What is fair price for a model 331? There's one LNIB for over $750 on Gunbroker. Why are they so expensive?

Is the 431pd good enough? It's two or three oz heavier. No titanium. I've been trying to find one without the internal lock.

I have both, my 431 has the lock, the 331 does not. They shoot the same, with recoil being about equal. I think you can find one cheaper, however I love the 331!! The one on GB is a no lock version.
BTW, I bought a 331 last christmas, my daughter met the seller at the walmart parking lot and paid the cash. She loved it so much, SHE KEPT IT!!!!!!

My wife carries the 431PD with crimson trace grips. Its a very very nice shooting little revolver and new ones can easily be found on the internet for well under $500. I would deffently recommend the 431PD

$750 is very rich. I have seen a couple of 331s (both no-lock) offered at $550 online in the past several months, but I think you must expect to look diligently for several months or more to find such a deal. I would think $500 to be a great price. I have seen maybe a couple at that price the last few years. A couple of years ago $600-650 seemed the going price. (The prices I am mentioning are for excellent condition, no-lock guns; the 331 was later made in a lock version also.) A lot of their owners think the .32 Mag is a worthwhile compromise between power and recoil in an ultra-light revolver, and the 6-shot cylinder is bonus. But they are no longer made and are hard to find; hence the price premium.

The 431 is black, vs. the stainless coloring of the 331; is a couple of ounces heavier with the blued steel cylinder instead of the natural-colored titanium cylinder of the 331; and I believe all 431s have the lock. It seems that S&W makes new limited runs of the 431 from time to time, so they are not as hard to find and sometimes can easily be found, but not always.

If you need one right now, get the 431 if you cannot find a lockless 331. If you do not have to have it right now, or insist on the lightest weight possible, or cannot abide even a disabled lock model, expect to spend some time looking hard for a lockless 331 at a reasonable price.

You might also consider the 332 and 432 which are identical to the 331 and 431, except they are in the enclosed hammer, Centennial style that I think most people prefer. I think the Centennial styles have a small weight penalty also.

I have 3 S&W with lock. They're range guns. While their locks have never failed me, I'd really prefer nonlock for a SD gun, especially a really light weight J frame. I think Mas Ayobi said he wouldn't carry a J frame with a lock. So, I guess I can just ignore the 431 and 431 and concentrate on the 331. Thanks.

Did S&W make a 331 in 3" barrel?

No; at least not that was ever catalogued, and I have never otherwise seen or heard of one either.

They did make a 3" (and 2") 632 Airweight Centennial several years ago, just like the Model 642 except in .32 H&R Mag instead of .38 Special--stainless-colored aluminum frame, stainless cylinder and barrel, lockless. These guns (in 2") will weigh slightly more than the 331/332 series--more like the 431/432 series. The 632 is even harder to find than the 331/332 though, as few were ever made. I have only seen one 3" sell in several years, and the guy that bought that one--although in beautiful condition--will only consider selling it for "crazy money".

Note: The above-mentioned 632 should not be confused with the current production Model 632 that comes in .327 Federal Mag (also capable of firing .32 H&R Mag), has steel frame, exposed hammer, 3" barrel, and includes the lock.

IMO the .32's are great carry guns, for the reasons mentioned above. On the left is the 632 (the original from 1991 in .32 H&R Magnum, not the new version in .327 Federal), predecessor to the 332 and 432. On the right is the 631, predecessor to the 331 and 431.

Attached Images

	632HolAmmo.jpg (85.5 KB, 308 views)
	631HolAmmo.jpg (70.6 KB, 301 views)

Is the finish on the 331 the same as the finish on the 317? What about the weight? Thanks.

Not a great photo, but the two on the bottom right are a #331PD and a #317 (wrist lanyard), you can see the difference in the finish.

As seen in ColbyBruce's photo above, the 331 has a grey, natural colored Titanium cylinder while the 317 has an aluminum cylinder. The Titanium cylinder, while stronger, adds I think, about 1 oz. to the the weight of the 331 (~10 oz. vs. ~11 oz?). Both have aluminum frames.

So the two-tone look of the 331 is the major difference in look/finish. I think I'm leaning 431 over 331, but I'm definately getting one or the other. I have a 317. I also have a 360pd with the matte black, two-tone, scandium finish. It's not much fun to shoot, but I love the weight & size. In .32 mag., I've got an SP101 4" for my shooter. So what's the concensus that I should get for my lightweight carry gun in .32 mag.? I understand/assume that the kick will not be much of an issue in .32 mag.. Thanks for any input/opinions.

My first choice would be the Centennial style 332 (otherwise identical to the 331 pictured above).

Just recently bought a NIB 431. Shoots very nice and recoil is surprisingly modest with the Federal HP 85 grainers that I was using. I like the 32 Magnum and have some ammo stashed just in case it becomes hard to find again. Starting to see it on the shelves more often lately. Can't speak for the 331 but the 431 is a nice pocket carry piece, light weight, 6 shots, pretty good ballistics that are in the area of some 380's, and more than a 22 mag. or 32acp.

Is there a list/catalog somewhere that lists all the .32 mag. revolvers' models ever produced?

In the j frame there is the 631, 2 and 4 inch barrel, 632 with a 2 and 3 inch barrel, 431, 432, 331, 332 all have 2 inch barrel
K frame is 16-4 in 4, 6 or 8 3/8 inch barrel

Thank you.

I think I'm leaning 331. Anyone know where I can find one? How do I search the classifieds here? Looking for a 331, I can't get any help from the 'search this thread' button. Thanks. for any info.

Gunbroker has one 331 listed Auction # 240750969 The seller did not list it by model number and that makes it more difficult to search for.

Also has a two 431 listed Auction # 240663259 Auction # 239797028

Our family has a bucket load of each model. Biggest difference is lock versus no lock.

I also use the website ebang.com to search for it, I searched for 32 Mag and it appeared. Also I use variations .32 mag, 32H&R, 32 h&R magnum, and I will get different results.

I used to worry about the lock, no lock chatter, but no more. A wise old bird told me this, Do not use the lock, throw the keys away, and the gun works just as well as any no lock gun. He was right, you can kill any 2 legged snake with either one.