K .32 Long classic

[PMRet]

Those of us who appreciate the originals for their craftsmanship and panache would never settle for a new one with lock and MIM parts.

My feelings exactly...

 

[Jim NNN]

Originally Posted by Hondo44
Those of us who appreciate the originals for their craftsmanship and panache would never settle for a new one with lock and MIM parts.

My feelings exactly...

Also, the reason the originals (K-32's and model 16's) are so rare is because very few people bought them in the first place. And the .32 S&W Long cartridge hasn't gotten any more popular since then. And what would Smith and Wesson's financial motivations be for reintroducing it? Even the full lug 32 H&R mag K-32 reintroduced as a model 16 didn't sell well.

Oh well...fun to dream about

(I'm still hoping that they'll reintroduce the 1953 Studebaker Starliner and the 1941 Martin D-28 guitar for $175...I live in the past.)

 

[Jebus35745]

Well, I called Andy Horvath today to see how much to convert a K-22 to a 32 S&W long. Abt 650.00 for the caliber conversion and under 200.00 to cut the bbl to 5" and fit a front sight of some sort. Includes a re-blue. I would use him only bc I can drive to his shop to drop the gun off and his reputation is great. All I need now is a .22 to convert. That will put it abt 1300 for a nice 5" K-32 or 1100. for a 6" 32. It wouldn't be original but I can shoot it, not hurt any value and enjoy the gun. WOW, what to do! If I sell my 16-4, the gun will almost be paid for. My dream to own one will be over. Larry

 

[Hondo44]

I would imagine that the competition's price is right about the same. I have no qualms about letting Andy do it and I too would prefer to drive the gun to him. At those prices and because it will be a brand new looking K32 factory look-a-like, I belive you could always get your money out of it since the real ones are rare and very pricey. I would pay that much in a heart beat for a K32 conversion shooter.

I would go for it, no question in my mind. And if I was "going the distance" to have it done to look like a factory K32 and I wanted the barrel cut, I would definitely want the original or an original S&W front sight ramp and blade installed.

The rule is, the more the custom conversions look like a factory product, the better the chance of you getting your money out of it, not that you'd ever want to sell it!! But something to consider when making the investment. The customs/conversions with all kinds of bells and whistles cost a bundle and nobody ever wants to pay what they cost when they're for sale. What my bells and whistles are, seldom are someone else's.


Since you get a re-blue out of the deal hopefully you can pick up a very 'finish challenged' K22 cheap, maybe even a five or 4 screw. I got my not too 'finish challenged' K22 Combat Masterpice 5 screw w/o original grips for $240.

 

[Jebus35745]

Thanks Jim, You're helping to push me over the edge. Met someone from the forum in Seattle thru selling guns. Nice person, we keep in touch on the phone abt important things (S&W's). He has a nice beater K-22 with a tapered bbl for a reasonable price. Says its a good shooter even before I started bugging him to sell it to me. The deal is close. Looks like my K-32 may be a reality. I'd really like the hvy bbl in a 5" but he said it shoots good with everything. I have a 5" K-38 with the hvy bbl. I figure if the gun shoots good before the conversion, it will be accurate after. I'm abt to order another set of KB grips with the roper checkering and they will be for this gun. I hold a S&W bunch every 6 mos., wish you lived closer. You are interesting to talk to and it would be neat to meet you. Larry

 

[Hondo44]

Larry, that's cool, what vintage K22? I'm into your project more than you know! I can understand having a K32 w/heavy barrel to match your K38. Personally I prefer the tapered barrel, which makes no difference because that's just me. Just a thought; a K32 with tapered barrel will more closely match the weight of your K38. That was a big deal in the old days of Bullseye matches.

Here's my 586 project on my bench now to get a tapered barrel 5 shot L frame 44 Spl. Just need to find someone to rebore the '357 Mtn Gun' barrel then send it off with the 696 cylinder to have blued.

Yes I wish I wasn't on the other side of the country!

 

[Jebus35745]

That looks like a cool project. Did you mount the cyl your self? Do you change bbl's, guess really all one would need is a frame wrench. The "L" frames are good shooters so you're finished gun should be accurate. What are some of you're past projects? Upcoming auction on the 16th with a K 22 for a sale. Larry

 

[checkitout]

I like the idea.

 

[Hondo44]

That looks like a cool project. Did you mount the cyl yourself? Do you change bbl's, guess really all one would need is a frame wrench. The "L" frames are good shooters so you're finished gun should be accurate. What are some of you're past projects? Upcoming auction on the 16th with a K 22 for a sale. Larry

The cylinder was a drop in. I even bought the 5 shot cylinder hand to install, but didn't need it. But this cylinder had one final machining step left un-done. I had to do a final shaping cut on each one of the 6 cylinder ratchet positions! Changed several barrels with a homemade barrel vise and blocks.

Other projects: All my caliber conversions so far are Colt and Ruger single actions but here's some Smith projects.

Got this J frame 30-1 .32 with target sight but had to remount the rear sight correctly and re-do the front. Added target trigger and hammer, and pre war thumbpiece. I've added factory target grips that I always shorten and in this case, adapted with a filler to the round butt.

Replaced the Ti cylinder on this 296 w/ss 696 cylinder and replaced latch w/earlier style.

Bekeart Model with bulged barrel got a barrel trim and re-blue. I picked up this little '20s era Heavy Frame Target as a shooter. It's #428014 all numbers matching including the extended target grips and front and rear sight, 8 locations total. The barrel had been shortened to 3 1/4", the original patridge sight and base reinstalled and the entire gun refinished. It's not a factory refinish and not that quality but not bad either with all rollmarks sharp and clear.
The patridge blade sight had been modified into an ugly ramp however, so I turned it back into a period correct shape but that's why it's not as long. Installed a correct retaining pin with round ends and took the remainder of the patent dates off the top of the barrel because they were half covered by the sight base. I also installed a second style, '30s era ejector knob so it resembles a Kit gun and added period correct RB grips for the kids' small hands. It's a nice little package and a terrific shooter.

For $400 plus shipping and no tax, I couldn't let it slip by. Worth it to me just to have another shooter for the grandkids and save my nicer and more original shooters for the adults.

Put a 4 " barrel in another Bekeart w/barrel bulged right up against the frame.

 

[Jebus35745]

You do some nice work. Those guns look excellent. I have a 22/32 that had a bulged bbl also. A guy at the club cut to 41/2" and installed a ruger front sight. Had to mill the thickness of the front sight to match the rear better. Had a re blue at some time, I'll leave it as it is. Going pheasant hunting tomorrow and carry the gun for a coup-de-grace piece if needed. I have abt 250.00 in the .22 and a nice set of early 2 screw grips salvaged from it. Wish I had the time to do what you do on guns. Maybe in retirement. Larry

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks Larry,

I actuall enjoy collecting them and working on them, if needed, as much as shooting them. I'm finally retired. About 5 years now and more than doubled my collection...OMG!

 

[Jebus35745]

How does you're 30-1 shoot? Thats actually a cheap way to get a 32 target. Thought abt a 6" J or I frame and have the top frame milled to fit a modern J sight, then raise the front sight. Thats a cool gun. Is it possibly up for sale since you've doubled your collection? Larry

 

[Jebus35745]

Here is the pics of my 32/22 cut to 3 1/2" bc of a bbl bulge. Ruger front sight. Larry

 

[Hondo44]

How does you're 30-1 shoot? Thats actually a cheap way to get a 32 target. Thought abt a 6" J or I frame and have the top frame milled to fit a modern J sight, then raise the front sight. Thats a cool gun. Is it possibly up for sale since you've doubled your collection? Larry

Hi Larry,

It is a tack driver! It probably shoots no better than any other of my .32 small frames. It's just a very inherently accurate cartridge. However, with the improved sight picture for my old eyes my ability to shoot it to it's potential is much enhanced! It's actually become one of my favorites and last to sell.

I would encourage you to go ahead with your project. There are 3 versions of small frame modern rear sights. The I frame, and two J frame sizes. If you have an I frame gun, try to locate an I frame sight which has the front screw properly located forward of the barrel/cylinder gap and the installation will look factory. If you do a J frame gun, use one of the J frame sights. The screw hole location is the same on both but the earlier 34-1 sight has the proper length tang to match your top strap. Of course the 34-2 sight tang can always be shortened.

By the way, just for reference, the correct front blade serrations for a Smith is 50 LPI, the #1 checkering file from Brownell's.

 

[Hondo44]

Here is the pics of my .22/32 cut to 3 1/2" bc of a bbl bulge. Ruger front sight. Larry

Larry,

That looks excellent. With the 3 1/2" barrel it has great proportion and resembles the Mod 43 Airweight which for extra lightening, only came with a 3 1/2" barrel.

The Ruger sight ramp gets rid of the huge sail-like front sight blade that some object to. Is it screwed on? I planned to use a K22 front sight with my next post Model 1953 project, milled down in proportion to the smaller frame. I like my projects to look like something the factory would have made. They did a nice job of adding a sight base to the Model 63 front sight.

 

[Jebus35745]

Hi Jim, thought I scared you away by asking if your gun was for sale. The front Ruger sight is screwed on and had epoxy added when installed. He charged me 90.00 to cut the bbl, add the sight and correct the double action glitch. Its a re-blued mess with pits under the finish and blued hammer and trigger. Still have the piece of bbl with the front sight, are you interested in? I'll ship it to you if you want it. The gun is perfect for a finish shot if needed while hunting small game or a trail gun that if it falls in the mud I wouldn't care. Shoots good too, better then with the bulge. I could use this rear sight on an I frame if needed. Larry

 

[Hondo44]

Hi Larry,

Oh no, I'm flattered. You have a cool little gun. You got your money's worth from your gunsmith. One of my favorite kind, use it it and not have to worry about. The kind that you will have a lot of memories attached to, that you can as you pass it on to your son or family!

And the newer modern sight would look great on your gun and does have it's advantages. You don't have to worry about losing those little screws that can work loose and get lost. Your front sight may not be tall enough though. Clements reproduces those pre war style rear sights for use on his compact custom guns and sells them for about $100. So they are valuable.

Yes I could use your original piece of barrel w/front sight but only if I at least reimburse you shipping. I'll send my address in a PM. Thank you!!

All the best,

 

[Jebus35745]

Happy birthday Jim, I'm sure the shipping won't be much. I have a want to buy add for a cheap K-22 to use as caliber change. Hopefully one will turn up. After pheasant season I'll hit a show and look for one. That nickle Reg Mag in the Classified had a big rust scab on the top strap in the pic showing the recoil shield. So what is the model 53 project you're doing? Its weird, the guy at the club that did my 22/32 has the same first name and is real handy with fixing guns. Larry

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks!

I have a 53 4" barrel which has an ER shroud. I always thought it would look good on a Model 48 or 18 to match my 4" Model 19. Haven't moved forward on that yet, however.

I'll keep an eye open for a K22. Do you have a preference on vintage? What caliber were you thinking of converting to? I have another project in mind for a 25-20 Short that I load, on a Ruger Single Six frame.

 

[Jebus35745]

Jim, The 22 would be converted to 32 long. Looking for a hvy bbl C&R pre-17. I'll look locally and appreciate you're offer finding one. It will save shipping and sometimes guns sell cheap here. The bbl piece will go out tomorrow. Larry