This is the range report on the 1953 K-38 I acquired from a small gun shop in the Palm Springs area of California. I provided photos and a little history on the purchase in a post several weeks back. Well, I final got to the range the other day and fired it with some hand loads I made up for my model 52. They were 148 grain, flush seated, bevel base wadcutters with 2.9 grains of Bullseye.

No surprise that the gun prints better than I can see anymore. From a rest, with only a slight elevation adjustment and a half turn to move the group to the right, it consistently grouped dead center in the 'X' ring and 10 ring at 25 yards in a series of NRA 25 yard pistol targets......over and over again. I had many cloverleaf groups then a few wide ones would open the group up. But overall, I would shoot the entire center out to where I could no longer tape the hole....then I would move to another target. I fired roughly 150 rounds (they were bulk in an ammo can and I haven't counted the empties). Clearly, someone with younger eyes could have done better, but I was more than pleased....and as stated, not the least bit surprised.

And, of course, the gun functioned flawlessly without cleaning. When cleaned later that day, very little scrubbing was necessary in the bore.....a testament to the mirror finish. I believe this gun has seen many a wadcutter and as we all know, they only get better with use.

I have never owned or used a Ransom, but wish I had one just to determine the extent of accuracy of this gun. I have forgotten who said it now (Hatcher?) that 'only accurate guns are interesting'. I certainly had the interest along with shear pleasure that day at the range. You K-38 owners can attest to my sentiments!

Thank you for the report. I have two K-38s and so far have not done very well with either of them, but the holes are close enough together that I can see the model's potential. I am much better when shooting the N-frame .38s, which leads me to believe that the looser groups with the K guns must be my fault, not theirs. I'll keep practicing, and I hope I will be shooting 25-yard groups like the ones you describe before too much time has passed.

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David Wilson

Jimmy Mac 46,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I am not surprise at your results. Either the K38 masterpiece or K38 combat masterpiece are the most the most accurate 38 special revolvers I have ever had experience with. I had a combat masterpiece made in 1951 with target hammer and trigger and this revolver was a tack driver on the range. The revolver was more accurate than me.
Enjoy your K38,
roaddog28

For what it's worth, Mas Ayoob has repeatedly suggested that you can take the three (3) best group out of a five (5) shot group fired from a bench rest and reasonably estimate the results you'd get using a Ransom rest for five rounds.

I have never shot a K38 that would not shoot more accurately than I could actually shoot it. I guess that is why they called them Masterpieces! Sounds like you have a "pet" load worked up for your K38. Good job.

Sounds like a shootin six-shooter! Yeah the K-38 almost without fail is the revolver to show those pesky targets what fer.The older ones like yours have already been broke in for us.

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Stay safe people!