Anyone like to shoot 32-20?

[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!"

 

[KenTheHunter]

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.

Just finished at our local range shooting a Colt Army Special-6", 32.20. I've owned this gun since 1983. Low recoil, economical to reload and smooth action,. Mine was made in 1923.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I bought a 4 in HE 32-20 for my Dad cause he LIKED the 32-20.....I got it back when he passed.....I shoot it some with my reloaded cast bullets.

 

[DarryH]

I love the caliber. I have a Colt revolver (think it is a Police Positive), two Colt Bisleys, two Winchester 1892's and a Winchester 1873, all 32-20's.
Once saw a movie where the good guy was going to have a show-down with a bad guy with a gunfighter reputation. GG walked into the store and picked out a 32-20, his side-kick told him not to buy that pea-shooter. He walks outside and instead of getting close he drew from a longer distance. He wounds the BG and wins the fight. The GG had figured out the BG had bad eyesight as all his shootouts had been at close range with the sun in his favor. Buy firing the faster and flatter shooting caliber he won the gunfight. Wish I could recall the actor. I want to say it was Gene Autry.

 

[Wyo]

These are two of my favorites, a Colt Single Action from 1904 and an 1873 Winchester rifle made in 1892. These get light loads only. I use them for plinking and/or small game and not very often at that. I also have two Gen 3 Colt SAA's and an 1892 Winchester rifle that get hotter loads that work really well on coyotes, turkeys, etc. It's an extremely versatile and fun little cartridge.

 

[DWalt]

As noted, the affliction associated with being a .32-20 shootist is ammunition logistics. Factory loads can be hard to find and costly when you do. The only cure is to roll your own. Bullets (Lead only) are plentiful and brass availability is not too much of a problem. So you will need to make an investment in reloading if your plan is to shoot it a lot. I currently have only three .32-20 revolvers, two Colts and one M&P. At one time I had six revolvers and two rifles. You can find the Robert Johnson "32-20 Blues" on YouTube if you wish to hear it. It was recorded here in San Antonio.

 

[glowe]

It is right here.

 

[Legendarylawman]

It is right here.

Now I got to get one....

 

[bgrafsr]

I have an S&W Model 16-4 with a spare cylinder in .32-20, several Single actions in .32-20, a Marlin lever action and a Winchester lever action, both in .32-20. I roll my own, but don't shoot much anymore due to health problems.

 

[Warren Sear]

I have this Colt Police Positive Special, made in 1911. It is all original except for the reproduction (not "re-pop") grips. I load my own ammo for it using various weight bullets that I cast myself. There is no way I would pay to shoot factory loaded ammo for it. My home-brew ammo costs me less to load than 38 Special.

 

[Green Frog]

A revolver, a guitar, or a copy of the record? I've had each at one time or another.
Froggie

 

[bph9]

I believe it was in the Gun Digest that I read an article on this caliber and it was known for being super accurate but the fly in the ointment is that it is a difficult caliber to handload for. And of course brass is scarce as well.

 

[Biff_Biffington]

Back in the mid 80s, when I first started getting into shooting, I can remember old timers.. ie guys who were shooting in the 20s and 30s. They all equated .32 WCF to "hot" .32 NP. This was back when .38 SPC was the bees knees and the gold standard. .357 wasn't really a known thing yet, and they spoke of it having equal stopping power to .38 with less recoil and interchangeability with rifles. Granted, this was back when .38 and .32 was loaded hotter than today. The 158g LRN I carried 40 years ago felt WAY hotter out of a K frame than anything loaded today.

 

[Muley Gil]

I believe it was in the Gun Digest that I read an article on this caliber and it was known for being super accurate but the fly in the ointment is that it is a difficult caliber to handload for. And of course brass is scarce as well.

With a little care, .32-20 is can be loaded like any other round. Currently, Starline is selling 500 rounds of brass for $143, with free shipping.

32-20 Brass - Small Pistol - Brass Cases

""

www.starlinebrass.com

 

[Andy1107]

Yup! A Remington #2 Rolling block rifle, a S&W 6" revolver and 4". Love the old cartridge! I do hand load.