S&W 32 snub nose, help identifying and questions.

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Big10

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See attached pictures.

I think it was made between 1949 and 1952. I'm wondering about the use of modern manufactured ammo and reloading for it.

  • Are there self-defense loads available which are suitable for this gun?
  • How hard can you push the 32 long and still remain safe in this gun? I.e. upper limits on weight and velocity?
  • I think this is an "improved I-frame"; it does have a coil hammer spring.
 

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  • The frame is a 5 screw, round butt.
  • Front, lower-right of frame has a 4 line roll mark with "MADE IN U.S.A/MARCAS REGISTRADAS/SMITH & WESSON/SPRINGFIELD, MASS"
  • Silver medallions in wood grips on both right and left side.
  • Left side of barrel marked with "SMITH & WESSON"
  • Right side of barrel marked with "32 LONG CTG."
  • Front sight is the "half penny" style.
  • Pinned barrel
 
OH, my...welcome to the forum. You brought a wonderful gun with you. You can shoot any commercial .32 Long ammunition in it. We have a lot of real experts here who will be along shortly to share this guns history with you.

I'm not one of them, but I know that the gun is up to any ordinary commercial loads. I have one made a little later. I believe you are correct, and that it is an improved I frame. Probably late 40s to early 50s, as you speculate.

Best Regards, Les
 
Welcome to the forum.

You have an excellent "32 Hand Ejector" known by collectors as the improved I frame because of the coil hammer spring introduction. And it's a 1st version because it still has the 1/2 penny sight and no barrel rib.

It was very likely shipped between Mar and June of 1952 based on these in my database: 575003 March 1952, and 577*** shipped June of 1952.

I agree, any modern loads in current reloading manuals are safe. I believe Buffalo Bore ammo makes defensive 32 loads.
 
Thank you one and all for sharing your knowledge.

The gun belonged to my father, who passed in the '80's. My brother had the gun until now and I know he never fired it. To my knowledge, my dad didn't either; it sat on a closet shelf under folded shirts never moving during my childhood (unless I sneaked in there to look at it :D)

Thanks again.
 
Why push a fine old gun with too hot a load? I'd just keep them at standard velocities and get something else to hotrod. It's survived this long in wonderful condition, and should continue to be well cared for.
 
I'm envious, still looking for a hand ejector of that size with a half penny front sight. Take care of that one and keep it in the family.
 
That is certainly a good old gun. As for self defense loads, despite this calibre being Bad Leroy Brown's choice, no .32 Long round of any sort is going to knock one's opponent on his derriere. I'd suggest whatever you shoot the most accurately and emphasizing precision over brute ballistics. To that end I recommend plinking--that weapon was born to terrorize tin cans.
 
Welcome also! You will find two types of factory .32 Long easily, round nose lead and wadcutter. These are great target rounds and six in the right (wrong) place will not tickle. Buffalo Bore makes hotter loads which would be safe in your gun but not for regular use financially :). Enjoy!
 
Welcome to the forum. Any factory 32 S&W Long ammo found on the shelf will be fine. Any reloading manual will give safe, and proper reloading info for this round. Do not attempt to beyond these loadings. If you feel you need a hotter round move up in caliber. You have a beautiful Smith to be enjoy for many years by you, and countless generations to follow if taken care of.
 
.32L

Very NICE!! :D I have a MDL 31, and load for it, including shot shells. No need to hot rod it, I have magnums for those needs. :) Treasure it and have a GOOD holster made for it. :) I have SWC, and wad cutters, both lead and coated. :) Keep 10 boxes loaded at all times. :)
 
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I have your gun’s older sibling... the same thing only with the leaf rather than coil mainspring. .it’s my EDC, stoked with jacketed hollow points I buy loaded commercially by Georgia Arms. Of course for normal trips to the range, i shoot my hand loaded LSWCs and WCs. I wouldn’t want this as my sole defense against a gang hopped on meth, but for day-to-day basic defense I feel perfectly comfortable with this as my EDC. As with all tings, YMMV.

Froggie
 
mm93 said:
Why push a fine old gun with too hot a load? I'd just keep them at standard velocities and get something else to hotrod. It's survived this long in wonderful condition, and should continue to be well cared for.
Click to expand...

Yeah, not going to hot rod it. I just want to stay out of the danger zone with any handloads. Knowing what is "too hot" is the first step. That, and knowing what it is you've actually got in your hand and what its limitations are.

My dad served in WW II, enlisting in 1942. I've got his personal 1941 Colt Govt Model that he bought from the BX (it has a Swartz safety, like a Kimber :eek:) and his High Standard 22 short Model C made in 1926. I really had no true understanding about the 32 until I got it from my brother and posted here. Good info on this board. Thanks again.

As far as carrying it, I've got several others (too many according to my wife) that would clearly be better choices. However, I can't say I'm not intrigued by trying to find out how effective this tiny 32 would have been in it's assigned role by my dad. It was his primary "go to" gun in his bedroom; the Colt 45 was at the other end of the house tucked away so that he could get to it if needed while working near the garage (yeah :D I knew where that one was too ;) -- kids, huh?)
 
El Biblioitecario said:
That is certainly a good old gun. As for self defense loads, despite this calibre being Bad Leroy Brown's choice, no .32 Long round of any sort is going to knock one's opponent on his derriere. I'd suggest whatever you shoot the most accurately and emphasizing precision over brute ballistics. To that end I recommend plinking--that weapon was born to terrorize tin cans.
Click to expand...

:D:D:D terrorize tin cans, I like it. :D:D:D
 
murphydog said:
Welcome also! You will find two types of factory .32 Long easily, round nose lead and wadcutter. These are great target rounds and six in the right (wrong) place will not tickle. Buffalo Bore makes hotter loads which would be safe in your gun but not for regular use financially :). Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I looked at Buffalo Bore just now and it's like $1/round :eek:.
 
merl67 said:
Welcome to the forum. Any factory 32 S&W Long ammo found on the shelf will be fine. Any reloading manual will give safe, and proper reloading info for this round. Do not attempt to beyond these loadings. If you feel you need a hotter round move up in caliber. You have a beautiful Smith to be enjoy for many years by you, and countless generations to follow if taken care of.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I do not plan to hot rod this gun. But I did needed to find out what it was (you gots to know your gun's limitations) and how it related to commercial offerings of today.

I also have many "better" choices for carry in 9mm, 45acp, and even 380. But if I were to carry it, it would have to be in a fine leather holster ;)
 
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