Frank46
US Veteran
What was the latest S&W revolver chamber for the 32-20 cartridge. Frank
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latest issue revolver for the 32-20
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There was only one in regular production, the .32-20 Military & Police. They were sold up until the beginning of WW II, but rumor has it these were leftovers from the end of production, sometime in the early 1930s.
DWalt
Member
There were also some .32-20 M&P target models made. I believe that it is possible that after S&W's production of the .32-20 M&Ps stopped around 1930, some limited runs of those revolvers were occasionally assembled for sale afterward to use up components remaining in inventory. Allegedly, one .32-20 M&P shipped in 1965. Colt offered a considerably wider range of revolvers chambered in .32-20, and continued making them until the post-WWII period. Back in the post-WWI period, .32-20 revolvers from Spain were very common in the USA. And many of them looked very similar to the S&W M&P.
I for one would like to see the .32-20 caliber revolver make a comeback. But I probably won't live to see it.
I for one would like to see the .32-20 caliber revolver make a comeback. But I probably won't live to see it.
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cgt4570
SWCA Member
The Model of 1905, 4th Change was the last.
Colt made some SAAs in .32-20 a few years back. I have a Cimarron (Uberti) Model P Jr (think 7/8 scale SAA) in .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum. Also had a full size Uberti .32-20. Of course, there are no new double action .32-20s.
But if you like single actions, they are out there.I'm still looking for a rolling block in .32-20. I may have to build one.
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The highest serial number was 144684. Production stopped in 1929-30. The highest number may not have been the last one assembled, however.
Serial number 141611. It must have been in the back of the vault where no one could find it!
There are, of course, other possible explanations.
Muley
A prominent member of WACA told me the Winchester Model 1885 (low wall) was chambered for the .32-20 in higher numbers than for any other cartridge. So there should be tons of them out there. Some of them are probably seeking a new owner.
DWalt
Member
More of the Colt Bisley SA models were chambered in .32-20 than in any other caliber. As the Bisley was considered primarily a target model, I suppose many shooters believed that the .32-20 was an excellent cartridge choice for competitive shooting and offered much less recoil than the same gun in heavier calibers. If one has never handled a Bisley, the difference in how it feels in the hand vs the regular SAA is like night and day. It's easy to understand its popularity among target shooters, even though its appearance is a little strange.
P.W.Herman
Member
I have one of those in 32-20, one of the most fun guns to shoot that I own.
CptCurl
SWCA Member
Muley
A prominent member of WACA told me the Winchester Model 1885 (low wall) was chambered for the .32-20 in higher numbers than for any other cartridge. So there should be tons of them out there. Some of them are probably seeking a new owner.
Thanks, but the 1885 Winchester is a falling block, not a rolling block.
Cpt Curl, thanks, but I have had an 1892 and a Marlin CL 1894. My first centerfire rifle was a .43 Spanish rolling block. I have a Remington No. 4 .22 Long Rifle and a Uberti .357 rolling block. I also have a Martini Cadet re-chambered to .32-20.
Still want a RB in .32-20.
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Very true. I thought about mentioning that, but I figured you would know. My point was only that elderly single shot rifles chambered for the .32 W.C.F. are not too scarce. But if you insist on a Remington or other rolling block over the extremely fine Model 1885, your search parameters will definitely shrink.
Funny that one of the members should mention the Winchester low wall as being one of the most or more chambered for the 32-20. I have a low wall that was originally chambered for the 25-20 single shot cartridge. but the bore has seen better days. Undecided as to getting a liner installed for the 25-20 repeater cartridge or the 32-20. Have a martini cadet with another toasted barrel and would love to get it relined in 32-20. Then again been looking for a nice S&W revolver in 32-20 as well, hence my post. As you can see I also like the old single shot rifles. Many thanks for all your information, suggestions and comments. Like the one regarding the Winchester 1892 also in 32-20. Thanks again. Frank
DWalt
Member
There were lots of different .32-20 rifles in various action types - lever, slide, bolt, and single shot, by Savage, Colt, Remington, Winchester, and Marlin. I don't think I have heard of a .32-20 semiauto but there may be one somewhere. Probably the best of the bunch is the Winchester Model 43 bolt action, but finding one chambered in .32-20 will be difficult. Most were made in .22 Hornet and .218 Bee.
CptCurl
SWCA Member
My BSA Martini Cadet, still in its original .310 Greener chamber, is a jewel to shoot. I recently posted it here: BSA Martini .310 Cadet
Curl
Curl
cgt4570
SWCA Member
I have two first gen Bisley's and a SAA in .32-20. They're all from the first decade of the 20th century.
Cocked & Locked
Member
S&W .32-20
I have never seen a documented 32-20 that shipped after WWII. One would think that if such a gun existed, it would have been documented in the SWCA database, but none there?? Would love to see one.
The 32-20 fell from grace in the mid-1920s for S&W, probably due to popularity and superior 38 Special cartridge. This is probably why production stopped soon after.
The 32-20 fell from grace in the mid-1920s for S&W, probably due to popularity and superior 38 Special cartridge. This is probably why production stopped soon after.
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old tanker
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DWalt
Member
Aside from SN 141611 (1965) previously mentioned, the latest .32-20 M&P I have listed was shipped in 8/1938. Not to say that there were none shipped later than that, but just that I have none on my list. I sort of remember reading about one which shipped in the late 1940s but I have no details in support of that.
