Winchester_73
New member
Recently I found out some gun wheeler-dealer friends of mine got in some guns they were selling. Lo an behold, they got some S&Ws. I quicky zeroed in on this scarce 32-20 M&P target.
For those of you who don't know, the 32-20 is also known as the 32 Winchester or the 32 WCF (Winchester center fire). It was overall a lower powered rifle round, and was a chambering in the Winchester 1873, 92, 53, 65 and even later the bolt action model 43, among many other rifles. The round has also been chambered in the Colt SAA, Colt Army Special, Colt Army/Navy revolvers, and the S&W M&P, to name a few. The round is capable of achieving approx 1200 fps with a 100 gr bullet, out of a 20 in barrel. It was at one time considered appropriate for deer (many years ago) but has since been classified as a small game round. Important safety consideration - factory ammo is often labeled as: "for rifle" or "for pistol/revolver" as the more potent rifle power rounds can damage these vintage revolvers. Before shooting 32-20 ammo in your vintage revolver, be sure to verify the round is safe for pistols.
When the S&W model of 1899 M&P debuted, the 32-20 still was fairly popular. Colt also had a DA revolver in the caliber, so S&W followed suit. Despite the popularity of the S&W M&P in general, the M&P in 32-20 never caught on. Some years later, after making fixed sight M&Ps in 32-20, S&W debuted a target version. Pre war target M&Ps are uncommon to scarce, and since there were far less 32-20s made, there are of course far less 32-20 M&P targets around. The model changes of the 32-20 M&P were the same as the 38 M&P.
Before WWII, S&W churned out over 144k of the 32-20 M&Ps, in all configurations. It is speculated by many S&W collectors/researchers that less than 5% were targets, perhaps 3%? Compare that to the 38 production, of approx 1 million units, and 5% to 10%+ are thought to be the target variation.
When I saw the gun, I fell in love with it. It probably dates to the 1920s, but being that these guns were slow sellers, many did not ship for years after they were made. It shows some wear, but it is in respectable condition, and its all original. Production of the 32-20s was completed sometime in the early 1930s, but they were offered and sold up to 1940. These were discontinued then and not offered since.
The gun has the "MADE IN USA" marking on the right, which makes it 1923 or later production. The SN of 114XXX makes it a 1905 4th change 32-20 M&P. The 32-20 M&Ps did have their own SN range. The gun wears its original grips and bore and chambers are clean. It of course also works perfectly.
I never fired a 32-20 before, but I have been told they have very stout recoil.
I have a few pre war 38 M&P targets, but I always wondered when I would finally find a 32-20 M&P target, and here it is. Enjoy
Here is the barrel marking at that time, S&W changed the caliber barrel designation several times throughout the 32-20 M&P production.
The pre war style adjustable sights. Rear sight assembly is flush with top strap, the sight adjustment screws are small. The post war micrometer adj rear sight that we all use and love today did not arrive until 1940.
Below is a pic of the 32-20 target, coupled with a 38 1905 4th change M&P target. They may have shipped at approx. the same time, which is why they share all of the same features. However, many 32-20 M&Ps shipped late, so only a letter will tell for sure. The 38 target on bottom shipped September 5, 1923 to Honeyman Hardware Co, Portland OR. A dynamic duo...
For those of you who don't know, the 32-20 is also known as the 32 Winchester or the 32 WCF (Winchester center fire). It was overall a lower powered rifle round, and was a chambering in the Winchester 1873, 92, 53, 65 and even later the bolt action model 43, among many other rifles. The round has also been chambered in the Colt SAA, Colt Army Special, Colt Army/Navy revolvers, and the S&W M&P, to name a few. The round is capable of achieving approx 1200 fps with a 100 gr bullet, out of a 20 in barrel. It was at one time considered appropriate for deer (many years ago) but has since been classified as a small game round. Important safety consideration - factory ammo is often labeled as: "for rifle" or "for pistol/revolver" as the more potent rifle power rounds can damage these vintage revolvers. Before shooting 32-20 ammo in your vintage revolver, be sure to verify the round is safe for pistols.
When the S&W model of 1899 M&P debuted, the 32-20 still was fairly popular. Colt also had a DA revolver in the caliber, so S&W followed suit. Despite the popularity of the S&W M&P in general, the M&P in 32-20 never caught on. Some years later, after making fixed sight M&Ps in 32-20, S&W debuted a target version. Pre war target M&Ps are uncommon to scarce, and since there were far less 32-20s made, there are of course far less 32-20 M&P targets around. The model changes of the 32-20 M&P were the same as the 38 M&P.
Before WWII, S&W churned out over 144k of the 32-20 M&Ps, in all configurations. It is speculated by many S&W collectors/researchers that less than 5% were targets, perhaps 3%? Compare that to the 38 production, of approx 1 million units, and 5% to 10%+ are thought to be the target variation.
When I saw the gun, I fell in love with it. It probably dates to the 1920s, but being that these guns were slow sellers, many did not ship for years after they were made. It shows some wear, but it is in respectable condition, and its all original. Production of the 32-20s was completed sometime in the early 1930s, but they were offered and sold up to 1940. These were discontinued then and not offered since.
The gun has the "MADE IN USA" marking on the right, which makes it 1923 or later production. The SN of 114XXX makes it a 1905 4th change 32-20 M&P. The 32-20 M&Ps did have their own SN range. The gun wears its original grips and bore and chambers are clean. It of course also works perfectly.
I never fired a 32-20 before, but I have been told they have very stout recoil.
I have a few pre war 38 M&P targets, but I always wondered when I would finally find a 32-20 M&P target, and here it is. Enjoy
Here is the barrel marking at that time, S&W changed the caliber barrel designation several times throughout the 32-20 M&P production.
The pre war style adjustable sights. Rear sight assembly is flush with top strap, the sight adjustment screws are small. The post war micrometer adj rear sight that we all use and love today did not arrive until 1940.
Below is a pic of the 32-20 target, coupled with a 38 1905 4th change M&P target. They may have shipped at approx. the same time, which is why they share all of the same features. However, many 32-20 M&Ps shipped late, so only a letter will tell for sure. The 38 target on bottom shipped September 5, 1923 to Honeyman Hardware Co, Portland OR. A dynamic duo...
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A totally awesome revolver... where is the drooling smilie ???
