Smith & Wesson Model 31-1

About the Smith & Wesson Model 31-1

The Smith & Wesson Model 31-1 Regulation Police is a small-frame double-action revolver chambered in .32 S&W Long, representing the second engineering change to the original Model 31 introduced in 1957. Built on Smith & Wesson's compact J-frame beginning in 1961, the Model 31-1 featured a six-shot swing-out cylinder and a choice of barrel lengths including a popular 4-inch configuration. The revolver was constructed from carbon steel with a traditional blued finish, fitted with two-piece checkered walnut Magna grips bearing S&W medallions, and equipped with fixed sights consisting of a serrated ramp front blade mounted on the barrel's tapered rib and a square notch rear sight milled into the top strap. Originally descended from the .32 Hand Ejector series, the .32 Regulation Police designation dates back to Smith & Wesson's early swing-out cylinder designs from the 1890s, making it a direct descendant of the first successful swing-out cylinder revolver. The Model 31-1 served American law enforcement agencies through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s in roles where lighter recoil and smaller frame size were advantageous, particularly for plainclothes detectives and officers who valued concealability over stopping power. Production ceased in 1991 after three decades of continuous manufacture.

The Model 31-1 carries the 'Regulation Police' designation dating back to 1917 when Smith & Wesson introduced a .32 caliber revolver specifically marketed to police departments seeking a more compact duty weapon than the standard .38 caliber service revolvers of that era. Despite its small caliber, the revolver remained in production for over 30 years, outlasting many larger-caliber competitors.

Smith & Wesson Model 31-1 specifications

The Model 31 designation was assigned in 1957 during Smith & Wesson's transition to numeric model numbers from traditional names. The '-1' engineering change occurred in 1961 when the platform transitioned from the earlier I-frame to the more compact J-frame architecture. The .32 S&W Long cartridge was introduced in 1896 specifically for Smith & Wesson's first-model Hand Ejector revolver, which pioneered the swing-out cylinder design that became the foundation for every S&W revolver since. Barrel lengths offered included 2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch configurations, with the 4-inch version being most common for police duty use. The revolver featured a smooth double-action trigger pull averaging approximately 12.5 pounds and a single-action pull around 4.5 pounds. Original retail pricing in the 1960s was approximately $60-75 USD. Modern collectors particularly value examples with the original factory box and papers. The relatively mild .32 S&W Long cartridge produces minimal recoil, making the platform excellent for training new shooters or for officers with hand strength limitations.