Picked up a Model 30 from Centerfire

[Teddydog]

Last week Centerfire Systems posted a bunch of short-barrel revolvers for sale. I bought one of the 2.75" stainless Ruger Speed Six guns. After that purchase, I looked over their list a little deeper and saw a S&W Model 30 listed for what I thought was a decent price, so I pulled out the wallet again and placed another order. Both guns arrived this week and I went to the dealer today to start my paperwork (stupid WA laws).

Not sure where they came from, but supposedly a police agency. One had an ad for Century Arms, which implies importation, but I did not find an importer mark on either gun. My buddy suggested maybe Puerto Rico.

Here is the Model 30 in .32 S&W Long. Looks to be in pretty good shape with some rust spots on top of the barrel and in the cylinder flutes, plus those funky pearly grips. I don't think it has been refinished. It is definitely marked "MOD - 30" in the frame cutout and the SN is 709xxx. I think that should make this a late Improved I-frame gun from around 1960.

For any Ruger fans, here's the Speed Six .357 Mag.

Definitely used with rubs in common places. Wear but no chips or cracks in the stocks. Looks like a great gun! SN is 160-88xxx, so it was made around 1985.

Both are still at the dealer in gun jail, so only the quick picks above for now.

And even FURTHER afield, I made it a three-fer at the dealer:

Rob

 

[Muley Gil]

Some police departments used to arm their female officers with .32 Long revolvers. Maybe LAPD?

 

[sigp220.45]

I bet its part of the Century’s big buy from the Policia de Puerto Rico. Most went to Sportsman’s Warehouse stores around the country and most of those were rusted pretty badly, though not all. The packaging looks the same. No import marks since PR is an American territory.

A guy on another forum lettered a Colt from that bunch, and it shipped to PR.

If there are no evidence numbers scratched into it then it was probably a PD issued gun. Lots of the issued guns had aftermarket grips - Pachys and Jay Scott fake stags and pearlies.

Very cool gun! I’m jealous.

 

[Hondo44]

Pretty nice!

You actually have the next evolutionary step from the Improved I frame. It’s built on the Model of 1953 NEW I Frame and it’s the 3 screw frame. These were changed to being built on the J frame in 1961 which was the Model 30-1.

 

[Tex1001]

Am I going be the only one to ask?

WHERE CAN I GET A NIB BAR/MONITOR?????

 

[Muley Gil]

I'm guessing the Ruger was carried by a left handed LEO.

 

[Teddydog]

Am I going be the only one to ask?

WHERE CAN I GET A NIB BAR/MONITOR?????

Semi-auto. Newly made by Ohio Ordnance Works. Very much looking forward to bringing it home and shooting it! It is a heavy beast!

Rob