Model 631 .32 H&R Magnum

[damienph]

I was gifted three handguns by a good friend of my wife's. Two are inexpensive .22s but the third one is a J frame 2" stainless six shot model 631 chambered in .32 magnum. It needs a good cleaning but is 90% or better. It has a pair of Pachmayr Compacs on it. Box and original grips are long gone.

The serial number is BEZ17XX and it is not marked "Ladysmith".

I've searched this site for info about it and it seems to be a fairly rare revolver. Only manufactured one year (1990) and in a very limited number; 190 pieces or so. Is that information accurate? I am trying to find out more about it and would appreciate it if anyone can point me in the right direction.

Also, were RB Combats originally on this revolver or were Magnas available as well? I don't mind the Pachmayr's but I prefer wood stocks and usually factory stocks of some sort. The J-frame Combats are big (and pricy) and I would prefer to find a pair of RB Targets or just Magnas.


Thanks!

 

[824tsv]

The Standard Catalog indicates 5474 produced and that it was a special production for 1990. Not sure how accurate that info is, but you still have a scarce piece. Can you post some pic's?

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

.....Only manufactured one year (1990) and in a very limited number; 190 pieces or so......

I think what sometimes happens is someone will get a factory letter that states something like, ".... a quantity of 190 were shipped to [such & such] distributor in April of 1990....."

Which is a true statement. It just neglects to mention that thousands more were shipped to all of S&W's OTHER distributors a few weeks and months latter.

 

[LewisFamilyFirearms]

I did research on this model as well as I recently bought one, there was 2 versions, the Lady Smith and regular one, they were it made in 2" and 4", I don't have a lot of info about the 4". As for the 2", they only made 190 of the non lady smiths in 2" and it had a BEZ prefix, all the rest of the 2" were lady smith with a different prefix. To my understanding, that is the information I've gathered about them thus far, I want to get a letter on mine and we hopefully we will know for sure.

 

[H Richard]

I don't know how accurate this is, but the Blue Book states it was made only 1991-1992, with 5500 being made. It came with J Frame combat stocks. Current value in 90% is $575. S&W also made a 631 Ladysmith, with rosewood stocks, and is listed as "scarce". But, the values for the Ladysmith are about 40% less than the 631. (Who knows, it's the "Blue Book").

All I can tell you is I really like the 32 H&R Mag round. I have a 16-4 and a 431PD and a 432PD. It's a great round, very accurate and plenty of punch.

 

[Bastogne71]

The 190 manufactured comes from p.261 of the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog where it states for SKU 103664 2" FS S 22oz "190 manufactured". I believe this version was equipped with the combat stocks and have seen photos of one with the combats like the 4" version, but I haven't been able to verify that.

It was the M631 4" that started my love affair with the 32's in 1990 and have added two S&W's, two Rugers, and a Marlin to the 32 collection.

 

[damienph]

Model 631 Pic

Finally, a picture of my 631. This is right after I got it before being cleaned. I have a pair of factory Magna stocks on the way (from a model 60) to replace the Pachmayr Compacs.

I'll post an "after" picture with the new stocks when they arrive.

 

[Cal44]

Looks nice. I'm one of the strange people who thinks a 32 H&R Magnum 6 shot J frame is a good carry gun.

Have a 431PD in my pocket as I type this. That's an Airweight version of your 631.

I'd also like to find a 331Ti or 332Ti which are Air Lite versions (lighter than the 431PD).

 

[Gunhacker]

Looks nice. I'm one of the strange people who thinks a 32 H&R Magnum 6 shot J frame is a good carry gun.

Have a 431PD in my pocket as I type this. That's an Airweight version of your 631.

I'd also like to find a 331Ti or 332Ti which are Air Lite versions (lighter than the 431PD).

Don't think you're that much alone or strange in that thought. If a person can optimize by reloading or use Buffalo Bore ammo, it's a potent cartridge.

Most people don't realize that factory ammo loadings are kept on the anemic side because of the limitation of the H&R 925 top break Revolver the round was developed for.

I have a 432PD and a Ruger SP101 in .32 H&R.. I never feel under gunned with either one.

 

[MNruss]

I've seen several times on the web the claim that the 32 H&R Magnum was kept "loaded down" for top break revolvers, but when introduced, it was only in swing-out & solid frame revolvers, all 5 shooters.
The top-breaks were breathing their last at this point and were, to the best of my knowledge & recollection never ever chambered for the magnum.
H&R itself barely lasted past the introduction, this accounts for the fact that you see several NEF's to every H&R 32mag on Gunbroker and the like.
IMO, pressures were kept low in deference to these H&Rs, but top-breaks never entered the picture.

Regards

Russ

 

[H Richard]

I believe there is a larger following of the 32 H&R than a lot of people think, and see quite a few mentions of reaming out Mod 30's to take it, and even taking the 16-4 out to 327 Fed. If I still hunted I might consider taking my 16-4 out to 327, but I'm pretty happy with it as is.

 

[Cal44]

I think the big advantage of 32 H&R magnum is the fact you can get a 6 shot J frame version of it.

Having 6 shots is a 20% improvement over a 5 shot 38 special.

That's significant IMO.

Not totally sure I see much advantage to 327 Federal as that gets you back to a very heavy recoil/muzzle flip situation if you use a small light weight gun.

But, of course, you can always use 32 H&R in a 327 Fed gun.

If feel I need more power than 38 special/32 H&R magnum then I can always go to a K frame snub in 357 magnum.

 

[S&W Rover]

I had a 631PD, but under pressure (self-imposed) I convinced myself to sell it. The .32 H&R was a surprisingly snappy round in an Airweight, but I think the extra round makes it very appealing in a J frame. The OP's gun is in stainless, I believe, making its weight a real advantage in controlling recoil. The S&W three-finger J frame rubber grip Product: J Synthetic Full Size Grip with S&W Logo is a little too long for pocket carry in some people's estimation, but it helps control recoil and I think it works fine. I have this inexpensive but slim and effective grip on my 442 and 642 -- J frames in .38 Special.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Wish S&W was still making .32 revolvers, especially .327 Fed since it can accept the shorter rounds as well. I'd like a longer barreled K frame for myself and a 2" or 3" J frame for the wife.

 

[1911-10MM]

Hello,
The 631 is great gun, you will enjoy this for years to come.
I was fortunate to acquire a 2" and a 4" in the past few years.
I have the original combats for both but prefer the old vintage presentation style grips.

 

[damienph]

My 631 with a set of stocks from a model 60 (from a fellow forum member).

 

[Green Frog]

I know Dale53 tends to keep his Model 631 locked up when I visit... a 4" Model 631 (adjustable sights and my favorite custom grips) is the only modern factory S&W I really lust after. If I have a "grail gun," this is it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Froggie

 

[Muley Gil]

I was offered a 4" M631 by another Forum member a few years ago. Money was tight and I passed.

I kick myself on a regular basis.

 

[jcelect]

631

This is the way the 631 were sent from the factory! The Lady Smith version of the 2" guns had smooth Magna style grips.


In this area any gun in the 32H&R caliber sells for big bucks. I just sold a 632 3" this past week end for $1100.00
jcelect