Need INA Information

A beloved coworker of mine recently retired, and she decided to use her newfound free time to clean out some of her dad’s old stuff. One such item is an INA 32 S&W Long, 2 inch barrel. Besides it being a cool piece (I believe ANY and ALL revolvers fall into the “cool” category), it was given to me as a gift. I would like to make this my project-on-a-budget gun, and I am looking for some opinions.


-The original wood grips are missing on one side, so what size frame grip should I look for? They look like a J-frame grip, but I’m not sure if it would be 100% compatible.

-The hammer is rusted on one side, but it is only cosmetic and doesn’t affect the function of the gun. What is the best way to remove this?


-The trigger pull, both single and double action, are crisp/consistent, but very heavy. I would like this to be my CCW, so what weight springs should I buy for it? I’m not looking for a 1.5 lb. hair trigger…just not the 12 lbs. of pull it currently has.

-FINALLY, and most important, is this a gun that I could take apart and have any hope of putting back together? The only other revolvers I have are a Colt Official Police (and who’s going inside that guy?) and a S&W 686 (which I recently acquired and has given me NO reason to go poking around in it guts).
The serial number is 218***, with "3 03" over a "7" stamped on the yoke. If anyone knows the manufacture date, that would be nice, but secondary to the questions listed above.

Thanks for any help you can provide. I’ve never been disappointed in the information given on TheHighRoad!

I seem to remember seeing this revolver in Gun Digest back in the early '70's. They were imported from Brazil and resembled a J frame S&W. The one in Gun Digest was in .38 Special and had a 3" barrel to have enough points to be imported. I think they were not very highly regarded in Brazil, even when compared to Taurus and Rossi revolvers.

I heard the same thing about INA's, but who says no to a free gun? It sure isn't me :neener:

Does anyone have any experience with this gun? I did some research on the 32 S&W round, and found some pretty positive stuff.

The very little bit I know is that they were imported by FIE for a very few years. I'm guessing you may be able to locate parts on line in Brazil.

I have my grandfather's .32 Iver Johnson 3" break top and it's so worn and loose that it's just not worth fixing. But I won't toss it either.

John

Just broke the firing pin on my INA. Guess I was having too much fun :)Does anyone know if I can replace it with one from S&W? Even better, HOW do I replace a firing pin? It seems like something you'd need a special tool for, but I'm just not sure.

If the firing pin is riveted into the hammer (like the S&W or Colt) it can be replaced quite easily and a S&W firing pin MIGHT fit. If it is part of the hammer, the best bet is to slot the hammer on a milling machine, then make a firing pin that you can rivet in. (Some folks will recommend using weld to build up enough metal for a firing pin, but IMHO that is the hard way and usually doesn't work well.)

BUT, those revolvers, as others say, do not have a high reputation and, as you found out, may not be too reliable or durable. I strongly recommend you NOT use it as a carry gun. A gun that breaks can get you into trouble but can't get you out.

Jim