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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 01-24-2016, 08:49 PM
eastriverss eastriverss is offline
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Can someone tell me the real story on the Model 631 stainless 2" barrel, Non-Lady Smith? How many 2" 631's were made? What years were they made? I've read there were only 190 of the Non-Lady Smiths made in a 2" 631..True? The supposed gun expert in our local gun shop told me there were 5500 2" 631's made, and didn't make a difference whether or not they were non-Lady Smiths or not, same value either way. True?
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:21 PM
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I don't think the made a whole lot of 2-inch M631 no-dash's. One source I saw said (190). But I always take those with a grain a salt. I might be accurate, or they might just be saying (190) were made for a certain distributor on a certain order. Six months later they could make another thousand for someone else or general distribution.

Regarding Lady Smiths. They do tend to sell for a small premium over otherwise similar guns. If this guy is running a gun shop and selling LS's for the same price, he's leaving money on the table. Sounds more like something HE would tell a SELLER.
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:25 PM
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The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson states that only 190 2" 631s were made. By my understanding that was in 1990. I have had trouble researching this model as there seems to be a lot of misinformation and difference of opinion from what I've found online. I hope that some one with sound knowledge will chime in.
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:30 PM
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BTW, that run of 2-inch M631 no-dashes were made in April of 1990, had s/n prefix of "BEZ", and a product code of 103664.

The 2-inch Lady Smiths were made at the same time, had "BEY" s/n prefixes, and 103660 product codes.

What I saw.
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:35 PM
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The one I have has a BFN in the Ser#..
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:46 PM
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Mine is a BFK prefix. OP as I said in your (looks like you duplicate posted) other post I have seen quite a bit of mystery and misinformation on the 2" 631. Anytime I see a post on this model its always of interest
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:50 PM
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Quote:
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Mine is a BFK prefix....
Haven't seen that one before. If you've got the box with the Spec. Ord. number and Product Code, I'll add it to my list. A BFM s/n prefix would of shipped in.....
October of 1990 to January of 1991.
Maybe your gun is from that "second run". Most of my info is based on what I've seen. Not what's written somewhere. So, any chance to add new info is welcomed and expands what I have to share.
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:59 PM
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Kernel,

I don't have the box for mine. To add further confusion to my specific 2" 631 I bought it used from my regular LGS. It was traded in by a retired S&W employee. I asked the owner who is my friend to get the story from the previous owner but he hasn't been back. Mine is factory DAO making me think it was possibly built special for this gentleman? It also looks to be a hand picked serial number as all the numbers are the same after the prefix
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Old 01-24-2016, 11:01 PM
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Default Model 631

Just double checked and it is definitely BFN. Inside the grip it says Jul 1 1990. Also, on the side by the ser# it has a 90056 207, if that means anything.
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Old 01-25-2016, 02:33 AM
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According to SCSW, the Model 631 was a special production for 1990, in three versions: 2" Lady Smith with fixed sights and smooth Rosewood Magnas, 2" non-Lady Smith with fixed sights and Combats, and 4" with adjustable sights and Combats. A total of 5474 units were produced, with 190 being the 2" non-Lady Smith version, and the remainder a combination of the other two versions. Another special production run of 40 Model 631's was made in 1998, all the 4" version.

At left is a 631 non-Lady Smith, at right a 631 Lady Smith.
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File Type: jpg S&W631b.JPG (222.5 KB, 150 views)
File Type: jpg S&W631LS2.JPG (215.8 KB, 145 views)
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Old 01-25-2016, 05:28 AM
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Hello,
I bought a non lady smith with the BEZ serial number a few weeks back at our local gun show. The original grips were long gone, I put these on it. It has some imitation pearl that were cracked.



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Old 01-25-2016, 06:05 AM
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My 631 2 inch has a BEY prefix, non ladysmith.

Box burned up in a house fire, only reason gun didn't it was in my pocket.
Believe it was April of 1990 when I bought it.
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Old 01-25-2016, 08:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
BTW, that run of 2-inch M631 no-dashes were made in April of 1990, had s/n prefix of "BEZ", and a product code of 103664.

The 2-inch Lady Smiths were made at the same time, had "BEY" s/n prefixes, and 103660 product codes.

What I saw.
I have a four inch (non LS) and a two inch LS; both have BEZ serial numbers.

Jeff
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Old 01-25-2016, 11:33 AM
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I wish they would make another run of them, so I could find one!
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Old 01-25-2016, 12:17 PM
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Here is another instance of Smith deliberately con fusing people using the same model number for quite different platforms.

My 631 is a SS 4" barreled revolver with adjustable sights (a VERY nice field pistol).

On a similar note, I have a Smith Model 520. It is a seven shot .357 Magnum with a 4" composite barrel, a Titanium cylinder and adjustable sights. The most well known "Model 520" is apparently a fixed sighted New York State police revolver with fixed sights.

Neither situation meets the "logical test".

FWIW
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Old 01-25-2016, 02:30 PM
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Any idea of value? Excellent shape, no box. Original grips...2" Non-Lady..
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Old 01-25-2016, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
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Just double checked and it is definitely BFN. Inside the grip it says Jul 1 1990. Also, on the side by the ser# it has a 90056 207, if that means anything.
Too bad about the box. I'd like to nail down that ship date. The grip date gives a good clue. Usually, those dated grips pre-date the gun's ship date by several months. That would put BFN the September - November 1990 time frame (give or take), which fits it's alphabetical sequence perfectly. I've seen lots of BFM and BFP's (S&W doesn't use the letter "O" in s/n's, for obvious reasons).

So, we have a couple of members with BFK and BFM guns, two s/n prefixes very close together. Probably made in the Fall/Winter of 1990/91. A number of BEY and BEZ guns that we know were made in April of 1990.

The funny thing is I've only ever seen (2) Lady Smith guns, even though supposedly over 5,000 were made. And, I've seen (6) of the plain guns (not counting those in this thread) even though supposedly fewer than 200 were made.
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Old 01-25-2016, 04:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
The funny thing is I've only ever seen (2) Lady Smith guns, even though supposedly over 5,000 were made. And, I've seen (6) of the plain guns (not counting those in this thread) even though supposedly fewer than 200 were made.
Of the 5474 made in the 1990 run, 190 were the 2" non-Lady Smith versions, but the remaining 5284 were supposedly a COMBINATION of the 2" Lady Smith and 4" versions, and I've never seen any numbers as to how many of each of those were made. I've seen many more 4" versions than I have either of the 2" versions, which leads me to believe that the majority were 4".
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Old 01-25-2016, 05:10 PM
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My 4" model has BKZ Serial number

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Old 01-25-2016, 06:23 PM
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Of the 5474 made in the 1990 run, 190 were the 2" non-Lady Smith versions, but the remaining 5284 were supposedly a COMBINATION of the 2" Lady Smith and 4" versions.....
Thanks. That's a good point. Now I've seen (7) of the 2-inch non-LS guns (I added another one today). Compare that to the 4-inch guns, were I've seen (9) product code 103662.

Based on my admittedly unscientific methods, that suggests the 2-inch and 4-inch were made in similar numbers. And while my methods are unscientific, my samples are completely random, meaning I don't intentionally favor one over the other.

And, just to be clear, by "seen", I mean seen in the box were I can get the product code and spec. ord. number. I probably see way more (like 3x more) than what can be properly document -- where there's no box or the s/n isn't shown.

So what's the point of all these ramblings? Just this. I have a hunch more than (190) of the 2-inch guns were made. I seen so many, and in numbers relatively equal to the 4-inch gun, it seems like more were made.
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Old 01-25-2016, 06:23 PM
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I only know 2 things for sure about the Model 631; first, I surely would love to own one, and second, Dale53 sure keeps a close eye on his whenever I go to visit! They are really tough to find!

Froggie
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Old 01-26-2016, 11:19 AM
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I gave a bunch to my kids, they are keeping them for the grandkids!! My oldest grandaughter(7 years old) was on the range and tearing up the bullseye at 15 yards using the 631 with 4 inch barrel. Afterwards, my daughter in law started shooting and she was very pleased with it's low recoil. She has arthritis and can not shoot heavy caliber revolvers.
When we were done I said to both of them "Haiden, your to young to own this revolver so I want your Mom to keep it for you, and also protect you with". I got a thank you kiss from both of them!!
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Old 11-19-2016, 05:07 PM
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Quote:
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Of the 5474 made in the 1990 run, 190 were the 2" non-Lady Smith versions, but the remaining 5284 were supposedly a COMBINATION of the 2" Lady Smith and 4" versions, and I've never seen any numbers as to how many of each of those were made. I've seen many more 4" versions than I have either of the 2" versions, which leads me to believe that the majority were 4".
Mine in box is BEZ3529 - Product code is 103360 - Spec Ord is 0109
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Old 11-19-2016, 05:44 PM
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Any idea of value? Excellent shape, no box. Original grips...2" Non-Lady..
You have one of the 190 Smith and Wessons 631's 2 inch "non-lady"guns. Rare, highly desirable. A nice example without a box will bring 1000-1100. These are hidden gems in the world of the modern stainless steel Smith and Wesson collector. I have personally owned 5 of the 190 over the past 10 years. New in box examples will commend 1500 plus.

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Old 11-19-2016, 06:11 PM
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If you can't find one, try the 431 or 432 PD's, 32 H&R Magnum airweights. They seem to be a few more of these around, but the SCSW4 doesn't list the quantities built. I do know some were put together with left over parts in April of this year. I'm really impressed with mine.
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Old 12-08-2016, 08:28 PM
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Just found this thread. I will add to Kernal's archive

I bought my model 631 in spring 1990. 2" non lady smith, combat grip. Serial number BEY43XX. Still have the box. Product code 103664 Spec Ord 0100. Other numbers on the gun 90056 251, 49848. Have no idea what those are.

I was reading a gun magazine, there was a brief mention with a picture with that beautiful combat grip. Drove to LGS. Nobody heard of it. Owner of the shop was very kind he called his wholesaler or SW regional rep. Overheard the gun is non catalog but he can order it. He ordered three I picked up one next week.

I wanted to buy one more in 4 inch a year or two later. Went to one of the largest gun show in the country. No 631 non ladysmith to be found. Everthing has Lady Smith on it.
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Old 10-06-2017, 04:53 PM
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Great informational thread on an unusual revolver!

To add to the data, I have a 2" non-Ladysmith 631 that came with the finger-grooved Combat grips, serial number BEZ12XX. No box or anything else came with it, purchased used at a local gun store back in 2004.
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