M-30 vs M-31

[Green Frog]

OK, once again I am suffering from not being able to lay my hands on my SCSW. Just looking at them, I can't tell what the difference(s) may be between the to .32s, the M-30 and the M-31. Can somebody help me out here?

TIA ~ Froggie

 

[DCWilson]

In general, the 30 is a round-butt gun and the 31 is a square butt gun. But the distinction is not perfect, so the actual stamped number on the frame is the best determinant.

 

[Smithhound]

Greenfrog, I've been wanting to know that as well. Looking at the SCSW I can see no dicernable difference between the two other than the RB/SB.
Are there any other differences between the two, such as thin vs. thick barrel or frame size? Why would S&W make such a similar model and give it two different designations?
I've seen more 31's over the years than 30's, in fact can't remember ever running into a 30, are they that much more scarce?
RD

 

[ColbyBruce]

A #30-1

Two #31-1's

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

The difference is nothing more than butt shape. A model 30 has a round butt while the 31 has a square butt. The reason why you see more 31s than 30s is that the model 30 was discontinued in 1974 while the 31 was made until 1991. Both were offered with 2,3 or 4" barrels. Why they used two different model numbers for a difference in butt shape is a good question. I have a pair of model 31-1s with 3" barrels, but I have never encountered a model 30 in person.

 

[Green Frog]

OK, my question was prompted by the acquisition of this 30-1, you see. It does indeed have a round butt (and 3" standard barrel.) SCSW says the 30 came with RB or SB. Available barrel lengths are pretty much the same, and IIRC, there are some RB 31s out there. In short, it appears that the model designation depended on which stamp the final assembler had in his hand! Of course the 30 was the successor to the 32 HE and the 31 continued for the .32 RP, but once the barrel and grip differences began to overlap, those distinctions disappeared.

I guess the reason for the seeming dearth of 30s compared to 31s is a function of the length of production run(?) Ultimately, I guess we can say that they really are a single model with minor variations within as well as between model numbers.

Froggie

 

[Nine Smiths]

I've been wondering about this same issue. I've got a 3" Model 30 and a 4" model 31. The info from this thread fits perfectly.

Thanks guys.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

From what I can make out of this is; before these models had numbers, the Pre-Model 30 had a round butt and only came with a 2" barrel, while the Pre-31 was square and came in many barrel lengths. When model numbers were added, then the 30 started to get different barrel lengths. I own both models, 2" 30-1 and a 4" 31-1.

It is kind of like the Model 32 and 33 in 38 S&W. The 32 Terrier only came with a round butt and 2" barrel, while the 33 was a square butt and only came with a 4" barrel.

 

[dave b]

I got a 3" 30-1 a while back at a show. I admired it, and then locked it away. On a whim, I took it to the range with the regular bunch. Man, what a shooter. It easily is the best shooting J frame I have ever shot. Offhand it seems to keep them all in the black at 25 yds. Mostly 10s and Xs. I don't know why, as it's too small for my hand and has crappy sights. Nice trigger though. It might be a sleeper bullseye gun.

 

[rangeruger]

I have a 31-1 that was bought new by my daddy for $92. It will by passed along to my grandson somewhere down the road.