Hello, S&W people,

I'm a newbie here, this is my first posting after 'lurking' and reading awhile.

I'm not exactly a 'newbie' to Smiths, tho, having owned, fired, and done maintenence/ minor repair work on them since back in the '60's......but on a relatively 'low-order' level....I can't claim to be knowledgeable about them as some of the folks here obviously are.

Anyway, on to some 'newbie questions', if I may.

I've a few older 5-screw K frame 38's, some of which had been rather greviously abused by previous owners.

Fortunately, they responded to gentle cleaning/polishing of their internal components, and, in some cases, to gentle hand-polishing and a variety of low-order refinish. (Brownells 'Oxpho', I'm certainly not trying to 'counterfeit' a factory refinish)

I say 'low-order' refinish as I'd rather go to 600 emery over 'cut to fit the radii' balsa-wood blocks, by hand, and leave some minor scars than do the heavy wheel-buffing some alleged 'refinishers' do. These, of course, have nil 'collector' value, but are useful at the range.

Having sideplate screws which were grossly 'wallowed-out' by careless folks with ill-fitting screw drivers just 'bothers me', and I'd like to find a source for new-old-stock or high quality newly-made sideplate screws.

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for 'genuine' or high quality replacement screws? I'd like to get three sets, if possible.

Also, I would like to find a new or nearly-new condition ejector rod, for a 6" '30's vintage M&P, the 'large head' variety.
(this one was the victim of the usual 'vise-grip' tightening, and the knurling is badly scarred.....are good early ones hard enough to find that I should just fit a later style 'small knurl' type?)

Has anyone a good spare they could sell me, or could recommend a reliable source?

I've been on the board of our local Rifle Club for years and years now, and have been able to set up a 'range outreach programme' in which we invite 'new shooters', meaning young people and women primarily, for a day of basic 'firearms safety and proficiency instruction'.

I 'pair up' newbies with experienced Club instructors, and, after basic instruction with a 22 rifle, offer them some practice with one of the K frame 38's, should they desire to learn to handle a centre-fire revolver.

This is offered to the public for 'free', no charge to newbies, altho I do solicit donations of 22 rounds, pizza, pastries, etc., for the events, from anyone who might like the idea of the event, and care to make donations.

I'd appreciate any advice on the lowest-noise-level and lowest-recoil 38spl. wad-cutter loadings which would be reliably accurate at a 50' indoor range.

Thank you

cheers

Carla

(NRA life, Secty of the Santa Clara Valley Rifle Club)

Welcome.
2.8gr of Bullseye or 3 gr of 231 have been pushing 148gr wadcutters a long time. You still need hearing protection.

Have you checked Brownells?

I have a suggestion, but its only that - not a demanding recommendation.

I have a long-time ( more than 50 years ) friend who is a outstanding machinist.
He has made some parts for me. If the scars are not too deep, on the extractor
nob, he could machine off the old knurling, and redo it. It might be the best way
to salvage what you have.

Mike Priwer.

Welcome from North Dakota

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John

There are several sources of sideplate screws, but there were some thread changes made over time, so early and later S&W models of the same type may not have interchangeable screws. Some members here may be able to help you in obtaining screws, you might post something on the gunsmithing area of this forum. Numrich/Gun Parts have some, a few other parts houses may also. Just Google on gun parts and see what they have or call them.

Hi Carla, and welcome to the S&W Forum. I believe we have "talked" to each other on various other forums and IIRC, you have always more than pulled your weight with good information and conversation. I'm sure you will like it here and that the feeling will be mutual.

As to your problem with the screws, I haven't found a good, steady, and affordable source, but you might try Larry Poppert, David Chicoine, and David Clements. The last one (or maybe both Davids) have been known to make small parts, so maybe if enough of us asked about them, a modern run of them could be made up to everyone's benefit.

As for the mild loads for the 38 Spl, your biggest problems will be deciding which powder you want to use (as there have been so many good and accurate loads developed for the mid range 38) and getting enough WC or SWC bullets bought, cast or donated to load the volume you want to shoot. One of the most economical loadings I used with good results for indoor PPC was a HBWC (swaged by Hornady) with 700X powder or even with Green Dot. Drop me a PM if interested in either of these and I'll look up the charge weights... it's been a while. Unfortunately, primers may be our limiting factor for a while.

Finally, remember when changing E-rods that S&W has used some with right hand threads (earlier) and some left hand (mostly later.) Your large head rods are almost certainly RH, so the newer "headless" variety won't work for you.

All for now, but once again it's good to "see" you here!

Froggie

Welcome to the S&W Forum. I applaud you for the training you are doing. I'm sure your fellow club members would want to keep you in bullets powder and hopefully) primers. I understand they have gotten scarce again as all the panic buying is going on. HBWC loads of 2.7 gr Bullseye or 3.0 gr 231 are both very mild and very accurate. I did a test last summer and chrono'd bot loads and shot both for accuracy and could not find any material difference between them, out of several different S&W revolvers. I have some side plate screws, one set for a K Frame, and one for a J Frame, blued, but they are from Brownells with an Allen head rather than a screw slot. If you can use them, PM me your address and I'll mail them to you.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Anyone besides me happen to notice that this thread originated two years ago?

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S&W Forum Member #721

Yes, its been two years, and quite a few .38 projectiles have gone down-range at my newbies' range events.

I went with 148gr HBWC, the fancy plated variety from Berry's, (as its more 'politically correct' to run plated bullets at an indoor range, on the theory that the plated ones sprinkle less lead dust into the air), and 2.8 of Bullseye.

Quite a few 'new shooter' attendees at the newbie-shoot events have been women who were in process of decision about purchasing a handgun for themselves.......and were told by husbands/boy-friends/gun shop salesmen that revolvers were 'obsolete' and what they need is a modern, up-to-date Glock or similar.......cos any handgun with only six rounds is 'ancient technology', compared to 15rd mags and practicing less-than-two-second reloads.

After experiencing the simplicity of loading and firing an old Smith (mine are '20's to '40's vintage), they seem to do an 'aha' moment, and become 'sold' on the DA revolver as a practical self-defence weapon.

(added on edit......I 'just had a funny feeling' after the previous go-round with 'panic buying, and got well stocked-up with primers, Bullseye, Unique, and 2400, when I could.....I had a few thousand .38, .357, and .45 cases donated, so I'm alright for brass.....bullets are not bad to find, but I do get mildly frustrated with some of the Rifle Club members who 'really mean to' help with cranking the 'one-armed bandit' machine......so we've been 'doing alright' for the now.....hopefully, this 'panic buying scarcity' will settle down again)

cheers

Carla