The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread

[drjjpdc]

Jack,

Thanks a lot for the info and that beautiful pic of a Target .32-20. I just bought a .32-20 because I bought a Marlin 1894 in that caliber.

I started getting back into target shooting a few years ago. Got a bunch of Smiths usually with the 8 3/8" barrels. My favorite to hold and shoot is a Model 15 with a 6" barrel. Boy is that thing balanced and a hoot to shoot. Here is a few pix of both.

John

 

[Jaymo]

I get the feeling I'll have to buy an Uberti SAA clone if I want to get my hands on an affordable .32-20.

 

[DWalt]

"Model 15 with a 6" barrel"
That's interesting. Are you sure it is marked as a Model 15? And that it has a 6" barrel?

 

[JP@AK]

"Model 15 with a 6" barrel"
That's interesting. Are you sure it is marked as a Model 15? And that it has a 6" barrel?

Judging by the picture, it is a Combat Masterpiece, but the barrel is 4" long, like it is supposed to be. The stocks appear to be later than the gun. However, the photo is very small and enlarging it on my computer doesn't help because it gets blurry.

 

[drjjpdc]

Yes, guys I made a mistake, it is a 4" barrel on my Model 15. While we are talking barrels and I was looking at the S&W book, I saw something interesting and unique about the .32-20. In all the models and changes, the Model of 1905 3rd change is the only one that did not come with a 5" barrel.

 

[Gordyf808]

I get the feeling I'll have to buy an Uberti SAA clone if I want to get my hands on an affordable .32-20.

Not necessarily! I found this on line at one of the gun classified sites. If you are patient and watch the web they are out there.
I may have paid a bit more than I should have, but it is in reasonable shape and shoots well. A 5" barrel too.
There is however NO ammunition for it in Hawaii.
Good thing I reload. Had some brass and bullets from a Nagant reloading project a couple of years ago.
It is liable to be the first of many. I like the caliber.
Aloha
Gordy

 

[drjjpdc]

Gordy,

I am not going to make a mistake twice. But you or some other experts take a look at pages 130-131 3rd edition to see if I did not screw up again.

Either Supica and Nahas mad a mistake in editing or Gordy and I are talking about different .32-20's. Either way I would like to know.

John

 

[Muley Gil]

Gordy,

I am not going to make a mistake twice. But you or some other experts take a look at pages 130-131 3rd edition to see if I did not screw up again.

Either Supica and Nahas mad a mistake in editing or Gordy and I are talking about different .32-20's. Either way I would like to know.

John

I read that about the 3rd change and I believe it is an editing error. 5" barrels were seen on .32-20 and on .38 special K frame revolvers for many years.

 

[DWalt]

I don't know the facts, but "History of S&W" shows 1905/3rd Change .32-20s AND .38 Specials as having only 4" and 6" barrels. Every other period is shown as having 5" barrels available also. I have only one 3rd change, and it has a 6" barrel, so I do not speak from personal experience. It seems odd that the 5" barrel would have abandoned only for the 3rd change revolvers.

 

[Gordyf808]

Hi
My piece is a 4th change, serial 107XXX shipped I believe in 1922-1923.
It is very much a 5" barrel.
Can't speak for the third change either, but I am with Dwalt and can't see them not having the 5" barrel for that mod only, but I don't surprise easily anymore.

 

[tjpopkin]

In my .32 collection, I have only one (1) S&W .32-20. It is fairly nice, but I would love a target version….

 

[drjjpdc]

Gordy & Terry,

I just checked my records because I haven't picked it up yet. But mine is also a 4th change with a ser. # 138XXX and 6" barrel. Thanks all for the interesting thread/answers.
John

 

[Gordyf808]

I don't know what it is, but the 4" K frame does not make my socks go up and down. No reason that I can really put my finger on, but to me the 5" looks just right. I feel the same about the Colt's too.
Guess we all have our little quirks. The 6" is kinda OK, but 5" is better.
A five inch 32-20 with target sights would be the grail to me.
I do like the 32-20 caliber. There will be more...
I have no intent to offend, They are all really cool. It is just where my collection is headed.
Aloha and Happy New year
Gordy

 

[tjpopkin]

Just realized, my 5" 32-20, pictured above, was shipped in March 1928. I should have known since the S&W medallion is missing from the grip.

 

[JP@AK]

A five inch 32-20 with target sights would be the grail to me.

You mean like this one?

I'm with you on the 5" barrels. The .32-20 shown has one (shipped in 1904). Here are a couple more that I like a lot!
A special order Combat Masterpiece from 1952:

A postwar .38 M&P from 1946:

 

[Gordyf808]

Yeah man! Just like that one.
A nice piece!
Aloha
Gordy

 

[drjjpdc]

Yeah man! Just like that one.
A nice piece!
Aloha
Gordy

Gordy,
Better start saving your money. According to the Standard catalog, even in middling VG condition they are going for about $450 (in 2006); I'd say at least $600 now without the target premium. Add 50-100% for that and we are up to $900-1200 at least. I am probably on the low side, given my inexperience.

John

 

[rburg]

Gordy,
and we are up to $900-1200 at least.

If you ever see one in that price range, let us know. I felt really lucky for buying mine for $1450 in a friendly deal over 5 years ago. David Carroll had a nicer one, still in its box for only about $3,000. In my poverty, I had to be satisfied for my "clunker". Its really pretty nice, or I think so. Quoting Supica and Nahas was often not real accurate the day the book came out. After this much time you're shooting in the dark. And its been that 5 full years since I've seen one, for sale or not. I look at nearly all prewar S&Ws I can find. You won't see many target guns. I have no idea where the 2% number came from, but it seems high to me!

 

[drjjpdc]

Dick,

Well, I did say I was inexperienced...

John

 

[JP@AK]

I have no idea where the 2% number came from, but it seems high to me!

Dick
I tend to think you are right. That is the number that gets tossed around a lot, but I don't think anyone really knows. Whatever the number is, it is quite low. I was once told by a pretty knowledgeable guy that mine may have been one of 12 made in the period between 1902 and 1905. I have no idea whether that is true. But rare they are!