32 S&W Long J Frame Airweight

[K Harris]

Was there a 32 S&W Long Airweight J frame that was made in the late 50's - early 60's? Something along the lines of a Model 37 of that time. I know there were steel framed models 30 & 31, but I have been unable to turn up a model number for an aluminum framed version.

 

[Muley Gil]

Was there a 32 S&W Long Airweight J frame that was made in the late 50's - early 60's? Something along the lines of a Model 37 of that time. I know there were steel framed models 30 & 31, but I have been unable to turn up a model number for an aluminum framed version.

Don't think S&W ever built a production .32 Long airweight revolver.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

There was one, but it was built in the early 2000s on the J magnum frame, not in the 50s or 60’s. It’s the very rare model 430. Chambered in 32 S&W long, there were about 284 built for Portugal as they do not allow 32 H&R magnum. See this link for a photo from a closed auction:

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/rare-smith-wesson-model-430-revolver-58-c-4544e6b88b

 

[K Harris]

Thank you for the information.

 

[Obe]

S&W probably SHOULD have made an aluminum frame .32 S&W Long version of the of the Models 30 and 31 (as they did the aluminum frame Model 37 version of the Model 36.) However, perhaps, the biggest miss S&W made way back when, was not also offering the Terrier .38 S&W (2") in .22 L.R., to compete with competitor Colt's 2" Bankers Special, which WERE offered in both the .38 S&W and .22 L.R. cartridges.

 

[MajorD]

S&W probably SHOULD have made an aluminum frame .32 S&W Long version of the of the Models 30 and 31 (as they did the aluminum frame Model 37 version of the Model 36.) However, perhaps, the biggest miss S&W made way back when, was not also offering the Terrier .38 S&W (2") in .22 L.R., to compete with competitor Colt's 2" Bankers Special, which WERE offered in both the .38 S&W and .22 L.R. cartridges.

Considering the bankers special in 22 was not real popular at the time ( the significant collector value on the model today and scarcity reflect that) I bet S&W considered such, but calculated it wouldn’t be a big enough seller to justify production. Maybe that was a consideration for not producing an airweight 32 as well?

 

[-BTM-]

I have a 37 and a growing parts pile that includes some .32 bits. It’s really tempting to swap but I’m a bit afraid of the lightweight frame getting twisted.

 

[glenncal1]

They did make the 331/2 ti j frames which are very lightweight and can shoot .32 longs and .32 h&r.