Author Topic: 32 Winchester Special refurb (Read 1520 times)

IronMonkey · « **on:** September 14, 2003, 05:50:16 PM »

Traded for a Marlin 336 in 32 Win. special. Knew it was a project gun from the start. Got it stripped apart, cleaned, rust removed, blue removed, reblued and put back together. Also refinished the stocks. Now it is a serviceable gun. Dies on the way, brass too. Need bullets now. Have to wait until next month since the budget is going towards diapers for the new baby. Any one else got one of these? Dan

nfmMike · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2003, 04:53:34 AM »

I have a Win 94 in .32 WS, and aside from the fact that the rear sight is off (rifle shoots to the left) this is a WONDERFUL shooter. I can't say enough nice about it. The first time I took this rifle out, I only took one box of shells, used Kentucky windage, and had too much fun! I am not really concerned about the rear sight, as I want to install a reciever peep sight on this rifle, I think I can find an old Redfield for it.

This rifle is a '64 or pre manufacture, straight up eject with no safety. It is an all day shooter with the factory win or rem 170 gr. ammo. And the best part of all, it was given to me by someone that needed to find a home for it. I believe it was only shot 12 times before I got it, and I have what appears to be the remaining 8 rounds from an original 1960's issue box of ammo. The Kleanbore.

So, do you think I like my rifle? :grin:

Lee D. · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2003, 05:57:06 AM »

nfmmike
It is easy enough to move either the front, rear or both to correct for windage.

nfmMike · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2003, 06:59:40 AM »

Lee D. - so I understand, and I may yet do so. I did find a person at a flea market that had quite a few, still in the box Redfield sights, and I believe he had at least one that would fit. If it is steel, and the price is right, I may go that route. I like the look, and am familiar with aperature sights. Then I will find a blank, remove the rear sight and store it for prosperity. That is the current plan anyway - always subject to change.

Lee D. · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2003, 08:25:07 AM »

I would go with the peep myself. They work for me and don't harm the classic style of the rifle. Those side mount scopes are one of the worst and ugliest ideas I've seen & buckhorn sights are no good for me. Some people can use them but my eyes are not capable of focusing and aligning them.

IronMonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2003, 12:26:19 PM »

I have a set of lyman 66la peep sites that I put on my 39as and I am pretty sure that it will fit right on the sucker. Spacing looks the same to me and it is made for a flat receiver. Love the one on my 39. Anyone measured the newer hole spacing? Dan

nfmMike · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2003, 06:33:52 AM »

I like the way the .32 WS shoots so well, I would really like to try it in a longer barrel, but not 26". I think a 24" barrel on a pistol griped 336 frame would be very interesting. But I will wait, time will come that if I want one bad enough, I will either find one, or have a 30-30 re-barreled. In the meantime, I will agree that the '94 interation is a nice woods carry rifle.

445supermag · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2003, 01:27:58 AM »

I just picked up a 800,xxx ser# win 94 in 32 special. Who had it or who worked on it sure culbed it up. The carbine was a 3/4 mag tube that they changed to a full lenth tube with barrel band. looked real cobed up. I have replaced the mag tube back to 3/4 and re fit the stock. Will have to take it out to see if it shoots good. If it is a shooter i will replace wood stock or maybe sell it. I like to fix up rat guns more than collecting them.

nfmMike · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2003, 02:34:56 AM »

445supermag, let us know how you fared. Tinkering sounds fun.

Quadzillabill · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2003, 04:13:15 AM »

I have what was my granfather's '40s vintage Model 94 in Win 32 Special. Shoots like a dream, but it was not all that well cared for by my dad during the years that it made the 'ride' to dear camp.

Does restoring a rifle like this ruin its value? Its got such character and history with my family that I hate to touch it on one hand - but on the other hand it is a fine gun that I hate to see in such sad shape.

What do you think?

Mikey · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2003, 04:25:55 AM »

Quadzillabill: In my neck of the woods I can choose from a number of Winchester 94s in 32 Special, for between $3-400. Some are pretty beat up but some look pretty darn good for rifles their age.

I would take care of that rifle and refurbish it. Maintain it as a family heirloom. The interesting thing about the 32 Special is, if I am correct, it is both a smokeless and a black powder caliber but I would have to check that out. Maybe some of the folks in the black powder cartridge rifle forum could help you out with that if you are interested or may know some tricks for restoring that rifle. HTH. Mikey.

Rob P. · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2003, 08:14:25 AM »

According to the 1905 Winchester catalog, the .32 special was desighned to to be factory loaded with smokeless and reloaded with blackpowder. I believe it is something to do with the mercuric primers of the time being corrosive with smokless propellents but not with black powder. Hope this helps, Rob P.

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2003, 09:18:23 AM »

Rob P: I think the reason Winchester developed the 32 Special was to cater to those folks who wanted a 30-30 level of cartridge but also wanted to shoot black powder. I don't know exactly what it is about the 32, whether it is the twist or depth of rifling grooves or what, but I believe that cartridge was meant to shoot both the holy black as well as the smokeless white. I think Marsh, the moderator on the BPRC forum, might have the correct answer. Mikey.

Rob P. · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2003, 02:56:06 PM »

Mikey: I believe you are correct on why the 32 Winchester was developed. At that time during the transition from black powder to smokeless it may be that the slightly larger diameter of the 32 would perform better with black powder than the 30WCF. Not having a 32 Winchester to experiment with I can not say for sure. Someone out there may have tried a side by side comparison with 32 vs 30 with blackpowder loads, maybe they will read this post and fill us in on the results? Best reguards, Rob P.

nfmMike · « **Reply #14 on:** October 08, 2003, 06:07:14 AM »

On one hand are those that say the information from the 19xx catalog was the black/smokeless powder arguement, the other refers to power potential.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/32spec.htm

http://www.levergun.com/articles/special.htm

Each of these articles explain a theory. For myself? I won't quote either, I don't have a catalog to reference, but I will say that I like the fact that the .32 WS is as fun to shoot as anything I have ever shot in my life, and being a slowly dying cartridge, I will do my best to help keep it alive. After all, everyone has or can get a 30-30, they are not in danger of becoming obsolete.

IronMonkey · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2003, 08:58:22 AM »

Well, I got to shoot it at the range this weekend. My sister actually shot the same score as me but she shot one target out of order and so I won by one. ONLY problem was that I ordered the front site way too low. Had to hold off of the silhouette targets and brass is not a good contrast to CA dirt. At least that's my excuse. Now just have to wait a long while to get a receiver or tang sight and a 17a front site. The property tax bill came!!! At least it shoots well. No leading with 165 gc .323 cast bullets at about 1800. Plus recoil was a pussycat. 60 rounds and no soreness. Dan

Arrroman · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2003, 05:57:38 PM »

The 30-30 that preceded the .32 Winchester had a one in 12" twist and was better suited for smokeless powder than for blackpowder. The .32 Winchester was designed with a one in 16" twist with the expectation that it would be advantageous when reloading with cast bullets and black powder. Good luck hunting!

nfmMike · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2003, 02:50:19 AM »

Quote from: IronMonkey

At least it shoots well. No leading with 165 gc .323 cast bullets at about 1800. Plus recoil was a pussycat. 60 rounds and no soreness. Dan

Where is it you got the lighter gas checked bullets? I am still shooting factory 170's and keeping the brass for later. I just got the two Hornady dies, and some new brass - now I need the press! What is your set-up for reloading and what would you change if anything?

IronMonkey · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2003, 09:22:09 AM »

I use a rock chucker, bought the master reloading kit, has scale, powder measure, etc included with the press. Less than 250 I think. Got the bullets from customcastbullets.com. I use a Lyman M die 32 cal to open the neck up just enough to fit the 323 bullets. I use data from 30-30 cast 170 or so. Works good. Dan

nfmMike · « **Reply #19 on:** October 17, 2003, 03:33:44 AM »

Thank you. When I manage to get my things together, maybe after Christmas, I will give it all a try. I think I would eventualy like to shoot nothing but lead.

Graycg · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2003, 08:30:52 AM »

I have a vintage 94 take-down rifle in 32 special and it is sweet!!! 24 inch barrel with full magazine and take down. I shoot cast bullets only dropped from an RCBS 32-170 mould. Great bullet that shoots well and is also a real good hunting bullet if you drive it fast enough. I'd love to find a tang sight for this one, it's drilled for it.

regards,
Graycg

Mikey · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2003, 10:10:06 AM »

Graycg: If your 94 is drilled for a tang sight, check out a Brownell's Catalog. I have seen Lyman #2 Tang sights plus a few others that should fit right onto that 94. I have a long barrelled 94AE in 444 with a Lyman #2 and I really like it. Hope this helps. Mikey.

Swany · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2003, 10:17:04 AM »

336A 1949 issue, mine likes the hornady 170gnr over 39gns of WW748. 7gns of unique with 170gn cast fnpb. Mine needed a tuneup when I purchased it two months ago, trigger pull was made for godzilla. That is straightened out and I have slicked up the rest of it also. It was 80% when I purchased it but the previous owner, got it from his dad (who drilled and tapped it.) who got it from his dad. Well the ad read 336A 32 special. $300, I offered 225 he took it and I got the rifle a hand tooled leather case, 2 boxes of WW Super X in the red and yellow boxes. 170 silver tips. Never shot them, but then I do reload.

nfmMike · « **Reply #23 on:** November 04, 2003, 02:22:02 PM »

Nice guys! It's good to hear from others that have a .32 WS, no matter what model, and I see everyone thinks similarily - nice combination of lead, powder and rifle!