K-32 Masterpiece

[Dale53]

HappyHunter;
I have a 631 (4" with target sights) and have been extremely happy with it (it's not for sale). It has accounted for a few bunnies. That's the most sporting way to take edible small game. You don't get as many as with a shotgun but the satisfaction is MUCH greater.

It gets even better when you take them home and the family ALL get this big grin when they realize it only had one hole in it and they don't have to worry about possible shot in their meal.

I can testify that your wife would love it.

I would like to say that a good "J" frame that is now available (either the 3" Model 60 with target sights or the Model 60 5" with target sights) should also work well for your wife. She can practice with .38 Wadcutters then use standard or plus "P" HP SWC's for a home defense gun. If she likes small game hunting, then the wadcutters do a wonderful job on rabbits, etc. AND-D-D, they are available new from your friendly dealer. It would be a great post Christmas present.

I have the 3" and can do as nearly well at 25 yards as I do with the longer barrels. As an example, I have fired as high as a 96x100 at 25 yards on the NRA 25 yard timed fire target. When carrying it in a belt holster in the field, you hardly know it is there. Make no mistake, the 3" target sighted Model 60 makes few compromises regarding practicality.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[HappyHunter]

Dale53,

Not for sale...darn.

Thanks for the suggestion on the M60, got me thinking about it.

My wife and I shoot in an informal PPC league and 6 shots is necessary. She uses a custom built 45 now and is doing very well. I just want here to use a wheel gun for a change as it is my preferance.

Until I can find one for her I get to tease here for using a bottom feeder.

Regards
Fred

 

[Dale53]

HappyHunter;
My local club meets twice a week. Nearly always, there are goodies on the trade tables. I recently bought a really nice "shooter" - it was a S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece (4") .38 Special. It was a police trade-in (Orange County California) and about 95-98% at a very reasonable price. I am making a gift of it to my son. He and his wife will train with it and use for a house gun. My son is a gifted shooter while his wife will be a new shooter (+ another pro-gun voter).

Frankly, the Model 15 is one of the true "Classics" and since they were police issue for most of the country they are readily available in good used condition for reasonable prices. Further, this revolver is NOT an anachronism but is just as practical today as the day it was king.

Dale53

 

[Gatorbaiter]

I bought this K-32 8 years ago at a Houston gun show. It has been nickel plated with gold trigger and hammer, and the chambers bored out to accept 32 Mag. But for $390 what the heck!!!

 

[VonFatman]

sw44spl,
That's what I did too...I have a 10" barrel I got off GB for $140

I then went out and bought a Ruger Vaquero and a Ruger Single-Six...both chambered in .32 Mag...I likee!!

Bob

 

[HappyHunter]

Dale53,

For years my wife had a combat masterpiece under the bed. Recently I gave my son and his new wife a 4 inch model 19, they will load it with plus p's and keep it in a safe in bedroom. K frames where the backbone of S&W revolver line.

My favorite is the target masterpiece line.

For PPC and Bianchi I use a built up 686.

I still want your 631!!!

The perfect gun for my wife would be a 5 inch stainless J frame round but 32 long with adj. sights. Do you think it possible to make one from a 5 inch 63? I think a post in the smithing section is needed.

Regards,

Fred

 

[Dale53]

Fred;
I have no doubt that one of our better pistolsmith's could make a .32 from a model 63. However, I suspect that you could buy TWO 631's for the same money (IF you could find one).

If it wasn't for the fact that you need a six shooter, I would just go buy the Model 60 (5") but it "ain't" a six shooter.

There IS another possibility. Buy a 4" Model 30 and have a pistolsmith add an adjustable sight. That would cost a LOT less than a full conversion and should be just what the doctor ordered. I believe used Model 30's are still available for a reasonable amount.

You know, you may be underestimating your wife's ability with a "K" frame (hand size, etc). With the proper grips most women that I have met have been quite able to handle these. And, as I stated above, there are still a good number of police trade-ins around (they DO need to be inspected properly) at reasonable prices.

Dale53

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by HappyHunter: ...The perfect gun for my wife would be a 5 inch stainless J frame round but 32 long with adj. sights. Do you think it possible to make one from a 5 inch 63?...

The short answer is "NO" because the 63 is a Rim Fire and the .32 S&W Long is a Center Fire. And the firing pin will not align properly. At least, without lots and lots of work - so the answer is also Yes but only for lots of Dollar$$$.

Why not purchase one of the Model 60-18s with a 5 inch barreled .38 Specials and use light loads???

There is a Model 631 listed in the "GUNS - For Sale" section but the Seller seems to thing it is Solid Gold or something considering the 1K price tag but I guess some of that is because he's got a bunch of stuff with it. He has decided he'll sell the bare gun for $850.00 but that's still got to be Solid Gold since it is nothing more than a "Shooter Grade" gun with none of the box or accessories etc.

I'd look around for a Model 33, this gun already has adjustable sights, which is the Blued Steel version of the .32 S&W Long and is available in several barrel lengths.

 

[Spotteddog]

Buff,
Somehow and for some reason back about that time frame a fair number of K frame .32's came to the market in the upper midwest. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan for sure and probably Ohio? It was just at the time newer shooters were starting to go to auto's. And the WWII era shooters were just beginning to (sadly) fade a bit in physical ability of eye or hand. I've wondered from time to time about how many estates of similarly aged enthusiasts went on the market within a short period of time. They still seem to happen that way. Perhaps with more frequency in more densely populated locations? Don't forget, great lakes industrial midwest has a LOT of people!

 

[HappyHunter]

KKG,

I never considered the 33. I even have the loading dies for this round but have not used them as .361 is difficult to find (recently learned Graf & Son have it).

Is the 38 S&W an accurate round as is the 32 S&W?

Is the model 33 a six round gun?

Thanks for the thought, research in needed.

Fred

 

[BUFF]

Originally posted by HappyHunter:

"Is the model 33 a six round gun?"

Nope, the Model 33 (.38 Regulation Police) is a 5 shooter, I and then J frame. They have fixed sights and 4 inch barrels.

As for accuracy, I don't see any reason the .38 S&W can't be accurate, it's primarily a matter of load development and bullet selection. There hasn't been much done with the cartridge since WWII. A friend has reloaded it with hollow base wadcutter bullets and Bullseye powder and he says it shoots them great, as the soft lead bullet swages up the .003" difference just fine with a quick jolt from a quick powder and the hollow skirt of the bullet.

I often wondered why S&W made the M-33 with a 4 inch barrel but never offered a 4 inch barrel on the Chiefs Special. Add Kit Gun sights and you'd really have something!

 

[Ailog]

swca1000

A K-32 sold at a Tx gun show recently for $2200. I held it and examined it before it was sold. It was 99% and had an original box.

 

[peyton]

If you want a good shooting revolver look for a model 16. I got mine from Buff and it is so accurate it is boring. My kids could not believe me shooting the bullseye out of the target at 25 yards.