I took my new old S&W 32-20 to the range for my first time practice. I had a hard time finding ammo but called Black Hills ammo Co. and they suggested calling a supplier and I was lucky to find some. It is expensive about $73 for 100 rounds. The gun is very accurate. I put a pattern (12) about the size of an orange at 40 ft. with 2 in the bullseye. It does shoot about 4" high and I had to adjust my aim point for that. Would you adjust the sight to correct for that? Would you move the target closer or farther away for the adjust point? I am new to hand gun shooting that is why I ask the questions.

I want to thank this Forum for supplying the history of this 90 year old revolver.

I looked through your other posts and did not see where it was ever established if the revolver has fixed sights or adjustable sights, nor did I find any pictures. If you'd like to send me some pics, I'd be glad to post them for you.... [email protected]

Did you re-measure the barrel length? (from the front of the cylinder to the front end of the barrel)

Any permanent alterations to the gun (like to adjust fixed sights) would certainly lower the value of the gun and I doubt that many folks here would have you do that....especially if it's in nice, original condition.

If the sights are fixed, I'd suggest that you get some 50 yard slowfire bullseye targets and shoot at them using a six o'clock hold (point of aim being the bottom edge of the black).....then the rounds should impact in the center of the target for you.

By "new old S&W 32-20" I'm presuming you're referring to a .32-20 Hand Ejector. These came standard with fixed sights so I'm a bit puzzled by your comment about adjusting the sight. It almost sounds like you're taking about an adjustable rear sight. Is this the case? If it does actually have a fixed rear sight then the way to adjust the point of impact is to adjust the point of aim. But don't do anything like filing or bending the front sight blade. Follow Butch's suggestions to learn where your gun is hitting and how to adjust your aim based on different distances. It's a bit like the old "Kentucky windage" concept from the age of flintlock and percussion firearms.

I also agree with Butch's comments about modifications such as putting adjustable sights on a fixed sight gun. DON'T do it. It sounds like you have a pre-war gun. Pre-war guns of any sort in decent condition are becoming harder to find and therefore are increasing in value IF in original condition. Any modifications would lessen that value.

For ammo other than "cowboy" loads, try ammonet.com. It's a guy named Hunter down in Burbank, CA. He has several .32-20 loads on offer, depending on what he has available. He uses Starline brass with either Rainier Ballistics or Speer bullets, good quality components. He charges about $33 per box of 50 plus shipping. He also offers a rebate of $3 per box if you send the brass back for reloading.

The people on this Forum are the best.
The gun has a 6" barrel and another forum member, Mike Priwer found that the gun was shipped to a dealer in Cincinnati, Oh in 1920. We also found that the grips have the original Ser # stamped on them. The history all fits.

To ButchG17 -- With the 50 yard targets you suggest, at what distance would you put them from my firing point???

Sounds like having a Gunsmith modify the sights is a BAD idea. So I will just move my aim point.

To mel023 -- The gun is a Hand Ejector 32-20 with a 6" barrel and in original condition. Thanks for your suggestion on NOT modifying the gun. I wish I would have known about your ammo supplier. It would have saved me several days of searching. Thanks, I will keep this info in my files.

Again This Forum is the great.

Get a Wondersight. Hollow Point Bullet Mold Service - Wondersight

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I always take precautions

Oldguy,
Since you haven't given us the serial number we can't say for sure which variation of which model you actually have. So to be extra safe, if you do contact Hunter at ammonet, be sure to tell him you DON'T want his hot loads. He has some stuff that might be a bit too hot for a firearm made before the early to mid-1940s, that is, before S&W started heat treating the cylinders.

"He has some stuff that might be a bit too hot for a firearm made before the early to mid-1940s, that is, before S&W started heat treating the cylinders."

IIRC, S&W started heat treating in the 1920s.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Muley,
My date was actually more of a semi-educated guess. I was trying to extrapolate from the serial number at which S&W started heat treating the cylinders. If it was earlier that the '40s, so much the better for oldguy. The ammo I suggested to him from Hunter may work just fine. It does in mine but it's got a serial number starting 117xxx so it's just barely pre-war.

If the gun shoots 4" above your point of aim at 40 feet, that sounds like a good place to start....40 feet.

If you aim at the bottom edge of the black, your rounds should hit center target. Here's some-> Hoppe's Slow Fire Targets 50 Yard Pistol Package of 20 - MidwayUSA

I picked up a very nice 32-20 ,made in 1923,6'' barrel and had a similar experience on the first trip to the range; about 18" wide at 50 ft. ,For comparison I shot a string with a Colt{sorry] O.P. and all were in the black so I know it was not me or my ancient eyes . I have used the same ammo in my 92 Winchester with good results and wonder if the modern loads are not compatible with older shorter barrel handguns. Thanks ALPO for the Wonder sight suggestion, didn't know that they were still available. Regards, Bart

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H.E;Bart