32 20

ochoco

Picked up a Colt Army Special in 32 20. All the factory ammo is listed under rifle nothing under pistol. Is new factory ammo safe to use in the old pistol? Thanks for your help.

XXCross

Yup, all 32-20 ammo is loaded to pistol pressures. (or lower)

Rocky Raab

You will read that there were formerly two loads levels: one for revolvers and a MUCH hotter load for rifles. The boxes were even conspicuously labeled as such.

But the "Rifle Only" loads are long gone. Any still in existence are in collectors' hands. New stuff is (as mentioned by the curiously named XXCross) safe for use in your Colt.

BTW, you may find that it is quite loud. The 32-20 and the 30 Carbine in revolvers are enough to peel paint.

elubsme

I love my 32-20's. Don't hot load that Army Special though. I have my Grandfathers that he bought in 1912, the year my Dad was born. I have a Colt's date of manufacture booklet if you want to know when yours was made. Production was from 1908-1927. Eddie

ochoco

quote:Originally posted by elubsme
I love my 32-20's. Don't hot load that Army Special though. I have my Grandfathers that he bought in 1912, the year my Dad was born. I have a Colt's date of manufacture booklet if you want to know when yours was made. Production was from 1908-1927. Eddie
Thanks, I already looked it up. It was made in 1921.

wrdog05

My dad has a smith & wesson 32-20 great little pistol and cal. in the right hands. it is getting more difficult to find ammo though.

ColtDoctor

Howdy Pards,

From what I understand, if your Colt has the Verified Proof stamp on the trigergaurd bow the arm is safe to shoot smokeless powder through. I would tell you there is .32-20 handgun ammo, and .32-20 rifle ammo. Obviously you do NOT want to shoot the more powerful rifle ammo thru your vintage Colt. While this may be possible I would not recomend it. I have an old Colt Bisley in .32-20 and boy is it a real flat shooter. Neat cartridge that .32-20.

Shoot Straight,

MW

ColtDoctor

Rocky,

You're right the .32-20 is loud! They used it as the favored round in motion picture production because it sounded good on the audio track.

Shoot Straight,

MW

elubsme

quote:Originally posted by ColtDoctor
Rocky,

You're right the .32-20 is loud! They used it as the favored round in motion picture production because it sounded good on the audio track.

Shoot Straight,

MW
Coltdoctor, How is a 32-20 blank load louder than a 5 in 1 blank? They surely were not using live ammo in the movies, were they? Eddie

ruger41

Cabelas in Lacey, WA had some Remington .32/20 high speed for rifles in the rifle ammo section and it states on the box for rifles and the part #32201. Here is some for sale on GB http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129317116

here is an auction for the other Part # 32202 is for pistols and rifles http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129073741
Hope you enjoy your Army Special--I have one in .38 Spl that was my grandfathers and it is a great old gun.

crowbeaner

Lyman 3118 sized .313" over 9.0 of 2400.