The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread

[sigp220.45]

I took my new adoptee out to the BLM and went through my one box of ammo. I was very impressed with the low recoil and accuracy of the gun. No paper targets, but I was able to bust rocks and clay bird fragments with regularity. Now its time to try my hand at reloading.

 

[badshot48]

Early .32-20

I'm new here but do own a couple of S&W model 10's. My question is this. I have an opportunity to buy an early model 1899 .32-20, serial number below 900. The gun is in reasonably good condition for as old as it is, in working order and the stocks seem original and in good shape also. No bluing left. Is paying $350-400 too much for a gun like this. I have read this entire thread and was impressed by all the comments and thought adding another older S&W might be a good way to start the year. I thought going straight to the horses mouth was the best place to start.

Thanks, Dan

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

IMHO, $300 is what I would pay for the revolver you described. Others may pay more.

 

[badshot48]

I sort of thought the guy was a little high but sometimes never know till you ask. Something could look like a piece of junk and really be worth big bucks. Thanks for your HO.

 

[Absalom]

Date for .32 WCF Hand Ejector?

Hello.
I just acquired a hand ejector .32 WCF. I'll get it lettered eventually, but given the concentrated expertise in this thread, I'm hoping someone can tell me more about it already. I'm not able to post pictures right now, but here is a description:
Serial number is 606XX. Four inch barrel. Wood grips with goldish-colored medallion. Nickel-plated. S&W logo on right side plate. Barrel labeled .32 WCF CTG. Thanks!

 

[DWalt]

Hello.
I just acquired a hand ejector .32 WCF. I'll get it lettered eventually, but given the concentrated expertise in this thread, I'm hoping someone can tell me more about it already. I'm not able to post pictures right now, but here is a description:
Serial number is 606XX. Four inch barrel. Wood grips with goldish-colored medallion. Nickel-plated. S&W logo on right side plate. Barrel labeled .32 WCF CTG. Thanks!

That would put it in the 1913-14 period. It would be a .32 Model of 1905, 3rd Change. If it has a round butt instead of a square butt, some collectors would call it a Model of 1902. Your grips are probably original. I call them deep-dish gold medallions. Some do not appreciate that terminology. They should be SNed to the gun - just look on the back side of the right grip panel. Nickel plated from the factory is possible, but I can't really tell if yours is correct in that regard or not. .32 WCF is identical to .32-20, which is the most common name of the correct cartridge. .32-20 ammunition is still made, but is difficult to find and expensive.

 

[Twrex]

my 32-20...what & when ?



serial # on butt 336xx ... on the cylinder 31491...5" barrel

 

[Twrex]

my 32-20

Any help would be greatly apreciated. I found it in a forclosed house I was hired to clean out and I have been trying to figure out the specifics on it for a while. It was missing a spring ...kinda froze up on all the moving parts. I lubed it up and found a spring on numerich. Everything seems to be working. I am itching to shoot it !

 

[DWalt]

Any help would be greatly apreciated. I found it in a forclosed house I was hired to clean out and I have been trying to figure out the specifics on it for a while. It was missing a spring ...kinda froze up on all the moving parts. I lubed it up and found a spring on numerich. Everything seems to be working. I am itching to shoot it !

Looks like your .32-20 has mixed parts, but would be an early one, ca. 1908. Probably a .32 Model of 1905, First Change (or, with a rounded butt, a Model of 1902)

 

[Absalom]

If it has a round butt instead of a square butt, some collectors would call it a Model of 1902. ........
Nickel plated from the factory is possible, but I can't really tell if yours is correct in that regard or not..

Thanks for the thorough reply. The butt is square; I should have thought to mention that. I'm pretty certain the nickel is factory; all the inscriptions are very crisp and the use marks are on the nickel and not underneath; it does not look like a re-finish to me. I'll find out for sure when I get the letter.

 

[Twrex]

my 32-20 cowboy

thanks for the input.

 

[badshot48]

Hawk shop special

I've been wanting a 32.20 and finally found one in a pawn shop across the street from where I was getting gas on my way to visit my sister. Great looking gun and doesn't look to be used much. No history on it other than I probably paid too much.

 

[JP@AK]

No history on it other than I probably paid too much.

Looks pretty nice. If those stocks are correct, it comes from the period 1911-1920. What is the serial number? Does the barrel say 32 Winchester CTG or 32 W.C.F. CTG? The change came in 1914.

 

[badshot48]

Looks pretty nice. If those stocks are correct, it comes from the period 1911-1920. What is the serial number? Does the barrel say 32 Winchester CTG or 32 W.C.F. CTG? The change came in 1914.

I'll have to get it out and check the serial number but I think it's 50616. The barrel says 32 Winchester.

I'll get some better pictures and post them. Some say it's reblued some say not and I have taken it to several local experts.

 

[rburg]

Well, today my youngest son abducted me and took me to a range. Not too painful. I took along my .32-20 Target, just for fun (serial in the 126,000s). I've heard from others the load I'm using works well. This is the first time I've shot it. Its just the powder charge I use in my .38 wadcutters. Its just 3.0 grains of Bullseye. It does give a satisfying snap and even some flame when my son was shooting it and I was off to the side. I've got most of a 2,000 bullet box of Remington soft points to use.

And the gun shot just as I expected. The target sights are a lot easier to use than the fixed sights on my other revolver. Its also Probably cheaper than a 22 because you can't find or buy them for love or money. Next in line to shoot is my M92.

I can't speak to accuracy because we went to an indoor range and I don't really like it.

 

[DWalt]

"Its just 3.0 grains of Bullseye."

My standard .32-20 load has always been 3.5 grains of Bullseye and a 100 grain cast lead bullet (.313" dia). That's actually fairly mild. Last summer, I was shooting with another guy who had one of those orange plastic "balls" you shoot at and roll it around on the ground. He was shooting .22s, which easily penetrated the plastic, which was about 1/4" thick. My .32-20 bullets stuck in the plastic, not penetrating completely. Not too encouraging.

 

[JP@AK]

I can't speak to accuracy because we went to an indoor range and I don't really like it.

I'm with you there, Dick. There's an indoor range a quarter mile from my house. I never shoot there. I joined a few years back, went a whole year without firing a shot, so did not renew my membership. I'd rather drive a little farther and shoot outdoors. Or walk over the ridge and shoot in the gravel pit west of me.
Cheers.

 

[JP@AK]

And BTW, I love my .32 Winchester target model. It shoots well and I can still see the sights!
Left hand side in this photo.

 

[tjpopkin]

I got this one from David Carroll to supplement my .32 collection…



I have had this one stashed away for 2 reasons….
1. Condition is not the best
2. I do not collect Colts….
However, an old acquisition that I could never sell….

 

[JP@AK]

tjpopkin
On the S&W .32-20 HE, you have it labeled "c. 1939." Did you get that from a letter, or from Roy, or are you just guessing based on the serial number?
Keep in mind, production ended c. 1930, so shipping dates on the high number guns are all over the map. I know of one with a number over 142,000 that shipped in 1930. Others with much lower numbers shipped in the mid-1930s.

BTW - both are nice looking revolvers. Thanks for posting!