S&W Hand Ejector revolver
I have recently inherited a Smith & Wesson revolver, and I have a couple questions about it. From what I could determine online it appears to be a Hand Ejector 1905 Fourth Change, 5" barrel, and is .32-20 cal. The serial No. is 12178x. According to that number it was made sometime in the 1920's.
1) Could someone tell the year of manufacture ?
2) The gun is in excellent condition. Would it probably be OK to shoot Cowboy type loads or the .32-20 loads listed in reloading manuals ? Your thoughts on how far to go with reloads would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help !
1) Could someone tell the year of manufacture ?
2) The gun is in excellent condition. Would it probably be OK to shoot Cowboy type loads or the .32-20 loads listed in reloading manuals ? Your thoughts on how far to go with reloads would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help !
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SAAMI maximum for .32-20 is 16000 CUP, slightly less than .38 Special.
You will be ok with fresh ammo.
You will still read warnings against shooting the High Velocity rifle-only ammo in revolvers but they haven't made that for 40 years or more.0 -
You might have to send for a letter from Smith, to get a specific DOM.
As far as I know, all those 32-20 revolvers, (1905 4th Change). Based on the M & P platform. Were numbered sequentially. Up until early 1940, when the serial numbers hit 144,XXX. I believe a Smith letter, is around $100, nowadays.
Don't push your luck, with the 32-20 reloads. It's 90+ years old, and you want to keep it in excellent condition.
I use to own a Swede Model 1887 military revolver. Although their ammo, was identified as 7.5 mm. It was for all purposes, just a shortened 32-20. A 110 grain TMJ carbine bullet, over 3 grains of AA 2. Was my standard plinking load.
Problem, as with your Smith, the sights were non adjustable. So it shot 3" high at 15 yds. If you want to get your revolver, shooting to the sights. It going to take trial and error experimentation, with various different bullet wights.0 -
Thank y'all for your responses ! The approximate DOM is fine for my purposes, not being a collector. I'll just say "about 1930". I am keeping the gun because it is the same caliber as my Winchesters ( 1885 and 1892 takedown ). I've been fortunate because I wanted a revolver to go with the rifles, but not a single action. The .32-20's are darn fun to shoot.
Sometimes things just work out, I guess, huh ?0
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