01-14-2017, 04:27 PM
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I've made up many a handload with Unique.
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01-14-2017, 04:47 PM
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Love these range reports. Great thread. Learned a ton with the read.
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01-15-2017, 01:22 PM
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I had a 6" M&P in 32-20 and it had a very heavy main spring and a heavy, but crisp trigger pull. I upgraded to one with target sights a year or so ago. Light loads are fun in the 32-20, standard ammo is VERY loud. Is it possible that S&W used a heavy spring because factory ammo had rifle primers? Shotgunner
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02-16-2017, 11:00 PM
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I don't know how I missed this thread. I love the 32-20, and even earned my NRA Pistol Instructor certification with mine. Shot some Ultramax and a mixed bag of old factory stuff. My EDC is a 32-20 that has a satisfying propensity to put 2 bullets through almost the same hole even with factory ammo. People have wondered what I'm shooting through "that old 38" at a local range; the 32-20 has a much crisper report as well as a reputation earned before the ammo companies got frilly drawers. My older ammo has considerably more muzzle climb than newer stuff I have shot.
They won't let the police have them things, son. They'll shoot right through a man.
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02-17-2017, 12:09 AM
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"Is it possible that S&W used a heavy spring because factory ammo had rifle primers?"
I don't know the reason for it but I have noticed a heavier trigger pull on .32-20 M&P's than on .38 Special M&P's from the same era.
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02-17-2017, 11:03 AM
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[QUOTE=W.E.G.;139415200]The chances of running across any of that these days are on par with being struck by lightning.
Dang hit twice...... Worse I don't even have a gun in 32-20 but want one.
Bruce you listening ? : )
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02-17-2017, 11:13 AM
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[quote=weatherby;139469394]
Quote:
Originally Posted by W.E.G.
The chances of running across any of that these days are on par with being struck by lightning.
Dang hit twice...... Worse I don't even have a gun in 32-20 but want one.
Bruce you listening ? : )
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Just remember to save those 80 grainers for a strong rifle like the Winchester 1892 or a Marlin. I have a Martini-Henry that has been re-chambered from .310 to .32-20. Those rounds would probably be safe in it as well.
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02-17-2017, 11:30 AM
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Will do for sure and I wouldn't trust those Dominion ones either.
They are odd ones I've never seen before.
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02-17-2017, 01:09 PM
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#114655 (4th change target) shipped August 21, 1923---has "mushroom" knob.
Ralph Tremaine
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02-17-2017, 02:23 PM
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Nice looking gun and a good group with it. Where do you shoot? Do you come to the NE Ohio Bunch?? It will be announced in the lounge on March 1st. Good gun to display there, Larry
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02-17-2017, 02:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jebus35745
Nice looking gun and a good group with it. Where do you shoot? Do you come to the NE Ohio Bunch?? It will be announced in the lounge on March 1st. Good gun to display there, Larry
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Thanks Jebus, Indoor I shoot at B&D in Lorain, outdoor at a farm in Ashland. Have not been to a brunch yet but I'll be looking for the announcement. Till then I have a couple questions: Where is this held, is it potluck (wife likes to cook). How long do these last? I'm sure some questions will be answered in the announcement.
I made a display case which also has a '49 M&P in it. I just made the inside for this wood briefcase. All brass is spent, just in there for display.
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02-18-2017, 10:18 AM
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I have #141014 which should have been made around the end of production and it has the mushroom ejector knob.
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02-18-2017, 12:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF
"Is it possible that S&W used a heavy spring because factory ammo had rifle primers?"
I don't know the reason for it but I have noticed a heavier trigger pull on .32-20 M&P's than on .38 Special M&P's from the same era.
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The 32-20 (32WCF) was originally a rifle round when intro'd and loaded with small rifle primers. Older loading manuals specified SR primers,,the Lyman Cast Bullet Guide still does. Maybe others do.
Most think of the 32WCF as a handgun round and many load it with SP primers now. They do just fine generally as most load it down with the older guns and SASS use demands. Plenty of modern barnburner 32Mags around if you want one.
SP and SR primers are the same size as far as height,,unlike LP and LR that differ in height.
The heavier cup material of the SR primer used in factory ammo early on may be a reason for a heavier mainspring in the older 32-20 revolvers.
Just a guess on my part of course..
Nice bunch of 32 HE's!
My only one is a Colt SAA, it's poor bore makes it only a fun noise maker,,not much in the accuracy dept.
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02-18-2017, 01:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OFT II
I have #141014 which should have been made around the end of production and it has the mushroom ejector knob.
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Yeah agree. This ones grip frame is stamped for a repair date in 1948 and I suspect it was probably done then, barrel, ejector. All serial numbers match the butt though I think this had a mushroom originally.
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