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Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
- fortyshooter
- Ranch Foreman
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
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
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
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
They are out there and find the best one you can. Found mine on Guns Internationalat at a CabelasNorth Country Gal wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2024 10:33 amNow you guys have me drooling over a top break revolver. The hunt begins.
- daytime dave
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
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.
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.
Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
- fortyshooter
- Ranch Foreman
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
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!
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
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
How could they make that kind of mistake? Not too professional. At least they are allowing you to return it.
- fortyshooter
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
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.North Country Gal wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2024 2:34 pmHow could they make that kind of mistake? Not too professional. At least they are allowing you to return it.
The hammer would not always stay cocked in SA and when it did the cylinder would rotate backwards when you pulled the trigger!

- daytime dave
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
Sounds like a bullet dodged there.
Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
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.
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.
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H001, H001L, H004, H001TM, H001TLB, H006, H010, H012M, H012GR
NRA Member, GOA Member, ISRA Member, ILCCW
NRA Member, GOA Member, ISRA Member, ILCCW
- fortyshooter
- Ranch Foreman
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Re: Pulled the trigger on this old S&W Top Break Model 3 DA revolver!
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.