I have a target HE in 32-20 and would like to have a 32 long cylinder for it. Would it be possible to fit a model 17 cylinder to it and ream it to 32 long. I’m hoping that this would be less expensive than a k32. Any help is appreciated.
Dave.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

Yes it's very doable and would very likely be much less expensive. What's the vintage of your 32-20?

I ask because you'll have less work if you can find a cyl complete with it's fitted extractor star from pre 1959. The extractor rod threads will be the correct right hand thread to match and use your pre war extractor rod with larger knob that fits the notch under the barrel.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I’m waiting on a letter, but the site experts feel its oct of 1927.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

So it has a 'mushroom' extractor rod knob. I would want to retain that to keep the traditional period look of the gun's era and not have the skinny no-knob rod of the post war era which would leave a big space where the notch for the mushroom knob under the barrel is. The mushroom knob is also much more ergonomic and comfortable to eject shells with.

So finding a cyl with right hand threaded extractor star is important for that reason.

The other option is of course using the original extractor star with the new cyl. But I imagine you would prefer to keep it with the original cyl and be able to swap back and forth and still shoot 32-20s if you wanted. You could still do that if you used the original star for both cyls, it just takes a bit longer to make the swap.

The fitting of an extractor star to a new cyl usually just involves moving the location of the two alignment pins in the rear cyl cutout of the new cyl to match the pin holes in the star. That way the original star is not modified. Keeping the original cyl for the gun maintains the original value of a very collectible gun!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hondo, thank you for your help and insight. I actually prefer the 32-20 cartridge, it’s so much more versatile than the 32 long. The thought of a dual cylinder target revolver seem like a worthy project.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

I do too. I've made a few from Ruger single action 32 H&R Mag Super Single Sixes.

First I converted the original .32 H&R Mag cyl to .327 Federal Mag. That was simple. So it shoots both .32 magnums and .32 Long.

You can also shoot .32 mag in a .32-20 cyl by reaming the neck in the chambers with a .32 mag or reamer which is slightly larger diameter than the .32-20 neck, for only about 1/16" past the .32-20 shoulder. Takes a minute per hole.

Then I obtained another .32 Mag cyl and reamed it to .32-20. It's a bit long for the cyl so I shortened the .32-20 cases a bit and monitor the bullet length when seating the bullets. I reamed the cyl to have a shorter neck that matches my cases so I'd have a proper chamber throat length left in the chambers.

The .327 gives the .32-20 a run for the money. I like have a handgun that uses the same ammo of my .32-30 lever action.

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Jim
S&WCA #819