Greetings all,

New to the group and hoping to gain info from the wizards. Long story short - the daughter of one of my son's co-workers was broken into and her mom, my son's co-worker, wanted us to take a look at this pistol to see if it would be a good option. Apparently, it has been in the family for quite some time. It looks rough but it is a tight gun. The action is tight - no slop at all. Serial number is 709984. I wanted to do some research just to be able to tell her some history on it.

Also, since it is a .32 S&W Long, I wanted to see if there are any other options for ammo, not that any other ammo is easy to obtain. The daughter will only be using it for protection so it's doubtful it will be used a lot.

Thanks much.

Attached Images

IMG_2289.jpg (140.7 KB, 139 views)

It is a .32 Hand Ejector from about 1960. A decent little revolver. Everything appears to be original on it.

I'm not sure what this means:
It shoots the .32 S&W Long cartridge. That's it. Normally, ammo is available for it, despite the temporary shortage at this time. I believe it is available in lead round nose and wadcutters.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

That revolver was quite likely shipped in the 1958 time frame. If it is marked with "MOD 30" on the yoke, it is a fairly early model marked gun. S&W did not start stamping the model number designations until 1958.

While the .32 S&W Long is not the ideal self defense caliber, it most certainly can be used effectively as such. If the ladies in question are not familiar with handgun usage, I would strongly recommend they get some training on it's proper usage. As for the ammo, as you note, availability of any ammo is pretty limited. However, it can be found. I would recommend a couple boxes of wadcutter ammo for training and familiarization. And if nothing else can be found, it does make for decent defense ammo. If really good defense ammo is wanted, Buffalo Bore makes some pretty hot loads for this caliber, plus it is even more expensive.

I have a .32 Hand Ejector snub nearly identical to the one you show, made in 1957, just prior to it becoming the Model 30. I carry it more than any other of my handguns. I was able to acquire a few boxes of 98 grain SJHP made by Magtech before the current "shortage". They are pretty warm, though not as hot as the Buffalo Bore.

IMO, any of the rounds I have mentioned are capable of putting some pretty serious hurt on a gremlin intent on doing you harm.

Edit: And as I type, Jack beat me to the punch....again.

__________________
SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

The above may be the most important recommendation you will get from this thread.

Welcome and Happy New Year! Good points above. I would add if it is rusty on the outside it may be in similar condition (neglected) on the inside, so someone familiar with it should inspect and clean everything.

The rust on the outside can be addressed by removing the stock panels and soaking it in 50:50 ATF and acetone in a sealed metal can for 1-2 weeks. This should be followed by blowing out the solution with compressed air, lightly lubricating the action and cold bluing/waxing the surface.

Finally, if its future place of residence has been broken into, a very secure means of securing and storing it is essential. No point into going through all the trouble of making the gun work for a thief. Please let us know how things turn out.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Buffalo bore has self defense ammo in stock for this caliber.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

To summarize;
1) Welcome to the S&W Forum and Happy New Year
2) Yes, that Model 30 revolver in 32 S&W Long is a likely candidate for self defense for a young lady, even though at 60+ years of age, it’s likely older than she is!
3) By all means do three things before it is completely turned over to her;
i- make sure she knows how to handle it safely and effectively... with a hands-on course at a range, involving actual firing of the gun as well as instruction on when to shoot (or not) and safe loading, etc.
ii- give that gun the thorough cleaning it needs, then either a protective coat of paste wax or periodic wipes with one of the gun wipe cloths, treated to prevent those rust spots from returning.
iii- provide the young lady with secure storage for it in her home... someplace she can get to it quickly when needed, but not easily stolen. One of those little lock boxes that open by finger combination and can be securely bolted down would be a good thing to use.
iv- ammo is important with a defensive 32. I use lead semi wad cutters for practice and keep mine loaded with jacketed hollow points for everyday carry... the defensive rounds from Buffalo Bullets are excellent defensive rounds in the caliber.

Keep in mind that the more practice she does with it and the more familiar she is with it, the more likely it is to be of benefit when needed. As I said, I have a similar one in heavy rotation for everyday carry, and I provided one virtually identical to yours to my littlest niece (5 foot naught at age 30!) when she was living alone.

Regards,
Green Frog

That nearly brings a tear to my eyes. That is a terrific little revolver. It’s nearly ideal for a woman who is not used to using handguns and who may not be acclimated to recoil. It will not kick much, and if you look around you will find ammo for it that will give it a little additional punch. But please, take that revolver to someone who can clean it up - without doing additional harm.

The recommendation for a little training of the intended users is a great one. Do not neglect that. The training should be followed up with range practice sessions a couple times a year. Good luck!

Welcome to the Forum from Virginia. You can find ammo for that 32 S&W Long and it will be a tad expensive for a while yet I believe. On the other hand while you are searching ammo and getting that gun cleaned up (internally as well as external) I suggest that you start familiarizing the young lady with firearms in general, of course starting with gun handling and safety.

If you live near an area that has indoor gun ranges, check to see if they offer rental guns or better yet, a women's training course. These courses can be a great benefit to those ladies unsure of what they want, what they need, what's available.

I've been into firearms for well over half a century, and raised 6 daughters and 3 sons and while they all have firearms training and some like guns, some don't care....one common thread, especially with the ladies, is that small frame snub-nosed revolvers are NOT their favorite!

My EDC is a 38 Special J Frame Model 637, prior was Model 60, and way back was Model 36. Snub nosed revolvers do take some learning and practice to control recoil (which varies from lady to lady) but also there is a considerable muzzle flash from short barreled revolvers, that can along with the noise, destroy one's night vision as well as ruin their point of aim. Most all my ladies prefer a simple 9 mm striker fired black plastic bedside gun. They still all practice regular, but seems they do a lot better than with any of my snubbies.

Just some points to consider when choosing a defense firearm. No matter what she chooses.......the important point is to LET HER CHOOSE! Don't assume that because you have a revolver, or any other gun that she can (and will) use it if necessary in a highly stressful incident. She is the only one who can determine that.

My Model 31-1 is a 1975 and came to me from an estate sale where the young lady purchased it in 1975 for self protection after her husband passed at an early age, and it literally sat unfired, untouched until she passed and her son (not a gun person) sold it to me after finding it in a drawer.

So classic case of someone persuading another to get a gun, but with no training or familiarity it never was used for any purpose and since no ammo was purchased with the gun (I have the original receipt) or found years later..there wasn't even an intent.

Best of Luck in your helping out, and please as posted above, come back and let us know if we can assist. Maybe that gun would be of more value to you (and her) if you sell it, or trade it for something she maybe likes, and can handle better.

Attached Images

	Model 31-1 A.jpg (33.4 KB, 27 views)
	Model 31-1 B.jpg (31.5 KB, 23 views)
	Model 31-1 F.jpg (50.5 KB, 21 views)
	Model 31-1 I.jpg (62.4 KB, 22 views)

__________________
Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

I got one especially for my wife, who has shot some, but I know won't practice. Took her to the range with a half dozen different guns and she liked that one the least, grip too small. She wanted my Shield, but settled on a Bersa Thunderer .380. Slide racks easy, and trigger is very smooth and light in double action. Big enough to get a good grip on and easy to manipulate and shoot.

If she likes the 30, get a BK Grip adapter and it will help.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Also another possibility would be any of the aftermarket rubber grips. There are several available and she may prefer one over the others. My own favorite is the Pachmayr “Compac” model.