.32-20 as a carry gun?

Plain Old Dave · Feb 12, 2015

I have one, and intend to carry it. Only thought is reloading. I would think that a .38 zip strip would work, and defensive load experimentation is ongoing. Any defensive load suggestions?

For now, it's the car gun ( in TN we don't need a permit to keep a loaded gun in the car), and is stoked with 6 Western half jacket loads.

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DWalt · Feb 12, 2015

I assume the Western half-jacket loads you mention are the high-velocity rifle loads? If so, it's not an especially good idea to use them in a revolver due to their somewhat greater chamber pressure. At best, you are risking gun damage. Plus the .32-20 HV rifle loads have not been factory-loaded since the early 1960s.

Reloading the .32-20 is somewhat limited by the bullet diameter, which is 0.313-0.314". I don't believe there is much of a choice in suitable bullets other than cast lead. 100-105 grains is typical. 0.308" bullets can be used, but you will have some serious reloading problems, as the neck tension will be low, and the bullets will pull out under recoil. Also, grouping capability will likely be poor, as they are undersize for the bore. But up close, that's not a real problem. Regarding factory .32-20 ammunition, all that's available (at least all that I am aware of) are lead bullet loads, having revolver MVs around 1000 ft/sec or lower. There are Cowboy loads, which have even lower MVs. However, .32-20 ammunition is not widely stocked in retail stores, and is quite expensive when you find it. For anyone planning to shoot much, reloading is a near-necessity.

I think most would agree that there are far better defensive caliber choices available than a .32-20 revolver, but if that's all you have, then use it.

Plain Old Dave · Feb 12, 2015

I have shot these half jacket loads, and they weren't particularly more potent than the lead bullet factory loads or reloads I have shot in the gun. The HV stuff has considerably more blast and recoil, as I understand it. Honestly, I can't think of many better all-around handgun calibers than the .32-20. Very accurate, useful for meandering through the woods, and will shoot right through a man if you need to.

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/11078988#

This is exactly what I have.
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KarmannGhia · Feb 12, 2015

I have used my Colt Official Police in 32-20 as my car gun in the distant past (old factory Remington, or Winchester ammo). It is not something I do now (I carry and will not leave a pistol in the car). Ammo will be the issue, but I wouldn't ridicule anyone for carrying or using a 32-20 defense.

Bianchi Speed Strip works fine, just tried it with Colt Police Positive Special. Holds the 32-20s firmly enough and spacing is right.

Ben_hutcherson · Feb 12, 2015

DWalt said:
Reloading the .32-20 is somewhat limited by the bullet diameter, which is 0.313-0.314". I don't believe there is much of a choice in suitable bullets other than cast lead. 100-105 grains is typical. 0.308" bullets can be used, but you will have some serious reloading problems, as the neck tension will be low, and the bullets will pull out under recoil. Also, grouping capability will likely be poor, as they are undersize for the bore. But up close, that's not a real problem.

I have loaded a fair number of .312 Hornady XTPs, both in 85gr and 100gr varieties. They perform well out of my M&Ps, although admittedly are not quite as accurate as a good lead bullet. The 85gr also shoots a fair bit lower than the sights.

All of that said, the 85gr is capable of pretty respectable performance within the current pressure limits for the cartridge. Without running any over the chrono, I have no trouble getting them to go supersonic(determined by ear, not the chrono) with a less-than-max charge of Unique out of a 5" M&P. Were it not for the fact that I won't use handloads in a self defense gun, I'd think this would give at least decent performance as a self defense load.

David R · Feb 12, 2015

DWalt said:
Snip .... Regarding factory .32-20 ammunition, all that's available (at least all that I am aware of) are lead bullet loads, having revolver MVs around 1000 ft/sec or lower. ... Snip

100 grain bullet @ 1,000 fps = 222 Fpe.

38 special:
158 grain bullet @ 850 fps = 250 Fpe.

380 acp:
Factory 90 grain bullet @ 950 = 180 Fpe.
102 grain bullet @ 950 fps = 204 fpe. My handloads

I would carry the 32-20.

I have a TC Contender 32-20 with a 10" barrel. Handloading its quite the gun. Contender barrel is 308", so I can use any 30 cal bullet.

David

Alk8944 · Feb 12, 2015

DWalt said:
I assume the Western half-jacket loads you mention are the high-velocity rifle loads? If so, it's not an especially good idea to use them in a revolver due to their somewhat greater chamber pressure. At best, you are risking gun damage. Plus the .32-20 HV rifle loads have not been factory-loaded since the early 1960s.

Curious remark, especially since you contradict yourself in 4 sentences!

You "assume" the "half-jacket loads are high velocity rifle loads". The only high velocity loads that are of concern are the 80 gr. OPE loads that appear to be full-jacketed round nose with a small hollow point. Your assumption is absurd. In addition, all 80 grain High Velocity ammunition produced in the past was very clearly labeled "Not for use in revolvers or the Model 1873 Winchester"! Any ammunition not so labeled is suitable for both applications. You are correct that no such High Velocity ammunition has been manufactured since the mid-late 1960s. It is not rational to "assume" the OP has obtained some nearly 50+ year old, somewhat rare ammunition and is posting about that.

All 100 grain or heavier factory .32-20 ammunition is suitable for both rifle and revolver use, in spite of often/generally being labeled as "Rifle" ammunition, since this is, in fact, and always has been, a rifle cartridge adapted for use in revolvers!

I have posted photos of the questionable ammunition many times on this forum in several threads. A search should easily find them. I think it is about time that we give this subject a rest! The funny part is, I suspect, that the majority of those who continue to post such "Dire Warnings" have never seen one of the High-Velocity loadings in person, but are merely parroting what they have "Read on the internet"!

Plain Old Dave · Feb 13, 2015

And the Winchester and Western HVs are generally stamped ".32-20 WHV M/92", aren't they?

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walkin' trails · Feb 13, 2015

If it's all you got, then you have to use what is available. I don't know much about 32-20 ballistics, but have heard some of the gun gurus with some historical sense suggest that it wasn't a highly sought defensive round. Also, I haven't heard of any company offering anything more than a single shot in that chambering for years so it sounds like you're relying on something not made anymore and possibly somewhat valuable. If it were me, I would instead consider a more modern package, revolver or semi in 38 Special/9mm or above. Keep the 32-20 for plunking or varmits.

ironhead7544 · Feb 14, 2015

The 32-20 will be in the 38 Special range for a revolver. I dont think there would be much difference. If you want to risk handloads, I think you could up the power a bit. There was a recent article in Handloader magazine.

murphydog · Feb 14, 2015

".32-20 as a carry gun?"

Sure. But do you have something else that would be more effective/in a smaller size/for which it is easier to find ammo/can be fixed or replaced readily if it breaks?

If your local threat level is low you'll probably get by just fine.

Plain Old Dave · Feb 14, 2015

I just can't afford a gun ONLY for concealed carry. Never mind the tiny things you're talking about are exceptionally unpleasant to shoot.

Reliability? This is a K frame. I have never had an American revolver break and the only broken part I have had in over 20 years of sixgun shooting was a trigger spring in an Allen Firearms Cattleman. Besides this .32-20, everything I have is either Ruger or Uberti SAAs in .41 Mag, .45 Colt and .22.

Alk8944 · Feb 14, 2015

P.O.D.

"And the Winchester and Western HVs are generally stamped ".32-20 WHV M/92", aren't they?"

My recollection is yes for Winchester and Western. Unfortunately the only .32-20 80 gr. High Velocity loads I have are old Rem-UMC, and they are head-stamped simply "Rem-UMC .32 W.C.F."

The attached picture shows several early .32-20/.32 WCF cartridges. The one on the right, the hollow-point, is the High Velocity 80 gr. O.P.E. load. This one is the only .32-20 factory load that is specific for the Winchester 1892 and later rifles that should not be used in revolvers. All the others can be used in anything.

The round on the left is a very early .32 WCF Black Powder loading, before the case became slightly bottle-necked. (The chambers were from the beginning, go figure!) I have another that isn't pictured, a 100 gr(?) FMJ flat-point with a tinned bullet. Bullet shape is just like the 100-120 grain jacketed soft-point but FMJ.

Interesting how others feel a .38 Spl. with possibly a 125 gr JSP at probably 750-800 FPS is adequate for self defense, but a .32-20 100-115 gr. at ca, 850-900 FPS is inferior!!!!! Silly, isn't it? The fact that any gun is far superior to no gun at all obviously escapes many people. Are there better cartridges? Sure. But this one isn't to be sneezed at either! At various times in all the years I was a working street officer I have carried .38 Spl, .32-20, .32 S&WL (Not factory loads), .32 ACP, .44 Spl, .41 Mag, and 9mmP, probably a couple more too. I never had the least concern with being under-gunned, just figured on shooting until the job was finished, just like you need to do with a .357 or even .44 Magnum!

.32-20 as a carry gun?

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