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09-09-2017, 06:48 PM
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Model 30 questions.
I saw a Model 30, revolver only, at a gun show today. He wanted $500. The blueing was great and the only wear was on the extractor rod. He gave it a 95%. However, I noticed that the front sight had a slight cant to the right so I passed. Is that a flaw specific to that gun or would others be similar? I really liked the Model 30 so I'll start looking for one.
I think that a .32 isn't a real popular caliber so would there be any long term price appreciation potential?
Thanks for any opinions.
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09-09-2017, 07:10 PM
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I think I was at the same show (Fishersville?) but missed that Model 30... what part of the room was it in? I've seen quite a few 30s but never one with a canted front sight. If it had no dash, it should have been an "Improved" I-frame and had the same profile for grips and trigger guard as a Baby Chief, if memory serves. Did you see anything else of interest? I was pretty unimpressed, but it looks like I missed at least one gun I should have looked at.
Froggie
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09-09-2017, 08:15 PM
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Actually, Froggie, it is the next frame after the baby: Model of 1953, and if it's stamped Mod. 30 on the yoke it falls somewhere between '58 and '61. Not normal for the model to have a canted front sight. They're fun little shooters, and $500 isn't bad at all based on the condition you mentioned. Here's my pre-model 30 .32 Hand Ejector (I traded into it; I've got about $390 in it) and my Model 31 (square butt) .32 Regulation Police.
It's not uncommon to find a Model 30-1, which was built on the J-frame after '61.
Long-term price? Who knows? It is a S&W.
Bob
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09-09-2017, 10:32 PM
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I'm thinking of going back to look at this one more time. If after seeing it again and I still think there is a cant, is it fixable, do you just live with it or should that be a show stopper?
@ Green Frog, the same show also unimpressed and very few S&Ws. I saw a nice 36-10 Lady Smith with box, papers etc. but it had the lock.
Thanks again for any opinions.
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09-09-2017, 11:23 PM
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I pulled my Mod. 30 out of my pocket, unloaded it, left the cylinder rolled out and shot these photos of the muzzle and front sight. This is the best I could do holding the gun and the camera. Didn't quite get the second one straight on.
Here's a third shot -- knees make a great vice.
The fourth one is finally lined up, but it's a bit blurry. At least you can see the front sight lined up in the rear notch.
I'm not a smith so can't help with whether it could be "bent" back. The barrel is pinned so can't imagine it's canted.
Hope it helps,
Bob
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09-09-2017, 11:47 PM
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Thanks so much for the photos. They definitely helped.
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09-11-2017, 09:01 AM
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There is less availability of the I-frame 30&31's compared to the j-frame -1 models. Pricewise, I have about $487 (437+fees) in the 31-1 2" I just got from GB. VA gunshows are a bit pricey but the $500 asking price for the 30 might be fair but probably negotiable. The 3" bbl versions of the 30/31 -1 are much more costly from what I see on the sites.
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09-11-2017, 10:37 AM
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I once had thoughts about buying a Model 30/31 and having it bored out to .32 H&R Magnum. Research showed that gunsmiths would not do the conversion (Hamilton Bowen, specifically), and said they would only recommend this conversion on a K-frame sized cylinder. That being said, I didn't realize how scarce the Model 30/31s are. I also think the asking price might be a bit high, but given the scarcity, if it's in good condition, I'd be a buyer. Also, the canted front sight wouldn't deter me - it's probably someone's effort to regulate the sight to hit point-of-impact for themselves. As an example, I once bought a used CZ-50 pistol at an excellent price. The rear sight was pushed over to the extreme right side of the dovetail - so much so that the sight was barely in the dovetail anymore. I test fired the pistol at the range, and the pistol shot a pretty tight group - all to the right of the target. Once I tapped the rear sight to align it to the middle of the dovetail and aligned to the front sight, it put all of the rounds to the center of the target. If you buy the revolver and it groups to one side of the target, the fix should be easy to do.
Good luck,
Dave
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