The S&W Centennial / Model 40 /Model 640

[CZ93X62]

The bar-none BEST J-frame aftermarket grips I've ever tried were Mustangs. I had a set of these on a 4" Trooper Mk III I carried for a couple years, and a lot of guys in the late 1970s had sets on their Model 36/60 off-duty guns that I fired.

The next-closest fit-wise (subjective as can be here) for me have been the Pachmayr Com-Pacs. Neoprene has its down-sides as Snakeoil points out, but I make them work OK.

That is a NICE set of grips on that Chief's Special, Snakeoil.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Since my J is a 32 L, and almost no recoil, I was lucky to find a (so they say) "2nd's" set of stag grips. Lot of bark and beautiful. Perfect, as it came with Pearl Handled Pimp Grips (ala GSP! - I don't care for pearl grips at all), and always wanted a set of stags. The Nickle J in 32 with Stags is a true BBQ gun! And with 32S's it shoots like a 22!

 

[L Ross]

Since my J is a 32 L, and almost no recoil, I was lucky to find a (so they say) "2nd's" set of stag grips. Lot of bark and beautiful. Perfect, as it came with Pearl Handled Pimp Grips (ala GSP! - I don't care for pearl grips at all), and always wanted a set of stags. The Nickle J in 32 with Stags is a true BBQ gun! And with 32S's it shoots like a 22!

Ahem. Now that you've gone and mentioned the stag grips wouldn't a photo be in order, please?

 

[Snakeoil]

Ahem. Now that you've gone and mentioned the stag grips wouldn't a photo be in order, please?

Yeah. Without pics it's just a rumor.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Bad quality pics/don't do it justice. Need to take some better ones.

 

[L Ross]

Bad quality pics/don't do it justice. Need to take some better ones.

View attachment 35335View attachment 35336

Very nice, and thank you.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Very nice, and thank you.

Anything to appease the Nay sayers, LR! LOL!

PS: AND, made me peruse GB tonight seeing if I could find a forlorn unloved 32 wheelie!

 

[Glaciers]

Nice. There’s a gun show dealer here that has a pre model 30? Stainless/nickel for sale which looks like your J frame Oscar, not positive though. It’s a 32 long and going by memory nice shape. I’ve only handled it twice, once about 3 years ago and then briefly last spring.
He asking $800 which scares me for two reasons, one it’s a lot of money and second it’s a lot of money.
I have no frame of reference on the price other than a Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R for under $500. Don’t get me wrong I would love a S&W but, I’m on a fixed income.
32 caliber handguns up here are almost as rare as Big Foot sightings.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

$800 for a nickel pre-model 30 is a LOT of money. It would have to be nearly perfect and if it was, I wouoldn't want to drag it around with me.
S&W made a lot of model 30 & 31 revolvers, they are far from rare.

 

[Glaciers]

Pre model 30 from what I understand. 32 of any verity are rare up here. But my thoughts are that $800 is high period.

 

[oscarflytyer]

If it helps for reference - I paid $425-$450 for mine - with pimp pearl handle grips (which I considered very top end for a 32!) - at a gun show - 12-18 months ago. With incorrect box. Only kicker and why I paid what I did was it was a 6 shot J 3" blbl. 2" I would not have gone over $400/prob less. Added the 2nds stag grips for ~$135 later.

NO WAY I would even come close to ~$800 for one... There are a bunch out there under $5 all day long - even with fees!

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Without pulling a book off the shelf, I cannot provide production numbers but……the S&W 32 Hand Ejector (pre model 30 / 31) had a significant production run both pre-war and post war. Just the Model 30 alone was made from 1957 to 1976. So, there’s a LOT of them out there.

While DA 32 caliber revolvers are certainly not everyday items these days, there are easily tens of thousands of them in dresser drawers and closets all over the U.S.A. They don’t come on the market as often as the other models but that doesn’t make the guns themselves rare.

Nice examples, in the collector’s market, do command a premium but most average buyers are looking for something else. This limited market of buyers, combined with the sheer numbers produced, holds the prices down.

 

[Winelover]

Link to the 3" Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R Magnum.

Model # 63270

The Charter Arms PROFESSIONAL is a 7 Shot .32 H&R Magnum with a Blacknitride+ finish, LitePipe Front Sight, Fixed Back Sight, 3" Barrel and Walnut Grips.

charterfirearms.com

 

[Uncle Grinch]

I just traded my last J-frame (642) for a Savage No.4 Mk1* Enfield. Over the years, I’ve had several of these little handguns, and don’t know why I keep owning them. They aren’t to my liking. Maybe it’s the caliber. Even in 357 they aren’t fun to shoot and I don’t feel comfortable using them as a defensive handgun. My normal carry gun is an Sig P938, but I really do like the Charter Bulldog 44 Spl. Been looking at the 45 ACP version.

 

[L Ross]

Alaska, gun prices in Alaska are different from more populated areas, When I was up there a few years ago I stopped at several gun shops. They had new guns but almost nothing in used guns. I asked about that and was told guns in Alaska get used hard, very hard, and kept until the bitter end. Typically if they get sold there is a ready market without involving gun shops.