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Anyone own a S&W 331 AirLite; .32 mag, 6-shot? I saw one in a gun store recently. It's an intriguing but expensive little pistol. I was wondering how one performed.
S&W 331 review request?
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ChristopherG
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Pm Kentucky Rifle; I think he's got a 332 he's all hot about 
I've shot one, and I liked it; controllable and pretty fun. But, I like shooting .38+Ps in my 340PD. Ammo is way more readily available, cheaper, and more potent. And, folks that tell you it hurts just haven't shot one much. I was taken aback the first time, but now I can crank off a box of LSWCHP +Ps with no discomfort or ill effects, and I'm nothing like a tough guy. So for my money, the .32 is a bit exotic, but then I've only got a few guns.
cg
I've shot one, and I liked it; controllable and pretty fun. But, I like shooting .38+Ps in my 340PD. Ammo is way more readily available, cheaper, and more potent. And, folks that tell you it hurts just haven't shot one much. I was taken aback the first time, but now I can crank off a box of LSWCHP +Ps with no discomfort or ill effects, and I'm nothing like a tough guy. So for my money, the .32 is a bit exotic, but then I've only got a few guns. cg
Kentucky Rifle
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Close, Chris...
It's a 331. I recently put smooth walnut grips on it. The 331 weighs only 11.9 ounces empty and has room for six cartridges. I shoot Federal Hi-Shock hollow points, but plan on ordering some Georgia Arms 100 grain fodder which I'm told is a little hotter. I've heard that about "Texas Ammunition" also. In Kentucky, .32 H&R Mag ammo is in every gun shop I visit. Usually my 331 is on my leg in a Galco Ankle Glove. Which is the only ankle holster I've found that doesn't hurt after a couple of hours. (Motorcycle wreck back in the 60's hurt my ankles a little. It didn't bother me at all until recently. Big black varicose veins look pretty awful.) The recoil is about like shooting non +P .38 Specials from a steel snub. I don't even notice the recoil. Right now, at this very moment, the 331 is on my hip in a Rafter shark skin holster. I had some Hogue rubber "one piece" grips on it but they grabbed the inside of my pants leg. The walnut is slick, so that never happens. Plus, the walnut grips are beautiful. The 331 is being discontinued. If you want one, you'd better get it now. So far, the 332 "Centennial" is still being made. I'm very happy with my 331. I do believe it's in my top two or three favorite snubbies. Buy it!~I promise you'll be happy with it providing you clean the Ti cylinder as directed. (Nothing abrasive!)
KR
It's a 331. I recently put smooth walnut grips on it. The 331 weighs only 11.9 ounces empty and has room for six cartridges. I shoot Federal Hi-Shock hollow points, but plan on ordering some Georgia Arms 100 grain fodder which I'm told is a little hotter. I've heard that about "Texas Ammunition" also. In Kentucky, .32 H&R Mag ammo is in every gun shop I visit. Usually my 331 is on my leg in a Galco Ankle Glove. Which is the only ankle holster I've found that doesn't hurt after a couple of hours. (Motorcycle wreck back in the 60's hurt my ankles a little. It didn't bother me at all until recently. Big black varicose veins look pretty awful.) The recoil is about like shooting non +P .38 Specials from a steel snub. I don't even notice the recoil. Right now, at this very moment, the 331 is on my hip in a Rafter shark skin holster. I had some Hogue rubber "one piece" grips on it but they grabbed the inside of my pants leg. The walnut is slick, so that never happens. Plus, the walnut grips are beautiful. The 331 is being discontinued. If you want one, you'd better get it now. So far, the 332 "Centennial" is still being made. I'm very happy with my 331. I do believe it's in my top two or three favorite snubbies. Buy it!~I promise you'll be happy with it providing you clean the Ti cylinder as directed. (Nothing abrasive!)
KR
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Thanks for the info guys! Sounds like a nice little pistol. Anyone else have an opinion?
rock jock
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Great little gun. Limited ammo selection. Very accurate.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
My 331 really is the perfect "always" revolver for me.
I just compared the smooth Hogue Pau Ferro wood grips that are on my 638 with the smooth walnut grips on my 331. The walnut grips are significantly thinner. In my pocket in a DeSantis "Nemesis" or on my ankle in a Galco "Ankle Pocket", the 331 is very light and comfortable. I like the .32 mag, too. Fast. It seems to me that a fast hollow point would have a greater chance of opening up when it gets to the target.
KR
I just compared the smooth Hogue Pau Ferro wood grips that are on my 638 with the smooth walnut grips on my 331. The walnut grips are significantly thinner. In my pocket in a DeSantis "Nemesis" or on my ankle in a Galco "Ankle Pocket", the 331 is very light and comfortable. I like the .32 mag, too. Fast. It seems to me that a fast hollow point would have a greater chance of opening up when it gets to the target.
KR
ChristopherG
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KR, where'd you get those skinny walnut grips? My 340 needs a thinner grip for smooth pocket carry and draw (thought the palm of my hand might disagree....)
Thanks,
CG
Thanks,
CG
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Christopher...
I bought the grips at the last big gun show at the fairgrounds. I can't remember the brand and I just looked at the insides...no names. I went to buy some cleaning stuff and maybe a knife or two. I passed a table with some really nice J-frame grips and, to me, the walnut looked the best. They fit great. If I had to guess, I'd say that the grips are Ajax or Eagles. Although very nice, the walnut grips are "stabilized wood". The inside looks like (and is) "regular" wood, but the outside looks and feels like it's laquered. The Hogue Pau Ferro is smooth wood rubbed with Carnuba wax. The walnut grips are slightly slicker, which is great for not holding up your pants leg.
And I bought the knives too. A SOG "Seal Pup" & another Spyderco "Toad".
KR
I bought the grips at the last big gun show at the fairgrounds. I can't remember the brand and I just looked at the insides...no names. I went to buy some cleaning stuff and maybe a knife or two. I passed a table with some really nice J-frame grips and, to me, the walnut looked the best. They fit great. If I had to guess, I'd say that the grips are Ajax or Eagles. Although very nice, the walnut grips are "stabilized wood". The inside looks like (and is) "regular" wood, but the outside looks and feels like it's laquered. The Hogue Pau Ferro is smooth wood rubbed with Carnuba wax. The walnut grips are slightly slicker, which is great for not holding up your pants leg.
And I bought the knives too.
A SOG "Seal Pup" & another Spyderco "Toad".KR
ChristopherG
Member
Thanks, KR, I'll keep my eyes open for something along those lines.
CG
CG
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