A modern .32-20 DA revolver?

[sharps4590]

Purely my personal reason. I won't encumber my hand guns with optical sights. For my uses that eliminates one of the biggest reasons I carry a handgun most of the time, rather than a rifle.

[45MAN]

Jul 2, 2024 18:57:13 GMT -5 bushog said:

Here’s a K-frame .32-20/.327 Federal that Bowen built for me. Not an inexpensive prospect but it’s a wonderful revolver using a rebored .22 jet barrel and M17 cylinders.



I RE-HOMED THIS REVOLVER, MAY GET TO DO MY INITIAL SHOOTING WITH IT TOMORROW, CAN'T DECIDE IF TO BUST THE CHERRY WITH THE 327 CYLINDER OR THE 32-20 CYLINDER. - 45MAN

[bushog]

Jul 3, 2024 22:44:09 GMT -5 needsmostuff said:

Dan Wesson?
If you get really lucky you might find a factory 32/32-20. There is a couple out there.
If not rechamber a 22lr. cylinder, pick a shroud length (or two) and have a barrel turned.
Yup, they come in stainless.
Also, looking at 45MAN's measurement thread it appears that hypothetically a 32-20 Army Special cylinder MIGHT drop in a 38 officers model frame giving it adj. sights. Then the barrel could be sleeved, or the AS barrel installed, and some kind of front sight figured out.

Please let me know if you find a 22lr DanWesson cylinder. I’ve been looking for years….

[45MAN]

SHOT THE BOWEN 327/32-20 THIS A.M. (7/23/24), 2 3 SHOT STRINGS AVERAGED 1,539fps WITH THE 100gr FEDERAL AMERICAN EAGLE LOAD. FINALLY GOT IT SIGHTED IT AND I WAS WHACKING MY 4" SPINNERS AT 25 YARDS OFF A REST. SHOT SIX SHOTS OF MY COLT SAA 32-20 LOADS USING A OTBC 115gr RNFP. 6 SHOTS AVERAGED 1,028fps AND 4 FORMED A NICE CLUSTER. THIS LOAD IS PRIMED WITH THE HARDER REMINGTON 7 1/2 PRIMER AND THEY ALL WENT BANG. NEED TO PLAY WITH IT SOME MORE, STILL UNDECIDED WHETHER TO USE IT AS A 327 OR AS A 32-20.

DO NOT WANT TO USE RUGER BUCKEYE 32-20 LOADS IN IT AND PREFER TO HAVE JUST 1 "EVERYTHING ELSE" 32-20 LOAD FOR USE IN MY COLT ARMY SPECIAL AND COLT OFFICIAL POLICE REVOLVERS AND MAYBE THIS BOWEN REVOLVER.

[needsmostuff]

Just a point of curiosity really as I am no one to question what a gunsmith can build. But with the old prewar S&W 32-20 revolvers we were always warned against using the High-Speed Rifle ammo. I understand the earliest guns (pre-1920's) did not have heat treated cylinders but that got solved early on. I seem to remember they also suffered frame stretching.
So are the newer K frames stronger to resist the stretching or are they still suspect when the loads start getting pushed.
I remember the same warnings about Colt police positives but not the larger army spl./official police.
Besides the customs I also have these questions about the S&W mod.16 revolvers I see getting pushed into the 327 zone.

[45MAN]

Jul 25, 2024 8:30:38 GMT -5 needsmostuff said:

Just a point of curiosity really as I am no one to question what a gunsmith can build. But with the old prewar S&W 32-20 revolvers we were always warned against using the High-Speed Rifle ammo. I understand the earliest guns (pre-1920's) did not have heat treated cylinders but that got solved early on. I seem to remember they also suffered frame stretching.
So are the newer K frames stronger to resist the stretching or are they still suspect when the loads start getting pushed.
I remember the same warnings about Colt police positives but not the larger army spl./official police.
Besides the customs I also have these questions about the S&W mod.16 revolvers I see getting pushed into the 327 zone.

DARN GOOD QUESTIONS THAT I WISH I KNEW THE ANSWERS TO

[paleroadster]

Jul 25, 2024 8:30:38 GMT -5 needsmostuff said:

Just a point of curiosity really as I am no one to question what a gunsmith can build. But with the old prewar S&W 32-20 revolvers we were always warned against using the High-Speed Rifle ammo. I understand the earliest guns (pre-1920's) did not have heat treated cylinders but that got solved early on. I seem to remember they also suffered frame stretching.
So are the newer K frames stronger to resist the stretching or are they still suspect when the loads start getting pushed.
I remember the same warnings about Colt police positives but not the larger army spl./official police.
Besides the customs I also have these questions about the S&W mod.16 revolvers I see getting pushed into the 327 zone.

Take a look at the modern offerings, .357 (and briefly .327 fed) J frames, and a .44 Mag L frame.  The 16-4 is new enough I wouldn't worry about it, older 16s I would be more comfortable with 32 H&R, which most of my .327s shoot anyway.  For how many 16-4s exist, I would have a .327 cylinder made up and keep the stock cylinder 32H&R.