I-Frame .32 S&W Long

Tom 1951 · Sep 23, 2023

I went on my first pawnshop prowl in a couple of years. I wasn't looking to buy, just window shopping. One shop had a flat latch I-frame in pretty good shape for $399. Calibre is .32 Long. I didn't even look hard enough to notice a model number. It did snuggle nicely in the pocket of my Dockers, though.
When I got home, I realized that the revolver was still on my mind, like an attractive single woman one meets when attending a new church for the first time.
I even looked up prices on-line for the cartridge.
A revolver? I haven't shot anything but auto-loaders for ten+ years. A .32? Lordy, what am I thinking?
I'm going to have to go back and get better acquainted.
Incidently, is there a cut-off date for Smith getting rid of the flat latch?

Wiregrassguy · Sep 23, 2023

Hi Tom! Be careful or you will live out the Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown scenario that Jim Croce sang about.

These little revolvers are addictive. Is it the snub version? S&W ended the flat latch in 1966 and went back to the standard thumbpiece.

HeyJoe · Sep 23, 2023

Hurry up back, they go fast!

two-bit cowboy · Sep 23, 2023

Tom 1951 said:
... is there a cut-off date for Smith getting rid of the flat latch?

S&W, “Incorporated,” Dr. Jinks’ purposefully chosen word, a J-frame engineering change on February 11, 1966, to replace the flat style thumbpiece with a new contoured thumbpiece.

Hondo44 · Sep 23, 2023

The I frames (pre 1961 when they became J frames) are very collectible, cheap to shoot, and a ton of fun. If it’s an I frame it should be posted in the 1896-1961 forum.

There’s four evolutionary I frame models from the 1950s. With the flat latch it’s most likely the last model, the Model of 1953 New I frame with or w/o the stamped model number in the yoke: model 30 if round butt or model 31 if square butt. If it is stamped with the model and has a -1, then it’s a J frame.

Get the serial number and we can pin down specifically which it is and its age.

Don’t know the condition but if half way decent condition, that’s a fair price.

lihpster · Sep 23, 2023

I picked up a Third Model awhile back from Cabela's for >$200. The nickel was in rough shape and it didn't function. Replaced a couple of parts and hit it with Mother's and it's a nice little field gun. I have a Bianchi 5BHL for it. Good for rabbits and snakes.

Wrangler Rich · Sep 23, 2023

I found a 32 I frame brought it home, and my wife immediately claimed it as hers. It is a great shooter, she is too.

WR

max503 · Sep 23, 2023

That's one of my grail guns. I've had a 32 wadcutter mold for forever. It's been looking for a gun to feed......

H Richard · Sep 23, 2023

Before you know it you will want a Mod 16-4 and you can shoot 32 SW, 32 Long, 32 H&R Mag, and many have opened tyhe chambers to take 327.

If you find a Mod 30 with a 2" barrel you will have the nicest pocket gun.

Toyman · Sep 23, 2023

A 32 hand ejector shipped December 1950.

fredcoyote · Sep 24, 2023

Twin from Toyman Post

Crazy but just this little guy Friday! A long with a 16-4. Started a year ago with a 432. Shot it and got the 32 fever. Up to 7 after Friday haul, ughhh. Can't wait to shoot the holy Grail 16 though... Better hear angels singing for the price they fetch

Happy shootin'

Fred

raljr1 · Sep 24, 2023

32s are catchy, you'll often hear,
From collectors who like to bend an ear.
Be careful though, you'll quicky learn,
32s are a river of no return.
You'll just buy one it's often said,,
Yet seldom stay true 'cause we're often led,
To a range to shoot these wonderful toys
and learn for ourselves of 32 joy.
So off we go searching for just one more..
And before you know it one has become four

or ten.

Enjoy your 32 . Use it to teach the kids and let them use it to teach theirs. Welcome to the club.

Robert

Inland7-45 · Sep 24, 2023

.32 S&W Long

Wiregrassguy said:
Hi Tom! Be careful or you will live out the Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown scenario that Jim Croce sang about. These little revolvers are addictive. Is it the snub version? S&W ended the flat latch in 1966 and went back to the standard thumbpiece.

Buying one makes you want to buy another. I got of to a slow late start , but I am at 3 now. Since I am now totally set up to reload and cast bullets for this round and have around 1,500 pieces of brass finding ammunition is not a problem. At 2.6 grains of 231 per charge a pound of powder goes along way. No reason not to shoot and enjoy these.

AJ · Sep 24, 2023

I bought a S&W Model 30-1 in .32 S&W long about a month or so ago. Discussed it here on the forum and a forum member graciously loaned me a .32 H&R Mag chamber reamer. It is now a .32 H&R Mag, and shoots very well, great pocket gun!

Toyman · Sep 24, 2023

A pre war 32 HE shipped in 1941. The previous owner had Keith Brown craft grips for it.

Green Frog · Sep 24, 2023

My little I frame Transitional 32 snub is great for concealed carry. So great in fact, I’ve concealed the *@#$#* thing and can’t find it! It’s around here somewhere in its black nylon ankle holster, but I sure can’t lay my hands on it.

Froggie

Retired W4 · Sep 24, 2023

Green Frog said:
My little I frame Transitional 32 snub is great for concealed carry. So great in fact, I’ve concealed the *@#$#* thing and can’t find it! It’s around here somewhere in its black nylon ankle holster, but I sure can’t lay my hands on it.

Froggie

I'll let you know if it turns up. Did you check your ankle?

tjpopkin · Sep 24, 2023

As a competitive bullseye shooter, I used a .22 for rimfire (Model 41) and a Performance Center 945 for centerfires Was I aged and 50 years of shooting started to catch up on men I converted to a pair of Olympic Grade Pardini, one in.22 the other in .32. My scores really soared. I was shooting an average of 284 in a 300 match, with the .22 and 286 with the .32. I replied the joy in shooting .32, so I had to buy a S&W revolver. I found a 1919 .32 regulation police Target at my LGS and the rest was history. After 25 years I had acquired every .32 S&W revolver manufacture from Civil War to date....Yes, including a mint K32, a 16-4 in all barrel lengths, and even a newer mint Model 2 army. I had 76 .32 revolvers and the Smith Semi-auto as well.....
Hard times and retirement required I had to send them to RIA auction, where they did well, but RIA was pairing my guns and I lost many dollars.
I still have a 16-4 that Bowens rechambered in .327 Federal and it lost no accuracy with the lighter loads. I carried a 632-2 .327Federal as a CC revolver...and loved the gun and cartridge...it is stout....
I have ordered a Henry lever gun in .327 Federal but they are not currently making them. Have a Ruger Single 7 in .327, but accuracy is not as good as the 16-4. Still have a few model 30s and 31s (5 or 6) and likely will sell these as well. .32 long is one of the most accurate target rounds ever made (wadcutter) but range is limited to 25 yards....drop at 50yds is nearly a foot..legal round in any NRA centerfire match...and my scores are high.....

fabricgator · Sep 24, 2023

Howdy folks,
My first post, I joined to learn about my 'gifted' model 31-1 I've yet to get to the range.
A very nice specimen. I sure am glad that I didn't trade it away to a friend I owed a dollar to, just because I couldn't easily pick up a box of cartridges at Bass Pro Shop...

Does anyone have a holster they just love for these?

fabricgator · Sep 24, 2023

I apologize, here I am the new guy and I just realized I wrote a 'hijacking' thread.
I should have started my own. Cheers!

I-Frame .32 S&W Long

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

SWCA Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Similar threads