Old Marlin rifle

[ToadHill]

I was recently given my great grandfathers old Marlin .32 lever action rifle. I've looked in several places for ammo but I don't see anything listed for a .32 rifle. The last patent date on the gun is 1895. Can anyone tell me if .32 pistol ammo will fit this gun, or do you know where I might find ammo for it.

 

[Boondox]

You can get some great information from the gunsmiths at The Hunters Life on their forums. Provide the model and serial numbers if available. The folks there are as devoted to firearms as we are to tractors!

Pete

 

[Egon]

Did some quick searching.

The .32-20 marlin ammunition may be avialable from Remington. There is also a winchester .32-20 cartridge that should work.

Also found that the winchester .32-20 high speed ammunition should not be used in the Marlin rifle.

Do not rely on any of these findings as my subject matter knowledge is insuffient for proper advice!!

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[texbaylea]

If you "google" .32 Marlin about half way down the first page is an entry labeled "Gun Magazine: Correction" It states that the proper cartridge ofr the Model 1892 Marlin is .32 Short Colt or the 32 Long Colt. That is a reloadable cartridge but you will probably have to cast your own bullets.

Vernon

 

[texbaylea]

I checked my copy of "Cartridges of the World" and it does not list a .32 Marlin. The best way to be sure exactly what cartridge the rifle takes is to find a gunsmith or friend that can make a chamber cast using cerrosafe metal. This metal melts at low temperature, poors easily, shrinks slightly as it cools and expands back to original dimensions when cold. A few measurements will determine what cartridge fits.

FYI: The 32-20 Marlin and the 32-20 Winchester are the same dimensions. There were slight differences in bullet weights and loadings.

Vernon

 

[TresCrows]

My great uncle had one of those, it was 32-20. I am pretty sure in the day these were intended for black powder cartridges and therefore any modern ammo may be to stout for it. I m positive it can be loaded for, I saw him bring a hog down with it and remeber it made a lot of smoke. You might be able to write Marlin with the serial number etc and get their take on it.
J

 

[ToadHill]

Thanks for all the help, I will bring the gun back from the farm next week when I go out. I'll take it to a local gunsmith and see what can be done with it.

 

[Jimbrown]

Might want to read this web page

 

[texbaylea]

The .32-20 and its siblings are fun to shoot and are great to use around small acerage. I have a Winchester 1892 in .25-20 and a Winchester Model 65 in 218 Bee that I use. The Model 65 is worth too much money so I carry the .25-20 mostly. I need to look into modifing ATV gun case for my L3130.

Reloading these is fun and inexpensive, particularly using Lee equipment. If you shoot a lot, casting your own bullets is the way to go.

Vernon

 

[Deerlope]

If it say .32 it might be the same as the Winchester .32 special. A gunsmith can tell you that.