S W 32

[2flasargent]

Found this in my favorite pawn shop. 32 SW caliber, Serial # 2527xx. Barrel measures 2 5/8". The grips are hand made, lock up is shootable, but not great. Bore is pitted but good rifling. 5 screw. the S W logo is on the right side of the gun. Any information would be appreciated. BTW the 'identify the gun' sticky is great.

 

[Muley Gil]

Well, it is pre WW II, the barrel has been cut and the grips are homemade. Personally, my price would be around $150 max. It was probably built around 1916.

 

[Iframe32s]

The barrel looks to have been cut, & am betting it shoots awfully high with that front sight configuration.

 

[Iframe32s]

Well, it is pre WW II, the barrel has been cut and the grips are homemade. Personally, my price would be around $150 max. It was probably built around 1916.

Sorry for duplicate info...you beat me to the posting while I was still typing. I'm a slow typer you know...

 

[Muley Gil]

Sorry for duplicate info...you beat me to the posting while I was still typing. I'm a slow typer you know...

I use my index thumbs.

 

[Green Frog]

As we have suggested, this gun has had a checkered past... I'm not sure whether there is enough there to mess with trying to make a reliable shooter out of it. If not, it would only be good for a wall hanger decoration or as a rusty paperweight. In a best case scenario it's a project gun that will cost time and parts (which may be hard to find) and may still require a skilled gunsmith to make it work.

I don't say this about many guns, especially old Smiths, but unless it has historical or family significance, I'd pass unless I got it very cheaply to salvage usable parts. You have no idea how it hurts me to make such a pronouncement, but it is what it is.

Froggie

 

[weatherby]

The sight is pinned so a taller one is doable pretty easily

 

[steelslaver]

I wouldn't pay much for it, but I do kind of like it. Make sure the functions and muzzle are good. Put on a higher front sight and work it down till it centers. Use a block to sand the flats and hollowed pieces of wood on the rounded ares. Into the blue tank and out it comes. I have one in my saafe that this was done to is a fun little shooter.

 

[DWalt]

While it can use .32 S&W cartridges, it is actually chambered for the .32 S&W LONG cartridge. As others have said, in its current condition it is not worth much and its collector interest would be sub-zero. Might be OK as a nightstand drawer gun or maybe in the car glove box, under the front seat, or anyplace where it might be stolen or lost easily.

 

[2flasargent]

Many thanks for the responses, Ipaid $175, so not out much. I tried it out in the back 40 and it shoots reliably and at about 30 feet it grouped into about 4 0r 5 inches, 5 inches high. I was thinking about it for an older lady with small hands. She lives alone and is concerned. It seems reliable, modest trigger pull, and low recoil, so with some familiarization and practice she would be safe with it. Over it's 100+ life it's probably a role it filled before.

 

[DWalt]

"...so with some familiarization and practice she would be safe with it."

Would suffice for that purpose. See if you can train her a little on how she can use it, especially if she has never fired one before. Older women having no experience or familiarity with guns are often scared to death to touch, let alone fire, one. In those circumstances, she would probably be better off without it.

 

[2flasargent]

Completely agree, She wants to learn, and is astute enough to know if it will be a good idea after several dry runs and a box or so of shells. Appreciate the concern.