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If this has already been answered pls point me to the right posting…
All things being equal are 30-30 or 32 Win Spl caliber Model 94’s more collectible? Is there a “consensus” on this or not?
I’ve heard some say that 30-30 is more collectible because it is the more famous cartridge, and others say that 32 Spl is because it is less common.
November 7, 2015
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Best answer I can give is it depends on the collector but most times all things are not equal. An incurable 32 fan (not gonna mention any names but you WILL hear from Steve004 on this one 😉 ) will be hard pressed to pass up a remarkable 30WCF to buy a run-of-the-mill 32SPL. We have a lot of fun kicking this question around but quite honestly I’m a big fan of both cartridges.
Mike
The 32 Special is the rarer of the two,but it seems most prefer the 30-30 today,just as they did when both were offered for sale in the Model 94.One would think the .32 Special would have greater interest to collectors as it was made in less numbers,compared to the .30-30,but that does not appear to be the case.
I like both calibres and have several of each.
Ron,
There is no “definitive” answer to your question. More simply, it is purely a decision that is made by the individual collectors. What I can tell you, is that the 32 Win Spl was by a fair margin the 2nd most common cartridge manufactured by Winchester for the Model 1894/94. Based on the ARMAX survey, and my research survey covering the years 1894 – 1931 the cartridge breakdown was (is) as follows;
1. 30 W.C.F. = 51.59%
2. 32 W.S. = 15.92%
3. 38-55 = 12.90%
4. 25-35 W.C.F. = 10.07
5. 32-40 = 8.79%
For the years 1932 – 1963 the caliber numbers are as follows;
1. 30-30 WIN. = 67.86%
2. 32 Win Spl = 28.16%
3. 25-35 WIN. = 3.29%
4. 38-55 = .18%
5. 32-40 = .05%
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
When I first started collecting 94s and 64s the cartridge name “32 Winchester Special” sounded good. I never paid anymore for the 32 than a 30 but if I had a choice I’d buy the 32. Great deer rifle! Today my interest is collecting so of course, the antique 38-55 is top dog. T/R
For me the question should be do you want an antique or a modern gun? 32 Spl was never antique.
Based on the cartridge breakdown statistics Bert provided, I am more comfortable than ever with my decision to keep a Model 1894 in 32-40 when I downsized. I have been criticized previously for not keeping a 38-55. It is not an antique by serial number, but the little jewel is a pretty nice gun!
That is a dandy!! I would have kept that regardless of calibre. Real pretty and great condition.
Almost all of my collecting across half century plus, from face to fac,” hands on”, transactions. Not internet and much before Internet era! Going with nice quality Winchester lever specimens and “deals” as ‘encounters’. Chambering a secondary matter particularly in lever acquisition context. My preference for rifles most economically shootable . In Models 54 and 70, more liberal as redundacy in such as common ’06 as decent specimens ever with ‘good value’ qualifyer. Almost ever within omnipresent “reasonable context”.
The evolution of Walmarts of the World, genre as a great “chambering preference” qualifiers! “Benchmarks!” 🙂 🙂 🙂 My several Models 1886, as “granting shelter” grudgingly but each at good prices comparatively, as mechanism appreciated. All in .33 Winchester.
While to lament some acquisitions missed and bit as ‘not missed’ :), preferring ‘targets of opportunity’, as more in ‘fortuitous’ context! Maybe “opportunistic gun accumulator” more descriptive of my ‘mode’ than “collector”… And loving it! 🙂
This is really all supposed to be fun, isn’t it?
Just ‘me’ and…
My take!
Best!
John
My father was a big fan of the .32 Winchester Special and he believed that the .32 W. S. was more accurate than the .30-30 WCF. Back when I bought my first Model 94 a new carbine in about 1970, he suggested the .32 but I wanted a 30-30.
Everyone in my family had a .32 Win. Spl. me, my brother, my dad, my uncle, and I bought one for my neighbor as a present from his wife. My brother and I have one now as well as a .30-30.
There seems to be a mystique around the .32 Special but if I had one complaint from a reloader viewpoint is the lack of bullet selection.
i have a model 64 in .32 spl made in 1938 that has been hunted most of its life and looks like it, but it has been taken care of. no rust or wood cracks and with a ex bore, and i am able to hit ping pong balls off hand at 30 yards, i mean hit them not just make them jump with a close hit.
My grandfather had a 32 special 94 half magazine carbine for years as his deer rifle. Really nice gun to carry. When I was a kid I remember listening to deer camp arguments over which gun was best, probably every deer camp has them. My grandfather wouldn’t say much just sat in a rocker and someone asked him his opinion. He said, “I like the .32 special cuz it kills ’em so dead”. Hard to argue with that.
The old model 64 was an extremely well designed rifle for offhand shooting. They seem to hang real nice offhand much better than the carbines, them being a little muzzle light to me.
mike webb said
My grandfather had a 32 special 94 half magazine carbine for years as his deer rifle. Really nice gun to carry. When I was a kid I remember listening to deer camp arguments over which gun was best, probably every deer camp has them. My grandfather wouldn’t say much just sat in a rocker and someone asked him his opinion. He said, “I like the .32 special cuz it kills ’em so dead”. Hard to argue with that.
So who ended up with your grandfather’s carbine? It sounds really sweet.
Given two rifles of equal condition I will take the .32 WS over the .30 WCF. It makes bigger holes/
Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.
Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.
steve004 said
mike webb said
My grandfather had a 32 special 94 half magazine carbine for years as his deer rifle. Really nice gun to carry. When I was a kid I remember listening to deer camp arguments over which gun was best, probably every deer camp has them. My grandfather wouldn’t say much just sat in a rocker and someone asked him his opinion. He said, “I like the .32 special cuz it kills ’em so dead”. Hard to argue with that.
So who ended up with your grandfather’s carbine? It sounds really sweet.
Sad to say he traded it back in the 70’s for a custom 1896 Lee Enfield carbine in .303 British. I have it and it’s about 6 3/4 pounds with a 21 inch barrel(original length), Lyman peep sight, 6 round magazine(original) Delightful gun to carry but not the 94 carbine. Grandfather always said, ” Shoulda had my ass kicked for trading that .32″. But I guess all of us have felt that way about a gun we let slip through our fingers at some time.
mike webb said
steve004 said
mike webb said
My grandfather had a 32 special 94 half magazine carbine for years as his deer rifle. Really nice gun to carry. When I was a kid I remember listening to deer camp arguments over which gun was best, probably every deer camp has them. My grandfather wouldn’t say much just sat in a rocker and someone asked him his opinion. He said, “I like the .32 special cuz it kills ’em so dead”. Hard to argue with that.
So who ended up with your grandfather’s carbine? It sounds really sweet.
Sad to say he traded it back in the 70’s for a custom 1896 Lee Enfield carbine in .303 British. I have it and it’s about 6 3/4 pounds with a 21 inch barrel(original length), Lyman peep sight, 6 round magazine(original) Delightful gun to carry but not the 94 carbine. Grandfather always said, ” Shoulda had my ass kicked for trading that .32″. But I guess all of us have felt that way about a gun we let slip through our fingers at some time.
Yes, that is sad he traded it off. He should have just kept it and purchased the .303. Sounds like he realized that too. We’ve all done it. It’s a long list of pieces I wish I had back.
At least you ended up with the .303
November 7, 2015
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Thing to remember about 30WCF vs 32Spl is that they’re ballistic twins. Not identical twins, fraternal. They have unique strong points and they share common strengths. I’m seem to be collecting both, I enjoy shooting both. 32Spl appeals to the “road less travelled” collector, 30WCF to the mainstream/widest appeal collector. As always, buy what YOU like, like what you buy. If you’re a shooter/reloader/caster you may gravitate to the 32. If you want to buy ammo off the shelf the 30WCF is a great choice.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Thing to remember about 30WCF vs 32Spl is that they’re ballistic twins. Not identical twins, fraternal. They have unique strong points and they share common strengths. I’m seem to be collecting both, I enjoy shooting both. 32Spl appeals to the “road less travelled” collector, 30WCF to the mainstream/widest appeal collector. As always, buy what YOU like, like what you buy. If you’re a shooter/reloader/caster you may gravitate to the 32. If you want to buy ammo off the shelf the 30WCF is a great choice.
Mike
I sure agree – buying .30 WCF off the shelf is a whole lot easier than buying .32 Special off the shelf!
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