Confusion

PolarFBear · September 21, 2019, 03:55 PM

Had to jump out to the local gun store after a real "round" with a Face Book 2nd Amendment antagonist. Needed some "lead" therapy even if vicariously. Found two nice S&W revolvers: a 32 Winchester WCF @ $399 and a 32-20 @ $1099. What is the difference in the two rounds? I've developed an "itch" for a 32 of some kind. I reload most everything but no experience in 32's.

ligonierbill · September 21, 2019, 04:05 PM

Same round. What guns? Pretty big price difference. I shoot a Colt in 32-20 (Sam and his successors would never put "WCF" on their gun.)

PolarFBear · September 21, 2019, 04:19 PM

ligonierbill. I just didn't have time to take them out of the case for inspection. The shop was surprisingly busy (AR's were in demand) busy. The $399 version was the nicer of the two. It must have been re-blued looked real nice. The $1,099 version had seen SOME service. Definitely not re-blued. They looked the same to me but were labeled differently. Monday I'll give them a close inspection.

Scorch · September 21, 2019, 06:19 PM

Bets the $399 one is a Police Positive and the other an Army Special.

Don Fischer · September 22, 2019, 09:04 AM

What's the difference between those two and the 32 Long? I have a 32 Long, S&W mod 16 and I love the thing. Also have a 32 auto/short I seldom ever shoot, Savage mod 1917.

ligonierbill · September 22, 2019, 11:36 AM

I'm shooting a 6" Colt (Official Police) 32-20. The Police Positive would be 32 S&W Long (or Colt New Police). Police Positive Special was available in 32-20, as was the Army Special, but the OP said he was looking at S&W revolvers. I had a 1905 Hand Ejector S&W 32-20 at one time.

Since this is the reloading forum, I load the traditional 115 gr cast over Unique. I tried 90 Sierra JHC and 85 Hornady XTP, but the Std always ran high. So I load those in S&W Long and stick with the 115s in the big Colt.

jag2 · September 22, 2019, 11:49 AM

Its a nice easy round to load. I liked the Rainier 115 plated but they shut down so most of the choices will be lead. I load for both pistol and rifles, obviously the rifles (Win 1892) can take a stronger round. I think eventually everyone used the term 32 WCF, not sure when but I have a Colt SAA circa 1907 that says 32 WCF. If you don't reload make sure the ammo its okay for pistol. I think all current commercial ammo is okay but there use to be some strong rounds that were for rifle only. Sorry I don't remember the exact wording, you should research a little more to be sure. Oh, and Starline for brass.

**Unclenick** · September 22, 2019, 01:05 PM

Don,

The 32-20/WCF is a small bottleneck rimmed round originally for black powder in rifles, subsequently chambered in revolvers as well. The cartridges you mentioned are straight-walled and usually seen only in revolvers or the wadcutter loads are shot self-loading pistols. The Wikipedia has a page on it.

September 21, 2019, 03:55 PM	#1
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Confusion Had to jump out to the local gun store after a real "round" with a Face Book 2nd Amendment antagonist. Needed some "lead" therapy even if vicariously. Found two nice S&W revolvers: a 32 Winchester WCF @ $399 and a 32-20 @ $1099. What is the difference in the two rounds? I've developed an "itch" for a 32 of some kind. I reload most everything but no experience in 32's.

September 21, 2019, 06:19 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Bets the $399 one is a Police Positive and the other an Army Special. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 22, 2019, 01:05 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,072	Don, The 32-20/WCF is a small bottleneck rimmed round originally for black powder in rifles, subsequently chambered in revolvers as well. The cartridges you mentioned are straight-walled and usually seen only in revolvers or the wadcutter loads are shot self-loading pistols. The Wikipedia has a page on it. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 21, 2019, 04:05 PM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,460	Same round. What guns? Pretty big price difference. I shoot a Colt in 32-20 (Sam and his successors would never put "WCF" on their gun.)

September 21, 2019, 04:19 PM	#3
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	ligonierbill. I just didn't have time to take them out of the case for inspection. The shop was surprisingly busy (AR's were in demand) busy. The $399 version was the nicer of the two. It must have been re-blued looked real nice. The $1,099 version had seen SOME service. Definitely not re-blued. They looked the same to me but were labeled differently. Monday I'll give them a close inspection.

September 22, 2019, 09:04 AM	#5
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	What's the difference between those two and the 32 Long? I have a 32 Long, S&W mod 16 and I love the thing. Also have a 32 auto/short I seldom ever shoot, Savage mod 1917.

September 22, 2019, 11:36 AM	#6
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,460	I'm shooting a 6" Colt (Official Police) 32-20. The Police Positive would be 32 S&W Long (or Colt New Police). Police Positive Special was available in 32-20, as was the Army Special, but the OP said he was looking at S&W revolvers. I had a 1905 Hand Ejector S&W 32-20 at one time. Since this is the reloading forum, I load the traditional 115 gr cast over Unique. I tried 90 Sierra JHC and 85 Hornady XTP, but the Std always ran high. So I load those in S&W Long and stick with the 115s in the big Colt.

September 22, 2019, 11:49 AM	#7
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	Its a nice easy round to load. I liked the Rainier 115 plated but they shut down so most of the choices will be lead. I load for both pistol and rifles, obviously the rifles (Win 1892) can take a stronger round. I think eventually everyone used the term 32 WCF, not sure when but I have a Colt SAA circa 1907 that says 32 WCF. If you don't reload make sure the ammo its okay for pistol. I think all current commercial ammo is okay but there use to be some strong rounds that were for rifle only. Sorry I don't remember the exact wording, you should research a little more to be sure. Oh, and Starline for brass.