Fixing Old S&W

M

M14

New member
I've been looking at a S&W hand ejector in 32/20. I'm not sure the age but it's old. If I buy it & someyhing breaks, do I have an expensive paperweight or can these old campaigners be repaired?
 
Early S&Ws can be repaired and parts can be found. Whether this is cost efficient depends on the extent of the needed repairs. But if the gun is in good shape now, there is no reason to assume it will need any repairs. It's fairy rare for a Hand Ejector to need extensive repair work.

This one is still going strong after 103 years...


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To further that idea...
Keep in mind that Smith & Wesson has made -MILLIONS- of these, so while parts won't be found at Cabela's or Wal-Mart, it also won't be like looking for parts from a 70-100 year old other obscure handgun.
 
A LOT depends on the specific model, as they have changed progressively over time.

A first model hand ejector and the two versions of the Model of 1902 were VERY different from the later Models of 1905.

The first three versions chambered in .32-20 didn't top 20,000 units. I've seen a Model of 1902 second version, but I've never seen either a first model or a Model of 1902 first version, and I can't imagine that parts for either are plentiful.
 
Make sure it is an S&W and not a Spanish Copy.Regarding fixing it/restoring it, I view these old guns as excellent learning opportunities. I have in my day sucessfully disassembled and reassembled a Colt Lightning (Yes!), installed a hand in a Uberti Walker AND timed it correctly,installed a mainspring in a repro Remington M1858-and that is a lot harder than it looks. They make good Cold Winter Night projects, turn off the TV, get outyour screwdrivers and manuals, set up your work area properly and....this winter's project for me is restoring a Colt Police Positive.
 
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