First of all Thanks for having me on this forum, I'm sure there's a lot to be learned from the collective here. And i apologize if this is in the wrong place. I have a old S&W 32-20 revolver that's been handed down from my great Grandpa. I know the piece in in good working order, I have fired it myself. I would love to date it accurately but I don't have the knowledge personally. I know there is a 32-20 rifle round that's similar but a bit longer and higher grain round. since rounds are hard to find I wanted to possibly start reloading for this gun. the issue in finding the dies to do so has been a bit confusing since none of the die sets I find state rifle or revolver any advice on a good reasonably priced die set for this round ? I've attached a pic for you all to see the piece
32-20 info please
- Thread starter Dmills541
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Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! Give us the serial number from the bottom of the butt frame and we can give you an approximate year in which it shipped. Based on what I can see, it appears to have been made between 1918 and 1928. I don't think you have to worry about rifle rounds. But, others more knowledgeable than me can comment on that.
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.32-20 M&P's with serials that bracket yours were shipping in August 1920. Does yours have a small trademark stamp on the left side under the cylinder thumbpiece? S&W suspended stamping the trademark for WWI and didn't resume until 1920-21. Yours may or may not have it.
Also, the stocks are aftermarket. Originals were walnut, diamond centered and checkered with a round top and no medallion.
Yes it does. Your refering to the trademark just between the cylinder and the grip correct? The date info is fascinating, I really appreciate that. No one in the family could give a date for the piece since the 2 original generation who had it are passed now. I'm the 4th generation to own this piece.
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.32-20 is the same as .32 WCF (Winchester Center Fire). The cartridge case for revolvers and rifles is identical. The significant difference between them is powder level. Back in the 20's and 30's, .32-20 boxes were plainly labeled "For Rifle Only" if that is what they were made for. These rifle rounds generated a lot more pressure than the revolver rounds. I believe that anything made new today is safe for use in your S&W revolver. Ammunition is available, but a tad pricey. I recently obtained several boxes of .32-20 at around $43 per box of 50.
Reloading dies are readily available for this cartridge. Here is a link for a 3-die Redding set, available at Midway USA. Access Denied
Most of the .32-20 ammo found today is usually labeled as Cowboy Action loads...perfectly safe for your gun. A good place to find good ammo deals on-line is ammoseek dot com.
Reloading dies are readily available for this cartridge. Here is a link for a 3-die Redding set, available at Midway USA. Access Denied
Most of the .32-20 ammo found today is usually labeled as Cowboy Action loads...perfectly safe for your gun. A good place to find good ammo deals on-line is ammoseek dot com.
Thw link is restricted for me, im gussing because I'm a new member. But that's good to know thw physical dimensions of the rifle and revolver rounds are identical. So in theroy any die for the 32-20 should be fine as long as I load the corect powder charge then corect?
Welcome. The revolver ship date would have been late 1920 into 1921. The small S&W logo was moved from the right to the left side in August 1920. Those stocks are awful. Correct S&W stocks are walnut diamond like those on the revolver below. ebay has them from time to time so check there first. Check on Hodgdon site for proper loading for revolvers. I prefer a lighter 90-96 grain lead bullet rather than those used in rifles.
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Welcome. The revolver ship date would be late 1920 into 1921. The small logo was moved from the right to the left side in August 1920. Those stocks are awful. Correct S&W stocks are walnut diamond like those on the revolver below. ebay has them from time to time so check there first. Check on Hodgdon site for proper loading for revolvers. I prefer a lighter 90-96 grain lead bullet rather than those used in rifles.
I appreciate that info. Those grips have been on there as far back as I can remember. But I do know you are correct in saying there not the stock grips and they are poor quality for sure. I'd love to get a pair of original looking grips. I'll be on thw look out for them for sure.
Well, we are all just guessing when your gun shipped based on known ship dates. However, S&W was notorious for not shipping in serial number order. Many guns stayed in inventory for months and sometimes years before they shipped. You can get an exact date, to whom it shipped and how it was configured when shipped in a Letter of Authenticity from the S&W Historical Foundation for $100. Since it is a family heirloom, it is likely worth that for you to leave with the gun for future generations.
You are 100% correct, that's worth $100 to me both for future generations to have and to have thw info to put it back to the original state as best as it can be.
Amen!
S&W made the grips in Gary's picture for both K and N frame guns. Your M&P is a K frame, square butt. So, those are what you should look for. Also, check out the Classifieds forum here. Grips are often placed there for sale.
S&W made the grips in Gary's picture for both K and N frame guns. Your M&P is a K frame, square butt. So, those are what you should look for. Also, check out the Classifieds forum here. Grips are often placed there for sale.
-BTM-
Member
I'd say great-granddad stocks are preferable to e-bay stocks.
I can see the sentiment behind that. But these are a bit under sized, don't fit the frame properly and warped aswell. They do thw job but really do need replaced.
Welcome to the forum can't add much, but a neat family heirloom you have I use Lee 32-20 dies they work fine for me, but any brand will do just fine.
Sad thing is I just let a set of the Lee 32-20 Dies get away on Ebay. they were $15+ shipping. I didn't bid on them because I wasn't 100% sure they were correct for my gun lol. that may be a blessing in disguise, sometimes a cheap price is cheap for a reason lol. Owel we all know this can be a expensive hobby lol
Here are some data to support what Guy told you:
.32-20 Hand Ejectors:
89175 shipped in July 1920
90303 shipped in July 1920
91166 shipped in August 1920
91555 shipped in August 1920
.32-20 Hand Ejectors:
89175 shipped in July 1920
90303 shipped in July 1920
91166 shipped in August 1920
91555 shipped in August 1920
Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on inheriting a nice vintage family heirloom! Great grandpa's aftermarket stocks are obviously much too small for your revolver and I would consider replacing them with some correct period or reproduction stocks...they'll improve your shooting experience and look nice, too. It appears to me that the finish on your .32-20 could use a little TLC to prevent any further degradation. If you like, you might try a gentle polishing with some Flitz Polish or Mother's Mag Wheel Polish and a microfiber cloth. After a quick hand buffing, apply some good quality wax (Renaissance Wax or Johnson's Paste Wax). If your revolver seems stiff or gritty when you're shooting, you may want to remove the right sideplate and clean & lube the innards. There are many YouTube videos on how to properly remove the sideplate without damage to the sideplate, frame, or screws. I tend to shoot factory Cowboy Action .32-20 115 gr. RNFP ammo. Be careful not to shoot high pressure rifle ammo in your 100+ year old revolver. Good luck, and enjoy!
Dmills541, the high velocity .32-20 ammo hasn't been loaded since the 1960s. It had a jacketed hollow point 80 grain bullet and the case was stamped "HV" on the head.
The .32-20 was originally a rifle round and may have "Rifle" stamped on the box. Any modern .32-20 ammo loaded with lead bullets should be safe in a good condition revolver.
Model19man
Member
True the rifle and revolver rounds were a thing back 100 years ago; not so much today. You might find however that your revolver shoots to point of aim with a certain weight of bullet. Generally revolvers like something around 100 grains for the bullet weight. At least mine do!
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