Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 1948 K38

I've finally had some time to take pics of my "new" gun and get them up for your perusal. I'm a revolver newbie, this being my first, and I think this falls into the "shooter" category, though it is a single-line gun with matching numbers on all parts and is in original finish on metal and wood. I think I may be able to polish the cylinder and some spots on the frame a bit more - it improved quite a bit after a night soaking with a layer of Kroil and judicious application of a Choreboy, so I could do a bit more with that method.













I've already put 250 rounds through the gun - you're seeing it now after a thorough cleaning and then I used Johnson's Paste Wax on the metal surfaces - which was a new technique to me, and I like it!

Very nice...I have two 1951 vintage .22s...a Combat Masterpiece and a Target Masterpiece. Smith knew how to make a gun back then...

Bob

That's quite a first revolver. Congrats on it.

The first time I ever shot one of those, many moons ago, my Grandfather told me: "If you miss with that, it ain't the gun's fault."

They are amazingly accurate pistols and are truly enjoyable to shoot with a nice 148 grain WC load.

Enjoy!

Very nice Smith.



Travis

Now I just have to get a 148 WC mold, preferably a 6 cav or two to run simultaneously. I've got several .35 cal molds, just no wadcutter molds.

A shooter, sure, but a very cool shooter. Nice snag.

Just cast a pile of 158gr SWC.



Travis

I've got a 158 RF, but only a two cav, and a 6 cav 190 RF designed for 35 rem but I used for 357 max. The gun likes the 158RF, I just can't cast them fast enough.

+1 on that being a very cool 1st revolver. I'd be slinging 158 g lead, propelled by unique or hp38. or bullseye. or even trail boss.

2.8 gr of Bullseye seems to work well. Especially considering I have three pounds on hand that don't feed anything else

Congrats on a classy old sixgun. That is a great way to break into shooting wheel guns.

Very nice old S&W selmer!

Your next purchase should be Fast And Fancy Revolver Shooting by Ed McGivern. Excellent treatise on becoming proficient in the handling of your classic S&W revolver. Don't be fooled by the title. The publishers came up with that to boost sales in the early 1930s. It's actually a down to earth instruction manual on becoming a skilled double action revolver shooter.

Excellent read.

now you need a pre-17 to practice with. although these days, 38's are about the same price as 22's.

One of the primary reasons I bought the .38 is that I have about 15 pounds of suitable powders (Bullseye, W231, WST, Unique, 700x, Red Dot). And I purchased it dirt cheap. And three pounds of Bullseye were given to me. 2.8 gr. per load gives me 2500 loads per pound, therefore I have enough powder for 7500 loads. Along with the powder given to me I received 3300 pcs of once fired 9mm brass which I sold for $115. And I got 5000 Rem 1 1/2 primers on sale for $22/1000 (total of $110). And I purchased 1000 pcs of Federal brass for $70. I get free wheelweights and cast my own. If I leave out the cost of the brass I can load for less than $.04/round. If I figure the first 5000 loads, I can shoot those 5000 loads for a total cost of $65 ($110 in primers - cost offset by selling 9mm brass, $70 in brass, powder is free, lead is free). Cheaper than going rate for .22LR

That's a revolver that I can really appreciate.

K frame Smiths have always had a "proper" look and feel about them to me and I own a few.

I doubt that I'll stumble upon a 5 screw 6" pre Model 14 like yours, but I might have to buy the next nice pinned barrel 6" Model 14 that I stumble across.

As far as I'm concerned, the condition of yours is plenty good enough.

I especially like the look of the old school S&W diamond grips on yours. They darken with age and take on a nice patina.

They're getting hard to find in good condition,..and if you find a pair, you've got to drop a hundred dollar bill on them.

My 5 screw .38 hand ejector has a nice pair on it. It's one reason I brought it home from Bud's gunshop.

I love Old Smith & Wesson revolvers, especially their 22 LR versions

Nice five screw shooter! I'm a sucker for the one line addresses.

These are such a pleasure to shoot; try some DE wadcutters. Be sure to get a few sets of grips, especially of various sizes. That way you can let a woman 'try-on' different pairs.