Shoot .32 long in .32/20?

[mikepriwer]

I checked two of my 32/30's, and there are two visible ring-markings
in each charge hole. The most-forward one is for the end of the
cartridge. The intermediate one, while not as pronounced, is for the
necked-down region of the cartridge. Its not a lot, but it is there.
You might need a bore-light, moved around a bit, to see it.

If your barrel is marked 32/20 or 32 Winchester, that is how the
gun was shipped.

Mike Priwer

 

[Muley Gil]

I have worked two murders where the perp's gun was a .32-20 S&W and the ammo used was .32 Long.

Worked good enough to kill.

 

[IDK]

Bill, I have a 1905 HE that I inherited a few years ago. I have gone through what you are going through right now. You search all the forums on the internet and find several conflicting answers as to what ammo to use. I even emailed S&W (no reply). After a few weeks of research, here is what I found for what it is worth (note: most of these answers have already been given here)

1. Yes, there was a 32-20 high velocity round that was manufactured for rifles only. As stated earlier, it hasn't been in production since the late 60's. Some of it is around still but it will say "For rifles only" on the box and has HV stamped on the end of the brass

2. Cowboy rounds are safe to use as they are light loads to lessen recoil and make trick shooting easier. They are expensive and usually out of stock. See Black Hills Ammunition

3. These cartridges are not the easiest to hand load as the case is very thin and the brass can be hard to find in stock.

4. The 32-20 round is rifle ammo. The pistols were made so a guy could carry a pistol and a rifle and only one kind of ammunition. I have not found any production 32-20 (beside cowboy rounds) that are labeled "for pistols".

5. I use Remington 32-20 express rifle rounds #R32201. It is a 100 grain lead bullet. muzzle velocity of 1210 ftps and energy of 325 ft/lbs (from a rifle). It shoots great. I would stay away from any jacketed ammmo if you find it. Watch for leading in the barrel. I haven't had any problems with that but I have heard of others having that problem.

6. The above ammo is still hard to find and runs about $40 for a box of 50. Try Cabelas and remember to look under rifle ammo and not pistol ammo. Pretty expensive for plinking but what do you do?

7. With a gun of this age, you probably want to have a competent gunsmith take a look at it. You just don't know what has been done to it over such a long time. You want to make sure there is no cracking on the cylinder and frame or bulging of the barrell. A lot of these have shot the HV ammo by accident

8. These guns are fun to shoot!

9. Someone is liable to say I am full of it. ( usually they would be right)

Here is my HE ser #32xxx

I hope this helps,

Eric

 

[SDH]

Excellent job IDK (Eric)!
You about covered the bases.

 

[2152hq]

I shoot both short & long 32S&W in my Colt SAA chambered in 32-20. A 1920's built gun, it came to me with the obligatory 32WCF ring in the bore.
It's still accurate with both, causes no problems ejecting the cases, and the cases have never split.

The cases do expand in the ever so slightly larger based 32-20 chamber but on first glance, most wouldn't even see it on a fired case.

The cases have been reloaded a number of times and used in both this revolver and an older S&W 32HE with out any case loss.

The person that reloads the ammo is using a set of RCBS 32acp dies for the task too.

I shot up my meager collection of misc BP & smokeless 32WCF rounds a few years back in the Colt. They included a few of the 'HV-for rifle only' rounds. You deffinetly know the difference when they go off.

 

[Armyphotog]

I agree with the gentleman who suggests that any lead nose bullet will be safe in either rifle or revolver. Remember the original idea in having corresponding calibers was so the cowboy, or whomever, could use one ammunition with both weapons.

 

[Bill4570]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I have looked on the internet in 6-7 sites from Ammunition To Go, to Sportsmans Guide and nobody has any .32/20 in stock.

Next stop are the local gun shops. But I doubt I will find any.

There is a gun show later this month and I will try there.

Thanks again. This is a great forum.

Bill

 

[Gatorbaiter]

Actually, S&W did make some K frame Hand Ejectors in 32 Long; 3,814 were made in 1948 -1950. Even they were confused about mine, and I had to send the gun to them to verify that it is a 32 and not a 38! See the letters below:

I also have this 32-20 that was sent back to the factory to have a 32 Long cylinder fitted and numbered to the gun: