.32-20 Revolver Question. - The Firearms Forum

artabr · 12-09-2009, 06:00 PM

Are the .32 S&W & the .32 S&W Long safe to fire in a .32-20 revolver (Colt Police Positive)?

Art

Alpo · 12-09-2009, 06:47 PM

It's not a good plan.

Base dimensions of a 32/20 are .354. Same area, on a 32 S&W, is .337. That's a lot of difference. Brass will probably rupture.

The pressures are low enough that, if the brass does not rupture, it will not hurt the gun. The bullet is the same size, so that's not a problem. But if the brass ruptures you have hot gases flowing, in a revolver chamber that is open at both ends. That, in my opinion, is asking for pain.

32/20 dimensions
http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd3220winchester.jpg
32 S&W dimensions
http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd32smithandwessonlong.jpg

In my opinion, the answer is no.

artabr · 12-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

It's not a good plan.

Base dimensions of a 32/20 are .354. Same area, on a 32 S&W, is .337. That's a lot of difference. Brass will probably rupture.

The pressures are low enough that, if the brass does not rupture, it will not hurt the gun. The bullet is the same size, so that's not a problem. But if the brass ruptures you have hot gases flowing, in a revolver chamber that is open at both ends. That, in my opinion, is asking for pain.

32/20 dimensions
http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd3220winchester.jpg
32 S&W dimensions
http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd32smithandwessonlong.jpg

In my opinion, the answer is no.

I was just fixing to post that I had found my answer. I was able to dig up some old cases and I took some measurements.
The gun was a buddy of mines dad's who has passed away. He had a bunch of .32 S&W & .32S&W Long ammo and a .32-20 gun, but no .32-20 ammo.

As a matter of fact, the .32 S&W round that I had gotten from him is unfired, but has had a primer strike. Gee, I wonder why.

Thanks for the quick reply, Alpo.

Art

12-09-2009, 06:00 PM	#1
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	.32-20 Revolver Question. Are the .32 S&W & the .32 S&W Long safe to fire in a .32-20 revolver (Colt Police Positive)? Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!! -->

12-09-2009, 06:47 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: .32-20 Revolver Question. It's not a good plan. Base dimensions of a 32/20 are .354. Same area, on a 32 S&W, is .337. That's a lot of difference. Brass will probably rupture. The pressures are low enough that, if the brass does not rupture, it will not hurt the gun. The bullet is the same size, so that's not a problem. But if the brass ruptures you have hot gases flowing, in a revolver chamber that is open at both ends. That, in my opinion, is asking for pain. 32/20 dimensions http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd3220winchester.jpg 32 S&W dimensions http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd32smithandwessonlong.jpg In my opinion, the answer is no. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.