JWF III
Member
Add to that list http://georgia-arms.com/32-20win-1.aspx
$28/ 50 rnds
$55.50/ 100 rnds
$550/ 1000 rnds
They're typically the only reason I go to shows anymore. And that's one of my favs to shoot.
Wyman
.32-20, any other rounds?
- Thread starter robinkevin
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Add to that list http://georgia-arms.com/32-20win-1.aspx
$28/ 50 rnds
$55.50/ 100 rnds
$550/ 1000 rnds
They're typically the only reason I go to shows anymore. And that's one of my favs to shoot.
Wyman
2ndAmender
Member
RC
With this much understood, can you recomend a site for information regarding the date of manufacure for this revolver? I read an earlier post from 'old fuff', something about early models not haveing a tempered cylinder. Should this be a concern?
With this much understood, can you recomend a site for information regarding the date of manufacure for this revolver? I read an earlier post from 'old fuff', something about early models not haveing a tempered cylinder. Should this be a concern?
Radagast
Member
2ndAmender:
Your source for Colt serial numbers by year is:
http://www.proofhouse.com/
S&W began heat treating cylinders in 1919. I can't tell you when Colt began doing the same.
Your source for Colt serial numbers by year is:
http://www.proofhouse.com/
S&W began heat treating cylinders in 1919. I can't tell you when Colt began doing the same.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I believe Colt began with the New Service in 1903.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I highly suggest saving your brass even if you don't reload right now. If you decide to in the future you will have brass that's fairly hard to find used. Also, some commercial reloaders will load ammo for you at a discount if you have brass to turn in.
OP
OP
robinkevin
Member
Thanks for the advice, I always save brass. I actually have a few buddies that reload my .30-06 shells, but none do 32-20.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Since you have a reloader I would buy a set of 32-20 dies for them so they can reload the ammo for you. At only $25.99 the dies are less than one box of ammo. Add some W231 powder and some .314" 100gr bullets and you're all set...
2ndAmender
Member
Mine has the buldged barrel near the cylinder and then narrows. year is 1925/26
Buck13
Member
When I first looked online for ammo for my 1916 vintage Colt Police Positive Special .32-20 a few months ago, I didn't see anything hotter than the Remington or Winchester 100 gr @ 1200 fps rounds. For starters, I just tried a couple of the "cowboy" 800 fps loads. They are a little more interesting than shooting a .22LR, but not much.
A few weeks ago, this Load-X 100 gr. JHP round turned up. At first, they listed it @ 1600 fps. Now it says MV not available!
http://www.venturamunitions.com/32-20-winchester-100-grain-jhp-load-x-hi-speed/
The Rem/Win factory loads are in the speed range of a .32 H&R Magnum. If that 1600 fps number is real, these Load-X are cooking hotter than a .327 Federal Magnum!
Is this a return of the "rifle" load that will blow up pistols? Jacketed bullets would be nice, and there don't seem to be many loads available for .32-20 that are jacketed. The indoor range nearby doesn't allow all-lead bullets except in .22 rimfire. If they hadn't listed the MV at first, I'd have guessed that the warning about "modern firearms" in that link was intended to keep people from putting them in the blackpowder era handguns, but this sounds scary.
A few weeks ago, this Load-X 100 gr. JHP round turned up. At first, they listed it @ 1600 fps. Now it says MV not available!
http://www.venturamunitions.com/32-20-winchester-100-grain-jhp-load-x-hi-speed/
The Rem/Win factory loads are in the speed range of a .32 H&R Magnum. If that 1600 fps number is real, these Load-X are cooking hotter than a .327 Federal Magnum!
Is this a return of the "rifle" load that will blow up pistols? Jacketed bullets would be nice, and there don't seem to be many loads available for .32-20 that are jacketed. The indoor range nearby doesn't allow all-lead bullets except in .22 rimfire. If they hadn't listed the MV at first, I'd have guessed that the warning about "modern firearms" in that link was intended to keep people from putting them in the blackpowder era handguns, but this sounds scary.
Radagast
Member
When in doubt, don't.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP ammo in pre 1957 guns. That sure sounds like PlusP to me.
Any S&W 32-20 will be from 1942 or earlier. Smokeless powder was around for a quarter century before S&W started heat treating cylinders.
I would suggest that round is probably for use in Marlin 1894 Cowboy guns or the limited edition Ruger Vaquero 32-20 or BlackHawk 32-20 Convertible.
Added:
Should have also said, although you have a Colt, it is from the same era that I would consider 'dubious' for shooting with hot loads in a S&W. A Colt would not have had any major differences in steel from a S&W, both were and are quality manufacturers and would have used the best available. If one can bulge a barrel or blow a cylinder, so can the other.
Chuck Hawk's site notes a modern rifle only load similar to the one you are quoting, it runs pressures twice the industry maximum for .32-20.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/32-20.htm
I think this is a really _bad_ idea. I have two fingers out of action from an injury (not shooting related). I'd hate to see anyone lose the use of their fingers through a gun blowing up.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP ammo in pre 1957 guns. That sure sounds like PlusP to me.
Any S&W 32-20 will be from 1942 or earlier. Smokeless powder was around for a quarter century before S&W started heat treating cylinders.
I would suggest that round is probably for use in Marlin 1894 Cowboy guns or the limited edition Ruger Vaquero 32-20 or BlackHawk 32-20 Convertible.
Added:
Should have also said, although you have a Colt, it is from the same era that I would consider 'dubious' for shooting with hot loads in a S&W. A Colt would not have had any major differences in steel from a S&W, both were and are quality manufacturers and would have used the best available. If one can bulge a barrel or blow a cylinder, so can the other.
Chuck Hawk's site notes a modern rifle only load similar to the one you are quoting, it runs pressures twice the industry maximum for .32-20.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/32-20.htm
I think this is a really _bad_ idea. I have two fingers out of action from an injury (not shooting related). I'd hate to see anyone lose the use of their fingers through a gun blowing up.
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Vern Humphrey
Member
"The rifle loads that blow up pistols" are actually low-powered loads with the wrong powder. They would give an incomplete burn in revolvers and leave a bullet sticking in the barrel, and the next round would bulge the barrel.
Out of respect for your revolver's age, I wouldn't fire a 1600 fps round -- not because it would blow up the gun, but because the battering would eventurally effect the timing.
Out of respect for your revolver's age, I wouldn't fire a 1600 fps round -- not because it would blow up the gun, but because the battering would eventurally effect the timing.
Buck13
Member
No, I won't be putting any of those in my pistol. The Rem/Win 100 gr or these are the most I would try:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/49...115-grain-lead-flat-nose-box-of-50?cm_vc=S014
Ventura used to have Hunting Shack lead-free 60 gr. @ 850 fps, which would solve the leading problem but not the rimfire-like issue. There was also a Hunting Shack 100 gr. JHP, which I've forgotten the velocity of, but I don't think it was crazy. I don't see either of those available at any vendor now. Guess I'll learn to buy it when I can next time!
(Both Midway and Ventura list *all* .32-20 under "rifle ammunition," so I don't think that means anything.)
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/49...115-grain-lead-flat-nose-box-of-50?cm_vc=S014
Ventura used to have Hunting Shack lead-free 60 gr. @ 850 fps, which would solve the leading problem but not the rimfire-like issue. There was also a Hunting Shack 100 gr. JHP, which I've forgotten the velocity of, but I don't think it was crazy. I don't see either of those available at any vendor now. Guess I'll learn to buy it when I can next time!
(Both Midway and Ventura list *all* .32-20 under "rifle ammunition," so I don't think that means anything.)
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I wouldn't run any of those rifle only loads in a Colt Police Positive (or Army Special for that matter) but they would be fine in a smokeless Colt SAA.
Nothing if that's enough. It's not enough for some folks and the cartridge is capable of so much more in a strong gun. Rifle or sixgun.
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