Where to find the revolver I want?

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  • Last Post 16 January 2023
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Idahocaster posted this 28 November 2022

I really would like to have a 32 S&W/32 Long Colt revolver. Colt police positive, S&W hand ejector or similar. Everything that is new manufacture is 32 H&R or 32 Federal, usually with a short barrel. I would like something 4 to 6 inches. None of the gun shops in my area have anything remotely like this. They are all doing booming business selling the newest models of plastic semiautomatic. Are online auction sites my only option, or can anyone recommend any other way? Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Idahocaster posted this 07 January 2023

Here is the revolver I purchased:

Thanks to everyone who helped!

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Ed Harris posted this 01 December 2022

Move to West Virginia. Every pawn shop has several. If you have CCW or retired LE ID you can buy face-to-face at estate and farm auctions. I bought several of mine that way. Traded a 16-inch bar Husqvarna chainsaw for a 1953 Colt Courier .32 NP.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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hporter posted this 30 November 2022

What advice can you give for a total online auction neophyte?

Although I have bought a lot of guns from Gun Broker over the years,  I am not sure what advice I would give.  My main thing is that I won't bid on any gun that would require me to go down to the Post Office and get a money order.  I understand why the Sellers want one, but I would rather beat my head into a brick wall than have to go down to a Houston post office and deal with the ladies there.  I used to indulge in that - but it is more trouble than it is worth to me.

And I haven't tried any other auction site other than Gun Broker.  

Ric is right - shipping is going to cost you dearly.  But I just accept that fact, as I wouldn't be able to find what I want locally in a million years.  We do have one good gun store in Houston that has neat old revolvers - and on occasion I have gotten a deal from them that I didn't regret.  But that is more luck than anything.

The thing I would tell you is to ask the seller specific questions, ahead of the auction end.  Ask them if the cylinder is in time, ask them if there is any grittiness in the double action pull.  Ask them if the cylinder yoke sits in the frame square, - and by all means ask for more photos if what they have presented doesn't show all the angles, there might be a reason why.....

I guess total auction sales might be meaningful.  I have purchased many more guns than what my feedback score shows.  Not all sellers or buyers bother with feedback.

I have also taken the time to call if they are a business.  I use my intuition quite often, judging by how they treat you over the phone.  I don't know if you have gone to many pawn shops where they treat you like a dummy and ask twice the price they should.  But the attitude of the seller is an instant red flag for me, if I smell somethings off.

For every crook selling something online - there are a dozen good guys who you might give your shirt off your back to help them.

 A couple years ago - we had a big ice storm in Houston that took our power out for the better part of a week, and I had a water pipe in an exterior wall burst - so I had to turn our water off, in addition to having no power.  I had a bunch of reloading equipment up on eBay at the time, and several of my auction winners were local to my area.  It about brought a tear to my eye when every one of them offered to come to my house with severe ice on the roads and do anything they could to help us out.  Thankfully we were in good shape, but it reminded me a lot of the guys buying reloading equipment online are good guys - just like the fellows on this forum.

With all the shady characters we see in the news everyday, it is heartening to know the good ones are out there to balance things out.

And one other funny story to relate.  Years ago I won an auction for a Marlin 1894 in 32-20.  The seller was selling two - one in 25-20 and one in 32-20.  Well, wouldn't you know he shipped me the 25-20 and the other fellow got my 32-20.  I called him up on the phone and it was pretty obvious he was a senior fellow letting his collection go.  He was embarrassed and wasn't sure how to fix the problem.   So I told him if the other guy was happy with the 32-20 - I was happy owning the 25-20.  And as it turned out - that was the way we all left it!

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mashburn posted this 01 December 2022

Hello Ed,

It's nice to live in a normal state isn't it. Way to go West Virginia and Oklahoma and others.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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RicinYakima posted this 28 November 2022

Does Smith and Wesson still make the 32 caliber revolver?    

 

Image result for newest made 32 S&W long revolver

 

The last S&W . 32 Long revolver that Smith & Wesson made was in 1992. MODEL 30 (THE 32 HAND EJECTOR) improved I-frame and J-frame, 6 shot, 2, 3, 3 1/4, 4, 4 1/4, or 6 in. barrel, round or square butt, walnut grips, fixed sights, blue or nickel finish.

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gnoahhh posted this 29 November 2022

Pursuing them on Gunbroker isn't terrible. I bought two excellent 4" S&W Hand Ejectors on GB two years ago for very little money - I was patient and didn't bid more than I was comfy with, but I also lost a couple auctions because I am (finally) immune to "auction fever". Last year I scored a minty Colt Police Positive Special ,32 New Police (.32 S&W Long), the best of the whole bunch of small frame revolvers, IMO, on Guns International, again for less than they're reasonably worth.

Be diligent in your search, grasshopper, and you'll snag what you want.

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RicinYakima posted this 29 November 2022

That is no advantage were I live. Still have to pay overnight shipping to an FFL dealer, background check even with a C&R, cleared by local law enforcement agency and local mental health district, plus pay state sales tax for total of transaction. Not easy living in WA, since they don't recognize C&R. Oh, and if removable magazine or clip, except 22LR, have to destroy the magazine or clip if over 10 rounds. 

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hporter posted this 29 November 2022

My Buddy picked up a Model 30 at an estate sale not too long ago.  Hand Ejectors with 4" barrels are fairly common on Gun Broker.  I get emails every morning from Gun Broker and .32's revolvers are one of the things I watch.  My next .32 will be a Colt Police Positive, and I will probably have to buy it on Gun Broker too.

Unfortunately, I had to buy both of my .32 Hand Ejectors on Gun Broker.  They just don't show up often locally.  I guess you want a .32 Long for the smaller size of the frame (just a guess).  But two of my favorite .32's are Ruger GP-100's.  One with a 4" barrel and another with a 5" barrel.  Big guns, very pleasant to shoot.  And no - they have never seen a .327 mag - ever.  Though I did buy a bunch of that brass from Freedom Arms many years ago.  I just don't enjoy my ear drums being abused.  I have shot many a .32 long through them though.

Charter Arms show up frequently on Gun Broker in .32 long too.  But mostly snubbies.  As for smaller frames, I also have a .32 H&R Mag Uberti model P jr with a 4-5/8" barrel, that also came with a 32-20 cylinder too.  It is a tiny little revolver, and a bunch of fun to shoot.

Good Luck- if you find one locally - let us know.  I like to hear a heartwarming story now and again.  Just don't tell me you picked up a Colt Official Police Target in .32 Long - that has been on my bucket list for a long time and I might just break down and cry with jealousy.

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RicinYakima posted this 29 November 2022

Realize it will cost you about 20% more than your bid price to get it to your home from the dealer!

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Glaciers posted this 29 November 2022

I pickup a Ruger SP101 in 327 4” with adjustable sights.  Miserable with the 327, pretty nice with the 32 HR, very nice with the 32 long.  

I’ve been looking at the Charter Arms Professional, it’s a 3” 7 shot 32 HR which is about 3 or 4 oz lighter then the Ruger.

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Urny posted this 29 November 2022

We found a Colt Police Positive, marked .32 Police, in a very busy pawn and gun shop in Houston, MO last summer. 4", about 1920 production in what I would call excellent condition, and with the original long skinny grips. Herself bought it.

We shoot 1.1 grains Bullseye with an 0 buck seated by hand in the unsized .32 S&W case, Winchester SP primers. There is little recoil or noise to deal with and very pleasant on a warm Ozark afternoon.

Our alternative load uses old Herters .32 S&W Long cases, same primers, and RCBS wadcutters with a more substantial Red Dot charge. Great fun.

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max503 posted this 16 January 2023

Move to West Virginia. Every pawn shop has several. If you have CCW or retired LE ID you can buy face-to-face at estate and farm auctions. I bought several of mine that way. Traded a 16-inch bar Husqvarna chainsaw for a 1953 Colt Courier .32 NP.
Stop it.  You're killin' me.  I happen to live in Illinois.cry

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RicinYakima posted this 28 November 2022

Internet or start going to the big guns shows in OK, CO or MD. Sorry. Charter Arms made the 32 Undercoverette in 32 Long, but they were discontinued about 5 years after the H&R was released. 

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Idahocaster posted this 29 November 2022

hporter,

Yes, it is the small frame that I am after. What advice can you give for a total online auction neophyte?

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fa38 posted this 29 November 2022

try this

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/revolvers/smith-wesson-revolvers-pre-45-/rare-barrel-length-pre-war-32-s-w-long-caliber-regulation-police-revolver-353xxx.cfm?gun_id=102133727

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fa38 posted this 29 November 2022

Guns International will usually have what you want.  It may take a bit of searching.

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Fiddler posted this 29 November 2022

Realize it will cost you about 20% more than your bid price to get it to your home from the dealer!

 

Get a Fed. C&R license, ( $30 for 3 years ) if the gun is more than 50 years old it will classify as Curio or Relic. Not all dealers will accept but it seems most will.

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oscarflytyer posted this 02 December 2022

 Idaho - sent you a pm

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Ed Harris posted this 05 January 2023

Idaho, I sent you a PM also.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Rich/WIS posted this 06 January 2023

Bought a S&W M15 off Gunbroker last year and shipping was not excessive, IIRC was $35 shipped and insured.  Mine came from a dealer and they can ship cheaper than an individual.

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