45NUTT
Member
I have several I frames and I really like them. 3 HE's & 1 pre model 30. The model 30 had the improved I frame.
So, what's the difference/change?
So, what's the difference/change?
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I frame vs Improved I frame
- Thread starter 45NUTT
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Assuming your "3 HE's" (sic) are prewar, there are several differences, but probably the most significant difference is the mainspring. The Improved I frame has a coil spring, as opposed to the flat spring in the prewar I frame. Look on the front strap. On the prewar units, there will be a strain screw there, which is unnecessary with the coil spring on the newer revolver.
If you have a "Pre-Model 30", it is likely made on the New I frame introduced in 1953. Jim Carter (Hondo44) has an excellent write-up in the Standard Catalog of S&W, 5th Edition, page 503 on how these little guns changed from late 1951 to 1961 going from the I frame to the Improved I frame in 1951 to the New I frame in 1953 to the J frame in 1961.
This is my 32 Regulation Police model of 1953 New I frame 4 screw that left the factory in April 1956. When the 4th side plate screw was deleted, soon after mine was shipped, it became what we call the “Pre model 31”. Except for the square frame, it is identical to the 32 Hand Ejector series we are discussing.
Attachments
Just an FYI, the above referenced article is on page 178 of my 5th edition, copyrighted 2024.
1946 to 1952: Transitional I Frame (flat mainspring).
1952: Improved I frame 1st Version (coil mainspring),
Improved I frame 2nd Version (ramp front sight and barrel rib),
1953 to 1958: Model of 1953 New I Frame (larger trigger guard, 1/8” longer round butt grip frame or new J frame style square butt grip frame, 4 screw side plate then in 1955 3 screw side plate). The Models of 1953 are the Pre Models 30 and 31.
1958 to 1961: Models 30 and 31 I frames.
1961 to end of production: models 30-1 and 31-1. These are J frames.
1952: Improved I frame 1st Version (coil mainspring),
Improved I frame 2nd Version (ramp front sight and barrel rib),
1953 to 1958: Model of 1953 New I Frame (larger trigger guard, 1/8” longer round butt grip frame or new J frame style square butt grip frame, 4 screw side plate then in 1955 3 screw side plate). The Models of 1953 are the Pre Models 30 and 31.
1958 to 1961: Models 30 and 31 I frames.
1961 to end of production: models 30-1 and 31-1. These are J frames.
