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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
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