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I have been a fan of the .32 special for a good 50 years. Just when I was starting to think I was part of the shrinking group nearing endangered species status, I notice that new rifles and carbines can now be purchased in this fine chambering. I don’t follow new guns much so maybe everyone knew but me?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/788733731
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/792421526
I have to say I am truly surprised there is apparently enough interest for Winchester to make this launch. Dare I hope they’ll bring the .33 WCF back too?
Dare! Dare!
Shot my first buck with a .32 WS 50 years ago. I have never wavered as a fan.
The danger to my continued fanship is that thing called Death. I believe I may lose my fondness for the .32 at that point. Life is rough.
November 7, 2015
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Seems they did a run of them 20-25 years ago, possibly some type of commemorative. Gun shops in some parts of the country keep a couple of boxes of 32 WS right next to the 30 WCF. I’m a little late to the party, my first 32 WS came home with me about 4 1/2 years ago but a couple more have come along since then. Had a custom bullet mould made and I’ve laid in a few hundred pieces of brass so I suppose I’ll be shooting a 32 WS as long as I’m able. It’s a sweet cartridge; always has been, always will be. I suspect the 32 WS fans are a loyal bunch, on another forum 30 WCF vs 32 WS is always a lively discussion.
These new Winchesters look good, half-round barrel is a nice touch.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Seems they did a run of them 20-25 years ago, possibly some type of commemorative. Gun shops in some parts of the country keep a couple of boxes of 32 WS right next to the 30 WCF. I’m a little late to the party, my first 32 WS came home with me about 4 1/2 years ago but a couple more have come along since then. Had a custom bullet mould made and I’ve laid in a few hundred pieces of brass so I suppose I’ll be shooting a 32 WS as long as I’m able. It’s a sweet cartridge; always has been, always will be. I suspect the 32 WS fans are a loyal bunch, on another forum 30 WCF vs 32 WS is always a lively discussion.These new Winchesters look good, half-round barrel is a nice touch.
Mike
Here’s the Canadian Pacific Railway commemorative made in 1981:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/794946352
Also there was a Wrangler Carbine with a 16 inch barrel with a large loop lever. I know I pondered picking one up in about 1983. Here’s a Wrangler Trapper with a regular lever:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/794507621
Even though I much prefer vintage rifles, I’m happy to see the .32 Special tradition continue. I’m also pleased to see the revival of the .32 special chambering in regular rifles and carbines (vs. just commemoratives).
There does seem to be a little more interest in the .32 Winchester Special of late.For a long time there seemed to be very little to no interest in them.
I believe the .32 Special suffered from a little bad press.One writer wrote that a .32 Special with a worn barrel was useless,while a .30-30 with a worn barrel was still accurate enough for hunting.Seems many other writers copied this.I am no expert and never tried it,but I have my doubts that a .30-30 with a worn barrel is much better than a .32 Special with a worn barrel.Could be wrong.
For the most part ,how many hunters go in the woods these days ,using a rifle with a worn barrel any way.
November 7, 2015
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Have no idea what that writer was talking about, doubt he did either. Funny how those bits of “wisdom” take on a life of their own. Since I cast almost all of my rifle bullets I like the 32 WS because of the slower twist. Conventional wisdom is that cast bullets do better with the slower twist but with my 94’s in 30 WCF and 32 WS I quite honestly can’t tell the difference.
The accounts about the 32 WS being developed at least partly to appeal to reloaders has never made sense to me but that’s part of why I find this cartridge interesting.
OTOH I have rifles in 32 WS and 30 WCF with bores that are less than optimal and all shoot pretty well with loads they like. Actually, the bores in these 90-100 year old 94’s are not worn but pitted. They were apparently used with corrosive primers and not cleaned properly.
Mike
By chance I picked up a 32WS 94 carbine (with a crescent rifle stock) that dates to 1941 at a small gun show this weekend. No “W” under the serial. You would be surprised how many people walked by my table and ask what 32WS was.
November 7, 2015
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nascar fan said
By chance I picked up a 32WS 94 carbine (with a crescent rifle stock) that dates to 1941 at a small gun show this weekend. No “W” under the serial. You would be surprised how many people walked by my table and ask what 32WS was.
Somebody asks me every time I put one on the shooting bench or a gun show table. It’s not a popular cartridge but it’s fans are dedicated. I guess that’s what makes it “Special”.
Mike
FromTheWoods said
Dare! Dare!
Shot my first buck with a .32 WS 50 years ago. I have never wavered as a fan.
The danger to my continued fanship is that thing called Death. I believe I may lose my fondness for the .32 at that point. Life is rough.
Have a family member put a vintage box of them into the coffin and you can enjoy them FOREVER!!!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
As I recall, the 32WS was developed as a smokeless replacement for the blackpowder 32-40 although both were available for quite some time. The 32-40 as well as the 38-55 were noted for their excellent accuracy.
nascar fan said
By chance I picked up a 32WS 94 carbine (with a crescent rifle stock) that dates to 1941 at a small gun show this weekend. No “W” under the serial. You would be surprised how many people walked by my table and ask what 32WS was.
What is the serial number on your newest acquisition?
Winchester stopped stamping the “W” on the bottom of the receiver frame in the latter part of February 1941.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
twobit said
Have a family member put a vintage box of them into the coffin and you can enjoy them FOREVER!!!
Michael
Dang! I’m to be cremated! Guess I should have thought of that. . . .
FromTheWoods said
Dang! I’m to be cremated! Guess I should have thought of that. . . .
Going out wit a BANG!!! Or 20!!!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
I walked into a local shop about 8 or so years ago and saw a Winchester leaning on a table so I asked about it. It was a 94 in 32WS which I’d never heard of before. I had a Marlin 336 in 30 so didn’t need it for anything. The reply was that it could walk out of the door for $250. It was in the non-abused 85-90% condition so I decided it was worth getting. On the floor was a box with 18 boxes of factory ammo. I asked about it and was informed that it went with the rifle. 
I still have it. Ca. 1948
jban said
I walked into a local shop about 8 or so years ago and saw a Winchester leaning on a table so I asked about it. It was a 94 in 32WS which I’d never heard of before. I had a Marlin 336 in 30 so didn’t need it for anything. The reply was that it could walk out of the door for $250. It was in the non-abused 85-90% condition so I decided it was worth getting. On the floor was a box with 18 boxes of factory ammo. I asked about it and was informed that it went with the rifle.I still have it. Ca. 1948
That’s a good story 🙂
foxfire said
I plan on using my 94 carbine in .32 WS on Cougar next winter.
Hey foxfire,
I didn’t know there were still Cougars in South Western PA??
Al from Beaver County.
Hi;
I only own one Winchester Model 1894, it’s a Carbine chambered in 32 Special. It was manufactured around 1906, owned by a gentleman named David A. Oden. It was special ordered with upgraded finish, special order front sight, 3 tier Express rear sight, and an adjustable rear Tang Sight. It’s seen much use with virtually no finish remaining. This carbine was set up with a “Hair Trigger”. A light touch and it fires. It has an almost perfect bore, and hits where you aim. It also has 14 notches carved into the stock. Oden Sr., the original owner was some kind of representative of the law in early 20th Century Southern California. This is a weapon not set up for shooting deer, but meant for shooting men, I think.
Apache (Ho Ka Hey)
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