Need some help....Everywhere I have read the shortest barrel length for the S&W Pre-Model 30 .32 Long is 3 1/4"....I have a 3" (correctly measured) I have seen some small differences in in the barrel lengths in the books but not by a 1/4". Any thought would be welcomed...Thanks

Your pre model 30 (collector term) is officially a "Model of 1953 .32 Hand Ejector". The 3 1/4" barrel and 4 1/4" barrel were standardized at 3" and 4" with the introduction of the ramp front sight and barrel rib on the late Improved models beginning ~late 1952.

The preceding models; the .32 HE post war Transitional followed in ~ 1952 by the early .32 HE Improved Model (both of those are collector terms) had the pre war round sight and barrel lengths with the extra 1/4". They are often erroneously referred to as pre model 30s, which they aren't. There are no pre models with uneven barrel lengths. The even barrel lengths, but along with larger trigger guards and grip frames, is what distinguishes the Models of 1953 as true Pre models because they are virtually the same configuration as those that are model # stamped.

Here are examples of the evolution:

LEFT SIDE:
.32 HE pre-war I frame Model 1903 (2nd Model)-5th Change, 3 ¼”, top;

.32 Regulation Police Transitional Post war I Frame w/Rd sight, 3 ¼”, 6 screw, ‘double pinch’ thumb piece, rebated sq butt, c. 1949, next;

.32 HE Pure post war ‘early’ Improved I Frame w/coil spring, Rd sight, 2”, 5 screw, ‘single pinch’ thumb piece, rd butt, c. late 1951, bottom. This version of the I frame has the same features as the early round sight Baby J/Chiefs.

RIGHT SIDE:
.32 HE ‘late’ Improved I w/ramp sight & barrel rib, 3”, 5 screw, 2nd style flat latch, rd butt, shipped late 1952, top right;

.32 R.P. Model of 1953 New I frame (the true pre model), 3”, 4 screw, 2nd style flat latch, sq butt, c. 1954, next;

.32 R.P. Target Transitional I, 4”, 6 screw, 4th (final type) thumb piece, rebated sq butt, one of 196 from 1957 only, next;

.32 R.P. J frame Model 31-1, 3”, 3 screw, sq butt, 1980, bottom.



I hope this is helpful,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I have a .32 Hand Ejector Pre-Model 30 that looks like blanda1's except it is blue and has a 2 inch barrel. Round butt, flat latch, walnut Magna stocks. Serial number is 667033.

Also a Model 30, blue, 3 inch barrel, round butt, flat latch, came to me with checkered walnut Target stocks. Serial number 692058.

Also a .32 Regulation Police, 4-1/4 inch barrel, blue, non-medallion walnut extension stocks, serial number 387737.

Could someone hazard dates for these?

Once you shoot one you will want more.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

1. 1957. 3 screw sideplate.

2. 1959

3. Early 1920s. Mushroom knob, no grip medallions, with MADE IN USA on right side of frame, correct?

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Jim, I'll have to look. All 3 are buried in the back of the bottom of my safe where I haven't been in a few years.

Thanks for the dates.

When S&W got into the model numbers in 1957, a Model 30 would have a round butt and a Model 31 would have a square butt, regardless of barrel length. Unless S&W screwed up the stamping, which happens.

I bought a NIB 31-1 2 inch in either 1985 or 2005 (bad handwriting, I should have been a doctor) and would have really preferred a 4 inch and would swap for a 4 inch in a heartbeat. Had one I should have kept and shot it a lot back in college.

I've got a couple or so.








DW

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"NUTS"

Buff,

Since the two most common barrel lengths, 3" and 4" were shared between the M30 and M31 anyway, in 1976 the M30 was discontinued and one could get any of the three barrel lengths with round or sq butt. The 2" and 3" prevailed most often and the 4" became sort of scarce and was deleted in 1978. But they are out there and you'll just have to look for one made between 1953 and 1978 (1961 and 1978 if you want a J frame). The advantage of the J frame is the longer cyl that can be hand reamed for the 32 H&R mag in about 20 minutes.

Like this 1966 Mod 30-1 4" turned into a 32 Kit Gun Target:

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I like the .32 Kit Gun idea, Jim. I have one of the stainless M-631 kit guns. I was looking for a 4 inch to make into a Kit Gun when S&W made them.

Model 31-1, 4" from 1969 with a pre-war type adjustable rear sight and a post war blade front. My custom .32 Kit Gun.




Five other .32 S&W Long revolvers of different persuasions.

SDH,

Nice custom Kit Gun. A "retro" melding of pre war and post war design.

Another Kit Gun never made, similar theme with pre war barrel knob extractor, double pinch thumb piece and post war 3 1/2" barrel:

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819