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Had a trade pending for an 1886 that had been modified and offered up a like new pre 64 94 Carbine and all was good till he found it was not a 30-30. I personally like the 32 WS and buy all of my ammo online regardless of caliber. This isn’t the first time I have offered one up only to be told “No thanks”.
Offering no real advantage over a 30-30 but with more expensive ammo that is not nearly as easy to come by could certainly be a factor. If one looks at the total number of 30-30’s sold vs. 32WS there was clearly a preference in the past for 30 cal. vs. 32 and apparently that preference still persists……..Just my opinion.
Erin
I’ve recently been cleaning out a few M1894/94’s from the safe and around here, to the non-collector, there is little interest in anything except 30-30. In fact, the individuals I’ve talked to use the terms “Winchester 94” and “Winchester 30-30” interchangeably, unaware of any other caliber of the iconic lever gun.
I have to say, as far as recreational shooting is concerned, .30-30 is much more accessible than 32 WS. At least here in where I live in Southern California, and unless you reload as I do, 32 WS will be essentially unattainable as personal importation and mail order of ammunition is being banned.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
November 7, 2015
Online
As a loader, caster, shooter and hunter I appreciate the 32WS. It seems it is at a disadvantage with collectors but since I’ve never sold one that’s OK with me. I think I’m up to three now but haven’t looked in a couple of weeks,?
As a point of interest, in the serial number range 1 – 1,000,000 the 32 WS occupied 14.4% of the production. From serial number 1,000,000 – 2,600,011, it was 28.2%.
While the 30 WCF (30-30) was the most popular cartridge in the Model 1894/94, it only made up 50.65% through serial number 1,000,000, and 68% though serial number 2,600,011. When all pre-64 serial numbers (1 – 2,600,011) are calculated, the 30 WCF accounted for 61.5% of the total, and the 32 WS accounted for 22.85% of the total. There were more 32 WS made than the combined total for the 25-35 WCF, 32-40, and 38-55.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
…30 WCF accounted for 61.5% of the total, and the 32 WS accounted for 22.85% of the total.
Bert
This statistic well illustrates the “logic” of collecting–the much scarcer variant is worth much less!
Though it has no bearing on collector value, it’s easy to understand why handloaders would favor any .30 cartridge over any .32: bullet selection.
Having grown up hunting with the .32 WS, I prefer it over that other caliber. Just a personal preference.
Handloading for it, I’ve found no problems in bullet selection nor in availability of components.
If I’m not mistaken, it is a proven fact that deer fall much quicker when under the influence of a .32 Special bullet than they do when bumped by a .30-30.
Thank you, Bert, for those numbers.
clarence said
This statistic well illustrates the “logic” of collecting–the much scarcer variant is worth much less!
Though it has no bearing on collector value, it’s easy to understand why handloaders would favor any .30 cartridge over any .32: bullet selection.
Clarence,
I definitely would NOT call a production total of just over 573,000, “the much scarcer variant”!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
Online
clarence said
This statistic well illustrates the “logic” of collecting–the much scarcer variant is worth much less!
Though it has no bearing on collector value, it’s easy to understand why handloaders would favor any .30 cartridge over any .32: bullet selection.
I respectfully disagree, Clarence. An astute handloader will often favor the 32 over the 30, especially if he is a caster. As far as production moulds you may have a point. I have a custom mould from Accurate that lets my 32’s do what a 32 should do. The 32WS is indeed special.
TXGunNut said
I respectfully disagree, Clarence. An astute handloader will often favor the 32 over the 30, especially if he is a caster. As far as production moulds you may have a point. I have a custom mould from Accurate that lets my 32’s do what a 32 should do. The 32WS is indeed special.
Was thinking in terms of jacketed hunting bullets, especially the newer premium designs.
Who knows why but I have also seen this in demand. I just bought 10 boxes of the Hornady Flex Tip 32 Special cartridges with out any trouble finding them. I have not had a chance to try them but suspect they will work just fine. It is a whole lot easier to find than the 32-40, 38-55, 25-35. 219 Ziipper but yet all those guns will bring a premium.
On a side note years ago I had a SRC 92 in 25-20 & at the time had a hard time selling it, everyone wanted 44-40 even though the 25-20 is much harder to find in a SRC
At present I have one .32 Special.It is a Model 64.In the past I had another Model 64 and a Model 94 carbine.All were fine rifles and worked and shot well.In by gone years I too favoured the 30-30 over the 32 Special.Not so much any more.
For those using their 32 Special rifles for hunting,32 Special ammunition is becoming harder to find, than it was at one time in my area.Each fall I hear of those looking for 32 Special ammunition and wondering if any one knew where some is available.
It does seem odd, that although the 32 Special was made in much less number than the 30-30,it does not bring a better price than the 30-30 and in some cases a less price. 
28 gauge said
It does seem odd, that although the 32 Special was made in much less number than the 30-30,it does not bring a better price than the 30-30 and in some cases a less price.
32 WS production by Model (based on current survey results)
1894/94 — 573,172
M55 — 4,763
M64 — 16,688
There were a small number of Model 1885 high-wall rifles made in 32 WS — 29
There were also a few Model 54 rifles chambered for it.
The total production by Winchester alone for the 32 WS was nearly 600,000. I believe that some of you fellows are really over romanticizing the “rarity” of what is in reality, a very common cartridge. Frankly, comparing the 32 WS production to the 30-30 production is silly, as the 30-30 production has no equal (for any other center fire cartridge, e.g. 30-06, 270 WCF, 44 WCF, etc.). If you objectively look at all of the many different cartridges that Winchester chambered in all of their various models , the 32 WS is in the top six all time.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
28 gauge said
Each fall I hear of those looking for 32 Special ammunition and wondering if any one knew where some is available.
I reload for our rifles.
This site might help: http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rifle/32winspec/
FromTheWoods said
28 gauge said
Each fall I hear of those looking for 32 Special ammunition and wondering if any one knew where some is available.
I reload for our rifles.
This site might help: http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rifle/32winspec/
Bert H. said
28 gauge said
It does seem odd, that although the 32 Special was made in much less number than the 30-30,it does not bring a better price than the 30-30 and in some cases a less price.32 WS production by Model (based on current survey results)
1894/94 — 573,172
M55 — 4,763
M64 — 16,688
There were a small number of Model 1885 high-wall rifles made in 32 WS — 29
There were also a few Model 54 rifles chambered for it.
The total production by Winchester alone for the 32 WS was nearly 600,000. I believe that some of you fellows are really over romanticizing the “rarity” of what is in reality, a very common cartridge. Frankly, comparing the 32 WS production to the 30-30 production is silly, as the 30-30 production has no equal (for any other center fire cartridge, e.g. 30-06, 270 WCF, 44 WCF, etc.). If you objectively look at all of the many different cartridges that Winchester chambered in all of their various models , the 32 WS is in the top six all time.
Bert
Well I do not know if I would call comparing the 32 Special production to the 30-30 production silly ,any more than comparing any cartridge in a model to another cartridge in that model.Although the 32 Special may not be rare with 600,000 rifles made in the Model 94.It is for sure, you will find a lot more 30-30 rifles compared to the 32 Special in the Model 94.Not saying they are “rare”,but they are a lot less common than the 30-30 Model 94 rifles.
I have a few in the 32 WS caliber, a 94 carbine made in 1931, a 94 short rifle,(my favorite) 1915, and a model 64 rifle made in 1941. My oldest son put down a nice little buck a couple years back with the 64. It is a popular cartridge up here and there seems to be plenty of ammunition around here.
November 7, 2015
Online
clarence said
Was thinking in terms of jacketed hunting bullets, especially the newer premium designs.
That’s true, there is little difference between the two cartridges when using jacketed bullets. I load the RP Corelokt in 30WCF for my brother. Nice old bullet that, like the 32WS, doesn’t get the respect it deserves. The slower twist rate in the 32 makes it a better cast bullet rifle. I’m actually a pretty big fan of the 30WCF but I feel I have to take up for the 32WS. I know that, generally speaking, the 30WCF is the better cartridge but I have many “favorite” cartridges and the 32WS is certainly one of them.
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