My K-32: to shoot or not to shoot, that is the question

[azswiftwing]

I am a new member here in the “hot country” (Arizona”). Since I am new to this board, please forgive me if this question (or a similar one) has been asked before. I “collect” K frame 5-screw Masterpiece revolvers, which basically means that I now have four of them, and by “collect,” I mean "buy to shoot." Most of my collection was purchased in the 1970s, but now all I have left are my K-38’s and a K-22 (My ex-wife got several of others, but that is another story.) I recently purchased a fourth revolver, a K-32 manufactured in the late 1950s. I bought it to shoot, but when I took it to my local gun club, one of the employees looked at it, pronounced it as mint, probably never shot, and suggested that I should have my head examined for wanting to shoot it. My wife (not the ex-one) heard all this and decided that I would depreciate it if I decided to shoot it so she agreed with the employee. So, my question is whether I should shoot it, or find another K-32 that is too beat up to be readily noticed. (Good luck with that!)

If I hang on to it as an investment, then I need a suggestion for something else that shoots a 32 S&W Long, since I now have ammo and reloading dies for the same. I am very used to S&W revolvers.

Thanks for any thoughts or comments that you might have.

 

[Model39]

I would advise to not shoot it. They are worth alot of money. Depending what you paid for it, you could sell it for a very good price, and buy a lesser quality one, or keep it as the value of a mint unfired K32 will always go up, and look to buy a S&W Model 16-4 in 32 magnum. They are up there in price (not near the original K 32'S), but you would be able to shoot 32 magnums, or 32 S&W longs in it. Smith also made several small "J" frame guns in 32 magnum the 631 in 2" fixed or 4" target models and fixed sight 632's.

 

[50 target]

Welcome to the Forum. That question is as old as the collecting of guns. If it truly is mint, 99%, then that does pose some problems. Do you have the box and accessories? A complete package is a very arre item, pretty much like the gun itself. If mint, then here are some questions to consider.
If damaged, what have I lost ?
How much will I shoot it?
Under what conditions will I shoot it? Range only, well protected?

I will say this, I have one (shooter grade) and she is a dream to shoot. I reload and am careful that target only loads are run through it. When shot, it is range only, well protected, carfeully handled, etc. In 99% guns, just a couple of percentage points in finish can depreciate one. But if I really wanted to shoot it, then if properly handled, cleaned, etc. I don't see why not. Be careful with the grips that they don't get unnecessary wear, dings, flat diamonds, exposed to too much cleaner/lube, etc. If you can afford another shooter grade and keep that one for investment, then all I can say is God bless you for your prosperity. You are blessed. If not, shoot the one you have and care for it well. Enjoy, Bob

 

[three-five-seven]

Probably never shot. Smith and Wesson test fired it. Also some of us out there are really good at making them look minty or brand new. It was made to be shot. I have a collection of smiths that are interesting and unusual and i purchased all of them new. I have also shot them. So much is made of mint and unfired that it is sickening. Do you have the box and papers? If you were trying to sell it would your prospect be a real collector or a gun show dealer trying to hack your price to death so he can sell it to the collectors he knows. I collect and I want it i will pay a proper price. I say make your own mind up and enjoy it. Model 16-4s are difficult to find too. At one time I put some of my stuff on pedestals and never enjoyed it. Enjoy!

 

[310Pilot]

First, I'd get another opinion on whether that gun truly is unfired, preferably from somebody with extensive experience in appraising collector grade firearms (in fact, an appraisal would probably be a good idea for a K-32, considering their rarity and price levels). Is there even a hint of a turn ring? Any lead in the forcing cone, lead or powder deposits around (and especially above) the barrel inside the frame? Has it been re-blued (this could lead one to believe it is unfired)? Lots of questions to answer. If it truly is unfired, even I (who shoots just about every gun I own) would be hesitant to shoot it, primarily from a value perspective. If, however, it has been fired, I would shoot it (again, being very careful in handling and cleaning it). If you are careful with it and clean it properly, shooting it more (primarily, or only, with relatively light target loads) won't decrease its value - if it has already been fired. Frankly, it would be very hard for me to pass up an opportunity to enjoy shooting sessions using my K-22s, K-38s and, if I had one, a K-32 - those Masterpiece series revolvers were most aptly named, and they are a joy to shoot! Best wishes on resolving your quandary.

Oh yes, welcome to the forum from another Arizona member, although I escaped the Valley about 3 1/2 years ago, and now hang my hat up in the White Mountains. I'm guessing I just might see you up here in a month or two, hehe!

 

[Allen-frame]

Greetings AZSwift. I cannot help you with your decision. Or your wife. Or the guy at the gun range.
But I have similar experience now.
I recently purchased a model 16, made in 1958. I paid $2200 for it.
It is the only one I've ever seen in person.
Probably the only one I'll ever see. I have accumulated a few thousand rounds of 32 S&W Long over the years.
I promptly took the gun to the range and fired a hundred rounds through it.
I will do it again. This is MY gun, and I will shoot it as I please.
Whether it is worth what I paid for it or not,I will keep it and shoot it.
The only wear my gun shows is a faint turn line ,and a ghost shadow
of a ring on the firing pin bushing.
A K-32 does not show wear like a Magnum revolver does.

Just my experience, and ,I hope it helps. I am not married any longer ,
and the guys at the range thought the model 16 was way cool.

Good luck ,,Allen Frame

 

[DCWilson]

It's a bad plan that can't be changed. If you don't shoot it, the option to do so always remains. If you do shoot it, you have foreclosed on the option to keep it mint. The fact that you asked the question suggests that it makes sense to keep your options as open as possible. So my advice at this time is NOT to shoot it, then look for a used K-32 that you can shoot.

I have a 97-98% K-32 from 1949 that I have shot, but I knew when I got it that it was not mint. It came with a sample target and some handloading notes from a long-ago owner. If I had discovered only after taking possession that the gun was unfired since leaving the factory, I would do what I have advised you to do -- just put it aside as a store of value and look up another one to shoot.

If you don't want to pick up a second expensive K-32 Masterpiece, I understand. But the .32 long is a nice intermediate caliber for a lot of uses. Your reloading setup need not go to waste if you don't get a shooter K-32. You could look for a Regulation Police Target Revolver from the 1920s or 1930s. They are I-frames and therefore lighter than a K-32, but quite accurate in their own right. They are semi-difficult to find, just like K-32s, but way less costly than K-32s when you do come across one. If you don't like the smallish square butt stocks that come on a RP, you can replace them with the oversize extension stocks that the company put on their .22/32 revolvers.

A lot of Masterpiece owners and fanciers envy you your dilemma.

We love pictures here. Would you like to show us some K-Masterpiece family photos?

Edited to add: Since Allen broke the ice, I'll put up pics of mine as well. This one set me back three grand. A good Regulation Police Target would cost half that, and perhaps under a thousand if it is worn and has only a partial finish.

 

[Reddog]

I can add a sad story! Way back in the mid '60s, my only handgun was a K-38. Still have it. I had purchased an M-1 Carbine through the NRA but couldn't get lead bullets to work well in it (sized wrong), so traded it straight across for a K-32 at a gun show. Sometime later, I traded it off for something else, probably a rifle, and have regretted it ever since! A few years ago, I bought a K-22 from a neighbor. Just think, I could have all three, now!
Dick

 

[moosedog]

If you shoot it, your going to decrease the guns value some what, no doubt about that. It's your decision.
I have several that I can't come down to shooting as they are LNIB so I bought a 16-4 and use that.
They pretty much all shoot the same.

 

[H Richard]

An easier to find and alternative is to try and find a 16-4, in .32 H&R mag. You can shoot the 32 S&W Long just fine, and I understand the accuracy is nearly the same.

Good luck in your decision. I know it is very tempting.

 

[bower]

K-32

A short time ago I was fortunate to come across a mid-fifties K-32 N.I.B.
I really wanted to shoot this piece as all the good I had heard about the .32 round.Shortly thereafter I located a N.I.B. Colt officers model target in .32.So now I have to decide which one to shoot.In the end I have been shooting the Colt.What a sweet shooter it is.Funny thing is there were a fraction of the Colt OMT 32's made compared to the S&W's but they are worth about half of the Smith's value

 

[BruceHMX]

I shoot mine and it's a 95% gun.

And they do shoot well!!

 

[cgt4570]

Do you ever plan to sell it? If so, then don't shoot it.
If you don't shoot it, and it goes to your estate when you pass on to the great target range in the sky, will whoever it goes to really appreciate it? If yes, then don't shoot it.
If you answered 'No'. to both of those, then enjoy it for what it was intended. You can't take it with you. I don't get nearly as much enjoyment out of bragging about an unfired gun as I do in shooting every gun I own.

 

[deadin]

Those of you with minty K-32's should be encouraging him to shoot it. It will just make yours more valuable.....

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The question is what did you buy it for? To shoot? If not then sell it. Guns were made to shoot and the pleasure of owning and shooting it will
forever be yours. If you are not going to shoot it then a picture of it will serve the same purpose.

 

[peyton]

I agree with the majority, selling this one will be easy here on the forum. With that money you can buy shooter grade guns that won't matter if you shoot 5, 500, or 5,000 rounds.

 

[murphydog]

It's a difficult decision. You stated you "buy to shoot", so it sounds as though to you using your collection is more important than keeping them unfired or ANIB. This philosophy isn't pertinent for a K-22 or K-38, as nice as yours might be, because they are fairly common; but for a K-32 in the condition stated, it becomes a dilemma.

I think how much you paid for the gun enters into the equation also; I wouldn't worry about depreciating a $400 K-32 as much as I would one for which I just paid $3000.

Personally, for this specific gun, I would leave it unfired and search for a modern 16-4 or even one of the J frames in .32 Long or Magnum if shooting .32s is a priority. Please let us know what you decide.

 

[austintexas]

I bought my K-32 about 15 years ago, got box, papers and tool kit. It was like new in the box. I paid $1000.00 hard earned dollers for it and I shoot it. It still looks like a 98% pistol and it is worth way more now, shot or not than when I bought it.

 

[BruceHMX]

Austintexas my thoughts exactly. That's how I got mine. I don't treat it like a SIG or Glock. But I shoot it and enjoy. After shooting I clean it up and back in the box it goes. I'm a 32 nut. Own many different types. Most are highly collectable. I shoot them all. As for the 16-4 I've owned 3. Never could warm up to one. Don't know if it's the barrel lug never could figure it out. Won't buy another.

Good luck in your decision. Know matter what have fun.

 

[DWFAN]

Those of you with minty K-32's should be encouraging him to shoot it. It will just make yours more valuable.....

I can't do that to him Dean.
This poor soul I rate at 97% and I still won't let it be shot. Maybe someday someone will gift me a few rounds to send down the range. That shows you how interested I am in shooting it. Not great pics but, K58963.
DW