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Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF #8597127 05/13/22 07:14 PM
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218 Bee Offline OP
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I have admitted on more than one occasion to being a Luddite, and it's a mantle that I wear with some pride. Not that I can't be attracted by the latest fad, mind you; please note that I shoot smokeless powder almost exclusively where true devotees of the Holy Black look upon nitrocellulose (and more modern renditions) as simply trendy fashion statements. Still, the guns that hold my interest are usually built with blued steel and walnut. Manual operation is a plus. MANY get run with (gasp!) iron sights. A number of them have my age beat by multiple decades. Another example followed me home this morning...

It will take some serial number anthropology to confirm the year of manufacture, but I believe this to be a S&W Hand Ejector from the late 30s/early 40s. Certainly before 1957 as that was when Smith started using model numbers and stamping same onto the frame. This K frame gun was the predecessor of the venerable Model 10. As you see, the caliber is 32 WCF...also known as the .32-20.

The single action pull was crisp though a bit heavy; the double action stroke was smooth but TOO heavy. Long a believer in the KISS principle, I took a half-turn off the mainspring screw and VOILA!...a 3-4 pound single action and a very acceptable DA stroke. That'll be $125 for the action job, sir...providing I hadn't built a "light primer strike" problem in doing so.

I hadn't. I had a supply of 115 grain cast stuff and all made a loud, satisfying noise when asked. And despite the archaic sights, she printed snug little groups from 10 yards (my normal starting range for unfamiliar guns with rudimentary sights).

But I GOTTA do something about the grips! Only about 1" diameter at the smallest point, they are brutal on old, arthritic hands!

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Last edited by 218 Bee; 05/13/22 07:14 PM.

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"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8597137 05/13/22 07:28 PM
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Nice. It looks like it found a good home

Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: Slick Head] #8597141 05/13/22 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Slick Head
Nice. It looks like it found a good home


It has!

I enjoyed meeting and doing business with you this morning...I tried to send you a text to that effect but my phone appears to be in outright rebellion.

Luddites don't do I-phones all that well...


[Linked Image]

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8597239 05/13/22 10:07 PM
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As an FYI in case you’re looking to get some factory loads, Brownells retail store in Iowa had several hundred boxes of 32wcf on the shelf for the last several months.

Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: Dzhitshard] #8597372 05/14/22 01:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Dzhitshard
As an FYI in case you’re looking to get some factory loads, Brownells retail store in Iowa had several hundred boxes of 32wcf on the shelf for the last several months.


Thanks! I'll check 'em out.

I've got a good supply of .32-20 brass and components; it'll be interesting to see what the current market looks like for "ready-rolled" ammo! eek2

Mark


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"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8597400 05/14/22 02:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 218 Bee
Originally Posted by Slick Head
Nice. It looks like it found a good home


It has!

I enjoyed meeting and doing business with you this morning...I tried to send you a text to that effect but my phone appears to be in outright rebellion.

Luddites don't do I-phones all that well...


LIkewise. If, I come across another one I will let you know

Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8597452 05/14/22 04:11 AM
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Originally Posted by 218 Bee
Originally Posted by Dzhitshard
As an FYI in case you’re looking to get some factory loads, Brownells retail store in Iowa had several hundred boxes of 32wcf on the shelf for the last several months.


Thanks! I'll check 'em out.

I've got a good supply of .32-20 brass and components; it'll be interesting to see what the current market looks like for "ready-rolled" ammo! eek2

Mark



They weren't cheap imo but they were available & I couldn't find any brass to load. I believe they were right at $27 a box out the door but unfortunately I think you'd have to buy a mountain of them to make the shipping worth it.
I haven't seen mine for a couple months after packing up for the transplant move down here or I'd check and post a pic for the SKU.

Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8597496 05/14/22 10:29 AM
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.32WCF is great. Here's ours...

I saw some OEM ammo for sale the other day online for about $1.50 per round.

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Pass the gravy.


Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: GasGuzzler] #8597528 05/14/22 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by GasGuzzler
.32WCF is great. Here's ours...

I saw some OEM ammo for sale the other day online for about $1.50 per round.

[Linked Image]


That's a beauty! Are you a fan of Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses"? One of the characters carried a Colt in .32-20 (although his was a Bisley model if I recall correctly).


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"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8597975 05/15/22 09:49 AM
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Not familiar with that. This one dates to about 1904 and was originally issued as a side arm to an ancestor who was a Texas Ranger at the turn of the previous century. Still in the family. I loaded up some 110 grain home cast bullets a couple years ago. Need to try it out. Last time I shot it was in the '80's when I was a kid.


Pass the gravy.


Re: Another Old-timer: S&W .32 WCF [Re: 218 Bee] #8599409 05/17/22 02:26 PM
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Nice pistols! I like steel and pretty wood on my firearms as well. lol

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