Anyone like to shoot 32-20?

[dogkinkead]

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.

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]

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

And a single shot rifle or two..

 

[tlawler]

Am trying to find some 32-20 brass , want Winchester / Remington brass any info would be appreciated, Thanks in advance.

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.

 

[cp1969]

You can also buy direct from Starline. You have to buy quite a few, though.

 

[dwh]

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.

 

[Kinman]

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."

 

[tbob38]

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.

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.

 

[Legendarylawman]

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.

 

[Green Frog]

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.

 

[LEO918]

Here's one of my favorite .32-20 combos - a Colt SAA from 1919 with a Winchester '92 from 1914.

 

[Dave Haynes]

I was offered a Win 94 in 25-35 a while back as payment for work. I always wanted one but at 80 I've run out of time. The 25-35 cartridges are about $4 each if you can find them. With a 32-20 buying a couple hundred brass, take care of them and you'll shoot cheap for a long, long time. Keep the loads mellow and that brass will last a long time.

 

[SgtDog0311]

No handguns in that caliber anymore but have this 1894 listed to sell on another forum right now. I listed it only because I have two Marlins and the other is a Takedown. I cast, as well as reload, so cost is negligible. Very nice for 1904!

 

[Warren Sear]

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…"

That dude was a true Rhodes Scholar. All he needed to add to that is, "It'll shoot plum through a man!"