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April 15, 2005
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Hello Tony,
The serial number tells us that your wife’s Model 94 was manufactured in late September 1937 (a Depression era gun).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 21, 2023
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Thanks Bert. I didnt know it was a depression era rifle. I usually like my 94’s in 30-30 but 32WS shoot well too. I’m actually going to look at another older 32WS this afternoon.
Tony
7th & 10th SF retired
April 15, 2005
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Tony Ford said
Thanks Bert. I didnt know it was a depression era rifle. I usually like my 94’s in 30-30 but 32WS shoot well too. I’m actually going to look at another older 32WS this afternoon.
Tony
My only complaint with the 32 WS is the ammo availability. It is usually much harder to find than 30-30 ammo (except possibly in the Mid-west). Ballistically, there is virtually no difference in the two cartridges.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 21, 2023
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Midway has 32WS in stock for reasonable prices and free shipping.
7th & 10th SF retired
January 20, 2023
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Tony, There is a very interesting article written by Brian Pearce about the 32 Special caliber in Issue #360 of Handloader magazine, published in late 2025/early 2026 by Wolfe Publications. Pearce argues the cartridge has some specific virtues not shared by the .30 Winchester and offers loading advice. Like many presently unpopular but useful calibers, owners with a rifle so chambered are best served by accumulating and handloading components.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
April 15, 2005
Online
Zebulon said
Tony, There is a very interesting article written by Brian Pearce about the 32 Special caliber in Issue #360 of Handloader magazine, published in late 2025/early 2026 by Wolfe Publications. Pearce argues the cartridge has some specific virtues not shared by the .30 Winchester and offers loading advice. Like many presently unpopular but useful calibers, owners with a rifle so chambered are best served by accumulating and handloading components.jo
Bill,
Not having read the aforementioned article, what is Mr. Pearce’s gist (specific virtues)? I truly enjoy debating with the diehard 32 Winchester Special owners why the 30 WCF (30-30) is actually the superior cartridge of the two.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 20, 2023
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I’ll have to re-read the article to coherently summarize the points, which I’ll do shortly. What I found interesting was it was the first thing I’ve seen that contradicts the conventional wisdom.
Pearce is no Bubba, which gave his arguments more credibility, with me, anyway. I have no idea whether he’s right, of course. I have zero reloading experience with either and my total bag with the .30 Winchester was a button buck I thought was a doe, at 50 yards at Sundown.
I’ll come back here in a bit. I’m still recovering from the flu so it’s not like I’m putting useful work aside.
Wait 10.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 20, 2023
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Sent you an excerpt.
PBS American Revolution installment is about to come on.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
