.32 Caliber Question

[king nero]

I'm up for another wheelgun + lever action carbine combo, in the same caliber.

I want something that shoots tight groups up to a 100 yards, doesn't make much noise and it would be used for crows and small varmints in an urban area (where noise is an important factor).

I was  thinking about a sixgun in .32 H&R Mag, with a lever chambered for the same cartridge (lever would be used for distances larger than 25 to 50 yards ad scoped, depending on conditions)...

My question: will a wheelgun also shoot the .32 ACP and .32 S&W Long cartridge? (for plinking, and range time economy?)

And if you agree with my choice, which wheelgun and lever would you recommend?
At first I was thinking about another .22, but that won't be as accurate as a heavier bullet in outside conditions (rain, wind...). And even though I certainly don't like the concept of a scoped lever, this one would probably get one because of its 'sniper' purposes...

I already got such a combo in .38/.357, but I want it to be more subtle: I live in belgium where hunting is unexistant , and people are not understanding about firearms at all.

[Lloyd Smale]

Marlin/ruger. the ruger will shoot the 32 longs but not acps.

[king nero]

Thanks for the suggestion: I looked at the Single Six but it doesn't have got an adjustable rear sight, which I'd prefer.

I also just realised, that if a lever in .32-20 Win. could also handle .32 Magnum's, I could just as well go for a lever in .32-20 Win. and shoot both these cartridges and .32 Magnums.

Any opinions about this approach?

[jhm]

I would go with a 22 mag. in both the revolver and the lever gun and with a ruger super six you would have the other cylender to revert back to 22 rimfire, you wont be able to find any revolver that will shoot the 32 acp. unless someone can build you some moon clips and then you would have to remove the cylender every time you wanted to load and unload.   JIM

[king nero]

I know, I'll forget about the .32 ACP. I just happened to type down all the .32 cartridges I was aware of without thinking...

.22 WMR is too noisy for my likings ( ?), but I haven't compared it to the .32 Magnum.  I can only say I was told it's more silent coming out of a long barrel than a .22 Mag...

So, thanks for your input, next time I have the opportunity of shooting both the .22 Mag and the .32 Mag, I'll pay extra attention...

So, Question remains: Is a lever in .32-20 Win also capable of handling .32 Magnum, and would you recommend it or not?
And I'll look out for a S&W model 16 or something alike...

[44 Man]

No, a lever gun in 32-20 will not shoot 32 mag.  AND you said you were concerned about noise and the 32-20 is a VERY noisy cartridge.  The .32 mag is very accurate and versitle, I think you will enjoy it alot, I love mine.  I have a 6 1/2" bbl Single Six (scoped) that will shoot nickle sized groups (10 shot) at 30 yds when I have a good day.  The regular Single Six does have adjustable sights, you must have looked at a Vaquro.  I would not hesitate to pop a crow or woodchuck up to 80 yards away with my Single Six.  44 Man

[Jim S]

A 32 mag will also shoot 32 long and 32ACP(has a tiny rim). My single six shot all three very well. I was surprised that the 32 auto shot as well as it did with the long jump up the cylinder. I had a 32 Mag S&W that I converted to 32/20 and was sorry until I sold it at a loss. In a Marlin carbine or a 10" TC a  32/20 is a great little round in a revolver you get a real ear full for the extra 100-150 FPS you get. You can also load the 32 mag with carbide dies , not so with the 32/20. The 6.5" 32 Single six is very accurate and very versitle good small game round up to 25# or so animals. I shot a Javelina with mine and droped it on the spot in south Texas , head shot .  
  I assume you reload ? If you do not reload go with the 22 Mag combo it will almost do the same thing as factory 32 mag loads will do and a LOT cheaper.

[Greeenriver]

for something for an urban area where noise is an issue, I would go with a Ruger in 17HMR and a Henry in the same cal.

Quiter than a 22 mag and quieter than the 32mag.

I realy like the 32H&R mag, I have 2 of the Super Single-six's for Cowboy shooting and smallgame hunting. Great ctg and the Rugers are great guns.

Marlin is suposed to be marketing a lever 32H&R mag this fall, but I havn't seen one yet at the stores.

I have an inexpensive Savage bolt gun in 17HMR that will shoot 1/2 in groups at 100 yds.  Nearly all the 17HMR's I have seen will do the same.

Took a large Coon the other nite in the yard with the 17. one in the head and Instant dead.


Greeenriver(Depends on if you reload or not, rimfires much cheeper in ya don't reload)

[cblambert]

I'm up for another wheelgun + lever action carbine combo, in the same caliber.

I want something that shoots tight groups up to a 100 yards, doesn't make much noise and it would be used for crows and small varmints in an urban area (where noise is an important factor).

I was  thinking about a sixgun in .32 H&R Mag, with a lever chambered for the same cartridge (lever would be used for distances larger than 25 to 50 yards ad scoped, depending on conditions)...

My question: will a wheelgun also shoot the .32 ACP and .32 S&W Long cartridge? (for plinking, and range time economy?)

And if you agree with my choice, which wheelgun and lever would you recommend?
At first I was thinking about another .22, but that won't be as accurate as a heavier bullet in outside conditions (rain, wind...). And even though I certainly don't like the concept of a scoped lever, this one would probably get one because of its 'sniper' purposes...

I already got such a combo in .38/.357, but I want it to be more subtle: I live in belgium where hunting is unexistant , and people are not understanding about firearms at all.

The 22 mag is noisy!?
I beleive you'd be suprised when compared to the 32 mag even from a rifle/carbine.  My question is why the expense when you already have the same combo in a cartrige a mere .034" larger bore. Spend the dough on a reloader & try to hand load a CHEAP lead bullet in that CHEAP .38 Spcl brass w/ 3- 3.5 grains of 231 for a low report CHEAP varmint sledge hammer from you carbine.  Did I mention the expense?  price some ammo dude.  Aint no crow worth that cash-

[king nero]

The 22 mag is noisy!?
I beleive you'd be suprised when compared to the 32 mag even from a rifle/carbine.  My question is why the expense when you already have the same combo in a cartrige a mere .034" larger bore. Spend the dough on a reloader & try to hand load a CHEAP lead bullet in that CHEAP .38 Spcl brass w/ 3- 3.5 grains of 231 for a low report CHEAP varmint sledge hammer from you carbine.  Did I mention the expense?  price some ammo dude.  Aint no crow worth that cash-

That's a very interesting reply...
Didn't think of it that way.
But I have a slight problem when going that way: The carbine I have is a new Winchester 94AE, with a tang mounted safety.
I've been looking for quite some time now for a peep tang sight that fits this gun, but the safety doesn't allow one.
I would like to try to get one for the 'regular' Win94, and remove the safety on my gun, and drill and tap holes for it: b
But as I'm located in belgium, that is nearly impossible. (can't have it sended to me, as it's fire-arm related).
And the standard sights aren't precise enough for long-range varmint hunting...

[Old Griz]

:cb2: What a shame that you should have so much trouble with firearm ownership in Belgium. It was the brave and heroic Belgium citizens in 1914 who carried on the fight against the Germans with their own weapons after the small, outnumbered and ill equipped army was forced to surrender. This type of warfare terrified the Germans worse than battle in the field.

In our state of Massachusetts, they too, have forgotten their history. They have some of the strictist regulations against firearm ownership, and this is where our revolution began with the Battle of Lexington & Concord, and the battle of Breed's/Bunker Hill. The famed Minutemen could not even exist in that environment today.

Good luck, and we hope you don't get into trouble with your urban shooting!

[elyod56]

the 32 mag though seemingly growing in popularity is still not popular enough to buy reasonably priced ammo, it is a round where reloading can be the economical way to go. You might be able to buy short or long rounds but not much cheaper than the mag ammo, I have a ruger ssm and really like it but because of its small case capacity there is little room for error, and you would have to get into reloading .  In a handgun the 32 mag is really nasty on the ears. maybe you should go with a 38spl/357 handgun lever combo. reloaded practice ammo and premium hunting ammo is readily available and priced right.