S&W Model 1905 32-20
- Thread starter Walkalong
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Schutzen
Member
A nice gun! I've go a 4" barreled model just like it. It makes a fine companion to an 1992 Winchester in .32-20. Plus it is a wonderful cartridge for cast bullets.
jfh
Member.
and if the serial number is below 81,287, I'll give you $100.00 for it. If you put a new cylinder and pay the shipping to me.
I'll pay the FFL charges on this end, but deduct them from the check I'll send along after a two-week inspection period.
Jim H.
I'll pay the FFL charges on this end, but deduct them from the check I'll send along after a two-week inspection period.
Jim H.
Gordon
Member
That is a very nice looking S&W 32-20! I have a Colt Army special in 32-20 but always on the look out for one like yours! I like the longer barrels for 32-20, my 7.5 SAA is great! I also have a 92 Win rifle with a 26" octagon barrel and a SAvage old bolt gun in 32-20. It was and is the best mellow ranch cartridge ever made IMHO.
Johnboy53
Member
I have one that is a little older, less than 100 was made.
jfh
Member.
"Guess I'll keep it...."
awww, shoot. (so to speak). If you change your mind, LMK, Walkalong.
Jim H.
Walkalong:
Be sure to use lead, not jacketed bullets, and that your reloading data is for revolvers, not rifles.
Some older ammunition was known to stick jacketed bullets in the bore of longer barrels. It's believed that the reason was the use of powder intended to be fired in rifles. Anyway if a bullet does get stuck the next one will ruin the barrel.
Finding older .32-20 revolvers with a ring in the bore is not uncommon.
Be sure to use lead, not jacketed bullets, and that your reloading data is for revolvers, not rifles.
Some older ammunition was known to stick jacketed bullets in the bore of longer barrels. It's believed that the reason was the use of powder intended to be fired in rifles. Anyway if a bullet does get stuck the next one will ruin the barrel.
Finding older .32-20 revolvers with a ring in the bore is not uncommon.
I have read about that (probably here, where I have learned a great deal over the last three years), so I paid close attention to the bore. The bore, and overall mechanical condition is very, very, good. 5 chambers lock up tight as a drum, and one has just a tiny amount of play.
My Speer #13 has one load for "revolver at standard pressures" using a 98 Gr RCBS cast bullet. It is said to have a minimum of 12,000 c.u.p. while staying under of 16,000 c.u.p..
It also has "Contender only" loads which are obviously not intended for revolvers. It comes with a waring about using those loads "in any other firearm".
I have also been researching and reading articles on loading 32-20 to refresh my memory and hopefully learn new things.
I have some 90 Gr Hornady bullets left over that I will be using. I also still have my 32-20 dies. Later I may tinker with a load for a 90 Gr plated bullet as well. Yes, I'll be very careful. I certainly do not wish to damage this really cool old revolver.
Thanks for your insight. Please feel free to add any more useful tidbits. Thanks, AC
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Midway has Lasercast 115gr 32-20 (.313 dia) bullets @ 500/$50. But hey they are a lead/silver alloy, should be good for werewolves and such.
I just bought the last 3 boxes of Ultramax 115gr .32-20 ammo they had in stock for my 1927 Colt Official Police.
I just bought the last 3 boxes of Ultramax 115gr .32-20 ammo they had in stock for my 1927 Colt Official Police.
I have some "Cowboy data" from Hodgdon & Vihtavuori at the house. I will start with that most likely. I was using AA #2 years ago, and it worked pretty well. It is very forgiving when using small charges that don't fill the case. (Not very position sensitive) I may try Trailboss first though since it is good and bulky and should fill the case reasonably well. I ordered some brass from Grafs. Almost everyone was out of it, and Grafs only had nickle 32-20 in stock. As soon as it gets here I'll be loading up some of those Hornadys to try out. When they are gone I'll be making a decision on what bullet to go with next. If they shoot great, and Hornady still makes them, I may just stick with them.
The 32-20 K frame is about the sweetest shooting revolver that was made. I have two, one is a 5" barrel and the other a 6" barrel. The 6" was the first centerfire revolver I shot almost 50 years ago. I need to get them out to the range again.
I tried AA #2, 700X, Clays, and Trail Boss today. All of them shot well, but the Trail Boss can be seen in the case without crawling into the press, and showed real promise accuracy wise. It was quite position sensitive though. (300 FPS difference between powder back and powder forward, not including the one I stuck in the barrel powder forward 
)
I started too low with Trail Boss. 2.8 Grs for an 673 Avg FPS. (Sounded like a gnat fartin') I am going to try more powder. That will fill the case even better and help the position sensitive part.
All the loads shot within 1/2" to 3/4" of point of aim at 7 yards, although a hair left. That may well have been me, but it was consistent.
)I started too low with Trail Boss. 2.8 Grs for an 673 Avg FPS. (Sounded like a gnat fartin') I am going to try more powder. That will fill the case even better and help the position sensitive part.
All the loads shot within 1/2" to 3/4" of point of aim at 7 yards, although a hair left. That may well have been me, but it was consistent.
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