431PD

[fleaflop]

Anyone spend any time with a Smith 431PD H&Rmag? It looks like something I would be interested in.... This revolver had such a short production life, not many of them out there. I would like to hear your comments on the weapon if you care to share. Thanks...

 

[M29since14]

I have had a 432PD for a long time. The 431's brother/sister. I don't know of much to say about it. It's a nice enough little gun. About perfect for when you don't think you need a gun. My only complaint is that I would like to have had an electroless nickel finish like what's on my 442, but it wasn't offered. People must like matte black finishes a lot more than I do. Do you have any specific questions?

 

[Pizza Bob]

I have one, but have never shot it (safe queen), so can't be of much help, but here's a picture anyway...

Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[413Maxwedge]

I have no experience with .32 Magnum but a quick Google search for ammo shows me that there are far fewer choices and they cost +- .20c more per round more than .38spl (or .38+P). What is the attraction to this scarce and old-timey round? Is it worth the extra cost?

 

[steelslaver]

I have no experience with .32 Magnum but a quick Google search for ammo shows me that there are far fewer choices and they cost +- .20c more per round more than .38spl (or .38+P). What is the attraction to this scarce and old-timey round? Is it worth the extra cost?

Yes. especially for reloaders. 38 special ammo selection for self defense isn't that great or cheap anymore. In fact very few good self defense loads are cheep. There is also the advantage of having 6 round compared to 5 in the J frames

 

[tlawler]

I picked up a 431 in rather rough shape a few years ago for $300. Kind of ugly, but very functional. I gave it to my youngest daughter a couple years ago. She was going back and forth between the 431 and a 342, but ultimately went with the much lower recoil 431. She can put several cylinders into a paper plate from 15 feet. She just turned 21 last month and is getting ready to take her CCW course with it.

 

[philbrook3]

I've had mine for over 10 years, put several thousand rounds thru it.
Just replaced the grips last year with Badger Italian olive wood. I carry it a lot in the cargo pocket of my shorts.

 

[Shibadog]

I'd buy one if the LGs store Had one.

 

[uhlawpup]

I have both. The 432 is still new in box, but the 431 is in my carry rotation. Easy to carry, fun to shoot, and a joy to conceal, with a six round capacity instead of five. I reload for it, so it is not costly to shoot. I'll probably part with the 432 when I thin the herd a bit, but my heirs will have to deal with the 431.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

Had one. Traded it in for an LCR327

 

[H Richard]

I had both, 431PD and the 432PD. They are both nice, easy to carry, and moe3 than sufficiently accurate. The 6th round in this J frame is an advantage. I think the 32 H&R Mag is under rated, and I load a 100 Gr XTP that chrono's (from a 6" 16-4) at 1224 fps. It's probably a little over 1000 fps from the 431 or 432. Recoil is is less than a 38+P in a comparable size/weight J frame. I did pass along the 431 and still have the 432PD (in the drawer of my desk as I sit here.

with a set of Culina stocks.

 

[diver61]

I have purchased 2 431PDs some years back. One has been my wife's carry gun for 20 years or so. The second I got for my daughter when she turned 21. She wanted Mom's gun, so got her, her own. I haven't seen one for sale since. 6 x 32 magnum rounds will ruin anyone's day. My one and only complaint is the go key it has. Never used it and it has never locked itself. Solid, accurate (for what it is), always gies bang.

 

[Rider1300]

Every once in a while one pops up new in box. Keep your eyes peeled and one may show up.

I have one that I bought about 6 years ago and now that I've reached 80 years old I said to myself what am I saving this for?
It's a charm to shoot and very easy for carry.
I do reload so that's a big plus for finding ammo and new brass is readily purchased from Starline while factory H and R is hard to find. Regular 32 Long is Easier to find.

 

[TST]

I have no experience with .32 Magnum but a quick Google search for ammo shows me that there are far fewer choices and they cost +- .20c more per round more than .38spl (or .38+P). What is the attraction to this scarce and old-timey round? Is it worth the extra cost?

Old-timey? .32 H&R Magnum was developed in '84. If '84 is old-timey, I'd hate to think of what I am...

 

[BarryinIN]

I got one around a year ago. I was in my regular gun shop looking for a 432UC and the owner offered me his personal 431PD. I didn't know much about that exact model, and prefer my J-frames to be Centennials, but I grabbed it without hesitation.

It shoots well.
It shoots POA/POI.
It's controllable.
It holds six rounds.
Good gun.

In my opinion, most buyers of .38 snubs would be better off with one of these.

I can't explain why, but I'd like another. I still want a 432/632UC, and would probably grab another 431PD at a reasonable price whether I got a 432/632 or not.

 

[BarryinIN]

Old-timey? .32 H&R Magnum was developed in '84. If '84 is old-timey, I'd hate to think of what I am...

That cracked me up also.