S&W model 30-1

[RussellD]

My taste run against the grain of conventional wisdom and financial advice. Even though it is cheaper to save a little longer and purchase a higher grade specimen-I still prefer to purchase a shooter grade something that I can enjoy shooting or carrying and refinish to my preference.

I lift my glass to you sir!

 

[Dons1040]

dons1040
Just aquired a S & W 32L 30-1 S.N. H64029. Can someone tell me the year of Mfg. and what the (H) stands for?.
Condition is 95 To 100 % there are some lite scuff marks in 3 places with a very lite line on the cylinder.

 

[schutzen]

?.32 H&R?

Words of wisdom from the forum's resident .32 guru. These S&W snubbies offer the versatility of either .32 long or .32 magnum ammunition, plus a 6 shot to 5 advantage over .38 and .357 J frames. Bottom to top: 631, 631 Lady Smith, 632 Airweight.

Am I reading this correctly or is it just wishful thinking on my part. Can the cambers of a 30 or 31 be deepened to take the .32 H&R Magnum safely?

I really like the .32 H&R Mag and this would be a sweet package.

 

[wrangler5]

Am I reading this correctly or is it just wishful thinking on my part. Can the cambers of a 30 or 31 be deepened to take the .32 H&R Magnum safely?

I really like the .32 H&R Mag and this would be a sweet package.

I know it's been a while, but I've acquired three 32s since this question was posted, including a 3" 31-1 which I had Big Cholla ream to 32 H&R Mag. Drop him a PM if you're interested. He only needs the cylinder, so you can use regular mail back and forth.

Buffalo Bore offers a very potent 100g JHP +P load in 32 H&R that averages 1100fps out of my 2" 432PD and 1234fps from the 3" 31. The muzzle energy of that round from the 2" 432 exceeds the energy of Remington's 38 Special +P 158g lead HP "FBI" load from a 2" Model 49, and from the 3" 31 it exceeds the energy of the Remington +P 38 out of my 4" Model 10. You know one of those BB +Ps is something special when you light one off, but I still find it much more comfortable to shoot from the alloy 432 than the 38 FBI load out of an alloy snubbie. (At $1.30/round I still don't shoot very many of 'em, though.)

The owner of Buffalo Bore advised that that particular +P round was safe for unlimited use in my reamed Model 31. (Which I don't find too surprising, as even with 6 chambers the cylinder walls are still thicker than the thinnest wall of a 38 Special J frame cylinder.)

I just got a beautiful 2" 30-1, which I haven't shot yet. I'll start it next week with 32 Longs, but even though I can theoretically pump a 32 Long up to H&R Mag velocities, I strongly suspect I'll send the cylinder off to Big Cholla for a ream to 32 H&R. Common ammo makes for simpler packing for range trips - I typically take wadcutters, mid-range plinkers and some hot stuff, all in H&R cases. Plus, I never have to worry about a super-hot 32 Long that I made up finding its way into an old weak gun.

 

[ACORN]

Thanks all for this information. It is a 2". The blueing is about 100%, if not 100%. I really like the S&W revolvers but don't know much about them (I only have one other, a 19-6). Until now, I have been a Glock fan (and have a bunch), and somewhat still am, but it is hard not to love the Smiths the most.

I have no idea about value but would like to. I gave $150 for the 30-1 which is what the owner paid and wanted.

Glocks are soulless creatures. Sell them off a invest the money in quality S&W's. I'm only half kidding.
BTW $150? You otta be ashamed!

 

[Ballenxj]

I also shoot 32 acp out of my 631.

This is interesting, do you have to use half moon clips to do this?
Another poster here states you can shoot .32 Magnum rounds too? Isn't that a bit dangerous?

 

[tinstarfirearms]

I have never fire .32acp out of either of my S&W #30 or #31-1 revolvers but I believe that the cartridge has just enough of a "rim" to accomodate the round. Neither of the factory guns should chamber the .32H&R magnum rounds without some custom work. Hope that helps.

Andrew

 

[Ballenxj]

I have never fire .32acp out of either of my S&W #30 or #31-1 revolvers but I believe that the cartridge has just enough of a "rim" to accomodate the round. Neither of the factory guns should chamber the .32H&R magnum rounds without some custom work. Hope that helps.

Andrew

Even with the chambers reamed out to accept the H&R Mag rounds, wouldn't you consider the pressures a bit high for the gun?
OTOH, it might be just fine. I don't know.

 

[wrangler5]

The chamber walls on a 32 J frame are thicker than on a 38/357 J frame. S&W has offered J frames chambered for 327 Federal Magnum, which has a maximum pressure of something like 45,000 CUP, which I believe is the same as for 357 Magnum. So, same pressure limit, with thicker walls in the 32 caliber cylinder. There shouldn't be ANY problem for a 32 H&R Magnum round, which has a maximum pressure spec of 21,000 CUP.

 

[Ballenxj]

The chamber walls on a 32 J frame are thicker than on a 38/357 J frame. S&W has offered J frames chambered for 327 Federal Magnum, which has a maximum pressure of something like 45,000 CUP, which I believe is the same as for 357 Magnum. So, same pressure limit, with thicker walls in the 32 caliber cylinder. There shouldn't be ANY problem for a 32 H&R Magnum round, which has a maximum pressure spec of 21,000 CUP.

Ah, Thanks. Just curious since I found one for sale and wanted to know more about it because everybody that has owned one seems to really like them.

 

[Cal44]

I shoot 32 acp sometimes out of my 31-1. Works fine and seem just as accurate as shooting 32 long.

I tried 32 acp in my 431PD and got light strikes. About one or two per cylinder. The 431PD is 100% on 32 H&R and 32 long.

I have a new Ruger LCR 327, but haven't tried 32 acp yet.