GaryR
Member
I have a chance to purchase a pretty nice M&P 4" in 32 wcf. I believe in the 126k serial # range. Has some wrong 1950's magnas on it. What is this cartridge like to shoot? Sure as F is expensive! Opinions appreciated.
Anyone like to shoot 32-20?
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That one is probably from about 1924 or 1925, based on other confirmed ship dates.
The .32-20 is a fun cartridge to shoot in a S&W revolver. The cost comes down somewhat if you load your own.
The .32-20 is a fun cartridge to shoot in a S&W revolver. The cost comes down somewhat if you load your own.
I shoot the .32-20 but in a rifle. I have about a half dozen reloading manuals and it is hard to find a load that is as hot as the old .32-20 used to be; I have not found one yet. The loads I've shot in the rifle seem to have no recoil at all nor are they all that loud, either.
The .32-20 is a fun caliber - I'm fond of the K-Frames with 4" barrels.
If you like k frames you won't regret it. Very little recoil yet has quite a pop/blast. As JP@AK mentioned it's affordable if you load your own. It's lots of fun shooting an old M&P in 32 wcf in a world dominated by 9mm and plastic.
crotchetyoldman
Member
It's a pleasure to shoot in a revolver, giving you noticeably less recoil than a 38 Special while still giving a decent amount of power. But its going to be expensive unless you reload. And you'll want to watch that what you shoot, factory or reloads, isn't too hot for the gun.
I've had at least one .32-20 firearm in my collection since 1975. Single action revolvers, double action revolvers, single shot rifles, lever action rifles, they are ALL fun to shoot.
Reloading is the way to go.
Reloading is the way to go.
I own half a dozen .32 Winchester (AKA .32 W.C.F., AKA .32-20) S&W revolvers. Of those, my two favorites are a 5" target model shipped on March 15, 1904, and a 4" fixed sight unit with original factory pearl stocks that shipped on June 4, 1917. The latter is also in its original hinged box.
Major 2
Member
I have 4 of them 32/20 that is, I load BP for the 1891 Winchester 73.
My HE Smith, Colt SAA and Marlin, get TiteGroup.
I mentioned before, my dads S&W HE was the first gun of any power above 22 short and LR
I shot at about 7-8 .years old.
That gun which has interesting story (posted elsewhere) and very nostalgic and sentimental meaning to me. It has been in my possession over 50 years.
The Winchester was shipped in 1892 and has only had 3 owners (myself being #3)
I have a Letter from the Cody Museum attesting the original buyer/recipient and I knew
the second owner who acquired it in the mid 1950's. The rifle came into my possession
in 2019 from the estate of the late Mr. Nickols.
The Colt and JM Marlin were new old stock.
I had Uberti cattleman in 32/20 but allowed its passage to a new owner.
My HE Smith, Colt SAA and Marlin, get TiteGroup.
I mentioned before, my dads S&W HE was the first gun of any power above 22 short and LR
I shot at about 7-8 .years old.
That gun which has interesting story (posted elsewhere) and very nostalgic and sentimental meaning to me. It has been in my possession over 50 years.
The Winchester was shipped in 1892 and has only had 3 owners (myself being #3)
I have a Letter from the Cody Museum attesting the original buyer/recipient and I knew
the second owner who acquired it in the mid 1950's. The rifle came into my possession
in 2019 from the estate of the late Mr. Nickols.
The Colt and JM Marlin were new old stock.
I had Uberti cattleman in 32/20 but allowed its passage to a new owner.
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I enjoy shooting all my 32-20s: a S&W Model 1899, a S&W Model 1905 M&P, a Colt Police Positive Special, and a Savage Model 23 rifle. Handloads are an economic must.
There's a half dozen 32-20 revolvers around here, equally split between Colt and S&W, plus two pump action rifles, a Remington Model 25 and a Marlin 27-S. Just a fun cartridge, but you gotta reload unless you've got enough money to burn a wet mule.
In the April 2023 issue of Handloader Magazine, Brian Pearce wrote an article on .32-20 Pet Loads including +P data. He had this to say about what guns were suitable for +P loads:
"I do not want to delve into great detail about the strength of different sixguns, but guns that fall into the "strong" or "+P" category (30,000psi) include all Colt Single Action Army revolvers produced after the year 1900 (or above serial number 192000), the Freedom Arms Model 97, USFA and Uberti SAA-pattern guns, the Colt Army Special and Official Police, the Freedom Arms Model 97 and Ruger New Model Blackhawk. Revolvers that I generally limit to "standard pressure" loads (16,000 CUP), or slightly above, include pre-1900 era black-powder production Colt Single Action Army, Model 1878 Double Action, Models 1892 and 1895 New Army and New Navy, Police Positive Special and the Smith & Wesson K-frame Hand Ejector. Certainly, many of the guns listed for standard pressure loads will indeed handle much greater pressure assuming that they are in good mechanical condition; however, space will not allow a proper discussion of each model and their exact pressure limitations."
....
"As indicated, SAAMI currently lists maximum average pressures at 16,000 CUP, which is suitable for all revolvers in good working condition, including black-powder-era guns. To be clear, there is no industry specified +P pressures for the .32-20; however, when handloading for one of the above mentioned "strong" sixguns, loads with pressures up to 30,000 psi can be safely employed."
Presumably a rifle in good condition would be suitable for +P loads as well. You can read the full article online if you are subscriber to Handloader: https://www.handloadermagazine.com/32-20-winchester-pet-loads
Alk8944
US Veteran
I own over a dozen .32-20 firearms, and have for more than 60 years. These include a Marlin 1894, numerous S&W revolvers, several Colt revolvers, and even a Spanish S&W knock-off made in the 1920s. I also own a model 16 S&W K-32 re-chambered for .32-20! That was already a $1,500 plus gun when the work was done. I bought it NIB in 1966 for the then retail of $65. One of my very first revolvers, and my oldest .32-20, is a 1902 S&W "Winchester Model" first change made in 1905, that I bought for $15 in 1963.
The very first pick-up cartridge cases I ever found were two .32-20 cases when I was about 4 years old. I have been shooting, casting bullets for and re-loading for the cartridge since 1963. I still own every .32-20 .I ever bought. I guess you could say I like the cartridge and guns chambered for it.
Buy the gun and start loading for it, you should really enjoy the cartridge!
The very first pick-up cartridge cases I ever found were two .32-20 cases when I was about 4 years old. I have been shooting, casting bullets for and re-loading for the cartridge since 1963. I still own every .32-20 .I ever bought. I guess you could say I like the cartridge and guns chambered for it.
Buy the gun and start loading for it, you should really enjoy the cartridge!
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Take it! A chance like that is not always available. If you trust your instincts and evaluations I suggest buy buy buy for several reasons. One is you won't lose money. (instincts/condition)
Language is "sure as F" Strictly Enforced here on the Forum but I was wondering if you have priced any S&W 500 Magnum Cartridges lately? I may have uttered the same words that day!! The experience of the Outing is the value of shooting to me.
No matter the, bore diameter.
My favorite @grips) on a K frame are RUBBER just like the John Ross 500, kind of? At my age I occasionally drop things so the wood and pearls stay home and rubbers go on.
Opinions?
Financially, hobbies are not profitable endeavors. But the experience of every shot is a memory that lives on.
It's a good time to pick up a .32-20 if you reload. Brass is now available, where just a couple of years ago it wasn't. Midway and three others show it in stock.
I bought one at a local gun show a few years ago and quickly found that brass was almost not in existence and ammo was only available on gunbroke for around $2.00 a round. Some very generous members on the forum here sold me some loaded rounds and a couple hundred casings for a reasonable price and I was able to shoot sparingly. When Starline .32-20 cases became more readily available, I bought several hundred.
Mine is just a garden variety 4" nickel hand ejector with fixed sights that shipped in 1920, but it's fun to shoot. I keep my loads pretty mild, so the kids and wife like to shoot it as well. They think it's pretty cool to shoot a revolver that's over a hundred years old.
I've been keeping my eye out for a target model now.
I bought one at a local gun show a few years ago and quickly found that brass was almost not in existence and ammo was only available on gunbroke for around $2.00 a round. Some very generous members on the forum here sold me some loaded rounds and a couple hundred casings for a reasonable price and I was able to shoot sparingly. When Starline .32-20 cases became more readily available, I bought several hundred.
Mine is just a garden variety 4" nickel hand ejector with fixed sights that shipped in 1920, but it's fun to shoot. I keep my loads pretty mild, so the kids and wife like to shoot it as well. They think it's pretty cool to shoot a revolver that's over a hundred years old.
I've been keeping my eye out for a target model now.
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It's popular with the cowboy action folks around here shooting both pistol and rifle in 32-20. Very low recoil and solid accuracy. HSM and Black Hills offer reloadable 115gr flat nose lead for about $1 a round. 800fps.
No experience with a Smith but it is a joy to shoot in a SAA.
As mentioned before, gets pretty inexpensive if you reload. For a while there that was the only way I was able to keep shooting 32-20 and 25-20.
I'd probably buy the M&P.
No experience with a Smith but it is a joy to shoot in a SAA.
As mentioned before, gets pretty inexpensive if you reload. For a while there that was the only way I was able to keep shooting 32-20 and 25-20.
I'd probably buy the M&P.
Model19man
Member
The cartridge is sort of an early "magnum". It is much more powerful than the 32 S&W Long but uses the same bullets. If you don't handload this cartridge should be avoided. As you have learned loaded rounds are frightfully expensive.
I bought my first 32 Winchester S&W in 2012 and continue to look at for sale guns. Now have all barrel lengths, Targets & Military, and all models (1899, 1902, 1905). Started reloading immediately due to the low availability of commercial ammo.
Had a very old copy of Lyman reloading manual and found a load in the handgun section which used 115 LRN, 4.1g Red Dot. Took my 6 1/2" gun to the range and tried the loads, Shot a cylinder full and notice a distinct sound coming from this load. Looked at my chronograph to find they were running Supersonic!! 1200 fps is pretty snappy for any handgun of that era, being over 100 years with those first reloads, but the heavy barrel and cylinder took the rounds without issue. I quickly found other information on the caliber to reload down to around 800 fps and have shot that load ever since. These revolvers were certainly over-designed, using standard 38 Special barrels and cylinders, so the smaller 32 caliber gave you lots of steel.
Anyway, my 32 Winchester guns are all shot and the target guns are especially accurate. I believe those few early targets were factory fine-tuned since all of them feel better than my Military versions.
I currently have eleven of them, six Military and five Targets.
Had a very old copy of Lyman reloading manual and found a load in the handgun section which used 115 LRN, 4.1g Red Dot. Took my 6 1/2" gun to the range and tried the loads, Shot a cylinder full and notice a distinct sound coming from this load. Looked at my chronograph to find they were running Supersonic!! 1200 fps is pretty snappy for any handgun of that era, being over 100 years with those first reloads, but the heavy barrel and cylinder took the rounds without issue. I quickly found other information on the caliber to reload down to around 800 fps and have shot that load ever since. These revolvers were certainly over-designed, using standard 38 Special barrels and cylinders, so the smaller 32 caliber gave you lots of steel.
Anyway, my 32 Winchester guns are all shot and the target guns are especially accurate. I believe those few early targets were factory fine-tuned since all of them feel better than my Military versions.
I currently have eleven of them, six Military and five Targets.
Ruffian Two
Member
Am trying to find some 32-20 brass , want Winchester / Remington brass any info would be appreciated, Thanks in advance.
dogkinkead
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I'm a big fan of the cartridge, much like the 327 Fed Mag. Yeah, not easy to find and usually lead bullets and "cowboy action" stuff. Three first generation Colts and two vintage Smiths in that flavor
dogkinkead
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And a single shot rifle or two..
You'll probably have to "settle" for Starline. Diamond K, Midsouth Shooter, Ammo Lab, and Midway all show it in stock. Is there an authenticity issue for Cowboy Action Shooting or something?
Starline brass is top shelf.
There definitely addictive I have 11 S&W 8 of which are targets and 5 rifles. It's an impressive cartridge in the +p realm out of a rifle. Your going to have to reload if your going to shoot any kind of volume.
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My wife has her "kitchen" gun in a drawer with plastic bags. I have had a couple 32-20 Smith and Wesson revolvers over the years. I have a Model 92 Winchester in 32-20 as well, it was re-barreled back in the 20's by the factory. I reload for both rifle and revolver, I keep the rifle loads seperate from the revolver loads by using red boxes for rifle, green for revolver. The rifle shoots 85gr. Hornady pills much faster than I want to put them through the old revolver. For my wife's little piece I load the old factory 100gr. Winchester Western cartridges that I've had for many years. The Winchester shoots them very well and was recommended to me by the old feller I bought the Winchester from. He bought the rifle originally, owned an apple orchard around the Wenatchee area and used the 32-20 to keep deer out of his trees. I asked him how well it worked on deer, his reply was "If you hit them in the eye or ear, they go right down." I asked how many deer he figured it had shot, his reply "Over a hundred for sure, we never lacked for meat."
I've only had one 32-20, a Colt Army Special, and it was fantasticly fun to shoot. I cast and loaded 115gr SWC's.
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I have a Husqvarna 26 rifle in 32-20. They call it a "Bird Rifle". Not sure why. Anyway, it has a octagon 26" barrel and is pretty heavy. First time I shot it, no recoil, no loud noise, I thought I had a squib. Took the bolt out and it was clear. Shot it a bunch more, LOL. Those were new cowboy loads, so not sure how powerfull they were. Great cartridge for a beginner or small child.
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Green Frog
Member
I can't resist any longer! I've gotta quote that highly esteemed firearms expert, Robert Johnson,
"…And if she gets unruly, thinks she don't wan' do
And if she gets unruly and thinks she don't wan' do
Take my .32-20, now, and cut her half in two
She got a .38 special but I believe it's most too light
She got a .38 special but I believe it's most too light
I got a .32-20, got to make the caps alright…"
The 32-20 stayed popular in the rural South East long after falling into neglect in the more urbane portions of the country.
Yes, I have a 32-20 M&P in blue with 5" barrel, but to be honest I'd have to admit that my Buckeye Special Ruger Blackhawk Combo in 32H&R/32-20 is my favorite handgun in the caliber. I've never kept a rifle in 32-20, but I sure wish I had kept that beautiful 32-20 high wall I owned for all too short a time.
"…And if she gets unruly, thinks she don't wan' do
And if she gets unruly and thinks she don't wan' do
Take my .32-20, now, and cut her half in two
She got a .38 special but I believe it's most too light
She got a .38 special but I believe it's most too light
I got a .32-20, got to make the caps alright…"
The 32-20 stayed popular in the rural South East long after falling into neglect in the more urbane portions of the country.
Yes, I have a 32-20 M&P in blue with 5" barrel, but to be honest I'd have to admit that my Buckeye Special Ruger Blackhawk Combo in 32H&R/32-20 is my favorite handgun in the caliber. I've never kept a rifle in 32-20, but I sure wish I had kept that beautiful 32-20 high wall I owned for all too short a time.
Here's one of my favorite .32-20 combos - a Colt SAA from 1919 with a Winchester '92 from 1914.
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