S&W30-1 Lucky Find

[MikeCTx]

First post, but have been following for a while. Kept reading about how everyone would find a jewel in the rough from time to time. Today was my lucky day. Went to a local GS and found a like new model 30-1 in 32 S&W long with a 4 inch barrel. Looks like it has never been fired. The gentleman that sold it, said belonged to his brother that passed last year and he did not think he ever fired it. Even had the original blue box it came with the brown paper, instructions, warranty card and cleaning rod.

 

[sophie]

Very nice Model 30-1 and congratulations on the purchase and welcome.

 

[walter o]

Take it out and shoot it .you will love that gun, as much fun as a S&W can be

 

[VASCAR2]

Wow! Excellent find!

 

[Green Frog]

Well, I have to say, you sure know how to make an entrance. The J frame Smiths have a special place in the hearts of many revolver lovers. I would be torn over whether to shoot it, but then I'd just have to go for it. They're great in the field or on the range.
Welcome to the madness!
Froggie

 

[raljr1]

It is a beauty, but beauties love to dance. Take her dancin...

 

[MikeCTx]

Thank you all for the kind welcome. As much as I would like to keep this revolver pristine, I will be shooting it(sort of just have to). It is my 4th 32 caliber, but first S&W. It will join the rest, SP101 3 inch, Charter Arms Undercoverette and a Taurus 327. Of the 4, this is my pride and joy and it came home for right at $550, which I thought was a good deal.

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to the forum and great purchase. Congratulations.

 

[Bastogne71]

Some people just have all the luck! I would not have hesitated to pick up that package especially at that bargain price. Now go shoot it and report back with a range report for us.

 

[tripledipper]

Wow! What a find. You will hardly shoot your other .32longs once you start using this one. As said in another thread, the revolver lover crowd is becoming long in the tooth, some newbies have never shot one, so the lessen demand for them caused lower prices these days than previously and the current economy may also have made an impact.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Great acquisition! If it's your first S&W in 32 you're going to wonder why it took so long once you get around to shooting it. Congrats on your intro to going down the rabbit hole. It can get pricey but it's lots of fun.

 

[.38SuperMan]

Been looking for a 30 or 31 since picking up an unfired Colt Cobra 32. Couldn't resist shooting it and now I want more. Great find!

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Thank you all for the kind welcome. As much as I would like to keep this revolver pristine, I will be shooting it(sort of just have to). It is my 4th 32 caliber, but first S&W. It will join the rest, SP101 3 inch, Charter Arms Undercoverette and a Taurus 327. Of the 4, this is my pride and joy and it came home for right at $550, which I thought was a good deal.

And it is a real Smith and Wesson not a copy, clone or knockoff.

Congratulations and welcome to the S&W Forum.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Wow! What a find. You will hardly shoot your other .32longs once you start using this one. As said in another thread, the revolver lover crowd is becoming long in the tooth, some newbies have never shot one, so the lessen demand for them caused lower prices these days than previously and the current economy may also have made an impact.

Good point.

When I inherited firearms if it is not a S&W or a Colt I sell them to invest in a S&W or a Colt.

 

[smitholdtimer]

MikeCTx

Hello Mike, I've been led to believe that the Model 30-1 can be reamed to accept the 32 H&R Magnum round, if this of interest to you please take time to investigate, could be you will be able to shoot the .32 S&W Long as well as the .32 H&R Magnum, if you want to.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum! That's a great acquisition.

That's correct and the easiest re-chambering there is. Rent a reamer and do it yourself. And yes you can still shoot 32 Long w/o losing any accuracy.

 

[BC38]

Just curious, but considering the near pristine condition of this particular 30-1 (LNIB without even a visible turn line), wouldn't reaming it to accept 32 H&R devalue it?
I can see making that kind of modification to a shooter-grade example, but to my eyes, this one looks to be in very collectable condition, so modifying it doesn't seem like the best idea to me.
JMO...

 

[Green Frog]

We have discussed this very conversion several times on this forum, and nobody has ever expressed difficulties or regrets. As my friend Hondo44 just said, it was easy.
If you would like another opinion, we've also been discussing this same project over on the forum where they can't spell (Cast Boolits dot com) in the Wheelguns, etc. section. My friend rintinglen just finished two of them, a snub and a 3 1/2", IIRC.
If I hadn't been fortunate enough to fall onto a Model 631, I would probably have done one of these for my ownself.
Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

Snitholdtimer, I wouldn't be encouraging Mike to alter his near-museum grade example, I was speaking in general terms. If one were looking to make a shooter grade gun, I'd be all about it. Now, as for Mike's find... if he really wants a great gun to keep and shoot forever, this wouldn't just be a project, it would be a commitment! Personally, I wouldn't make that commitment, but as I said, I've gotten there by a different path. Mike has to do Mike.
Froggie

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

I have to agree with Green Frog. I would not alter this example because of its exceptionally high condition. I do not have a model 30, but I do have model 31s in all three barrel lengths (same gun in square butt). Like Green Frog, I was also lucky enough to find a model 631, so I have no reason to alter my model 31s.