32-20 project where to start

[dwh]

I have 32-20 project in mind. I thinking about a 3in, RB, checkered back strap, fix sight k frame with a gold dot front sight. Something along the lines of a kings super police.

I already have 1905 32-20 barrel. The potential base guns are a,
1905he with a bad bore and some end shake,no finish.
A 10-5 with no finish, it would need a 32-20 cylinder or a reamed 22lr cylinder.
A 10-7 with some minor finish issues and the same cylinder options as above.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[tops]

It might be cheaper too get a nice 32-20, cut the barrel, put on a new sight and round butt it. Larry

 

[austintexas]

I was able to buy a 5" 32-20 no finish or grips but pristine bore and cylinder for $200 cash. Put a set of used magnas on it and is a great truck gun.
SWCA 892

 

[Green Frog]

I have 32-20 project in mind. I thinking about a 3in, RB, checkered back strap, fix sight k frame with a gold dot front sight. Something along the lines of a kings super police.

I already have 1905 32-20 barrel. The potential base guns are a,
1905he with a bad bore and some end shake,no finish.
A 10-5 with no finish, it would need a 32-20 cylinder or a reamed 22lr cylinder.
A 10-7 with some minor finish issues and the same cylinder options as above.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Dave,

I love 32-20s and generally jump tight on this kind of topic... I don't know how I missed this one last week, but I'm interested and now I'm here to your party! First, I want to know how you plan to load and shoot this proposed gun; sedate, factory equivalent or "Cowboy Loads" or venturing into higher performance? Second, is the option "a" you mention (the 1905 HE with bad bore and end shake) already in hand and chambered for 32-20? If so, and if you don't plan on pushing the power envelope, this would be the most logical candidate. You could screw in the barrel and adjust barrel to cylinder gap, fix the end shake with some washers from Brownell's, and you'd be good to go.

If you have to buy a donor gun and cylinder, I personally would go with a post-War model 10 (or 15 if I wanted adjustable sights.). The cylinder question has already been answered... just get a standard 22 LR or Magnum cylinder and have it fitted and rebored to 32-20. You will need to have it bored with recessed rims or have the rear face of the cylinder milled to give necessary headspace.

Please keep us apprised of your progress on this build. It sounds like it can be a really good one

Regards,
Froggie

 

[dwh]

Froggie, here's what we have so far. An 5in 1905 32-20 barrel, 1905 32-20 cylinder sn130xxx(heat treated) and I'm going to use the nicer m10 (it's already in hand and was free). I'm thinking that the Bowen SA sight base with a SDM gold dot should workout.

I will not be loading cowboy loads,but I'm not going to try and turn it into a 357mag either. I'd like 115/120gr bullet at 950/1000fps. That seems for me anyway to be the most useful velocity range for handguns. I have magnums if and when needed.

I'm still up in the air about the round butt and checking. Although it would be sexy with RB stags and a bronze tgrip. What are your thoughts on bead blasting the flutes and top strap like on the colt PPS?

 

[Drm50]

I too like 32/20s. I wouldn't even start such a project without factoring in the most important part before cosmetic bling. That would be adjustable sights. Gun would be useless without them.

 

[dwh]

Drm50, I would prefer fix to adjustable sights. The Bowen sight base will accept different blade heights. Since I'm not changing bullet weights. Once I find a load that's poa/ poi I'm set.

 

[Green Frog]

dwh, it sounds like your plan is shaping up nicely. If I understand correctly, you'll have a "modern" K frame with a late production (thus well heat treated) cylinder to install and a suitable barrel in 32-20 caliber (and markings.) In your place, if I were doing the work myself I would probably do an initial assembly and fitting first, then decide what I wanted to do about altering the grip frame to round butt configuration... you won't have to "undo" that much to rework the grip frame. I'm not a big fan of round butt revolvers with barrels longer than about 3", but that's why we build custom guns... to get what we want! Again, keep us informed as you progress.

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

BTW, it sounds like you will have the strongest, most durable parts from the git go...finding that cylinder and barrel was quite a coup!

The barrel mounted sight... will the base for that be soldered on, or what? Back in the day, S&W used to make "half target" versions with the base for an interchangeable sight blade forged into the barrel... changing the blade allowed elevation adjustments. Also, you might consider adding the FDL Wondersight if you want fully adjustable sights. If your donor receiver is old enough to have the 4th (top) screw on the side plate, no alteration is necessary. Later receivers require drilling and tapping that single top screw hole for mounting. just a thought... I have one I plan on using on my original 1916 vintage 32-20 M&P some day.

Froggie

 

[dwh]

I plan on cutting the barrel back to 3in and soldering it on. Bowen's web site says there's enough room to drill and tap an 8-32 screw. The idea is to do this in the spirit of the king super police.

 

[cgt4570]

I found a new old stock 2" K 32 barrel (with half-moon front sight) several years back.
I've finally got around to starting the project. My gunsmith is polishing the barrel for me. It's new, in the white and I don't have the time.
It will probably go on a British Victory parts gun.
I have .32-20 cylinders and all the small parts.

 

[Green Frog]

I found a new old stock 2" K 32 barrel (with half-moon front sight) several years back.
I've finally got around to starting the project. My gunsmith is polishing the barrel for me. It's new, in the white and I don't have the time.
It will probably go on a British Victory parts gun.
I have .32-20 cylinders and all the small parts.

A 2" barrel for a K 32 is pretty unusual! Can we assume it is round top rather than having the rib of a target model? The Victory Model receiver will work quite well for your project, and the 32-20 cylinder should be an easy install. You will need the special, shorter extractor rod assembly to mate up with that 2" barrel.

To get max value out of your project, you might consider seeking out a K22 cylinder and having it bored to 32 S&W L. I've done two builds of K frame 32s, a 32 S&W L and a 327 Fed Mag. I'm very pleased with both of them. Here is a thread on the building of my Model 16-3 Homage;

My Faux K-32 is Here!

I would encourage you to start a fresh thread devoted to the building you will be doing on this gun. We are all sidewalk supervisors here and love to watch and offer suggestions. By all means keep us informed and abreast of your project.

Please feel free to contact me in this proposed thread or via PM for any assistance I can render. Needless to say, this is a topic near and dear to my heart. I've just gotten the last major part for my next 32 build... an I frame Kit Gun in 32 S&W L.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[dwh]

I have all of the major components finely. I'll be using the blued 6in barrel and cylinder they have matching sn#. Hopefully the mock up ok. I came across a 32 colt OOM barrel which maybe a 327mag project.