Make a .32 kit gun?

P

psween

Member
Joined
May 20, 2010
Messages
38
Reaction score
11
Location
SE Minnesota
I just picked up a shooter grade 30-1, 3" barrel, that I want to eventually end up as a Kit Gun type. Here's what I would like to do, so you can all poke holes in the idea or tell me I'm a genius. I want to add J target adjustable rear sights and a wider front blade. Add target trigger and hammer. New stocks are in order. Also thinking about reaming cylinder to .32 H&R mag depth to allow ammo commonality with my Ruger. I can make the new stocks, so that's easy and basically free. The machining work I am capable of, but no longer have access to a mill, so that's probably a hired job. Don't have a H&R reamer, so that's also probably a hire out. When all is done it'll need a re-blue. Any guesses as to costs, and where to source the parts (trigger, hammer, rear sight)? Anything I'm not thinking of? I've seen some examples here that are pretty close to what I want, so I know it's been done before. Thanks,

Patrick
 
Register to hide this ad
IIRC.... there have been a couple of other threads on this in the past month.

Sounds like an interesting concept.... but if you want to save time and money...........

My "Kit gun" for the past 5/6 years has been a 3" 60-10...... shoots shot-shells to .357s and every .38 in between......think "micro 686".

Some others are using the 3" 60-15?
 
Thanks for the replies, it's Hondo44's 4" version that made me want one! The .38 versions are an option I guess, but I really like the .32. I also have a thing for blued steel and pretty wood, so the 60-whatevers, while very functional, don't quite do it for me. I did look for a 631 for a while, but man the prices on those! I could have a lot of machining and refinishing done before I get up to the price of a nice specimen, and it'd still be silver. Custom gives me the chance to set it up just how I want it.

Looks like rear sights are readily available from Brownells, and I can make a front sight easy enough, but the TT/TH I don't know where to start. Any ideas? Gun show this weekend, will not likely see any parts, but should be fun to look.

Patrick
 
Last edited:
J frames use a different rear sight assy than the larger frames. Never had one, but I think the elevation screw works different without the need for the little slot cut for the bottom of elevation nut. I am not sure there is enough material in the frame to make the cuts for a K,L,N type sight to work. Maybe there is. I have looked around a bit in the past and the J frame rear sight is a rare bird to see for sale.

The machining isn't that hard. but, a cutter to make the slot is hard to come by. I made my own by modifying a small 2 flute end mill and have converted several fixed sight guns to adj.

Right now Shovelwrench has a threat going in the Gunsmith portion of the forum on building a K 32 and part of it is about making the cuts and installing a adj rear sight on a fixed sight frame.

If some one has converted a J frame to use regular frame adj sights I would like to hear about it myself.
 
While I really like the job they guy did in the other kit gun threat, I think that finding a early rear sight like he did would be as hard or harder than finding a J frame sight. I am going to drang out my J frames and do some measuring. But, my J frame 32 is in very nice shape and shoots to point of aim with its sights with my 32 S&W load so I will probably just leave it alone. I do have aand old I frame 32 that has been reblued and then I replaced the yorn yoke on it. It is a candidate for modification.
 
My favorite pocket carry is my 431PD in 32H&R. With my loads it shoots to point of impact elevation wise but 3-4" to the right. I've tried grips,loads, everything, the POI isn't moving. I was thinking of trying to put an adjustable on this favorite revolver. If nothing else, I'm going to file the rear notch on the left side.

Stu
 
Stu, be careful filing, remember that's an alloy frame. I've got a 431PD and a 432PB and that's about all I carry currently. I do use my own load, and it will chrono just above 1000 fps from that 1 7/8" barrel with the 100 gr. Hornady XTP. While not dead on, it's close enough at 10-12 yards to not be concerned. Have you tried different grips?
 
Yes, H Richard, tried just about everything. I'm not too concerned about filing the rear sight as the sight picture has very little if any white space on either side of the front sight. That fat front sight really takes up the rear and makes a difficult sight picture, even with a white painted front sight blade. I've been playing with this revolver, grips and loads for a year now trying to get something that shoots to center of hold. No luck yet. Factory stuff is 4" right at 50 feet and about 2.5" at 21 feet. Little to much for my taste. If I can't get an adjustable on it (which I want for different loads) I'll resort to my safe sight file. I have plenty of aluminum black! !

Stu
 
Not looking for period correct sights, just something that fits. With the 317, 63, and 60 still being made in 'kit gun' versions, modern J adjustable sights should be available. My 30-1 was built in 1969-70 by SN, so are there things about the newest J frames that would make the current production sights a problem on the older J? As long as the frame needs machining anyway, seems you could tailor the frame to whatever sight you find.

Patrick
 
Last edited:
I believe David Clements is producing a small S&W type sight for install on single actions. It might even be a pre war type sight. I also may be wrong about this. I often am......
 
So the easy part is done, finished the new stocks over the weekend. Went with cherry as I had some and it's nice to work, and it'll darken into a nice reddish orange with age. Pretty happy with the shape, ended up sort of an extended RB with the middle finger support of a Target grip. Feels really good and lets me get a three finger grip without increasing the LOP any.

20170123_1006511_zpsj7olbzqp.jpg


20170123_1007431_zpssv86os7i.jpg


Now to figure out the metal work.

Patrick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Big guy
A hitch in my giddy up.
Replies
5
Views
461
Big guy
Big guy
G
22/32 kit gun
Replies
1
Views
820
JP@AK
JP@AK
DCWilson
Correction to Fifth Edition (Prewar .22/32 Kit Gun)
Replies
1
Views
485
Crazywader
C
wart-hog
.22/32 Kit Gun, request for information
Replies
14
Views
735
Hondo44
H
kscharlie
.32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905-4th Change
Replies
9
Views
942
SS336
S

Latest posts

Back
Top