To Sell or Not to Sell S&W 631

[DaisyRock]

I have an unfired S&W 631, still in the box, which I purchased around 1990. I am a female, and bought this specific model on the advice of a state trooper bc there was a rapist on the loose right in my neighborhood. It has a 4 inch barrel but is not the Lady Smith model. The metal is dark colored and the grip is rubbery without any striations or design, not wood or anything pretty. To me, it looks like it was probably the cheapest grip option.

I got my handgun qualifying license but used a semi-automatic on the practice test. I am nervous about firing the 631 since it obviously has not been cleaned or cared for in 20 years. I think I want to sell it and buy something I could actually use for self-defense.

Question: how do I best describe the gun? I know "rubbery grip" does not sound like I know what I am talking about. I need the correct language if I am going to write an ad. Also, I have never sold a gun before. Would I get the best price from a licensed dealer? I am the registered owner and do not want a criminal to get hold of it.

Also, any recommendations for a good replacement? One thing that made me nervous in my gun class was the tendency for the semi-automatics to jam. I need one that is reliable and rarely jams, bc the jamming part freaks me out and makes me worry I am going to shoot myself during the un-jamming. That is one good thing about a standard revolver I know; they don't jam much. But the 631 is pretty heavy. Maybe I should get it cleaned and just keep it? I don't want to be gun-less, not in these times.

Very open to informed recommendations, thank you!

 

[handejector]

If you have one of the black stainless guns, it is quite rare and valuable. You could sell it and buy 2 or 3 nice revolvers that might suit you better.
Can you post some pics?

 

[Pef]

Hello DaisyRock. There are some pretty knowledgeable people on this board and I am sure one would be willing to write a description for you. But as the above poster noted, pictures will be helpful.

You will not get top dollar from a dealer.

Recommendations will vary. Much will depend on you and your physical condition, hand strength, etc. One option might be to go to a pistol shooting range and rent some guns to try out. Often the people that work there are helpful, and if you tell them what your objectives are, they may be of assistance.

 

[pasound]

The 631 was only made for two years. Gun Broker has one 2" stainless currently, at a starting price of $1299.00. If you do have a black stainless, it is quite rare.

 

[SteadyD]

I would shoot the 631 and see if you like it. The recoil will be low and gel tests show the Hornady FTX 32 H&R Magnum performs well. If you are worried about it being dirty, etc, just take it to a gun shop and ask them if it looks fit to shoot. Post some pics here and folks may be able to tell you on the spot. My wife LOVES 32 H&R.

 

[roguegamma]

You could sell it and buy 2 or 3 nice revolvers that might suit you better.
[/QUOTE]

That seems to be the case, based on auction results that I have seen. You are in an enviable position: You can treat the 631 as a collectible in unfired condition and buy another firearm that suits you better for self-defense. You can shoot it and still sell it for a hefty profit down the road. You can sell it, buy a more suitable replacement (or two or three as suggested) and still likely have money left over.

 

[SAFireman]

If you have one of the black stainless guns, it is quite rare and valuable. You could sell it and buy 2 or 3 nice revolvers that might suit you better.
Can you post some pics?

Lee is a pro, and very correct. Get some pictures of the gun and box that it came in, you could sell it here on the forum, and ship through a FFL (so you know they had to pass a background check) and find something more suited to your situation.

If you post your general location someone here might be able to refer you to a local resource that could help.

Good luck.

 

[REVCHARLIE]

I would shoot the 631 and see if you like it. The recoil will be low and gel tests show the Hornady FTX 32 H&R Magnum performs well. If you are worried about it being dirty, etc, just take it to a gun shop and ask them if it looks fit to shoot. Post some pics here and folks may be able to tell you on the spot. My wife LOVES 32 H&R.

I would not take it to a gun shop as it might be a scrupulous shop that may tell you the gun isn't safe!

Someone here on the forum will assist you and you'll be much better off in the long run.

 

[jcelect]

Keep the gun! ! !

Your 631 is by far the best gun for a person that is small statured and does not shoot often! The 32 H&R mag is a great round for self defense, the recoil is not excessive, and in a revolver it is the safest to use in a self defense situation! There is no mag to insert and rack the slide, no safety to release, and no hammer to cock(like a loaded SA auto). You grab the gun(assuming it is loaded), aim, and pull the trigger - BANG!
Plus, you can shoot 32 S&W long when you do get a chance to practice,it is cheaper than 32 H&R mag. You gun is a very desirable revolver to collectors, so if you do decide to sell it get $1200-$1500+!
jcelect

 

[Pine_Worker]

Post pictures and someone here will offer good advice.

 

[Cal44]

It's a fine gun for self defence. The trooper who recommended it knew what he was doing.

Go to a sporting goods store, buy a gun cleaning kit and clean it up. Get some ammo and shoot it. You may have to go to a few stores to find some ammo, but these days that's hard no matter what gun you have.

 

[SteadyD]

targetsportsusa has some 32 SW Long in stock right now.

 

[Gunhacker]

Your 631 is by far the best gun for a person that is small statured and does not shoot often! The 32 H&R mag is a great round for self defense, the recoil is not excessive, and in a revolver it is the safest to use in a self defense situation! There is no mag to insert and rack the slide, no safety to release, and no hammer to cock(like a loaded SA auto). You grab the gun(assuming it is loaded), aim, and pull the trigger - BANG!
Plus, you can shoot 32 S&W long when you do get a chance to practice,it is cheaper than 32 H&R mag. You gun is a very desirable revolver to collectors, so if you do decide to sell it get $1200-$1500+!
jcelect

I totally agree with the above!

The advice you received from the State Trooper was very sound.

Many people are of the opinion that the .32 H&R Magnum is under powered to be a good choice for a self defense gun... but that all depends on the type of ammo used with it.

The .32 H&R Magnum was developed by Harrington & Richardson Firearms, in a revolver design that was very outdated, and as such, most standard .32 H&R ammo is loaded below it's true potential, to keep the H&R revolvers from blowing up.

More modern gun designs, made by S&W and Ruger are much, much stronger, and can handle ammunition that is loaded to higher/better levels of performance.

The .32 H&R Magnum ammo made by Buffalo Bore is one such ammunition and is not to be trifled with, I sure as heck would not want to be on the receiving end of that stuff.

Your "Rubbery grip" description is not too far from the truth, your gun likely has synthetic rubber grips made by Hogue or Pachmayr. When describing such in an ad, stating the brand and model or style of the grips is what's done.

When you can post pics, we'll able to tell you what grips are on the gun.

But... I really think you already have exactly what fits your need, and getting rid of it would be a mistake. I would be willing to give up a beloved body part to be able to get a 631

I own a S&W 432 and a Ruger SP101 in .32 H&R Magnum, and I have no reservations in using them for self defense, with the right ammo selection.

 

[reccpd101]

As noted above, the trooper did you a big favor. Keep what you've got. Practice and get a well made holster even if only to carry it back & forth to the range. That model will only get more valuable as time goes by.

 

[22hipower]

Welcome to the Forum. Other than being "dark colored" and having "rubbery grips" does it look like this one? It is also from 1990. My advice is almost always to "keep them" but if you're not really a gun fan then selling it and buying something else may be the way to go. Good advice above on not taking it to a dealer. Take some good pictures, get some estimates of value here (somewhere around $1200, maybe more), and list it here on the sales side. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[KarmannGhia]

Don't worry about it sitting for decades. A revolver can sit for a century and unless it was buried in mud, or lost in the rain, it will be safe to shoot. You've got a great firearm. Keep what you have and get a modern handgun for carry. Glock, SW MP, Springfield XD, Ruger SP101, SW 642, etc. There are plenty of options.

 

[handejector]

That is one good thing about a standard revolver I know; they don't jam much. But the 631 is pretty heavy.

THAT is why I said she might want to sell it and buy another. Like an airweight 38. In my observation, ladies often quit carrying because of the weight in their bag. A 2" 38 or even a 22 that is with you is far more effective than the gun left at home. A 2" will also be easier to carry in a small bag than the 4" 32.

 

[wrangler5]

Another vote for carrying a 32H&R revolver - just as long as it wasn't made by H&R. In my experience, the Buffalo Bore 32H&R 100g JHP ammunition mentioned earlier has muzzle energy just slightly greater than Remington's 38 Special 158g +P SWCHP round (from similar 2" J frames over the same chronograph on the same day.)

Of course, physics being what it is, both guns will kick about the same, but you get an extra round with the 32, and lots of choices in lower powered rounds to practice with. (Assuming ammunition starts showing up in stores again.)

 

[RWJ]

You may be able to find a trade

First, i would echo much of what was said above about the cartridge and its usefulness. If weight is a concern, you might want to look for a trade for a Model 432 which has a 2" barrel, or even a 332, but I suggest the former (disclaimer: I own and carry one); I think the 332 is 2 ounces lighter than the 432. The weight of the 432 empty is ~13.5 ounces, and loaded is 15.5 ounces - actual weighed gun. The weight of a 631 4" is about 25.5 ounces, I believe (haven't weighed mine), so the 432's ~ 1/2 lb lighter. All that was said about practicing with .32S&W long or even .32 S&W for skill development is right on, with the inclusion of modest practice and carry of .32 H&R magnum.


The 432PD is not as versatile for multiple uses for some folks, and perhaps they would trade.


FWIW

 

[H Richard]

The .32 H&R Mag is an excellent caliber for a young lady for defense. It is plenty potent, and accurate. There are several models available, for different reasons. The 631 is heavier, but the 431PD and 432PD models are right at 13 oz empty and a 1 Lb loaded. I frequently carry the 432PD, but being double action only the trigger pull is a little stiffer. Whatever the handgun is decided on, actual practice using it is important.