Anyone shoot a .32 S&W top break a LOT?

[stantheman86]

I used to collect S&W top breaks, I developed a strange fascination with .32 Short

They were just so fun to shoot, and the little S&W's were very well made and well fitted. Most of mine were the DA/SA models and some had weak SA sear springs and slipped off full cock. Others were out of time or skipped over chambers, they just didn't seem to be made for a lot of use and 100+ year old flat springs didn't help any.

I was just wondering, I had always thought of getting a late model, maybe a 4th model Safety Hammerless in shooter grade non collectible condition and seeing if an expert knowledgeable pistol smith could tune it up, maybe even S&W......install modern springs, in other words make it more durable. Maybe get it hard chromed....

Or am I just asking too much of these little break tops? Will the frame eventually stretch , the latch get loose, timing go out etc. no matter what?

 

[alanfir]

You might look at a S&W perfected model top break. They would seem to be a little more durable. The later model Iver Johnson and I think also the Harrington and Richardson revolvers had coil springs. You could also shoot several inexpensive shooter grade top breaks to keep one from wearing out. A solid frame .32 S&W caliber revolver might be an option but maybe not as much fun to shoot.

 

[alanfir]

The S&W perfected model top break was made in .38 S&W caliber only but are also a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[DWalt]

Personally, I have the opinion that buying any old S&W.32 top break which needs fixing up and plating is a waste of good money that could be used for something better. Further, S&W would not touch one anyway, nor would the majority of gunsmiths. If you want a good .32 shooter, a S&W top break in fairly high condition shouldn't break the bank, and there are many H&Rs and IJs around. The H&Rs are much better quality than many give them credit for. One of my favorite fun guns is a fairly recent (1965) H&R "Defender" top break in .38 S&W.

 

[Rusty Shacklford]

Hello, There is a hobby called cowboy action shooting. Within this there are "pocket pistol" matches. They use the S&W along with other similar makes, top break .32 and .38.

I would check out this thread.

Need a pocket pistol for NCOWS and SASS use.

Perhaps you could post the same question on either
sassnet.com or CAS city - The World of Cowboy Action Shooting - Powered by Outdoor Channel.

Lastly there is a "cowboy" gunsmith you might contact at
Cowboy Gun Works

Where there is a need, and someone willing to spend money, there is usually someone there to help. Have fun

 

[model3sw]

Shooting old top breaks

If you have one that is mechanically excellent and you use the correct ammo, you should be fine but have it serviced first and be prepared to replace the V-shaped trigger return spring. No matter large or small (1st DA 44 or any of the top break DA revolvers) it seems the years of sitting the springs likely get brittle and break. Once the trigger return spring is replaced (even with an new / old stock spring) they seem to be OK after that.