Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!

[fortyshooter]

Was just looking thru Guns International and found this Model 3 SA/DA 5 shooter chambered in S&W 38. Coming from a Cabela's so no issue with paying for shipping or if I don't like it easy return. Got a good deal on it so we shall see in a week or two. Judging from the serial number could be early to mid 1890's build.
Anyone here reload for 38 S&W? I see I can get a Lee die set for it. I assume from what I read on the net that off the shelf S&W 38 is safe for it with lead bullets and my local shop has a few boxes of it. I may just load Black MZ for it since I have about 5 lbs. of it sitting around.

[Ernie]

Cool pistol. Bet that had some interesting history over 130 years.

[North Country Gal]

Yes, very cool ;pistol. I've always wanted a break open revolver in 22 LR. H&R used to make one, but not many come up for sale.

[Sir Henry]

Yes, very cool ;pistol. I've always wanted a break open revolver in 22 LR. H&R used to make one, but not many come up for sale.

I have a Sportsman. It’s in good shape but the blueing has worn off. It’s a fun shooter and real cool to empty the brass. I bet the S&W would be fun too. Especially in 38. That’s a real find forty.

9CC20BDD-9D8F-477C-AB36-9F1FE55383DB.jpeg

[Vaquero]

Cool little revolver there forty.
I have this old break action Smith in .32.
I have no idea how old it is, I picked it up at an estate auction may moons ago.

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RP

[fortyshooter]

That is a nice looking 22 shooter Gene! Looks like the Lemon Squeezer Randy and how well does it shoot?

I dug around in a ammo can I got from a guy some years ago full of a mix of old ammo. I found 4 rounds of SW 38 with Western head stamp that looks to be factory ammo with the copper washed lead bullet and in nickel cases with sealed primer. Have no idea of the bullet weight as there was also hotter 200 gr. ammo made for full frame revolvers.
So I guess you load 4 rounds in these old 5 shooters to be safe?

[Vaquero]

Forty, it's a pretty good little shooter and fun and light recoiling as you can imagine.
Heck I might put a few through it later as it's been a while since I last shot it.

RP

[North Country Gal]

Now you guys have me drooling over a top break revolver. The hunt begins.

[Vaquero]

Now you guys have me drooling over a top break revolver. The hunt begins.

I apologize,

RP

[daytime dave]

Congratulations Forty.

Everyone needs at least one top break!

[fortyshooter]

WOW Dave that one looks brand new!!! Did you do the finish work on it and have you had to take it apart for any repairs?
The one I have coming the shop said the ejector does not automatically kick the brass out and might be a weak/broke spring so I will look into that. Found a great 3 part video on Youtube about disassembly and reassembly here https://youtu.be/5HaBsf7dvtE?si=cSzRADP5WgKJxfyD

[fortyshooter]

Now you guys have me drooling over a top break revolver. The hunt begins.

They are out there and find the best one you can. Found mine on Guns Internationalat at a Cabelas

[daytime dave]

No, I have never worked on it. I bought it from my favorite gun shop. The owner said it was his wife's. If I remember right, it is a rare one with factory nickel, short barrel and mother of pearls. I think I have an old box of .38 S&W somewhere, but I don't want to shoot it as I have a few that want to get shot ahead of this one.

The ejector works as it should. I believe the grip safety is pinned, but I'm not sure. I haven't even taken the grips off, although I should. When it was offered to me, I couldn't pass it up.

[fortyshooter]

Well went to my local Cabelas to pick up the old revolver and man it looked small. Got home and yes it WAS SMALL like 32 S&W small and not 38 S&W as advertised. So after contacting them I will be on the road tomorrow to return which is another 80 mile round trip!
The action on it was a bit spooky so I can get out of it as Not as Advertised caliber. Cool looking little thing though and rifling was good!

[North Country Gal]

How could they make that kind of mistake? Not too professional. At least they are allowing you to return it.

[fortyshooter]

How could they make that kind of mistake? Not too professional. At least they are allowing you to return it.

I looked all over it and there was no stamping of caliber. It should be on side of barrel but no trace of it anywhere. I should have brought along a hole size gauge but did not think it was needed. I measured a cylinder throat and it was .315 plus a 38 SW round is longer than the cylinder.

The hammer would not always stay cocked in SA and when it did the cylinder would rotate backwards when you pulled the trigger! However it functioned okay in DA. My local Cabelas said I could return it for refund since it was not as advertised.

[daytime dave]

Sounds like a bullet dodged there.

[Steve51]

This was my dad's 1884 Smith & Wesson Model 4, top break .32

It is not in the best of shape with most of the nickel plating gone. I mostly remember him using it as a starter pistol for athletic events - shooting blank ammunition. He also ran the scoreboard at high school basketball games and would sometimes shoot it at the end of a half or end of the game if it was a close game and hard to hear the final buzzer. There was a couple times I think he about gave opposing coaches a heart attack because they weren't expecting it. That was back in the 1950's and 60's. Most schools today would not allow it these days.

S & W Model 4.jpg

[fortyshooter]

Yeah they almost look like a toy gun being so small. The one I had I had thought about keeping it and trying to fix the action issues. When you would pull the hammer back in SA and pull trigger the trigger would slam forward with the hammer. I tried to remove the grips and look at the springs but the captured nut on the grip would just spin trying to remove the screw. Then the side plate screw which is a nut was frozen as well. Just said the heck with it and returned it since the stated caliber was not correct.