Colt PPS 32-20 max pressure?

[Tycer]

Is the Colt PPS 32-20 comfortable with 16,000 psi?

I'll be working on loads soon and do not want to stress my new old Colt or my old 1892.

[Hobie]

I would think that would be about right... I have a 1905 4th change and have similar concerns.

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

Cosidering that 16,000 PSI Crusher aka CUP is SAAMI maximum pressure for the cartridge, with no distinction between rifles and revolvers, the PP Special will handle that just fine. This is approximately the same as .38 Special.

[Harry O]

The 16,000psi limit is safe for the PPS. My father had a 1931 Colt PPS in 32-20 that he let me shoot when I was a kid, as long as I bought the ammo. One time I bought some "rifle" only loads. The guy who sold it to me said that was OK for my gun. It was made for smokeless powder. The box was marked that way so that the cartridge would not be used in black powder 32-20's.

Wrong. I bent the center shaft in 2 or 3 rounds. I got a gunsmith to fix it for me and never shot anything other than weak factory lead loads (or equivalent handloads) after that. I have been using Trail Boss in it recently and that works well. I have not had a problem with it since then. I inherited the gun after my father died and still take it out to shoot every once in a while. Here is a picture of it (on the bottom.

http://www.sixshootercommunity.com/harr ... el-16.html

[Sixgun]

Tycer,
I remember that Colt! Just stay with a lead bullet and 4 grains of Unique or 3 grains of Bullseye. Those loads are on the low end of factory ammo, which is already weak. A Smith can handle loads that are a tad bit higher, but not much higher.

Stay away from jacketed bullets. They will still be fine with the above loads in your gun but jacketed bullets do raise pressures. If I remember correctly, lead bullets were sized at .312 for that Colt. .311 will work fine too.--------------------Sixgun

[Mike D.]

"Rifle only" loads are marked "High Velocity, not for use in revolvers and M. 1873 rifles." I have not seen a box without that warning, so the guy who sold you those was an ignorant fool who had no business selling ammo.