{"id":39182,"date":"2015-07-28T12:16:09","date_gmt":"2015-07-28T16:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=39182"},"modified":"2015-07-28T12:16:09","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T20:34:29","slug":"used-gun-market-smith-wesson-model-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/used-gun-market-smith-wesson-model-30\/","title":{"rendered":"The Used Gun Market–Smith & Wesson Model 30"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s Note: we’re mixing it up a bit this time. In the last few months, we’ve been looking at historical firearms through our typical testing and review lens. That’s all well-and-good when the guns are actually historically significant. But some of them aren’t so historical. They’re more like footnotes. They’re the used-cars of the gun world, and they’re everywhere. WE feel like they deserve some love, too. So–we’re going to add to our catalog with this new addition: The Used Market.<\/p>\n

You can check out the other review in the Shooting History series here<\/a>.\u00a0 Also, if there is something you would like to see reviewed comment below and we will try to find a “shooter.”\u00a0 We have some exciting stuff in the works for this series so be sure to keep an eye out.<\/p>\n

Buy one on GunsAmerica: \/Smith & Wesson Model 30<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Smith and Wesson Model 30-1.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Smith and Wesson Model 30<\/h2>\n

Smith and Wesson made the Model 30 from 1948 until 1976.\u00a0 When it first hit the market it was know was the Model .32 Hand Ejector: a<\/em> fitting name since it was based on the Smith Hand Ejector revolver that was introduced in 1903. From the start of production until 1961, the Model 30 was built on the S&W I-Frame.\u00a0 No, the I-Frame (iframe?) was not a collaboration with Apple–though the Model 30 is a well designed and intuitive revolver.\u00a0 Anyways, in 1961 Smith introduced it’s new J-Frame size.\u00a0 The revolvers that are made on the J-Frame are marked Model 30-1. S&W made them in blued or nickel finishes.<\/p>\n

The Model 30 Smiths are all round-butt style revolvers.\u00a0 Smith did make a square butt version of this revolver under the Model 31 name. Other than the shape of the grip frame these revolvers are identical.<\/p>\n

\".32<\/a>

.32 S&W Long on the left, 9mm on the right.<\/p><\/div>\n

.32<\/h2>\n

The Model 30s are chambered in .32 S&W Long. Although this is far from being a powerhouse of a cartridge, it is not really a slouch either.\u00a0 Factory loads are not super common but they are out there and some defense rounds are still made too.\u00a0 Now we are not talking 9mm, .38 Special or even .380 power.\u00a0 The .32 S&W Long can move a 98 gr round nosed lead bullet to around 720 ft\/s.\u00a0 That is with factory loadings that are available today.\u00a0 Hand loads can push this up a bit.<\/p>\n

So this lowly .32 is on the weak side, but it is very soft and easy shooting. The cartage is a great revolver round for someone that is recoil sensitive. It is also known to be a inherently accurate caliber.\u00a0 Now that could be attributed to the .32 S&W Longs being mostly in the high quality older Smiths.\u00a0 I do not mean that in a negative light towards modern Smiths, or any other guns for that matter, but the Smiths in particular that were made in the late 1960s through mid 1970s represent, to me, the last of the classic American built revolvers.<\/p>\n

\"Nice<\/a>

Nice deep black bluing and the color case hardening on the hammer and trigger.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Last American Classic?<\/h2>\n

Here are my thoughts on why the Smith Revolvers, and Colts too, made before the mid 1980s are the last of the classics:<\/p>\n