S&W 31-1

Tinker Pearce

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This is an early Christmas present from my wife, and it is pristine; I think it may actually be un-fired. Serial H28675

Curious as to when this might have been made.
 
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I just snagged a 3" 31-1 too. Mine is a round butt though.

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This points out one of several anomalies in J-frame production... in theory, a round butt 31-1 would be a Model 30-1, but S&W seems to have gotten sort of casual about Model numbering of the small frames about that time. OTOH, this vintage, from a purely utilitarian standpoint, is my person choice for best of the breed (once you get to the coil spring action.). Congrats to both the OP and Dieseltech56 for finding great guns.

Froggie
 
Could have sworn the SCSW drew the 31-1 and 30-1 line as being square butt for the 31-1 and round butt for the 30-1. If Diesel is sure his says 31-1 inside, then this changes my calling when spotting these in the wild.
 
O0WOnNz.jpg

L2wa4Y9.jpg


This is an early Christmas present from my wife, and it is pristine; I think it may actually be un-fired. Serial H28675

Curious as to when this might have been made.

I have its twin.
Great fun to shoot, especially if you install a pair of factory J frame target stocks. Just big enough to give a comfortable grip on a J frame, without being too big.
 
Here is my Model 31-1 with a set of Smooth Goncalo Alves Target Stocks. It is a later one with the non-pinned barrel. I like the fact that with the smaller diameter cartridges, you get 6 shots instead of the 5 that you get with the .38 cal. J frames.
 

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My 31-1 was my first S&W. I bought it used and it started an addiction.
At the time, it was the only one I could afford.

Another great thing about them is that they are great for live fire practice to get proficient with the J frame's DA trigger.
They have very little recoil.
If you load your own ammo, they're cheap to shoot.
I could shoot mine all day, every day.
Can't do that with the Chief.
 
"This points out one of several anomalies in J-frame production... in theory, a round butt 31-1 would be a Model 30-1, but S&W seems to have gotten sort of casual about Model numbering of the small frames about that time. OTOH, this vintage, from a purely utilitarian standpoint, is my person choice for best of the breed (once you get to the coil spring action.). Congrats to both the OP and Dieseltech56 for finding great guns.

Froggie"


What specific model a S&W is is determined by features, not by model marking in the yoke cut! An I or J frame in.32 S&W Long and having a round butt is a .32 Hand Ejector or Model 30 variant, regardless of what is stamped in the yoke cut. Mis-marked S&Ws are not a rare occurrence!


If it is a .32 S&W Long with a square butt then it is a Regulation Police/Model 31 variant. Note that OP corrected identification of his revolver in his second post! It appears he originally mis-identified it in saying it was a Model 31.
 
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I've removed (and kept) the factory grip, and after some quality-time in the workshop came up with my own target grips for this gun. I'll do a bit of reloading today; looking forward to a range outing very soon!
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You should make and sell these.
I'd also really like to see you make combat grips for the square butt J frames.
 
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