The title of the thread sums it up. I'm pretty new to collecting S&W revolvers. I don't have an I-frame, and am looking to add one. I have my eye on a couple of .32 Long Hand Ejectors. I've read that when the Model 30 replaced the .32 HE, it was built on the J-frame. Am I correct in assuming that all .32 HEs were I-frame? Does the same hold true for those chambered in .32-20? Thanks!
Are all .32 Long HEs build on I frames?
- Thread starter daveboy
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Someone will be along with all the detail, but no, not all S&Ws in 32 Long were built on the I frame. Some were J frame and some were K frame. That assumes we include all S&W revolvers in the Hand Ejector category. If you're thinking only those catalogued as Hand Ejectors at the time they were built the answer might be different. My favorites are the K frame Masterpiece (pre-16s) with dash numbers up to 4. As far as I know, the 32-20 was only produced on the K frame.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Last edited:
-BTM-
Member
I think the 30 was an I frame until the 30-1. I’m trying to find a 16 and bidding on a 3” 30 now. Got the bug.
I'm good for a couple of answers---then there are those who've forgotten more than I know about it.
No, not all .32 Longs are built on I frames. The K-32's were built on K frames. So too the 32-20's---K frames. That's the end my knowledge as a collector of target guns----real target guns. There may very well have been smaller frame .32's with target sights, but I count those as just such---guns with target sights as opposed to target guns.
I had a .32 Regulation Police Target, and counted it as a target gun, but as I sit here I can't tell you the frame size designation. I guess that happens when you have too damn many guns.
Ralph Tremaine
Yeah, I know-----picky-picky-picky!
No, not all .32 Longs are built on I frames. The K-32's were built on K frames. So too the 32-20's---K frames. That's the end my knowledge as a collector of target guns----real target guns. There may very well have been smaller frame .32's with target sights, but I count those as just such---guns with target sights as opposed to target guns.
I had a .32 Regulation Police Target, and counted it as a target gun, but as I sit here I can't tell you the frame size designation. I guess that happens when you have too damn many guns.
Ralph Tremaine
Yeah, I know-----picky-picky-picky!
DWalt
Member
I have a .32 Long M&P, K-frame. Somewhat uncommon but they do exist. There were also some early .32 Target M&Ps made, also some K-32s.
Last edited:
You have received several answers, all of which contained correct information. But let me tidy it up a bit.
The original .32 S&W Long hand ejector, beginning in 1896, was build only on the I frame. When the .32 Regulation Police was introduced later, it too was built on the I frame. This continued until 1961 when all I frames were discontinued and both the .32 HE and the .32 RP were converted to the J frame. Hence, the Model 30 (.32 HE) and the Model 31 (.32 RP) were I frames. When they switched to the J frame, they became the Model 30-1 and Model 31-1, respectively.
There were some K frame, fixed sight revolvers that were chambered in the .32 Long, but those were made in small numbers and sporadically over the years. I've posted a picture of one below.
The target sight K frame .32 Long revolvers are in a category of their own as has been mentioned.
All .32-20 revolvers were built on the K frame in the 1899 to c. 1930 period. Those were poor sellers toward the end, resulting in them being cataloged until 1940.
I have a 31 no dash and a pre model 30. Both are the late I frames known as the new I frames that have coil main springs and J frame size grips. Can get a bit confusing to keep up with the changes. Also have a pre WW2 I frame .32 Long that dates to 1907. Small frame compared to the model 30s and 31s on the new I frame. The I frame grew over it's long production run.
Last edited:
Your original question has been thoroughly answered, but I would offer a humble suggestion.
If you’d like to add an I-frame to your collection, I recommend seeking out a pre-WWII (or very early post-war) example, made before S&W switched from a leaf mainspring (like the one in the K- and larger-frames) to a coil mainspring (like J-frames). These can be identified by the presence of a strain screw in the front of the grip frame. These are marvelous little guns with great triggers.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,660
- Reaction score
- 21,306
Those would definitely be I frames.
Just to add, even after model numbers were assigned to existing guns, model names were kept. So even a mid-1980s J frame model 30 is still a .32 Hand Ejector.
A good friend just inherited this S&W .32 Long Improved I-frame from his Dad's estate. He's planning on keeping this one, as it was originally owned and carried by his grandfather. It's a 5-screw, but not pre-WWII (ca. 1951). I told him that it needs a little TLC, particularly the finish...I'm hoping that he gets to it soon!
Attachments
...BenAttachments
I would like to offer the Op a humble Warning!
The 32 i Frame has a known history of Breeding in the dark corners of storage boxes.
3, early 1903s 32 S&W Long, sept 2 1902 barrel stamp, stocks match,,, with damage to some
Attachments
gwpercle
Member
The 32 Long was not just for I and J frame revolvers .
many who competed in NRA Bullseye Match shot the 32 Long in K-frame target guns as their Center Fire leg ... I used 38 special simply for ease of obtaining ammo and I liked the bigger hole ... psychological edge maybe ... but I believed it helped ... even if it didn't !
I want to Thank all you guy's who posted 32 Long photo's
I realy enjoyed seeing them !
Gary
many who competed in NRA Bullseye Match shot the 32 Long in K-frame target guns as their Center Fire leg ... I used 38 special simply for ease of obtaining ammo and I liked the bigger hole ... psychological edge maybe ... but I believed it helped ... even if it didn't !
I want to Thank all you guy's who posted 32 Long photo's
I realy enjoyed seeing them !
Gary
Last edited:
You have been warned....32 Hand Ejectors are like rabbits...
From the group picture, the one on the bottom left is a J frame Model 31-1. The two with the silver medallions are post WW II, the RP is Improved I Frame, the HE is New I Frame. The remaining four are pre WW II I Frames, dating from 1906 to 1927. All are .32 S&W Long.
From the group picture, the one on the bottom left is a J frame Model 31-1. The two with the silver medallions are post WW II, the RP is Improved I Frame, the HE is New I Frame. The remaining four are pre WW II I Frames, dating from 1906 to 1927. All are .32 S&W Long.
