32 S&W Long, M&P Unicorn 5 inch !!!

[Casual Smith Nut]

Hello,

I wanted to share a recent find with the forum. Browsing in gunbroker I ran across a 32 M&P priced similarly to the standard 38 special. I took the chance and bit the Buy Now option. I just took delivery yesterday and took some photos to share and learn more from the guys here.

It's a C prefix M&P chambered for 32 SW Long. It's in pretty nice shape with enough bluing wear on it and turn ring to not worry about regular ordinary shooting sessions. Unfortunately it didn't come with the original grips. It should have the sharp shoulder diamond magnas whereas it came with the diamond magnas with more rounded shoulders. Still nice grips but serial numbered for a few years after the 32 wearing them. I saw it in the auction photos and figured as much so when taking delivery I brought some stags along which fit like a charm and look the part.

It's the 5 incher and has a great action and balance of course. All the mechanics check out great. I'm looking forward to seeing what load shoots to the fixed sights.

I understand that there's not many of these out there and so immediately purchased after recognizing what it was. Any other forum members proud owners of 32 long M&P K frame guns? Any idea on value given the condition and missing original grips? Thanks all!

 

[Lee Barner]

a hen's tooth for sure. I lucked upon a 4" back in 98 in KS. it was a very early S # for the 32 M&Ps. I gave it to my best friend for his 50th birthday. he was with me when I bought and drooled over it every time he saw it. Lee

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Good man, Lee!

 

[murphydog]

This is the fun part of collecting, seeing a unicorn at a fair price and a Buy Now option. Enjoy!

 

[SS336]

That is very nice, and a great buy.
The stags on it are perfect for it. I would like to see a range report. Do you have ammo or reload for it yet? Cool cartridge.

 

[mikepriwer]

Here is my set of three of these revolvers: 2", 4", and the 5". There is supposed to be a 6" also.

Mike Priwer

 

[raljr1]

how did I miss that???????????????

Excellent score.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

That is very nice, and a great buy.
The stags on it are perfect for it. I would like to see a range report. Do you have ammo or reload for it yet? Cool cartridge.

SS336, Yes I do reload. My normal loading is 2.5gr bullseye over a Lee 93gr swc. I find that load shoots to the fixed sights of my I-frame and J-frame 32s. Not too hot to stress the older guns but enough thump to feel like a centerfire cartridge. We'll see if the K frame likes it too.

 

[austintexas]

I've got one, traded into it years ago, It was lettered. I traded a M-58 and a 5 screw M-17. The 5 inch is very rare.
SWCA 892

 

[JP@AK]

A nice find and a good buy, Mr. Casual.

This one lives in my safe. It's a bit older than yours - S prefix, long action. It shipped to Sloane's on April 21, 1948.

The postwar .32 M&P is uncommon. I don't think I'd actually call it rare, but there were not tons of them made and they were not a cataloged item.

As for the 5" barrel - there were 910 of them made. In the April 1948 shipment mentioned above, half were 4" and half were 5", with a total of 100 units in the shipment.

 

[moosedog]

Great eye, congratulations. Not sure how I missed that one either.
I did catch this one dirt cheap on the internet a few years ago. It's one that was imported back from Mexico when they enacted sweeping gun control measures in the 80's or 90s?
It still shoots good.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

My guess is that it wasn't up there long before I ran across it. Glad I did! Didn't wait around long before hitting the buy. Dealer was a super guy to deal with. I'm guessing he didn't realize what he had.

 

[Muley Gil]

SS336, Yes I do reload. My normal loading is 2.5gr bullseye over a Lee 93gr swc. I find that load shoots to the fixed sights of my I-frame and J-frame 32s. Not too hot to stress the older guns but enough thump to feel like a centerfire cartridge. We'll see if the K frame likes it too.

I've been reloading since 1973 and in my experience, putting the gunpowder UNDER the bullet works best.

Yes, yes, I have been accused of being an intelligent donkey a time or two.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Ah yes Muley I always wondered why they never shot all that well...

 

[Green Frog]

Ah yes Muley I always wondered why they never shot all that well...

Bet they shot kinda dirty too!

Friend Dale53 gifted me a bunch of swaged Hornady 95 gr SWCs to "try out" with my 32s. The good news was that when loaded over 2.5 gr of Bullseye they performed well in any of the 32s I tried them in. The bad news was that as a result of this "success" my bullet casting and load development program was easy to "put on the back burner" for too long. That is a good basic load for all around use in any of my 32 revolvers.

Froggie

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Any thoughts or idea as to the value of this particular 32 M&P?
SCSW 4th Edition gives these ranges:
-4,200 as new
-3,000 excellent
-2,200 very good
-1,500 good
-850 fair

The finish overall is pretty good with some spots of wear near the end of the bore and on the topstrap. Also around the cylinder there's some wear typical for a gun that rode in a holster. Used but definitely not abused. No original grips unfortunately. However I don't know how realistic SCSW-4 stated values are. It seems they sometimes come way under and at other times seem a little inflated. I realize today's market has influence here but I'm interested to know the thoughts of other forum members who have 32 M&Ps or who know the market on them. I think outside of collectors like here on the forum, it's just another old outdated revolver.


Using SCSW-4 (I have the dash 4 edition LOL) numbers I'd say somewhere between good and very good. Given the lack of grips maybe closer to good so somewhere between 1,800 - 2,000.

 

[Green Frog]

I think you're on the right track when you say "…outside the collectors on this forum…". The revolver in question is almost totally off the radar of all but the smallest subset of potential buyers. Price is determined by the intersection of rarity and demand and while you've got the first one nailed, the second is not such a sure thing.

Today's market is hot for the few high demand items, but you'll need to find a more specialized buyer to command what it should. That said, I'd say your price estimate is good, or a little low if you would find the right buyer. I wouldn't be in a hurry to take much less for a quick sale.

It is, along with the 22 LR M&P style, among the rarest of the production K frames. If I were still seriously accumulating, I would have probably done my best to beat you to that one.

Froggie

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Thanks Froggie. If you're ever passing through GA you're welcome to give it a test run!

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Mike Priwer that is a handsome collection of 32 M&Ps... probably the only one with the three barrel lengths.

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks Froggie. If you're ever passing through GA you're welcome to give it a test run!

Most times the closest I get to GA is visiting my #1 niece and her family in Charleston, SC, but who knows? Thanks for the invitation though, and I'll keep it in mind.

Froggie