My wife's dad left her a pistol many years ago, but she really doesn't know anything about it (except point and shoot, lol). From looking at it I can see that it is a Model 31-1 in .32 S&W Long, the serial # is 792xxx. Is anyone familiar with this type of gun? It would be nice if I could give her a little info on it. Any help would bee greatly appreciated.
Model 31-1
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I have a Model 30-1 (32. Long.). I am trying to find out when it was made: Serial# 40895 Below the serial # centered is a capital E. Any help woould be appreciated. Thank you, Stu
leverman.....No expert here, but I suspect her gun was made in the late 60's or 70's, based on the grips and the cylinder release style. A letter from the S&W Historical Foundation will give you info about original shipping date and where (or who) it was shipped to.
Its a marginal defense round, but some companies like Buffalo Bore make some higher pressure/higher velocity ammo that will still be safe in her gun and be more effective for defense.
Its a marginal defense round, but some companies like Buffalo Bore make some higher pressure/higher velocity ammo that will still be safe in her gun and be more effective for defense.
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Targets Guy
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The Model 31 was previously produced as the .32 Regulation Police on the Improved I-frame. Post WWII serial number range 536685-826977. Postwar were produced 1948-1990.
The 31-1 began in 1961. It was a J frame; the serial number was c. 712954. In 1969 the serial number had an "H" prefix. So your wife's Model 31-1 is probably between 1961 and 1969 in shipping date. If it has a diamond in the center of the wood grip is is probably before 1968.
My Model 30-1, same J frame, shipped 1/1970. It's s/n is 8254xx.
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The 31-1 began in 1961. It was a J frame; the serial number was c. 712954. In 1969 the serial number had an "H" prefix. So your wife's Model 31-1 is probably between 1961 and 1969 in shipping date. If it has a diamond in the center of the wood grip is is probably before 1968.
My Model 30-1, same J frame, shipped 1/1970. It's s/n is 8254xx.
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Stu, the serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame. The 30-1 started in 1961 at approx. serial number 712954.
My 31-1 has been reamed (by one of the members of this forum) to take 32 H&R Magnum, which allows it to shoot Buffalo Bore 32 H&R Magnum +P rounds that have energy slightly above 158g +P 38 Specials. (Buffalo Bore advised that their +P 32 Magnum round is safe for unlimited use in a reamed 31-1, although at ~$1.25/round I'm not going to test that statement.) So it can be turned into a small but potent defensive weapon.
That said, with "standard" 32 Long ammo, a Model 31 could be the most fun you'll ever have with a centerfire handgun. Painless to shoot and (all of my 32s are) incredibly accurate, within the limits of their sights. So if you can find ammo for it, get some, and go shooting with your wife. I'll bet both of you come back with huge smiles on your faces.
That said, with "standard" 32 Long ammo, a Model 31 could be the most fun you'll ever have with a centerfire handgun. Painless to shoot and (all of my 32s are) incredibly accurate, within the limits of their sights. So if you can find ammo for it, get some, and go shooting with your wife. I'll bet both of you come back with huge smiles on your faces.
