Vintage 32-20 revolvers

[augois]

316533
I have this 1906 S&W hand ejector. It is chambered In 32-20. I find a ton of load data for rifles, and old rifles but not much for old revolvers....especially those of questionable heat treating. Looking for some guidance on moderate , safe loads. Mostly looking for appropriate powder choices.

[kenton]

Hodgdon has 32-20 data in their pistol section. It looks like none of the data goes over 16,000 CUP, some much lower.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

[nicholst55]

Although you doubtless already know this, make certain that your chamber throats are larger than you groove diameter, and size your boolits accordingly.

[smkummer]

Lyman’s 49th has handgun data that doesnt exceed SAMMI pressures. Which are the same as standard 38 special pressure. So while some pre WW1 revolvers may lack heat treating, the 32-20 chambering leaves more steel in both the cylinder and barrels forcing cone. Lots of common handgun powders used including bullseye, 231, unique and others.
Just yesterday I was shooting a police positive special, army special, bisley and Winchester 92 all chambered in 32-20. Powders used was bullseye, unique and 700X

[shooting on a shoestring]

Ah nice!
4 inch Hand Ejector Model of 1905. Round butt so it’s a first change or later. You’re “1906”, is that in reference to its year of manufacture? It’s possible. I see in the 3rd edition of S&W Standard Catalog the first change guns were serial range 22427-c. 33500.

The hardened cylinder guns came about serial 81287. Lot of people make a big deal out the hardened cylinder. But, I’ve never heard of anyone having a cylinder problem with the older guns. I suppose there could be some stories out there.

Mine is a hardened cylinder gun and I don’t push it to max velocity out of respect for the frame and forcing cone. 32-20 has enough case capacity that even moderate pressure can get you more velocity than the other 32’s except for 327 Federal and maybe 30 Super Carry. Also, 32-20 brass is thin and top end loads will loosen primer pockets pretty fast. I also have a Ruger Buckeye and have run full throttle loads in it. Really I prefer the old S&W. It can easily drive a boolit “clear through a man”. Quote from Andy Griffith.

I suggest you peruse Accurate Molds for a nice 32-20 boolit. I use 31-088W loaded base forward (because I like full meplat wadcutters and a bevel base is fine with me) over 3 grains of Bullseye for my S&W.

[rintinglen]

I really like the RCBS 32-98 swc in the 32-20. 4.0-4.5 grains of Unique works well, as does 3.3 grains of Bullseye. I have Three, a Police Positive Special from the 1930's, a post-heat treat S&W and my favorite, a Colt Army Special from 1926.
316569

[Tall]

I have several revolvers chambered for 32 WCF. It's a great caliber if you reload. I use the data here - be sure to select the "PISTOL" data.

https://shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/32-20-winchester/

[augois]

316540
I have a 115gr mold from Arsenal.
I emailed S&W and was told it was manufactured in 1906. Thanks for the information.

[augois]

Thanks to everybody for the information. No matter what I think I know, never hurts to know more.

[augois]

Thanks for that, didn't know about that site.

[Green Frog]

316540
I have a 115gr mold from Arsenal.
I emailed S&W and was told it was manufactured in 1906. Thanks for the information.
Alright! You have the nicest DA 32-20 and the classic mould to make bullets to shoot through it. Any of the recommended sources can give you great results. I’d probably start with the classic loads of Unique powder (that has been around nearly as long as the 32-20 itself). Be careful loading as the case necks on some brass can be a little thin and delicate.
The great MD Smith site has gotten difficult for me to navigate, but you might try https://reloadammo.com/32-20-winchester-reloading-data/ and see what is recommended there. As I said, I like Unique (& perhaps 231) for pistol loads. Reduce the loads shown here by 10% to start.
Froggie
PS I prefer heavier single actions like my Ruger Blackhawk combo 32, but the 32-20 is really attractive for a lot of reasons!

[missionary5155]

Heard again recently that none of know what all of us know.
Your S&W 32-20 will be a fine revolver to carry about for plinking and popping light weight critters.

Our 32-20 is a Dan Wesson 4" that is a heavy duty if there was ever a need with a 32-20 revolver. The DW will easily digest many rifle loads as it is on the standard 15-2 frame that is far more used with the .357 Mag.
But one day I would also like to snag an old shooter to haul about in the river bottoms.

[augois]

I also have a Single Six in 32 H&R, and a Blackhawk in 30 carbine if I need to soup things up a bit.

[shooting on a shoestring]

You’re in good stead augois!

[shooting on a shoestring]

Thread drift warning!

Tall……ummmm we’re going to need another pic!
That’s a pretty heavy tease! Might be a flat top Colt??? USFA??? Custom???

[augois]

Pic of what?

[Daver7]

316552
Here's mine Model of 1902 .32-20 left the factory last part of 1904 or first part of 1905
I load it with 2.7g Trail Boss with a 90g cast boolet
zero recoil accurate out to 10 yards

[augois]

Nice

[shooting on a shoestring]

Post number 7.
What gun is in that pic?
I want to see more of it!

[HWooldridge]

Post number 7.
What gun is in that pic?
I want to see more of it!

Looks like a Colt SAA...

I have a Colt Army 32-20 made in 1919. The barrel is pristine - makes me think it's probably a later replacement - but it certainly shoots well.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Daver7,
Nice revolver. Beautiful old Smith.

I’m not a fan of Trail Boss in old guns.
It has low velocity and it’s easy to ignite but it has surprisingly high pressures.

Of course Bullseye can get into high pressure pretty quickly, but it also burns fine at low pressures that I prefer to use in the old guns.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Colt SAA with a flat top and dovetailed rear sight?
Yeah I’m wondering if it is, how it came to be?

[Outpost75]

With Bullseye powder in the .32-20 a charge of 3 grains was suggested by Hatcher (1935) as the starting load loading the traditional 115-grain #3118 .32-20 bullet. A charge of 3.5 grains is the full charge load not to be exceeded in pre-WW2 revolvers. In my experience TiteGroup can be safely substituted in the same range of charge weights with either cast or jacketed pbullets from 98-115 grains. The .312" diameter Hornady XTPs perform OK at subsonic .32-20 revolver velocities above 800 fps.

In modern powders 3.5-4.0 grains of 231 or WST works well and is safe in the older guns. You can also use 4.5 grains of AutoComp, 7.5 grains of Alliant #2400 or 9 grains of IMR4227 without shooting the older guns loose.

Many of the loads listed by Waters and others are too much for pre-WW2 revolvers.

[HWooldridge]

With Bullseye powder in the .32-20 a charge of 3 grains is suggested as the starting load loading the traditional 115-grain #3118 .32-20 bullet. A charge of 3.5 grains is the full charge load not to be exceeded in pre-WW2 revolvers. TiteGroup can be safely substituted in the same range of charge weights.

In modern powders 3.5-4.0 grains of 231 or WST works well and is safe in the older guns. You can also use 4.5 grains of AutoComp, 7.5 grains of Alliant #2400 or 9 grains of IMR4227.

I use 4.0 grains of 231 with 120 gr lead pill - works a treat…

[Tall]

Thread drift warning!

Tall……ummmm we’re going to need another pic!
That’s a pretty heavy tease! Might be a flat top Colt??? USFA??? Custom???

It's a Flat Top from maybe 1889. It's out being refinished so I do not have a lot of pics right now of the current reblue. It's a great shooter so I had to have it done. It looked pretty tatty. Hopefully it will look better soon.

[augois]

That is Boss!

[Green Frog]

I also have a Single Six in 32 H&R, and a Blackhawk in 30 carbine if I need to soup things up a bit.
Depending on the vintage, you may already have a BH in 32-20. The 30 carbine chambers of some vintages of BH will also accept the 32-20 as well. Of course if you insist, a custom cylinder such as one from Borchardt Rifle Co and have it custom fit and chambered in 32-20. Depending on your definition of “vintage” it might even fit the parameters of this thread! :bigsmyl2:
Froggie

[augois]

My BH was born in '69 or '70, unadulterated three screw.

[Rodfac]

Here's my Smith Hand Ejector, 4th variation, a 1938 build IIRC, as it's been a long time since I've had it out of the safe. The 3rd pic is my home built rig for carrying it afield.

BTW, Outpost75's recommended bullet and powder/charge weights are solid advice. Rod

https://i.postimg.cc/mkPWzYRN/HE_4th_Rear.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/Jn4Lmw2F/HE_4th_Type_32-20.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/4NZN2MJr/HE_4th_Holster.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[augois]

Very nice indeed.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Tall,
OH MY GOSH!
That’s awesome!
I wasn’t sure they let any of those out of the museum!
Sure hope you post some pics when you get her back home.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

316604

Here's mine. Both Uberti. Both good shooters.

DG

[augois]

Interesting, didn't know Uberti chambered 32-20.

[Green Frog]

Great thread! First I have to ask Rodfac who made the grip adaptors on that fantastic 32-20 M&P? Try as I might, I can’t manipulate the image on my iPad well enough to read it. Like others here though, I’m in awe of a nearly 90 year old revolver.

With regards to Uberti SAAs and 32-20, as long ago as the time Navy Arms had a distribution deal with them, Uberti introduced this caliber to their SAA line. Interestingly, Navy Arms owner VF III told me that he regarded them as a prestige portion of the line and that every one of them was gone through and tuned by his gunsmith here and had American(Wolff) springs installed. I know my example is unbelievably slick. SAA design strength supplemented by modern quality steels make this the strongest 32-20 handgun short of the near mythical Ruger BH Buckeye Spl in 32-20 (and 32 H&R).

Green Frog

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Good info. I bought these used at least 20 years ago. One (top) has the black powder frame with the cylinder pin screw in front of the frame, and the other the more modern spring loaded cross pin design. I can't recall which, at the moment, had the hammer they used for several years that had a connected internal safety and it chewed up the internals and caused the pistol to freeze up after just a couple of shots. The other also left a lot to be desired action-wise. I sent them off to Ryan Hoover in Fredericksburg, TX and he fixed them up for me. He was doing Cimarron's gunsmithing back then-- maybe still is, I don't know. They had been used a lot, but look almost new, and are definitely keepers. I agree that the combination of modern steel and the .32-20 cartridge is a good one.

DG

[rintinglen]

That grip adapter is an old Pachmayr, (1940's-1950's IIRC). I had one on my old Police Positive 38, but replaced it with a Tyler T.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Mine is a 5” late production. I’ve got the original stocks but prefer shooting with the VZ grips. And I don’t think they look too bad.
316606

[Tall]

This is my S&W Model 1899 in 32 WCF.

[Tall]

This one is my Colt Army Special from 1926. It's also 32 WCF caliber. As you can tell it's one of my favorite calibers.

[Rodfac]

Green Frog: Rintinglen has it right...they're Pachmayr's and I've had 'em for 25 yrs or so. They come up on Ebay from time to time but I don't recall where I got them....most likely a gunshow in Louisville, KY. Best Regards, Rod

[Green Frog]

Rodfac,
Oddly enough, I have a boxful of Pachmayr grip adaptors I picked up at a gun show about 20 years ago. IIRC, most are for S&W I frames and various Colts. I’ll have to check again for one to fit a K frame Smith.
Froggie

[augois]

316809
Loaded some up and went to the range.....settled on a mild load of W231......thanks for all of the input, greatly appreciated.

[salvadore]

Rodfac is right about outpost's load recommends, I use 3.8gr of HP38 , size the 3118 to .314 for use in my 1931 Colt OP. It also wears the Pachymire grip adaptor?, spacer?, thingy.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I have owned two 32-20. They were a pleasure to shoot except fort their bark. Five grains of Unique behind the Lyman 120 grain bullet made my ears ring, even with muffs on.

[Cast10]

Resurrecting an old thread…….

I’ve had a family heirloom for a while, a S&W 1905 3rd Change in 32 Winchester Cartridge, aka 32-20. Serial number is 54XXX and is a square butt, 4” barrel. Long history with this pistol as it was given to a great aunt around 1911. We’ll leave it there. Anyway……

Completely disassembled and cleaned. Smooooth. Forcing cone still has original blue on it. It had shot black powder and has some reminants of that in the barrel, but rifling is well defined. Very little end play in cylinder at .001 or less and gap is less than .005. Lock up is tight. Timing looks good. Exterior is a bit common for that old of a pistol. I, along with my dad, shot this pistol some 30 years ago.

I now want to shoot it again and see where it lands and figure out if I want to use it for a ranch pistol when out walking. My forte is all powder coated bullets in lead. I’ll be using 231 powder but haven’t chosen a bullet mold yet. Want to shoot first then decide if I move forward with casting, etc. I would look at reloads at or under 850fps. Point of aim, easy on pistol load, but still lethal.

Any insight you guys can give would be much appreciated.

[shooting on a shoestring]

My insight would be to head post 23. Outpost75 is an old guy that has had a career in the firearms industry and knows his stuff.

Sounds like you’re right on track. 850 fps with a wadcutter or 311008 should be fine in your early gun. I don’t use 231. Only because I have lots of Bullseye, Herco and some 4756.

[HWooldridge]

Resurrecting an old thread…….

I’ve had a family heirloom for a while, a S&W 1905 3rd Change in 32 Winchester Cartridge, aka 32-20. Serial number is 54XXX and is a square butt, 4” barrel. Long history with this pistol as it was given to a great aunt around 1911. We’ll leave it there. Anyway……

Completely disassembled and cleaned. Smooooth. Forcing cone still has original blue on it. It had shot black powder and has some reminants of that in the barrel, but rifling is well defined. Very little end play in cylinder at .001 or less and gap is less than .005. Lock up is tight. Timing looks good. Exterior is a bit common for that old of a pistol. I, along with my dad, shot this pistol some 30 years ago.

I now want to shoot it again and see where it lands and figure out if I want to use it for a ranch pistol when out walking. My forte is all powder coated bullets in lead. I’ll be using 231 powder but haven’t chosen a bullet mold yet. Want to shoot first then decide if I move forward with casting, etc. I would look at reloads at or under 850fps. Point of aim, easy on pistol load, but still lethal.

Any insight you guys can give would be much appreciated.

FWIW, I use 4.0 grs 231 with a 120 gr flatnosed lead bullet in my Colt Army DA. Never clocked it on the chronograph but no signs of excess pressure.

[Cast10]

Thanks Shootingonashoestring and Hwooldridge. I have read Outposts posts. From Centex, too.

[Outpost75]

As FYI for those considering which .32 mold to buy, Accurate 31-105T is my design which resembles old factory bullets in the .32 Colt NP and .32-20. Seat bullets out using the rear crimp groove to reduce jump of .32 S&W Long in H&R Mag chambers. Use the front crimp groove to maintain factory OAL.in .32-20.

323358

[Cast10]

Thanks Outpost…..

Just got back from running some HSM ammo (115gr RNFP) through it. Shot to POA at 12 yards, very consistent. Hit everything I was aiming at; clays. I guess I will be packing a 1905 32 at the ranch pretty soon! I cannot measure a slug from the barrel due to 5 grooves. I did pull a bullet from the loaded ammo and it was .314. I think I’ll try here first with a 115gr. and Win 231 powder. No nuclear loads, just accurate. I will also powder coat the bullets.

Any help or insight is very much appreciated!

https://i.imgur.com/tBwZ8Yqm.jpg