S&W 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change

[ruger1228]

I bought a S&W 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change today at an auction sale. Revolver is at least 90% with only light ring on cylinder. Lock-up is tight and timing is right on the money.
I would like to shoot this revolver but have some questions about the type of ammunition to use. It is chambered 32-20W.C.F. I have not been able to find this ammunition listed at any of the online stores. I have found 32-20 Rifle Ammunition. Can I use the rifle ammunition in the revolver? Will the 32-20 shoot any of the other 32 ammo-32S&W, 32S&W Long?
Any information on this revolver and cartridge would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Walkalong]

The .32-20 is a bottle necked round, so no, you cannot shoot .32 Long etc.

I do not remember for sure, but I do not think the rifle ammo is safe to shoot in them.

I load from the pistol data for mine. Lots of fun.

 

[Derry 1946]

I've got one of those and they are a joy to shoot. It's chambered for the rifle round. The point was that you could use the same ammo for your rifle and your sidearm. I've had good results with Remington Express Rifle 32-20 Win 100 gr. lead rn R32201. Now all I need is a 32-20 rifle.

 

[Radagast]

The old .32-20 Hi-Speed jacketed rifle ammo was known for bulging barrels on S&W revolvers.
Current manufacture .32-20 lead only loads will be fine, they are down loaded to be safe in pistols.
http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=58_21&products_id=150 is a source.

 

[witchhunter]

I shoot Hornady 90 grain SWC's out of mine. It is a sweet piece, very comfortable to shoot. You will love it.....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The old .32-20 Hi-Speed jacketed rifle ammo was known for bulging barrels on S&W revolvers.

Amen. When purchasing a .32-20, always check for a bulged barrel.

 

[Ron James]

Modern 32-20 ammo, both the rifle and pistol are loaded to the same pressure for that very reason. Once upon a time there were two loadings, pistol and rifle, then as now, people refused to read the directions and would load up rifle ammo in a pistol. Load them both to the same lower pressure, problem solved.

 

[ruger1228]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I got my question answered and what ammo to use and not use.
Your help is greatly appreciated
thom

 

[Cocked & Locked]

We need a .32-20 picture so here is one

 

[StrawHat]

The S&W 32 WCF was made over a couple of decades and the early ones did NOT have a heat treated cylinder. I cannot recall the serial number, nor year, at which they started to treat the cylinder but someone will come along to fill in that info. It makes a difference if you plan to reload.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Cool piece of gun history.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Just curious. What is the barrel length on your new 32-20? I recently passed on one with a 4" barrel. When I went to the store to see it again the dealer had sold it on the internet. Still kicking myself about that one.

 

[ruger1228]

Driftwood,
The revolver has a 5" barrel was manufacture in 1924 according to Radagast. He has a sticky thread on Date of Manufacture of Smith and Wessons.
I bought this at an auction sale. The owner has passed away and the wife sold all his guns at auction. No Smith and Wesson collectors there so I picked it up for reasonable price. It was pretty dirty but no rust and doesn't look like it has had many rounds shot through it. Very faint cylinder ring. A nice edition to my collection.

Strawhat:
Again according to information received from Radagast he stated gun cylinder was heat treated at time of manufacture. Here is his thread. Answer to my question is #4970

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8934058

 

[bannockburn]

ruger1228

Nice aquisition! I have always been interested in the old .32-20 cartridge but the few S&W and Colt revolvers that show up at the local gunshops and gunshows are priced way too high for my budget. Good to hear that you found one in great condition and got it for a decent price.

 

[Buck13]

Beware! The Hi-Speed load has been resurrected by at least one small manufacturer:

http://www.venturamunitions.com/load-x-32-20-winchester-100gr-jhp-hi-speed-ammo-50-rounds/

These were available last year, so assuming the company survives the component shortage, they'll probably be for sale again eventually. I don't think you want to shoot them in your revolver!

I've been told the 1200 fps Rem/Win stuff is OK.

 

[Jim K]

I can't vouch for it, but I understood that the .32-20 revolver load was introduced in the 1920's because the then-standard load was blowing up the cheap cast-iron Spanish revolvers being imported at that time. Rather than take the heat from irate customers, the ammunition companies cut the power of the .32-20 for "revolver" ammo and kept the old standard for "rifle only" ammo. Neither Colt nor genuine S&W revolvers had had any problem with the previous "rifle" ammo.

Jim

 

[Derry 1946]

Mine was built in '25. I'm not planning to try a high-powered rifle round in the old gal.

 

[StrawHat]

Neither one of mine have much remaining finish, both have been carried too much for that. Here is the 5" barreled one, built in 1930.



And the one I rebarreled with a 6 1/2" barrel which I believe was built in 1913.