Cimmaron-new 32-20/32 H&R Magnum SAA

[Josey]

I noticed that Cimmaron has brought out a neat little package. They now have a single action CAS revolver with dual cylinders. One cylinder is 32-20. The second cylinder is 32 H&R Magnum and 32 S&W Long. I would like to see more factory multi caliber revolvers. How about a 38-40, 40 S&W and 10MM?

 

[Jim March]

I don't think the SAA-class frame can handle 10mm. Not for long, anyways. Sure, it's "about the same ballistics as 357" but isn't it at higher pressures?

Ruger has done special runs of 40S&W/38-40 Vaquero convertables, and most people bore the 40 cylinder out to 10mm . I think they did a similar Blackhawk years ago...can't remember which caliber combo though (may pre-date the 40?)

 

[Flying V]

Ruger made a 10mm/38-40 convertable Blackhawk in the mid 90s. I had one. I wish I still had it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt experimented with a Single Action Army chambered in .41 Magnum, but chose not to market it. I think the decision was mostly based on the cartridge's relative lack of popularity combined with it's association with a well-known rival down in Springfield, MA. In a single action the cylinder walls would be fairly thick, and moon-clips wouldn't be necessary so the full case head would be supported. Most of the demand for 10mm revolvers comes from the "combat game crowd," and there's nothing wrong with that, but a demand for the 10mm in cowboy revolvers would be, I think, pretty limited. Same with the .38-40 round.

 

[Jim March]

Actually, the 38-40 has a lot of merit as a "SASS/CAS game gun round". Being mildly bottlenecked, it crams into the loading gate and cylinder bore faster than 45LC or 38Spl. And due to the low pressure, it tends to "drop clear" from polished chambers at least as fast as the 45LC does if not faster.

That's why Black Hills and others have been doing factory 38-40 ammo for the first time in ages, starting quite recently.

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Back to that Cimmarron 32Mag/32-20: do we know yet if it's on the larger SAA-class frame, or the smaller "Lightning frame" (aka "Model P Junior" that's about 20% smaller and was originally 38Spl?

 

[Josey]

The 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 are popular for CAS use. Period correct and they obturate and seal better in LA rifles. The straight walled cartridges in LA rifles are not period correct and spit hot gases. The 38-40 gives the advantages of 44-40 at LOWER pressures. Ruger has made runs of stainless 38-40 and 40 S&W Vaqueros. I remember 44-40 and 44 Magnum dual cylinder models too. Uberti even made some 44-40 and 44 Special/44 Russian/44 Colt models.

 

[Jim March]

It IS on the smaller frame, but with a plowhandle grip:

http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron3220.htm

Looks neat, if that's what you're into. The 38Spl version of the same gun has already been approved by the SASS judges so I would assume the 32-20 would be welcome.