Model 31-1

[AlanF]

Tell me all about your Model 31-1. What is your favorite load? Accuracy? Hitting point of aim? Favorite holster? Favorite memory out and about with it? Anything else?

 

[Sistema1927]

4" Model 31-1 in a Simply Rugged holster. There is none better.

 

[Sistema1927]

This formula works for me:

RCBS Cast Bullet Manual Number 1
32 S&W Long
98 grain cast lead SWC (data can be used for the 100 grain bullet)

Unique powder
start : 3.1 grs. @ 771 fps

max : 3.5 grs. @ 876 fps

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

My Model 31-1 4" likes the 115 grain Lyman RNFP cast bullet over Unique powder. It shoots to the point of aim at 25 yards and is faster over the chronograph than what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook Edition 3 manual indicates by 50fps. At 900 fps bullets get to targets at 50 yards pretty darn fast. Even at the listed max load of Unique, cases just fall out of the charge holes. Groups, even with the Lilliputian sights, are sub 3" at 25 yards.

The Speer or Hornady swaged 98-grain swaged lead wadcutter bullets over a light charge of Bullseye is a fun load and is great for kids learning to shoot. It'll put paid to vermin out to 25 yards or so.

 

[Green Frog]

I load for a 30-1 as well as a little I frame snub 32 (post War transitional) and they seem to thrive on WC or SWC bullets weighing anywhere from 90-105 grains over "cat sneeze" loads of Bullseye or HP 38/w 231.
Froggie

 

[Walter Rego]

I have yet to handload for my Model 31-1 but it shoots very well with Fiocchi 100 grain wadcutters. I believe those are loaded for the crazy and expensive European .32 Long autoloading target pistols. Sellior & Bellot also makes similar wadcutter target loads.

Once of the things I did for mine is add a set of Goncalo Alves Smooth Target Stocks. I have large hands and J Frames and Magna stocks are hard for me to get a good grip on. Here's a pic.

 

[John Patrick]

Mine shoots the Fiooch ammo really well.

 

[HOGAN]

My Pre 30, I Frame, 4 inch shot some old Remington Factory 98 grain to POA.

Picked this up a few years ago, it has some nice J frame stocks but they are obviously not original to it. Actually a pretty fun revolver to shoot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AlanF]

Great looking guns and gear shown here. Mine should be in my hands of end of week. I cast and load for a 32 H&R so have some bullets I look forward to trying. I anticipate I will need some larger grips like some of you guys have.

 

[Inland7-45]

A few years ago I added a pre model number 30 to go along with my pre war .32 Regulation Police. I have another .32 RP on the way and will have it soon. When I got my first .32 revolver I was ok with picking up a box or two of factory ammo when I could find. With factory stuff becoming more expensive and harder to find I started reloading. All I can say is that this is a fun caliber to hand load. I am now looking for a revolver with a little more size and bulk than an I frame.

The expanded wish list now includes a J frame .32 or Colt Police Positive/ Detective Special in this caliber. A Ruger Single Six might be nice. However if the right deal on K-32 comes up I would grab it.

For a J frame a 4" 31-1 would be my first choice.

I also have a Colt Police Positive .38S&W made in 1917 and a pre lendlease S&W BSR in .38 S&W. This is another fun caliber that is easy to reload once you get started. I am now looking for a .38 Regulation Police , preferably a later J Frame 33-1 or a 32-1 Terrier.

The old revolvers are a lot of fun to shoot and I now wish that I had noticed them earlier.


I have been using data from the Speer and Lyman Cast Bullet manuals.

 

[Walter Rego]

Prior to the inflation priced powder, primers and bullets I had done a rough calculation that a .32 S&W Long could be handloaded for not much more than shooting .22 long rifle ammo. That was provided one was using once fired brass and cast or swaged bullets like the Hornady DEWC bullets.

They can still be reloaded fairly inexpensively but not like a few years ago. They sure don't burn much powder, it's the primers and projectiles that cost now.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Great looking guns and gear shown here. Mine should be in my hands of end of week. I cast and load for a 32 H&R so have some bullets I look forward to trying. I anticipate I will need some larger grips like some of you guys have.

These are actually very accurate revolvers and the 32 S&W Long is no slouch either, but the small size of the revolvers can make a steady hold problematic. Larger grips go a long way to solving that problem, especially when shooting double action, which I mostly do.

 

[Green Frog]

I found these Charles Daly grips to put on a Model 631. They are a little oversized looking on the J frame but not bad, and more importantly they give enough room for my Med/Lg hand.

Froggie

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

3" pre mod 30 and 4" mod 30-1. Sweet shooters.
They both shoot to sights with 2.5gr bullseye and a Lee 93gr LSWC.

 

[raljr1]

I found these Charles Daly grips to put on a Model 631. They are a little oversized looking on the J frame but not bad, and more importantly they give enough room for my Med/Lg hand.



Froggie

I want one of these but I hate the asking prices

Robert

 

[Green Frog]

I want one of these but I hate the asking prices

Robert

Keep looking. I found those on flea Bay. The seller said he didn't know what brand they were, then sent them to me in a Charles Daly box!!. They still had the original code tags inside but didn't say Charles Daly on them. "His loss…"
Froggie

 

[tripledipper]

MODEL 31-1

This is an early nickel Model 31-1 Ser#713xxx that I just got from an auction. Always bid low and get outbid, but not this time. The bidders onsite let this one get away from them.

 

[AlanF]

Very nice nickel 31-1. Well done.