Thoughts Please

SFIDEC · #1 03-03-2019, 06:58 PM

Was doing some backyard target shooting yesterday with buddy and he brings out the pictured 32 Long converted to 22. Barrel looks to be approx. 3". Sorry for not getting pictures of right side of barrel but it is marked 32 Long. Barrel, Cylinder, and Butt numbers match. Has hammer spur. I am not familiar with conversions but because it's unusual, a fun shooter, and very accurate, I am interested in possibly trading into it.
Question/Thoughts...Does this look like a well done conversion or ???
Thanks,
Ray

JSR III · #2 03-03-2019, 07:25 PM

Personally I would be concerned by the hammer strikes that are evident on the back of the cylinder. I also would probably just buy a small .22 revolver rather than a conversion.

Not sure what your trade is so hard to tell whether that plays into the deal.

All that said, it appears that you like it and after all isn't that all that matters??????

Mrnurse · #3 03-03-2019, 07:37 PM

Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

daddio202 · #4 03-03-2019, 08:26 PM

To me the thing that sticks out the most is the shortened barrel. I do not care for how it looks and the notches into the front sight. As stated the strikes upon the rear cylinder would concern me about how well its timed. I suppose if one were unable to get another revolver in 22lr it would work in a pinch but highly modified S&W's from post war era are not my personal thing. How does it shoot??

Hondo44 · #5 03-03-2019, 09:04 PM

Hi Ray,

It started life as a ".32 Hand Ejector Post War Transitional I frame". The fist version re-introduced after WWII, virtually the same as the pre war version except it has the New improved post war sliding bar hammer block safety still used today. And likely shipped near the end of 1951.

I'd say it's a properly done conversion by sleeving the barrel and cyl. The firing pin change is well done and in the least invasive way with a slightly raised hammer mounted firing pin and a new firing pin bushing proper for a rimfire cartridge,

It does have a few firing pin marks (looks like one per chamber), which indicates improper handing. If it was a timing issue I believe it would have multiple firing pin marks on each chamber. Regardless, confirm the timing is good like this:

Cock the hammer in single action mode. Gently push on the hammer to confirm that it will not drop w/o pulling the trigger. Cock the hammer in single action slowly and confirm the cylinder locks in position for each of the 6 chambers about the same time the hammer cocks. If satisfactory, now operate the gun in DA pulling the trigger very slowly; again confirm the cyl locks before the hammer drops. After each cycling of the action, confirm that the cyl is still locked in position for all 6 chambers.

You posted that it's very accurate so that's the proof of the pudding.

For trade value purposes, recognize you can get an actual 22/32 Kit gun with adjustable target sights in equivalent condition in the $400 to $500 range, depending on where its for sale. Personally, I'd only be interested in it at about $300 tops in trade value.

But I see no reason not to make a trade if you like it, want it, and a fair trade can be negotiated in both party's view.

Green Frog · #6 03-03-2019, 11:23 PM

Sounds to me like you're looking for a 22 Kit Gun or a Model 34. Although it appears that the gun in question is a modified pre-War Hand Ejector that has been reworked at least once at the factory (3 line address) I'd say the indignity of the conversion was really unnecessary when the factory version would be available... of course the factory 22s generally have adjustable sights. Would that be a problem for you? While I'll admit to committing a couple of conversions myself

it was to get something either never made or in too rare a configuration for me to afford. Kit Guns, OTOH, are available.

Froggie

mm93 · #7 03-04-2019, 11:54 AM

It would have to be one heck of a cheap price, or cheap trade gun for me to do the trade. I'm not against conversions, especially if they're well done. But the errant strikes on the cylinder tell me it might have occasional timing issues.

Hondo44 · #8 03-04-2019, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm93

It would have to be one heck of a cheap price, or cheap trade gun for me to do the trade. I'm not against conversions, especially if they're well done. But the errant strikes on the cylinder tell me it might have occasional timing issues.

You either have a timing issue or you don't, you don't have an occasional timing issue.

And it's easily confirmed as an issue or not.

murphydog · #9 03-04-2019, 09:13 PM

My opinion on this one is - if it were something not otherwise available or previously made (like the unicorn .22 Registered Magnum) it would be interesting, but since there are plenty of improved I and J frame .22s it would have to be a very tempting deal on this example.

And, I usually agree with the distinguished gentleman from CA, but I think there is such a thing as an intermittent timing issue. A revolver may time perfectly with a deliberate, slow single action hammer cocking, but with faster cylinder rotation in rapid DA cycling the bolt may not catch the notches in time, and the hammer nose strike may be away from the chamber. Someone here will correct me if I'm wrong.

Hondo44 · #10 03-04-2019, 10:20 PM

Your correct Alan, it can seem intermittent.

A timing problem is permanent though, it just takes the right troubleshooting technique to make it occur consistently. For timing to be correct, it's not just correct under certain action manipulation. It's correct regardless of different hammer or trigger manipulations.

I have no experience with the "distinguished gentleman" part however.