rkittine
Member
What would be a target type S&W revolver in this caliber? Would it be a J Frame or a K frame? Kit Gun / Model 17 type K frame.
Bob
Bob
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.32 S&W Long
- Thread starter rkittine
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Adjustable sight 32 S&W revolves in J or K frame are hard to find. Probably the easiest to find would be a 16-4 and expect to pay about $1500 for one. Any K32 prior to that would be over $2000 unless you get really lucky. J frame 32 with barrels 4" or longer are just as hard to find and even harder with adjustable sight. Several here including myself gave up and either made one had one made
Target revolvers in .32 Regulation Police Model, were made on the I frame mostly pre war:
And on the K frame .32 Masterpiece/became the Model 16 mostly post war.
Both are coveted and scarce.
And on the K frame .32 Masterpiece/became the Model 16 mostly post war.
Both are coveted and scarce.
The model 16 prior to the 16-4 were in 32 S&W long, but just like the pre model guns extremely hard to find. I over paid at $1500 for my 4" 16-4 a few years ago. Now there are only 6 16-4s total on Gunbroker an just 1 is $1500 and it has over 3 days to go a nice 6" is over $1700 with 15 bids and still has 5 days to go. There are no other K frame 32 S&W listed and GunBroker doesn't even list the model 16, You have to look under 32 S&W or 32 mag to find any. The last live K32 I saw was nicely refinished and the guy wanted $2500.
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If Smiths seem rare even fewer Colt Officers Model Targets were made in 32. There isn't much for the average Joe out there. Fortunately, the fixed sight versions are easy to shoot well and most factory ammo is point of aim.
Green Frog
Member
I've had a long running love affair with 32 revolvers in all sights, sizes and power levels. Unfortunately for the theme of your question, the number 32 and the term "adjustable sights" have been only rarely joined together by S&W. Lots of 22s and 38s or larger, but 32s, not so much. Although I currently own a few adjustable sighted 32s, only one is as it came from the factory, a Regulation Police Target. If you really want an adjustable sighted 32 S&W, your best bet is to come up with a very large amount of money to buy one of the few originals out there or plan to build your own. I've posted here so many times on this subject that regulars will 
and say "here comes that 32 caliber Frog again," but if you do a quick search of my previous posts you can find a bunch of discussions on this very subject. Once you get into a couple of these threads you can branch into many more. The takeaway from all of them will be that adjustable sighted 32 cal S&Ws of whatever stripe are hard to find but worth the search... they're just plain fun.
Froggie
and say "here comes that 32 caliber Frog again," but if you do a quick search of my previous posts you can find a bunch of discussions on this very subject. Once you get into a couple of these threads you can branch into many more. The takeaway from all of them will be that adjustable sighted 32 cal S&Ws of whatever stripe are hard to find but worth the search... they're just plain fun. Froggie
nbedford
Member
They're just not that difficult to make, and a lot cheaper than the I frame originals and later 631. I find the I/ J frame my choice for the 32 Long and the two 32 magnums. It's the original size old man Wesson felt was ideal and I agree. He felt his guns should be right sized for caliber.
He never would have approved of a .32 on a K frame.
Here's my favorite, a project target version of the .32 HE that S&W should have made.
This is a 1966 Mod 30-1. My homemade non-factory target model, .32 'Kit Gun', 4" J frame.
Target features added are:
.22/32 Kit Gun adj rear sight, Type 2 length,
taller ramped front sight w/sight base,
.375" wide spur hammer from Mod 36 Chiefs Spl Target,
.400" trigger,
and modified post war factory I/J frame target stocks.
Never liked the flat cyl latch so changed to a pre war "double pinch" latch.
I also reamed a spare cyl to 32 H&R Mag for it.
If your 32 is an I frame, 32 H&R is a bit long for its cyl. But trimming the H&R cases down to .080" longer than the 32 Long case, and reaming your chambers that much longer you can have a 32 'Long Rifle' revolver that will still shoot 32 Long!
Photo by Hondo44
He never would have approved of a .32 on a K frame.
Here's my favorite, a project target version of the .32 HE that S&W should have made.
This is a 1966 Mod 30-1. My homemade non-factory target model, .32 'Kit Gun', 4" J frame.
Target features added are:
.22/32 Kit Gun adj rear sight, Type 2 length,
taller ramped front sight w/sight base,
.375" wide spur hammer from Mod 36 Chiefs Spl Target,
.400" trigger,
and modified post war factory I/J frame target stocks.
Never liked the flat cyl latch so changed to a pre war "double pinch" latch.
I also reamed a spare cyl to 32 H&R Mag for it.
If your 32 is an I frame, 32 H&R is a bit long for its cyl. But trimming the H&R cases down to .080" longer than the 32 Long case, and reaming your chambers that much longer you can have a 32 'Long Rifle' revolver that will still shoot 32 Long!
Photo by Hondo44
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I would save up till I could buy a K-32
Model 16- 16.3
They are expensive. But once you get past the initial cost. You will love the gun.
If you don't. You will be able to get your cost back out of it.
If you go the 32 H&R Mag route 16-4
Just remember it's a full lug gun and a little heavier.
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Model 16- 16.3
They are expensive. But once you get past the initial cost. You will love the gun.
If you don't. You will be able to get your cost back out of it.
If you go the 32 H&R Mag route 16-4
Just remember it's a full lug gun and a little heavier.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
nbedford
Member
Oh man! You got me thinking of a new project. I have an improved I frame HE 4" in 32S&W Long. It has an Arkansas finish, but locks up good, trigger @ 3 1/4 pounds, and is accurate. Shoots to point of aim at 15 yards, but the sights are not great - half dime type front sight, and the factory grips are more than a bit too small. With target sights like yours and decent grips I would shoot it more.They're just not that difficult to make, and a lot cheaper than the I frame originals and later 631. I find the I/ J frame my choice for the 32 Long and the two 32 magnums. It's the original size old man Wesson felt was ideal and I agree. He felt his guns should be right sized for caliber.
He never would have approved of a .32 on a K frame.
Here's my favorite, a project target version of the .32 HE that S&W should have made.
This is a 1966 Mod 30-1. My homemade non-factory target model, .32 'Kit Gun', 4" J frame.
Target features added are:
.22/32 Kit Gun adj rear sight, Type 2 length,
taller ramped front sight w/sight base,
.375" wide spur hammer from Mod 36 Chiefs Spl Target,
.400" trigger,
and modified post war factory I/J frame target stocks.
Never liked the flat cyl latch so changed to a pre war "double pinch" latch.
I also reamed a spare cyl to 32 H&R Mag for it.
If your 32 is an I frame, 32 H&R is a bit long for its cyl. But trimming the H&R cases down to .080" longer than the 32 Long case, and reaming your chambers that much longer you can have a 32 'Long Rifle' revolver that will still shoot 32 Long!
Photo by Hondo44
Attachments
Another option is to take a 30-1 J frame and bore a Model 34 22 barrel to 32 and mate them up and add the rear sight from the 34 to the 30-1. It is not a cheap project considering the value of 30-1s and 34s these days + the cost of the machine work.
You still don't get a K frame. I have fired a 16-4 and find the full lug barrel too much. Froggies project 616 seems ideal.
You still don't get a K frame. I have fired a 16-4 and find the full lug barrel too much. Froggies project 616 seems ideal.
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Green Frog
Member
It depends on what you want the gun to do, and I'll be the first to admit I haven't been able to find a single gun that can be expected to do everything well. As an all around 32, if I were limited to just one, I'd probably limit myself to the "616" if for no other reason than that it handles all lengths of the 32 straight wall family well and is stout enough for about anything I'd try to run through it.
But as much as I like the 616, my recreated 16-3 is much more of a true target gun by design, and it truly delivers. I have to admit that I find the sights on the Regulation Police Target (as well as those on the HFT in 22 LR) hard for my old eyes to see, but the lighter frame carries well, so my next foray into custom 32s is scheduled to begin soon... an I frame Kit Gun in 32 S&W Long based on an orphan pre-War Regulation Police that I picked up a few years ago. I still lust after the 4" adjustable sighted Model 631, but I just can't afford to buy any of the few I've seen offered for sale, just like the other S&W 32s with factory adjustable sights.
Froggie
But as much as I like the 616, my recreated 16-3 is much more of a true target gun by design, and it truly delivers. I have to admit that I find the sights on the Regulation Police Target (as well as those on the HFT in 22 LR) hard for my old eyes to see, but the lighter frame carries well, so my next foray into custom 32s is scheduled to begin soon... an I frame Kit Gun in 32 S&W Long based on an orphan pre-War Regulation Police that I picked up a few years ago. I still lust after the 4" adjustable sighted Model 631, but I just can't afford to buy any of the few I've seen offered for sale, just like the other S&W 32s with factory adjustable sights.
Froggie
Sistema1927
US Veteran
.32 S&W Long is becoming one of my favorites. I actually received 300 Starline cases from Grafs today, as well as some soft cast, gas checked, 121 gr HP bullets.
I will get some loading done next week, these new HP's, as well as SWC and WC bullets.
I will get some loading done next week, these new HP's, as well as SWC and WC bullets.
I'm second in line for a pre-30 2 inch at the LGS, but I can't talk more about it since it's earlier than this forum . . .
Cal44
Member
A lgs had a Colt Cobra in the consignment case recently.
It was a 32. In shooter condition with worn finish.
Also has a Nickel Cobra in 38.
One dated to 69 and the other to 72.
Left then there, but the Nickel 38 six shot was tempting.
It was a 32. In shooter condition with worn finish.
Also has a Nickel Cobra in 38.
One dated to 69 and the other to 72.
Left then there, but the Nickel 38 six shot was tempting.
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Is there a .32 S&W Long that's not a K32 with adjustable sights that can be had for less that $1,000?
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I just picked my latest 32 S&W Long up at the LGS today. Haven't cleaned it up or taken any new pics of it yet, but here are a couple from the seller. Colt Pocket Positive.
Also here are a couple pics of the little 32HE I bought a while back.
Also here are a couple pics of the little 32HE I bought a while back.
Attachments
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NovaJoe
Member
My 4" 16-4 is a very nice gun. My 4" Ruger SP-101 in .327 FM is not as nice but works very well. I'd like to try a .327 GP-100.
