The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread
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DWalt
Member
Did you pull bullets and measure them? I have reloaded .32-20 with half-jacket .308 bullets which seem to group reasonably well.
The SAAMI bullet diameter spec is 0.3095"-.0.3125" so 0.3095" should be the very smallest used.
dogngun
US Veteran
They were REALLY well made back then...Mine does not look like much, but it is really fun to shoot and is far more accurate than I am.
Glad I found this thread. Probably between 30 and 35 years ago my father got a S&W 1905 32-20 from his cousin in a trade. He's basically had it sitting in a safe for all these years although when he first got it he put a few rounds through it. I've recently become interested in both pistols and long guns and it seems to have reignited Dad's interest in them as well. Having no paperwork on it he assumed there was no way to make it "legal" and was considering turning it in to his local PD. Fortunately he discussed it with me before he did and I did some research and found it was a simple process to get it on paper so we're going to do it in the near future. From reading here the serial number (612xx) seems to be from around 1915 or 16. I've seen a few others here and in Google images with this metal attachment on the front of the grip. Can anyone tell me about that? I'd love to hear any and all input on this cool pistol. I'm looking forward to getting it to the range for a few hours with him. I'll probably get a history certificate from S&W for him as well.
Thanks.
John
Thanks.
John
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that is a tyler t grip. they are still made. its purpose of course was to provide a better grip than just the stock grips which many find too skinny to grip properly. there are two metal tabs that go under the grip panel.
Gordyf808
Member
Dwalt Just a housekeeping thing, I know you keep a data base.
I have a 5"K frame 32-20 Serial 107392
Aloha
Gordy
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So what kind a value is on these guns, I took my to a gun show and was offered $200, I said no.
SN# 397xx 5 inch barrel
SN# 397xx 5 inch barrel
Welcome to the forum! Depends on condition good pictures are necessary to say whether or not it was a fair offer. Here is mine I got for $280 11 months ago and I think the price was fair. If you were selling to a dealer keep in mind he is in the business of making a profit so he has to buy below retail also keep in mind ammo availability unless you are a handloader the 32-20 is a expensive round to buy.
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DWalt
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Unless you tried to sell it to another attendee in the parking lot or walking down an aisle between tables, you were probably attempting to sell to some type of dealer. Gun shops, gun show dealers, and pawn shops might give you about half of what they think they can sell it for. Value depends almost entirely upon condition, and since we have no idea about the condition of yours, $200 could have been a generous price.
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DWalt
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Yours is not in collectible condition, and I'd say that in a private sale to an individual, you might be able to get $300, maybe a bit more, for it, depending upon where you live. The wood grips appear to be original, and that's a plus. It seems someone may have taken a file or a grinder to the front sight. Yours left the factory in about 1907-08. Collectors would call it a Model of 1905, as it has a square butt. The .32 Winchester barrel stamping is correct for that time. The .32 Winchester, .32 WCF, and .32-20 are all names for the same cartridge.
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Flesh Wound
Member
Here's my submission to the .32-20 thread.
1922 1905 4th change. It's a shame the bore is nasty. The exterior of the gun looks better in person than the photos show.
1922 1905 4th change. It's a shame the bore is nasty. The exterior of the gun looks better in person than the photos show.
DWalt
Member
That's somewhat better, but it looks like someone may have given the grips a varnish treatment.
Flesh Wound
Member
DWalt: When I first saw the gun I thought the grips might have been bakelite. But removing revealed wood and matching serial number.
It is indeed a 23-20 and given its condition and apparent modification of the front sight I don't think $200 was a unreasonable offer. Did you counter offer ?
DWalt
Member
No question they are period-correct, even without the SN on the back. During that period, the stock SN was normally penciled, not stamped. And often, it is difficult or impossible to see.
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Thanks for the information, I got the gun from my dad and not looking to sell it.
Now I know what kind of ammo to buy so I can shoot it.
I'll pass it down and keep it in the family.
I really appreciate your help.
Now I know what kind of ammo to buy so I can shoot it.
I'll pass it down and keep it in the family.
I really appreciate your help.
Welcome to the Forum.
The .32-20 is a fun cartridge. I've owned at least one since 1974.
Don't know where you are located but if you have a Cabela's near you you can order it from their website and have it shipped to their store saving you shipping 50 rounds is $32.00 this who I got mine through now I have dies and bullets for reloading but if you just wanted some to have buy a few boxes and call it a day.
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