What should I expect to pay for a 32-20 Hand Ejector?

[DWalt]

I have heard stories about .32-20 revolvers with bulged barrels for a long time, but as yet, I do not remember seeing one. Has anyone? I can’t think of a plausible reason why a revolver in .32-20 would be more prone to barrel bulging than a revolver in any other caliber.

 

[dwh]

I agree Gary if your looking for specific guns like target models or early engineering changes. Then your going to have to look online. I’ve only seen 4 32-20 S&W locally ever, one was a target that I purchased. Two of those came up for sale recently 1 is 50% 6in m&p for $1000 the other is a 4in m&p with no finish for $600. I picked up a refinished 1902 target with a great bore for $300 recently.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have heard stories about .32-20 revolvers with bulged barrels for a long time, but as yet, I do not remember seeing one. Has anyone? I can’t think of a plausible reason why a revolver in .32-20 would be more prone to barrel bulging than a revolver in any other caliber.

I've owned about a half dozen .32-20 S&Ws and about the same number of Colts-PPSs and an Official Police. I've also owned a number of loose barrels. None had had a bulge.

The only reason I can think of would be the use of old black powder ammo and improper cleaning.

 

[bruce5781]

I have heard stories about .32-20 revolvers with bulged barrels for a long time, but as yet, I do not remember seeing one. Has anyone? I can’t think of a plausible reason why a revolver in .32-20 would be more prone to barrel bulging than a revolver in any other caliber.

I have a 5" 32-20 with not one, but two bulges.

Regards,
Bruce

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

 

[dwh]

I’ll venture a guess that during the depression folks would shoot whatever ammo fit in their gun. So my thoughts are that 32S&W and 32S&W longs probably were fired in quite a few 32-20’s. Since they didn’t seal the chamber well, the already low velocity rounds got even slower. They would then lodge in the bore for the next round to hit. Given the time in our history these guns were made and shot. I don’t think most people had the means to buy high speed jacketed ammo. And why have we never heard of any other cartridges shedding their jacket in the bore. We don’t see many 32-20 rifles with bulged barrels. It’s just my opinion

 

[Muley Gil]

I’ll venture a guess that during the depression folks would shoot whatever ammo fit in their gun. So my thoughts are that 32S&W and 32S&W longs probably were fired in quite a few 32-20’s. Since they didn’t seal the chamber well, the already low velocity rounds got even slower. They would then lodge in the bore for the next round to hit. Given the time in our history these guns were made and shot. I don’t think most people had the means to buy high speed jacketed ammo. And why have we never heard of any other cartridges shedding their jacket in the bore. We don’t see many 32-20 rifles with bulged barrels. It’s just my opinion

I can see a bullet from a .32 S&W sticking if fired in a .32-20 chamber. However, I worked two murders where the shooters used .32 S&W Long ammo fired in a .32-20 revolver.

I have fired .32 S&W in a Model 1 1/2. The round doesn't develop much velocity.

 

[Model19man]

I saw this one on GB and then I thought it might be the same one I saw at the show. I put a bid on it last night, then went to bed.

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to find I had won it for $355. By the time it gets here it will cost about $430.

 

[Model19man]

More pictures:

 

[glowe]

Let me add a few more images. I was the one who bid the gun above $250, but I would have bought it for a spare and maybe parts since I have several 1899s and hardly any parts are available. I hope you will be happy with it as a shooter once you get it delivered. Seller claims it to be in working condition, but it has had a heavy refinish. Checked to find the sideplate screws were flattened, along with the studs on the other side. Large S&W logo is totally removed from the sideplate. Thumb release seems to be not re-blued and might have been nickeled? Pitting on hammer, trigger, and recoil shield, and muzzle polished and blued.

Having said all that, if it is a good shooter, it is worth the money and glad a member here got it.

 

[JP@AK]

I saw this one on GB

$355. By the time it gets here it will cost about $430.

Great deal. An early one with the 6 1/2" barrel. Excellent find.

Good thing I didn't see it. You'd have paid a lot more!

 

[wcat94]

How much for refinish?

This refinished one with a good bore was 445.00 + tax & shipping.
Great shooter and not worried about decreasing value.
How much does a refinish cost?

 

[Model19man]

I loaded up the empties I had today. I only have 27 right now. I killed 5 cases. Three were while trying to get the dies adjusted. The other two tore going into the expander die.

I used 115 grain powder coated Keith semi Wadcutters and a less than maximum charge of W-W 231.

 

[Muley Gil]

Looks like Model19man and wcat94 have both found good shooters.

Currently, I have two S&W .32-20s; both are 5" round butts. One is a Model of 1899 and the second is Model of 1902. Also have a 4" Colt Police Positive Special and a 5" Colt Official Police.

Other .32-20s are a Uberti Model P Jr single action & a converted Martini. A project gun is a Model 15 that will become a .327 Federal with an extra cylinder in .32-20.

 

[Brooks]

I have shot the older Remington 100gr JSP with a lower but safe charge of Unique and the round stuck in the barrel of my 1908 4 inch 32WCF. I heard the report and stopped and checked.... stuck. Pushed it out. No damage and the bore hasn't any bulge. My take on the bulged barrels... it's a real thing. I measured and got .314 for my gun. The Remington JSP (not made anymore) measured .3105. After that I only have been loading .313 cast and no problems. Shoot only cast. The Remington 100gr JSP used to be available as loaded ammo. I bought this bullet from Midway, 500 per box, and used them thereafter just in a rifle. The Colts have a tighter barrel. I bought my 1908 32WCF for $200. maybe 30 years ago.
Oh....and I made my own boxes.

 

[Model19man]

Love the box Brooks!

 

[Brooks]

Love the box Brooks!

Thanks for that!
Remember when....you bought 22lr ammo and they came 50 packed tight in a cardboard box? So did a lot of pistol and rifle rounds. Now you get these boxes with plastic or styrofoam and they don't fit in your pocket....all that plastic.. not good.
Woods walking with a box of 32-20 fits neat in your pocket, and you never feel under-gunned with a 32-20. Yet it shoots like a 22lr.

 

[Model19man]

OK the revolver came today. It seems like it is safe to shoot. Lockup and timing are good. SA pull is magnificent. The bore has some pits but probably not enough to affect accuracy. Tried my handloads and they chamber fine. Might go to the range on Monday.

 

[Drm50]

I've owned about a half dozen .32-20 S&Ws and about the same number of Colts-PPSs and an Official Police. I've also owned a number of loose barrels. None had had a bulge.

The only reason I can think of would be the use of old black powder ammo and improper cleaning.

I’ve herd the fabled ringed barrel 32/20 also. Not only have I owned a bunch of them I’m constantly looking at them. Nary ringed barrel found in S&W, Colt and even Spanish clones.
I did see several bulged barrels in 70-80s as result of cores separating from 1/2 jacket bullets. Most of these were 357s,
no 32/20s. I’m sure there is a 32/20 somewhere with a ringed barrel but it’s not common.

 

[glowe]

I have read that the 32-20 loaded with HBWC had problems as well. Meant for low pressure/velocity 32 Long revolvers, the skirt was too thin for higher velocities and did separate from the head of the bullet. If it did not clear the barrel, a budge was the certain outcome with the next shot.

I do not shoot hollow-base bullets in either my 32-20s or 38 Specials. Never owned a bulged barrel 32-20 and never shoot HB bullets it them, but have bulged the barrel on a 38 Masterpiece. Took that ammo back out to the range and shot singles, then inspected and found found 2 more separated skirts in the barrel after inspection. Will never take that chance again with HBWC!!

 

[Drm50]

Lots of people shoot HBWCs with no problems. I’ve loaded them in S&Ws, Colt Python & Diamond back. To stiff of a load will cause skirt problems. I’m thinking maybe forcing cone on some individual guns could be the problem if load is in correct velocities for HBWCs.
I’ll also point out that the Store Bought HBWCs are very soft and I think they are swaged. Cast HBWCs seem to be harder even if cast from pure lead. I’ve not shot HBWCs in 32/20 but with latest S&W I’ve picked up with Target sights, I might give it a try.