Terrier

[Mickey Rat]

I am not a collector, but I am an accumulator. My taste runs to the old and unusual firearms of all types.

I have always loved the I frame S&Ws. I have 5 currently. I collect Shooter's Bibles and have 1945 and from 1947 forward. I noticed in my 1945 SB that there is a Terrier. Checking my Blue Book, I find no listings EXCEPT model 32. I found a Terrier on GunBroker and it specified that it wasn't a model 32. Is the Terrier an I frame 38 S&W?

Any info would be appreciated. I stopped bidding at 450.00. It went for 570.00. Condition was about 85-90% with no box. Should I have kept bidding?

I have an early I frame in 32 with the short barrel. The condition is pretty rough externally, but the bore is great and the operation is OK. The sights are tiny (I'm 57) and I have a hard time seeing them. I am planning to have it made into my "BBQ Gun" (Sundy go to meeting if you're from the South or Dress Gun): Shorten the barrel slightly, .10 ramp front and S&W adjustable rear sight, bead blasted and hard chromed.

Is it a bad thing? I don't think that it is collectable at all.

 

[murphydog]

Hi, and welcome! Yes, the Terrier is also known as the .38/32, for the .38 S & W cartridge in the .32 or I frame. It became the model 32 after 1957. I would say $570 for an 85-90% gun is a bit steep, the buyer must have wanted it badly.

Your project gun sounds interesting, we need before and after photos though

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-forum-office/78728-posting-photos-forum-new-format.html

Instead of the box "Choose Files", look for "Upload images and video".

Hope this is helpful.

 

[TACC1]

What murphydog said! I would really like to see the before and after pics. Just got introduced to a pre-30, and love it!
TACC1

 

[Art Doc]

Terrier is a 2" round butt I frame (then Improved I frame and eventually J frame which made no sense since the Chiefs Special is also on the J frame in a more potent caliber) in 32 and 38 S&W calibers. The frame and cylinder are too short for the 38 Special on the pre-J frame versions.

 

[mikepriwer]

As long as your gun is worthless, the modifications you suggest won't
take anything more from it. Otherwise, its going to be a waste of
money.

If you'd be satisfied with a short-barrel .38 special, look for a post
WW2 target K-frame. The barrel can be shortened to, maybe 2 1/2"
maybe 2 3/4", while still preserving the extractor lug. A pined front
sight can be remounted in the barrel rib, so no brazing or silver
soldering is necessary.

And, you'd be in .38 special, which in my view is a better cartridge
than .38 S&W .

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Art Doc]

Mike- I agree (most would, I think) that the 38 Special is superior to the 38 S&W. However, the early round isn't as useless as some think with handloading. I have made a load using a 125 JHP that clocks 975 FPS from the 2" Terrier pictured. That's 100 FPS faster than factory 38 Special +P from a 2" barrel in my tests.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Sax,

I just started reloading for 38 S&W. I have shot it out of a British 38/200, but will plan on shooting it in my Model 32 and a Model 33.

I am using the same bullet and am wondering what powder and change you are using to get those type of results.

 

[Art Doc]

This was 5.0 grains of Unique. This load is in the Speer #8 manual where they claim 1059 FPS from a 4" barrel. Sounds about right given my 975 from a 2" gun. The #9 reduced this to a maximum of 4.8 grains but the 5 grain load seems OK in my Terrier and I can't imagine it being a problem in a K frame. Might not be suitable for the break action Enfields and such but the solid frame revolvers should be fine, I think.

The bullets are .357" of course but seem to shoot with acceptable accuracy.

 

[bigolddave]

This one was $325 out the door at a show near here a little over a year ago. They are just so darned cute!