A couple of old 5 inchers at the range...

[cmansguns]

I've had several recent posts about my 1959 Model 10 no dash Nickel 5 incher (recent acquisition) and 1921 32-20 WCF M&P also 5 incher. Had to wait about 1 year for ammo for the 32-20, but got 3 boxes of HSM Cowboy ammo for Christmas. This HSM ammo had some rounds that had a very ugly crimp in Starline brass. I posted about this over in the ammo subforum and a lot of posters wondered what the fired cases would look like.

Additionally, since my usual indoor range does not allow lead ammo I had to wait to find an appropriate place to shoot that had no ammo restrictions.........everything came together a couple days ago and I was simply amazed at the balance, feel, POI vs POA of these 5" revolvers. Even in my younger days I couldn't do what I did with 79 year old eyes, teeny square notch service sights, nickel finish at 15 yards!

Both guns shot high and left with a six o-clock hold but still at least mostly on the target. The 32-20 WCF actually felt a little more "zippy" than the 158 gr LRN 38 Special. Report was about the same from either gun, as was the perceived recoil...both just plain fun to shoot. I only put 12 rounds downrange from the 32-20 because of the cost (and unobtanium status) of "factory" ammo.

Happy to report that the HSM ammo with the ugly crimp fire formed beautifully, and the fired cases extracted just as easily as any other Smith revo I own. I believe that crimp is known as a "stake" crimp but I'm not a reloader (yet) and I found no issues at all with this ammo.

Enjoy some pics and I'll be searching for more old 5 inchers as I just love the balance and feel of these guns.

 

[cmansguns]

additional ammo pics

Some more pics of the HSM Cowboy Action 32-20 WCF ammo.

 

[Brooks]

Nice! But only 12 shots with the 32-20?
I don't think I could do that.

 

[JP@AK]

I'll be searching for more old 5 inchers as I just love the balance and feel of these guns.

I could not possibly agree more. I'd have to check inventory lists to figure out how many 5" S&W revolvers I actually own, but it's a bunch. Off the top of my head, I believe the oldest one is a .32-20 target from 1904 and the newest is a Model 27-2 from 1974.

In both K and N frame, I prefer the 5" barrel to all other lengths. They simply have perfect balance. Sure, I like my 6 1/2" Model 29 just fine. But for range fun, I'll take a 5" barrel any time.

A few pictures:

.32-20 Target from 1904.

.38 M&P from 1926.

.38 M&P from 1946.

.32 M&P from 1948.

.38 Combat Masterpiece from 1952.

Model 27-2 from 1974.

 

[Brooks]

Glad the crimp ironed out. Save the cases and reload.

 

[toad67]

As you do, I love the five inch guns. HSM ammo is about four miles down the road from me.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I bought two boxes of HSM with that crimp and they would not chamber in my 1899 HE. After a phone call to HSM, Cabela's took the ammo back and refunded my money. I replaced it with a later lot where the crimp was not so extreme.

 

[glowe]

Cannot resist showing this scarce 5" Target Model. #47389 shipped July, 1910.

 

[paplinker]

This is my one and only five inch gun to date but hopefully not my last! Started life as a HD

 

[Muley Gil]

My first S&W was a square butt 5" .32-20. I turned it into a round butt.

I currently have nine 5" revolvers. 2 are S&W .32-20s, 4 are S&W .44 Specials, 1 is a M544 .44-40, 1 is a .357 built on an Outdoorsman frame and the last is a Colt Official Police in .32-20.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

My K-32 Model 16 no dash is my only 5":

 

[hkcavalier]

I don't have quite the same selection...

1965 27-2

1950 Heavy Duty

1917 M&P

1917 (honorable mention at 5.5")

 

[M_conrad_0311]

My favorite 5"

 

[robvious]

I too am a fan of 5 inch revolvers... but only have 3...
all kind of special.. not rare.. just special

 

[cmansguns]

Only 12 shots from the 32-20?

Poster Brooks asked the question in a post above. I do have to say it was tempting to shoot more from the 32-20 but that ammo is VERY hard to find, and expensive when and if you do, so I shot a few just for function and to see how that stake crimp would extract. Flawless function on extraction and even rechambers without issue, so I would buy more if seen at some price I can afford.

PS: BEWARE of "ammo scammers" if you are searching for this stuff on line. According to those who got mine for Christmas..at least 3 "sellers" would not accept cards at all and the reviews were almost solid negative (took money never received, no communication, etc.).

Of course there is no way I went to the range and only shot 12 rounds, so after the 32-20 WCF target was pulled...then the fun really began. I do have a ton of 38 Special, 158 gr. Lead Round Nose that has just sat in ammo stash for years since nowhere around here allows lead...but I had several boxes with me and that's how I spent the day.

I have to say again.........the 5" - K frame is just really my cup of tea...even with service sights, and nickel finish..that gun shot better than I can do with a 2" J frame, or even 6" K or N frames, so it is me, not the gun but after 79 years on this earth.........I finally found a gun I really LOVE to shoot!

Enjoy your day and keep posting those pics of 5 inchers!!!

 

[Brooks]

Here is my 5 inch 32 Winchester. I'm loading 4.3 gr Unique with a 118 gr Bear Creek RNFP bullet for the 5 incher. Also loading 13 gr IMR 4227 with a 100 gr. Remington JSP for my rifle.
I just went through some of my stuff. Apparently I have about 800 loaded 32-20 rounds..... and my Starline backorder of 500 cases came through and is on the road.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Who doesn’t like 5 inch??!!
Finally took some daytime photos of the 1950 target 44. Still waiting on the letter to confirm authenticity.

I have a post war m&p 38 spl 5 inch also but no ready photos of it. One of my favorite shooters.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Brooks that looks like a 4 inch… a really pretty one though. It seems most of the 32-20 M&Ps out there are rough cosmetically. Yours looks nice.

 

[Brooks]

Casual Smith Nut.... it might be a 4 inch HE from 1908. But it grows with use.
I saw it in a LGS 30 years ago for $200..... asked to look at it and the bore was fuzzy... ask them to push a patch through.... after they cleaned it they said it would be another $25 as the bore was perfect..... told them $200 is the price. Really good shape.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Casual Smith Nut.... it might be a 4 inch HE from 1908. But it grows with use.
I saw it in a LGS 30 years ago for $200..... asked to look at it and the bore was fuzzy... ask them to push a patch through.... after they cleaned it they said it would be another $25 as the bore was perfect..... told them $200 is the price. Really good shape.

“Grows with use” …LOL that’s the spirit!

I see the 32-20 in a hand ejector as the “available” 32 H&R mag K frame. You did well to get a clean 32-20, Brooks. My only 32-20 currently is a 6” target that was likely refactoried from 38 frame and fitted with 32 cal cylinder and barrel back in the early 1920s. Mechanics and bore good but the rest of the finish is gone or worn.