Frame size smaller than a J.

[Stefano]

Sorry if it did sound like that, no offense. Of course, i respect everyone's choice, it's just an opinion!
I also know that the market is growing, in either direction, smaller or bigger, and that's a good thing.
But the point here was just to be aware of what you give up in return to going miniaturized. Up to everyone to make his choice, isn't it.
Whatever, i hope there will be more and new handguns coming out every year to read about or shoot with and S&W is always ready to bring out something new as they did for so long.
Remember they started with the model 1, a tiny .22 revolver

 

[TACC1]

I spent years trying to find a small revolver. Have just recently
discovered the 32 DA. It's the perfect size, with a less-than-perfect
choice of caliber.
If/when somebody makes a smaller-than-j frame, I'll take
a couple.
TACC1

 

[PaPa34]

6 shot .32 ACP, full moon clips for speed loading. "J" frame with shortened cylinder. Force cone extended towards the cylinder effectively lengthens barrel. Gutter sight with fiber optic insert. Titanium and aluminum appropriately applied. A 5 shot with a smaller diameter cylinder would be nice. Ugly and more expensive than a plastic auto but I'd buy it.

Very utilitarian but sorry IMHO possibly the ugliest concept for a revolver I have ever seen.

 

[Chop]

I haven't shot it in awhile but I have a "I" frame 38 S & W. I think it is a pre-Terrier?? Ammo is a bit pricy, but it is just a bit smaller then a "J". I think it would make a nice pocket gun.
Chop

 

[mtheo]

papa34,

I always thought utility was beauty. So here ya go maybe w/ a snout on it you'll warm up to it a bit?

 

[marc257]

32acp or 380acp with moonclips; I'd be all over that.

i like the 32 acp idea or maybe even a 380 acp revolver....something smaller and lightweight

 

[hastings]

I would have a hard time using a revolver smaller than a j or i frame, but I have often wished that S&W would come out with a 3" model 34 with a cylinder that would hold as many rounds as they could pack into it. I don't know how many you could fit, but seven or eight rounds of hyper-velocity 22lr in a steel j-frame with a 3" barrel would be a neat little package. I know Taurus has something similar to this, but I tried one and the trigger pull felt like a Joe Weider Index Finger Exercise device. I don't mind a Taurus firearm, as long as it's in the opponent's hands.

Back to the topic at hand. I think a j-frame Smith is a beautiful little package and have a hard time imagining a smaller revolver being very usable, but I have know some women that thought the j-frame was just a bit to large for them. I guess if you can actually get a decent hold on a Ruger LCP 380 you'd find an "H" frame just about right.

I tried my brother's LCP and it reminded me of a staple-puller with a muzzle. I could only get my middle finger on the grip, so it felt like I was pinching a large bug between my thumb and middle finger rather than gripping a pistol. I must admit, though, that the hard-cast buffalo-bore ammo he had in it sure packed a punch when I pulled the trigger. I think it was buffalo bore, but it could have been cor-bon or some similar manufacturer. The funny thing is my brother carries a BFR 500 S&W Magnum on his hip (he's a big guy) and puts the LCP in his breast pocket for backup. Sorta like carrying an ice pick in case your nuclear warhead isn't enough.

 

[Lotus]

I wrote to BC Engineering (Custom Gun Parts - BC Engineering Company - Z-Pulse Muzzle Break - you can find them for sale on gunbroker.com) about the possibility of producing a .32 H&R Magnum revolver as a scaled-up version of their present gun, knowing I expect something MUCH smaller than a J-frame for CCW. Below is the reply I got. If you would buy such a thing, it couldn't hurt to tell them. It's the first reply of a concrete nature I've received from any firearms manufacturer.

Mr. xxx,

We truly appreciate your advice. Our president somewhat like yourself is in fact a mechanical minimalist. Like yourself he strives for function without redundancy.

I promise that the valuable perspective that you have given BC Engineering is being seriously considered as an addition to our product line. Keep an eye on our web site and I feel you will see what you are looking forward to. I know NAA had designed a 32 revolver, but not one you would own.

 

[addicted]

personally i like the second revolver over the first. something about the "window" in the frame window throws me off.

 

[Lotus]

.32 Mini Revolver

Yahoo! Groups

SUCCESS!!!

.32 Mini Revolver
BC Engineering has plans for a .32 mini revolver. It will be a true "mini" not a 38 Special frame. It will have a swing out cylinder.

Currently they need to keep the BC Special revolvers selling to fund the materials so they can get tooled up for the .32.

BC Engineering anticipates having these available in fall.

 

[Combat_Diver]

Interesting on the update mini revolver.

You could make a 6 shot 32 ACP (7.65x17SR) or 5 shot .380 ACP (9x17) OAL of both cartridges is about the same. Two other real close chamberings would be the 9x18mm Markarov or 9x19mm Parabellum (chamber pressure alot higher here). Make it as a Centennial as Smith makes the 442/642 without the lock.

Smith and Wesson did make them before...
The .32 Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless of 1888 to 1892 with the 2 inch barrel became known as a “Bicycle” gun at some point, and the First Model Ladysmith (the 1902 M Frame Model .22 Hand Ejector), was often referred to as a “Bicycle” gun.

CD

 

[Protocall_Design]

Can't be for real. The crane is missing.

 

[mtheo]

Can't be for real. The crane is missing.

I was wondering when someone would notice.

 

[therevjay]

OK, I'll be satisfied with a .32 H&R in a 'I' frame. I don't have a .32 H&R cartridge to compare with a .32 S&W long right this minute, but I don't think it's much longer.

The 'I' frame size with a 2" Bbl. would be nice. Plain old steel will be fine. No need for 'unobtainium'. Size is the problem, not weight.

 

[Jason68]

Sign me up!

I would love a scaled-down DA revolver, I'd be happy with 5 shot .32 or 6 shot .22 magnum, airweight please!

 

[Lotus]

Regarding my post last year about the BC Special .32acp mini-revolver; sadly I noticed today that the page on their site saying "coming soon" is no longer there.

 

[revolvergeek]

I think that they would find a surprisingly strong market for an i-frame, all steel, 2-2.5" barrel, in .32 acp; managable size for small hands, fairly cheep and readily available ammo, low noise and flash so it is pleasant for new shooter.

Despite what some people want to believe, .38 j-frames can be too much gun for some people. I have been playing around a lot lately with old S&W i-frames and Colt Pocket Positives in .32 long and you would be amazed at the response that they draw from female shooters - "I could shoot this", "This feels good", "Now THIS fits my hand".

Yes, .32 mag and .327 mag are much more powerful, but they also generate a considerable amount more recoil and sometimes a lot of flash and blast. The old steel framed .32 longs with normal factory are like shooting a .22 LR, and even milder with the various wadcutter loads.

Taurus made (makes) the 905c in 9mmp on an almost i-frame size shortened cylinder and frame, but it has a pretty brisk recoil even with standard 115 fmj. I saw that they had released a .380 version this year, which seemed silly at first, but considering how much more plentiful and cheaper .380 ammo is right now than .38 Spl it actually makes sense.

 

[Buford57]

I agree that an I-frame, or a smaller version of the Bodyguard (new version) in .32 would sell. When my mother, who suffers from both arthritis and poly neuropathy, final overcame her fear of guns, the only thing she could handle reliably was an I-frame .32 HE. I suppose I could have searched for an older Terrier, but just getting her to shoot was an accomplishment.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I would rather see alloy J frames like the 43C start hitting shelves. If the J gets much smaller it will be too small to be practical. I love my little NAA mini but that thing is just a pain to shoot at the range unless I add the bulky rubber grip. Add to that I want them to make a short barrel .22LR that doesn't lose all it's go in the short tube the way Stingers do.

 

[RVM45]

Taurus recently came out with their .380 Revolver...

Then ruined it with that execrable Slab-Sided Barrel.

Slab-Sided Barrels are a deal-breaker for me.

Remember the old story about the Hillbilly boy trying to tell his father what he'd learned at school.

"No son, Pie are not Square. Cornbread are Square. Pie are Round!"

Someone needs to explain to Gun makers everywhere--including S&W's Performance Center:

"Revolver are not Square. Semiautomatic Pistol are Square. Revolver are Round!"

{Jeezee! This choice of effects is a wee-bit Spartan--no colors, no enlarged fonts, no emoticons in text...

Not even Bold-Face or Italics...

It is like...

Really Man! Be for Real !"}

.....RVM45