Smith and Wesson Model 430 32 Smith and Wesson Long Airweight
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ar15ed
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that is a nice gun. 430s and 431s are kinda scarce around here.
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Man am I late to the game. I did not realize a model 430 in 32 S&W long existed!! How long have they been making these??
I would imagine the 430 is rather scarce, as the 431 is basically the same gun but the chamber cut deeper for the 32 mag. I wonder, could the 327 fit?
afaik this particular gun was made in 2008. it is a new gun inasmuch as besides the factory no one else has fired it. i called smith and wesson before i bought it and talked to a few people there who didnt know they had ever even made a model 430. Its one of very few if not a one of.
Update
Update for those interested. It turns out that 284 special order model 430's were made and shipped to Portugal because Portugal does not allow 32 h&r magnum. 15 were made for sale in the united states. still a pretty rare gun.
Update for those interested. It turns out that 284 special order model 430's were made and shipped to Portugal because Portugal does not allow 32 h&r magnum. 15 were made for sale in the united states. still a pretty rare gun.
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spectre40
Member
Wow
Great find, HeyJoe.
Didn't realize they were that rare.
Good luck.
George
Great find, HeyJoe.
Didn't realize they were that rare.
Good luck.
George
There is a "new" S&W Model 430 for sale on Gunbroker.com. It is selling for $700.00 + shipping. If one is loaded with the hottest .32 Long hand loads, you can "nip at the heels" of the .32 H&R Magnum, while obtaining excellent accuracy.
I would heartily recommend either hard cast or FMJ hand loads. When it comes to subsonic .32 caliber ammunition, penetration is your friend!
Scott
I would heartily recommend either hard cast or FMJ hand loads. When it comes to subsonic .32 caliber ammunition, penetration is your friend!
Scott
I called S&W and asked about it's "lineage" and, as HeyJoe had stated, the boys in Customer Service told me the Portugal story.
The one on Gunbroker is in a Thief River Falls, MN gun shop. Some very insightful individual is going to purchase a neat (and rare) revolver. I really think the this isn't just an "oddball." It will make for a light-recoiling, superbly accurate, yet surprisingly effective little six-shot "waltzing distance" revolver.
I want to remind everyone of how effective the .32 Long was in the hands of Police Detectives and Police Matrons well into the 1960's. These revolvers worked then, when properly loaded and the bullets are well placed are quite effective.
It is known as "marksmanship."
Scott
The one on Gunbroker is in a Thief River Falls, MN gun shop. Some very insightful individual is going to purchase a neat (and rare) revolver. I really think the this isn't just an "oddball." It will make for a light-recoiling, superbly accurate, yet surprisingly effective little six-shot "waltzing distance" revolver.
I want to remind everyone of how effective the .32 Long was in the hands of Police Detectives and Police Matrons well into the 1960's. These revolvers worked then, when properly loaded and the bullets are well placed are quite effective.
It is known as "marksmanship."
Scott
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Here's the information from Gunbroker.com I don't have a "dog in the fight" nor do I have any personal interest in the handgun. (I just enjoy the fun and efficiency of the .32 Long cartridge.)
Hunter's Outlet
206 Knight Ave N
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: (218)-681-3030
Fax: (218)-681-3133
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m To 7:00 p.m
Saturday 10:00 a.m To 6:00 p.m
Central Daylight Time
Hunter's Outlet
206 Knight Ave N
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: (218)-681-3030
Fax: (218)-681-3133
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m To 7:00 p.m
Saturday 10:00 a.m To 6:00 p.m
Central Daylight Time
.32 S&W Long is woefully underpowered, horribly obsolete, and generally useless.
So, all you .32 owners, send those useless guns to me.
I recently bought a '69 31-1 and put some Sile grips on it.
I can't wait to take it out to shoot.
I picked up an old box of Western .32 S&W Long, Lubaloy ammo.
$18.99 for 50 rounds. Wonder how old it is?
The Lubaloy looks suspiciously like the copper plating Speer uses.
BTW, that 430 is sweet.
I've considered having my 31-1 reamed out for .32 H&R, but the .32 Long can be loaded to over 1,000 fps with a 115 grain lead bullet.
So, all you .32 owners, send those useless guns to me.
I recently bought a '69 31-1 and put some Sile grips on it.
I can't wait to take it out to shoot.
I picked up an old box of Western .32 S&W Long, Lubaloy ammo.
$18.99 for 50 rounds. Wonder how old it is?
The Lubaloy looks suspiciously like the copper plating Speer uses.
BTW, that 430 is sweet.
I've considered having my 31-1 reamed out for .32 H&R, but the .32 Long can be loaded to over 1,000 fps with a 115 grain lead bullet.
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.32 S&W Long is woefully underpowered, horribly obsolete, and generally useless.
So, all you .32 owners, send those useless guns to me.
I recently bought a '69 31-1 and put some Sile grips on it.
I can't wait to take it out to shoot.
I picked up an old box of Western .32 S&W Long, Lubaloy ammo.
$18.99 for 50 rounds. Wonder how old it is?
The Lubaloy looks suspiciously like the copper plating Speer uses.
BTW, that 430 is sweet.
I've considered having my 31-1 reamed out for .32 H&R, but the .32 Long can be loaded to over 1,000 fps with a 115 grain lead bullet.
I'd love to see a 115-grain hard cast SWC lead bullet driven at the same velocities. When it comes to antipersonnel applications, PENETRATION IS YOUR GREATEST ALLY!
I would like to send my 632 out and have a 4" stainless steel barrel "crunch fitted" in place of the current 2" barrel. This would make the same 115-grain bullet run out of the tube at at least 1100 fps, ensuring penetration.
Scott
jaysan60
Member
Not exactly the same but I really love my 432!!!! (Closest J frame cousin to my 16-4!)
Life is good!
Life is good!
Having (finally) corralled a 16-4 I finally starting hand-loading for it and the 2 32 HE Post War that I have, a 2" and a 3 1/4". I don't plan to reload for the 32 S&W for my 3 safety hammerless or my Mod 1 1/2 CF's. (That case is just too little for my old arthritic fingers). I have found now over 500 rounds of 85 gr and 100 gr. JHP's and JSP's. After I finish up with another 100 of the HBWC's (bought a box of 1000 from Midway before the current panic buying stripped the shelves of most ammo). 2.3 gr 231 make the HBWC and accurate load, but a real powder puff. I plan to see just what I can develop for the JHP's. There are a couple > 1000 fps with cast bullets so I am betting the jacketed will be able to get up into that range also.
Lots of fun.
Lots of fun.
Look up some of the "Buffalo Bore" fodder (.32 H&R Magnum "heavy" loads.) If you want it to serve "nightstand duty" the BB .32 H&R Magnum will work VERY well!
Scott
joee12
Member
I wonder if the cylinder from a 431 or 432 can be swapped to convert it to 32 h&r mag? If not Bowen can ream it for $125
joee12
Member
I picked mine up today, WOW what a nice revolver. I used to carry a model 30 on my ankle back in my law enforcement days, but I gave it back to my dad when I left the profession, he carries it still today. I have always loved the .32 S&W Long round and I am really happy to own another one. I thought about reaming it out, but I think I am going to hold off for now and invest the money in a reloader and load some hotter 32 rounds for self-defense. I presently reload shotshells for my trap and skeet shooting tobby, and some of my friends at the range are going to help me with cartridge reloading. I am taking the 430 to the range tomorrow, I will keep you posted.
joee12
Member
The gun was really dry and i was able to put a few drops of oil before shooting, but I think I need to spend more time breaking it in. With Reminton LRN, the gun shot really well, the gun is very accurate and feels great in my hand. I then switched to Magtech wadcutters that were super smokey and I had several not go off in double action, but went off in single action on a second try. I then switched to Fiocchi 820 FPS LRN and these all fired well, except for 2 out of the 50. I have had problems in the past with Magtech and Fiocchi not igniting in my Ruger SP101. I will keep everyone posted, I really love this new 430, Joe
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revolvergeek
Member
Congrats on a very cool gun. .32 long is easy to handload.
The S&B .32 Long 100 grn FP NP (New Police) load is quite a bit warmer than most factory LRN ammo. Sever people have chrono'd it in the upper 700s FPS, so it substantially increases the thump over standard LRN loads.
I have had problems with it jumping crimp and binding things up in short i-frame cylinders, but no trouble in j-frames so far.
The S&B .32 Long 100 grn FP NP (New Police) load is quite a bit warmer than most factory LRN ammo. Sever people have chrono'd it in the upper 700s FPS, so it substantially increases the thump over standard LRN loads.
I have had problems with it jumping crimp and binding things up in short i-frame cylinders, but no trouble in j-frames so far.
joee12
Member
I cleaned it up real good and then I fired some Federal loads, and I averaged 1 misfire out 12 rounds. I spoke to Smith and Wesson, and they sent me a prepaid label to send it back, hopefully it will come back soon.
My wife purchased a Model 430 this week, and had the numbers and story referenced above confirmed by S&W. We are looking towards a long and happy relationship.
Myself, I have two other firearms in 327 Federal. Can't be more excited about loading and plinking going forward.
Myself, I have two other firearms in 327 Federal. Can't be more excited about loading and plinking going forward.
joee12
Member
I got the pistol back on monday, which was a little over a week and a half, that is excellent customer service from Smith and Wesson. They replaced the firing pin and after 200 rounds of several different brands of ammo, I have not had 1 misfire. Right now I keep it loaded with Federal wadcutters, it slips nicely in my front pocket. I love this pistol, Joe
I hope that you enjoy your .32 Long. I can't begin to tell you how well they shoot. Most of the women and men that carried the Model 30 and 31 revolvers as well as the Colt Police Positive, Pocket Positive and Detective Specials in .32 S&W Long/Colt New Police are no longer with us. The legacy of the revolvers and their legendary accuracy live on. the best part of their history lives on through the .32 H&R Magnum (introduced in 1984) and the .327 Federal Magnum (introduced in 2007.)
Since revolvers chambered for the H&R and Fed Mag accept the older .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long, there has been a revival of the lesser rounds. There is nothing wrong with the .32 S&W Long./Colt New Police. they just don't have the "hot-rock" reputation of either the .38 S&W Special, or the .357 S&W Magnum. Couple low recoil with excellent accuracy and these can be a deadly combination.
This does NOT, however, negate their efficacity. When properly loaded, the .32 S&W Long/Colt New Police cartridge can kill with consummate efficiency!
Scott
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joee12
Member
Thanks for all the advice!!
Sounds like the "32 long" if load right is better then I thought
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