Is this .32 S&W Model 31-1 genuine?

[ssmickey.32]

Hello friends,
Greetings from India. I want to purchase a .32 bore Smith & Wesson Revolver Model 31-1. I have taken the pics given below for your reference. Kindly let me know if it's a genuine Revolver.

Specifically i want to know one thing - in Image -01, 02 & 08, you can see a 'through & through HOLE' in Hammer behind firing pin. Is it okay or do we have any rivet there. Please clear my doubt.

This Revolver is manufactured in 1983 & is .32 Regulation Police as informed to me in DOB thread.

More information on this Revolver is welcome. Which specification of ammunition is best? Can it take magnum load? Can it fire .32 ACP? Which ammunition is best for self defence that this Revolver can take?

Please inform / suggest.

Kind regards,

ssmickey.32

 

[rcmodel]

All S&W's with a hammer mounted firing pin have it held in place with a hollow rivet just like that one.

The revolver uses .32 S&W Long ammunition, and can also fire less powerful .32 S&W if it is available in India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32_S&W_Long
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32_S&W

Magnum .32 ammo such as the .32 H&R Magnum or .327 Ruger cannot be used in it.

I see reports of people shooting .32 ACP in .32 S&W Long chambered guns, but I would not recommend it as a regular practice. You might have extraction or misfire issues due to the .32 ACP's semi-rimmed case not catching in the extractor star.

I am a firm believer in that guns should be used only with the ammunition they are chambered for.

rc

 

[Landpimp]

"Specifically i want to know one thing - in Image -01, 02 & 08, you can see a 'through & through HOLE' in Hammer behind firing pin. Is it okay or do we have any rivet there. Please clear my doubt"

that is just like it should be

that a late 31-1, amazing they still offered them in the 80's

pretty sure H&R 32 mag will be a no go, your limited to what few 32 SW ammo is available or handload

I tried 32acp in my 16-4(32HR mag) and some of them fired, most didnt

 

[Ed Harris]

This looks just like my Model 31-1. I don't know if reloading ammunition is legal or possible in India, but if so, an effective bullet for either field or target shooting is the Saeco #325 98-grain semi-wadcutter. The RCBS 32-90CM is similar and would also be a good choice. Any soft lead which casts well is suitable. Hard bullets aren't necessary. A charge of 2 grains of Alliant Bullseye or similar fast-burning pistol powder will approximate the velocity of factory ammunition. Correct bullet diameter is .314 inch.

If you are limited to buying factory ammunition 98-grain full wadcutter target ammunition such as that loaded by RWS, Geco, Lapua, PMC or Fiocchi is more effective for small game shooting than the common 98-grain lead roundnose.

While these revolvers will chamber and usualy fire .32 ACP ammunition, I do not recommend the practice. This is because the thickness of the semi-rim of the .32 ACP case is much less than the rim thickness of .32 S&W Long ammunition. So, when the hammer nose strikes the cartridge it drives the cartridge case forward against the extractor until it stops, then upon primer ignition the cartridge case is driven sharply back against the recoil shield of the revolver. If .32 ACP ammunition is used other than as an emergency expedient, firing other than a very limited quantity may set back or loosen the firing pin bushing in the frame, necessitating a gunsmith repair which may be difficult or impossible to obtain in your country.

To satisfy your curiosity, I have tested .32 ACP ammunition in my revolver. Velocity was about 100 f.p.s. than firing the same ammunition from my Walther PP pistol of similar barrel length. Accuracy from the revolver was not very good, about 3 inches at 15 yards with bullets tipping.
Factory ammunition shoots much better, 2 inches or less.

 

[Iggy]

THe older S&W have the firing pin mounted in the hammer. It is riveted in and what you have is proper and correct.

The firing pin/hammer nose also moves up and down a bit in the hammer and when the gun is fired. This also as it should be.

Your's is just fine.

Newer models have a frame mounted firing pin and do not have a hole in the hammer.

 

[ssmickey.32]

Thanks for all replies... clears many doubts

few people suggest NOT to keep ammunition in front of firing pin [12 O' Clock] for if the revolver falls or an impact comes on the hammer/firing pin... the gun may fire. Is it true?

Can anyone suggest here a link(s) of suitable good looking Grips - J frame, square butt preferably in wooden finish. I would also like to have Tyler T Grip.

Please suggest...

Thank you so much

best regards

ssmickey.32

 

[MikeJackmin]

It is true that some handguns should not be carried with a cartridge under the firing pin, but this revolver can be carried fully loaded with complete safety.

 

[Walkalong]

Here is a pic of the hammer on my older Model 31. It clearly shows the rivet/hole in the hammer. rcmodel answered all your questions in post #2.

Welcome to THR.

 

[Iggy]

Take a look at the Tyler adapters. They are age appropriate for you gun and will make a difference in the way it feels.

I would sure try one of them before investing in some expensive after market grips.

Here is an article about the Tyler adapters.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_48/ai_87413415/

Link to the Tyler site:

http://www.t-grips.com/

I have grip adapters on 3 different S&W revolvers.. I like them better than most other options.

 

[Landpimp]

"few people suggest NOT to keep ammunition in front of firing pin [12 O' Clock] for if the revolver falls or an impact comes on the hammer/firing pin... the gun may fire. Is it true?"

might have been true before 1944 but since then its a non issue, load all clyinders

I love T-Grips, most of my S&W's wear them

this is a 34 with t grip

 

[ssmickey.32]

Thank you all for your suggestions, information & pictures...

it helped me a lot...

best regards

ssmickey.32

 

[Starter52]

If you can find the correct ammo, then use it; but I see no problem with using .32 ACP ammo in your gun. I have fired over a thousand rounds of .32 ACP ammo from my Model 30 revolver without any problems at all. Every round extracted smoothly and I've never had a misfire.

 

[ssmickey.32]

What is the advantage of using .32 ACP over .32 S&W L?

 

[rcmodel]

There is none if you can get the correct ammo.

Used to be .32 ACP was much cheaper then .32 S&W Long, but not so much differance here anymore.

Again, it is chambered for .32 S&W Long, and that is what you should shoot in it if you can get it.
If you can't get it, and can get .32 ACP, then try it.
Just remember it is not what the gun is intended to shoot.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

.32 S&W short (Just plain .32 S&W) is perfectly fine as well.

 

[Jim K]

There is not much concern with using .32 ACP in that revolver, but .32 ACP pressure runs about 6000-7000 psi more than the .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long and could be dangerous in older guns chambered for either of those cartridges.

Jim