hangemhigh87:
A .32-20 1905 Hand Ejector (Military & Police) 4th change with a serial number in the 111,000 range was probably made in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. To know exactly you’d have to write Roy Jinks, Smith & Wesson’s Historian, and pay a $30.00 search fee. In exchange you would get an official letter from Roy, with all of the details concerning your Grandfather’s revolver as they are shown in the company’s records. Considering the gun past within your family I’d spring and pay the fee. Details will be found at
www.smith-wesson.com
Your gun is late enough so that it should have a heat-treated cylinder, and therefore be safe with the ammunition you have. However it is possible that the powder within those cartridges might have deteriorated over time, and not perform as expected. Considering the age and condition of the revolver and its presumed importance to your family, I wouldn’t risk the gun to shoot up 50 odd rounds of what must be old ammunition.
Black Hills “Cowboy” .32-20 is loaded to use a 115-grain lead bullet @ 800 FPS. This load wouldn’t hurt your revolver, and probably would shoot closer to the point of aim.
Gordon:
Do you think that a colt Army Special from the early 20s could handle "any 32-20 ammo" being the cylinder dia. is the same pretty much as a SAA?
Probably it would, but then it might not. Your Army Special is built on a .41 frame, not a .45 as is the case with the S.A.A. so the cylinder is smaller.
But again, why risk fine old guns by using questionable ammunition when appropriate cartridges are available? Back when they loaded it, the makers didn’t say “rifles only” on the box for nothing.
Lone_Gunman:
I have a Colt Army Special from the 30's in 32-20, and I haven't blown it up yet shooting Winchester or Georgia Arms 32-20.
I doubt that you will, but if it’s loaded hotter then the above mentioned Cowboy loads you may shake it loose, and the cost of repairing it might get your attention. Again, I recommend soft loads for older guns.
I don't think there is much high velocity 32-20 being made. In fact, I do not know of any.
I don’t think so either. They don’t want to be sued after some dingbat blows up or damages an old revolver or Winchester ’73 rifle.