What models of S&W Jframes were made with 3 inch barrels and 6 shots?

Are they rated or capable of safely using 38+p ammo on a "limited" basis.

When I say limited basis, I'm thinking practice with std 38 primarily, and shoot enough +P to be familiar, and EDC with the +P. Not continuous steady diet of +P.

Thanks

No J frames have been made with 6 rounds in .38 special. The cylinder is too small. All of the 6 shot J frames have been. 22 LR and .32.

Colt D frames hold 6 rounds of .38 special. Think Detective Special and Agent.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

You might be thinking of the 632, a 6-shot J-Frame available with a 3" barrel chambered in Federal .327 Magnum. These had adjustable sights, and a slab-sided barrel, nice piece. I don't see that S&W currently catalogs that model, and they never really took off, so there's not many floating around out there. But if you look, I'm sure one will eventually turn up. This is a good place to start your search.

Failing that, a Colt D-frame of some iteration as mentioned above would work. But, again, they are getting scarce and pricey when the do come up, even more so in a 3" barrel. But they are out there. I saw a 2nd series at my LGS about a month ago.

A final thing to consider is that a 3" revolver is not really a pocket gun. For a belt gun, the new S&W Model 66 with a 2 3/4" barrel should start hitting dealer's shelves some time this summer. It's a 6-shot .357/.38 Special that looks like a winner. Even though I prefer the older ones, I'm seriously considering this one.

There is another post just last week that identified all the 32 caliber, 32 H&R Mag, and 327 Federal "6" shot revolvers S&W makes. There were quit a few, unfortunately most were short runs and are discontinued. The 32 H&R Mag is a a great round and being discovered by more and more. There was a small run of 431PD and 432PD (lightweight) revolvers 1 7/8" barrel made last year. You might find some yet.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

My 31-1 is a 3" J frame that came as a 32 Long but has had its chambers reamed to take the slightly longer but potentially much more potent 32 H&R Mag. It's a delightlful gun to shoot and with most loads is a real tack driver.

^^^

Tell me more about the 32 S&W long that was reamed out to accept 32 H&R!

My mom has an old S&W, I'm not sure the model # in 32 S&W long. It is very hard to find any ammo and when we do it is very expensive and only in Target bullets. 32 H&R is easier to find, less expensive and probably a better SD effectivness anyhow.

Mom was thinking about buying a whole new gun as a result of the ammo a availability issue. Reaming out to accept 32 H&R mag may be THE solition for her!

If reamed, do you have to restamp to show that 32 H&R is accepted?

More than likely the model you have is an "I" frame and therefore the cylinder is too short and too weak to safely be reamed out to 32 Mag. Your best bet is to sell to a collector and purchase a M 30 or M 31. Or purchase one of the recent models that were built originally for the 32 H&R Mag. or the 327 Mag. ......

BTW; when a ream job is done there is no requirement for a re-stamp. The reaming does not prevent the original 32 Long to be used.

H Richard; I missed that post. Could you direct me in finding it? I would appreciate it greatly. ....

Here is my Model 31-1, 3" 6 shot cylinder chambered for the .32 S&W Long. There are self defense loads available for modern .32 Long revolvers and as others have mentioned the .32 H&R Mag takes things to another level.

Attached Images

Model 31-1.jpg (128.1 KB, 48 views)

It may have been this one. 32H&R

wrangler5 found it. I have 3 of the 32 H&R Mag's presently, 2 J Frame and 1 K Frame, but also 3 of the I Frame 32's and a half dozen of the 32 top breaks. I believe the 32 H&R is a very under rated round and is developing a good following. I understand one of the rifle makers has announced the making of a lever action in 327 Federal (in which you could also use 32 H&R and 32 long). I think I'll be looking for one when they become available, (and I'm not particularly a lever action fan).

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Since we are on the subject of .32 S&W long J frames. Can anyone explain why the 30 and 31 both existed at the same time clear into the '70s or early '80s? They both started as named I frames then turned into numbered J frames. The only difference I could find, is that the 30s came in 2" and 3" round butt and 31s seem to be 3" and 4" square butt. You would think when S&W went to numbered models they would have condensed things a little.
P.S. I guess this all goes for the lowly .38 S&W models 32 and 33 also.

The S&W 650 .22 mag was a six shot, 3" heavy barrel J frame.


I gave my grandson a 2" S&W 31-2.

Both models (30 & 31) came in 2", 3", and 4".

Their predecessors (32 Hand Ejector and 32 Regulation Police, respectively) came in 2" (postwar), 3¼", 4¼", and 6" before 1953 and then changed to the post-model barrel lengths. One point that stumps some folks is most of those made prior to 1953 -- if not all -- were actually round butts. The Regulation Police had a unique-to-the-model square butt stocks and a relieved place on the back strap to allow the round butt frame to transition to the square butt stocks.

Another tricky point: reportedly some Model 30s came with a square butt, but I've never seen one in person.

Hope this helps.

Bob

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob