Info on S&W 32-20 CTG
- Thread starter 5_Is_Alive
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S&W made about 150,000 revolvers in .32-20 caliber (also known as .32 WCF for Winchester Center Fire) between 1900 and the onset of WW2. They did not resume production of guns in this caliber after the war.
Most of the .32-20 revolvers had six-inch barrels, but obviously some were four inchers.
If you can let us know the serial number (or all of it but with xx for the last two digits), we can probably narrow the production date down to a year or two. The serial number is the one on the butt of the gun, also found on the back of the cylinder and on the flat underside of the barrel.
If the gun is in good shape, you can still shoot modern .32-20 ammunition in it as long as the ammo is not marked for rifle use.
Can you show us a picture of the entire gun? There may be something to say about the stocks on the gun as well.
Most of the .32-20 revolvers had six-inch barrels, but obviously some were four inchers.
If you can let us know the serial number (or all of it but with xx for the last two digits), we can probably narrow the production date down to a year or two. The serial number is the one on the butt of the gun, also found on the back of the cylinder and on the flat underside of the barrel.
If the gun is in good shape, you can still shoot modern .32-20 ammunition in it as long as the ammo is not marked for rifle use.
Can you show us a picture of the entire gun? There may be something to say about the stocks on the gun as well.
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
I have more pics if needed...
Admin: Thanks for placing this thread where it belongs. :thumbsup:
Admin: Thanks for placing this thread where it belongs. :thumbsup:
Probably 1924. Those stocks are from the 1920s and may be original to the gun. You can pull the wood to see if the gun's serial number is pressed into the inside surface of one panel.
It's hard for me to read the amount of remaining blue finish because of the flash illumination, but it might be over 80 percent. I see a couple of spots of apparent corrosion that you probably want to soak down with a good penetrating oil like Kroil and work with a toothbrush. Then store it oiled in a gunsock or flannel cloth. That looks like a completely shootable gun to me, though it would be good to have it inspected by a gunsmith before you start firing it. Congratulations. I have an old .32-20 that was ineptly renickeled, but the bore and action are first rate -- lot of fun to shoot, so who cares what it looks like?
The point about blocking the last couple of digits in a serial number is just to preserve a little ownership privacy. It doesn't bother me to reveal whole serial numbers, but some people don't like to.
Just FYI, the .32-20 was offered on the same frame as the .38 Special Military & Police, S&W's bread-and-butter revolver during the 20th century; millions of the .38 Special version were made. The smaller caliber version is sometimes called the .32 M&P or .32-20 M&P.
It's hard for me to read the amount of remaining blue finish because of the flash illumination, but it might be over 80 percent. I see a couple of spots of apparent corrosion that you probably want to soak down with a good penetrating oil like Kroil and work with a toothbrush. Then store it oiled in a gunsock or flannel cloth. That looks like a completely shootable gun to me, though it would be good to have it inspected by a gunsmith before you start firing it. Congratulations. I have an old .32-20 that was ineptly renickeled, but the bore and action are first rate -- lot of fun to shoot, so who cares what it looks like?
The point about blocking the last couple of digits in a serial number is just to preserve a little ownership privacy. It doesn't bother me to reveal whole serial numbers, but some people don't like to.
Just FYI, the .32-20 was offered on the same frame as the .38 Special Military & Police, S&W's bread-and-butter revolver during the 20th century; millions of the .38 Special version were made. The smaller caliber version is sometimes called the .32 M&P or .32-20 M&P.
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
Wow, thanks! You're better than Google DW! I really appreciate the info. I will definately have the gun looked at and maybe even professionally cleaned. As I stated before, it belonged to my grand-father so I really want to take care of it.
Thanks again,
Jason
Thanks again,
Jason
ElToro
Member
finding ammo might be a chore. i think remington makes one load called express rifle. search gunbroker and get some winchester for rifle or handgun, it will be older ammo and save the brass. or get some cowboy action loads. it will all be about 100 grain lead round nose bullets.
then youtube an old blues tune by the master Robert Johnson ".32-20 blues. " clapton made a version..
" ah baby where you stay last night. your hair all tangled and you aint talkin right..
then youtube an old blues tune by the master Robert Johnson ".32-20 blues. " clapton made a version..
" ah baby where you stay last night. your hair all tangled and you aint talkin right..
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
Good stuff! I love the history in these guns. They're like minature time machines...
Not sure if I'm going to shoot it but it would be nice to have ammo for it... thanks El T
Not sure if I'm going to shoot it but it would be nice to have ammo for it... thanks El T
"Not sure if I'm going to shoot it but it would be nice to have ammo for it... thanks El T"
Oh, you NEED to shoot it. .32-20s are FUN. I've owned a number of them over the years-S&Ws, Colts, Uberti single actions, Marlin lever guns, and a Martini single shot.
Did I mention that they are FUN to shoot?
Oh, you NEED to shoot it. .32-20s are FUN. I've owned a number of them over the years-S&Ws, Colts, Uberti single actions, Marlin lever guns, and a Martini single shot.
Did I mention that they are FUN to shoot?
Besides Remington and Winchester, Black Hills also makes ammo in 32-20. All three would be safe to shoot out of your old 32-20. I have one with a 4" barrel that dates to 1907. I have two boxes of ammo, but have yet to shoot it. I really want to, but the situation just hasn't been right.
TomcatPC
US Veteran
Hello
I just got a Cabela's Catalogue in the mail today. I do recall seeing .32"-20 cartridges listed, but they were around $40 a box of 50. Not cheap, but at least they are available.
Update: I just took another look at the catalogue and the .32"-20 cartridges are made by a company called "Ultramax", and they are "Cowboy Loads".
I would like to find a .32"-20 M&P one of these days nw.
Thanks
Mark
I just got a Cabela's Catalogue in the mail today. I do recall seeing .32"-20 cartridges listed, but they were around $40 a box of 50. Not cheap, but at least they are available.
Update: I just took another look at the catalogue and the .32"-20 cartridges are made by a company called "Ultramax", and they are "Cowboy Loads".
I would like to find a .32"-20 M&P one of these days nw.
Thanks
Mark
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oldguy66
Member
Jason
I have a 32-20 like yours and with the help of forum members they traced the ship date to 1920. You can purchase ammo from USA Midway (Shooting Supplies, Reloading, Gunsmithing, Hunting, Ammunition, Gun Parts & Rifle Scopes — MidwayUSA) Ultramax Cowboy Action Ammo 32-20 WCF 115 Grain Lead Flat Nose Ammo. It comes in box of 50 rounds. I bought 100 rounds at a total cost of $76.64. It is a bit expensive but fun to shoot. My 32-20 is very accurate at 40 ft. but I tried 25 yds. last week and I was not to good at that distance. Have fun with yours.
Paul
I have a 32-20 like yours and with the help of forum members they traced the ship date to 1920. You can purchase ammo from USA Midway (Shooting Supplies, Reloading, Gunsmithing, Hunting, Ammunition, Gun Parts & Rifle Scopes — MidwayUSA) Ultramax Cowboy Action Ammo 32-20 WCF 115 Grain Lead Flat Nose Ammo. It comes in box of 50 rounds. I bought 100 rounds at a total cost of $76.64. It is a bit expensive but fun to shoot. My 32-20 is very accurate at 40 ft. but I tried 25 yds. last week and I was not to good at that distance. Have fun with yours.
Paul
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
"Not sure if I'm going to shoot
Oh, you NEED to shoot it. .32-20s are FUN. I've owned a number of them over the years-S&Ws, Colts, Uberti single actions, Marlin lever guns, and a Martini single shot.
Did I mention that they are FUN to shoot?
Well that settles it! After I get a gunsmith to take a look at it, it NEEDS to be shot!
I'm really likin' this forum by the way. I've only been on here a short time but have already learned so much! Cheers!Jason
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TomcatPC
US Veteran
Hello
When I got my Webley & Scott Ltd. Mk. IV revolver and then my S&W "Victory Model" Revolver, both of which are .38" S&W Calibre, and I saw the "sticker shock" from the price of .38" S&W ammunition. That prompted me to check into starting reloading on a small scale. I think I paid around $25(U.S.) for a Lee Hand Press and about the same for a set of Lee .38" S&W Dies.
If/when I find a decent priced .32"-20 M&P Revolver, I will reload for that cartridge as well. This might be something to consider if you plan on shooting your revolver (if it were mine, I'd shoot it LOL).
This sounds like a neat little cartridge-revolver combination to shoot. Never really knew or heard much about these revolvers until I came here.
Thanks
Mark
When I got my Webley & Scott Ltd. Mk. IV revolver and then my S&W "Victory Model" Revolver, both of which are .38" S&W Calibre, and I saw the "sticker shock" from the price of .38" S&W ammunition. That prompted me to check into starting reloading on a small scale. I think I paid around $25(U.S.) for a Lee Hand Press and about the same for a set of Lee .38" S&W Dies.
If/when I find a decent priced .32"-20 M&P Revolver, I will reload for that cartridge as well. This might be something to consider if you plan on shooting your revolver (if it were mine, I'd shoot it LOL).
This sounds like a neat little cartridge-revolver combination to shoot. Never really knew or heard much about these revolvers until I came here.
Thanks
Mark
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
Reloading has always intrigued me. My good buddy/co-worker and person responsible for getting me hooked on firearms does his own re-loading. Maybe if I buy a 12-pack one of these weekends he can walk me through the process.
Reloading is definately an art worth mastering. I mean, where else are you going to get ammo when the poop hits the fan? lmao!
5_Is_Alive, definitely get some ammo and give the gun a try. 32-20 is a mild fun caliber to shoot. Let us know who you liked it after you try it out. John
OP
5_Is_Alive
Member
Are there any specific members that are able & willing to do this? I'd really like to know.
Also, does anyone know what the turn-around is for S&W's "Weapon History Request"? I will attach more pics (w/serial) just in case...
Thanks,
Jason
5 Is Alive,
I would guess that your .32-20 shipped around 1924.
sw282, IIRC, the advertised velocity was 1600-1800 fps, from a 24" rifle barrel. DON'T SHOOT THIS "RIFLE ONLY" AMMO FROM A REVOLVER if you were to buy it.
I would guess that your .32-20 shipped around 1924.
sw282, IIRC, the advertised velocity was 1600-1800 fps, from a 24" rifle barrel. DON'T SHOOT THIS "RIFLE ONLY" AMMO FROM A REVOLVER if you were to buy it.
skullworks
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In the line of trivia (since we already mentioned Robert Johnson's blues song) - the ill-fated Jimmy Blevins in Cormac McCarthy's "All The Pretty Horses" carried a .32-20 revolver with "worn gutta-percha grips". 
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