Well, I finally broke down and bought a K38--for too much money. Here's the link to the completed auction at GB --> Smith & Wesson K38 Target Masterpiece S&W 1956 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I'll shoot it this weekend.

Serial number is K279XXX. The gun is in good shape externally, except for the requisite bluing loss at the muzzle and a spot on the right side plate. Couple of disappointments though -- (1) It's loose, what with its .005" cylinder endshake and slight amount of yoke endshake; (2) It also didn't come with the original grips. I should have asked the seller before bidding. That's the way it goes with buying a gun without inspecting it first.

I've thought about having Alex Hamilton tighten it up later this summer. Here's where the "overpaid" part comes in. I'll end up spending a few bucks for his excellent services. Is it worth it to have that much money in what should otherwise be a $400 gun? Of course not. Maybe I'll take a few lessons from Kuhnhausen and see if I can tighten it up a bit.

I could and should have waited for a nice, tight gun, preferably from a seller who accepts a C&R FFL. Lesson learned again--Don't buy on impulse!

Maybe I'm looking at this purchase with California eyes, but I don't think you overpaid. Pre-14s bring higher prices than most people realize, and for non-collector-grade gun this one looks pretty good.

There are a couple of quick fixes for endshake, if the movement really bothers you. Is rotational play OK? Any problems with timing or push-off? Since you didn't mention them, I'm thinking probably not.

I have paid more for K-38s that were admittedly tighter and had slightly more blue on them. Thus I think $400-425 was in the ballpark for what I see in the pics and what you describe.

__________________
David Wilson

I could change that first line to Florida eyes... I blew $600 on a 19-3 and that was a good deal around here. Granted it had very little wear but gun only, no extras, and I know I paid too much but got tired of looking and hoping. So I don't think you did too bad at all.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I failed to mention that it has just a little rotational slop in full lock-up. No push-off problems, and it carries up on every chamber. Of course, the tale is in the tape, so we'll see how it shoots this weekend with my handloaded wadcutters.

I've got $460 in it to my door. Perhaps I'll try the quick fix on the endshake and see how I like it. If not, then off to Alex.

I paid more than that for my K38 4 screw and I felt good about my purchase.


ddj

With Kuhnhausen's S&W book and shims for endshake and crane you can fix the problem very easily, if you have the proper tools to remove the ejector rod.

The shims can be found at Brownells and I think Cylinder and Slide. They are round "washers" actually. Get the various sizes.

If the handgun's finish is good I think you did okay on the purchase.

__________________
Have guns...will shoot'em.

The grips look to be too early for that serial number, but they are worth
a lot more than the 'correct' grips. Don't worry about that aspect
of it.

Over/underpaying $50 or so is not even worth talking about. There is
no "right" price that doesn't have a tolerance of at least +/- $50.

Mike Priwer

Prices here in Louisiana typically run higher than what I have seen on some of the auction sites. I have a weakness for revolvers in 44 special. A 6.5" bbls 624 and a 4" 24-3 have come to roost at my home. Think I paid about $750 for the 642 and almost the same for the 24-3. I definitely have to stay away from that dealer come the next show in august. Overpaid?,
here is how I look at it. I'm pushing 65 and at the point in my life I can afford (finally) some of these treasures. However if you are satisfied with what you have even though you feel you overpaid then enjoy what you have. May sound funny but have overpaid for some mil-surps but also have gotten some nice deals on them from time to time. Some days you are the bug and some days you are the windshield.. hope that doesn't sound sarcastic, did not mean it that way. Frank

"Over/underpaying $50 or so is not even worth talking about. There is
no "right" price that doesn't have a tolerance of at least +/- $50."
MP

Exactly.
Never walk away from a gun you want over small change.

Grips are good, gun is good and your in it about right.

GF

I agree with the others that you got a very good deal on the revolver and the grips are a bonus.

Overpaid?? Where have you been lately. I think it was a bargain for the price. You could not manufacture and sell a new revolver of that quality for less than $1000 to $1200.

A good price, nice stocks and an easy fix for the end-shake...isn't there anyone in NC that can do it (Alex is an awesome gunsmith, though)?
Bob

Heck I almost always put to much money in my guns, it might not be worth it on the market, but it's worth it to me, just saying.

I also agree with these other fellows, you got a nice deal on your purchase and the grips are a plus. I also can identify with Frank46's comment as I too am pushing 65 and agree whole heartedly him. Enjoy your purchase.

+1 for "you didn't pay too much". Unless you get really crazy, I look at it as paying tomorrow's price today.

__________________
Misty

I think the price was pretty good...If you think you paid too much, just hang on to it for a year or so and it will be a bargain.

mark

__________________
Liberals made the USA

^^^^ Agree entirely. You got a good deal.

--Neill

And there's your answer. It may shoot just fine the way it is. It may turn out to be a tack driver, most of that model are. I know both of mine are. So, you paid a good price for what may turn out to be a great gun, or at least a good price for a good gun with a minor issue that is easily fixed. My daddy used to tell me he never saw a hearse followed by an aromored car. Can't take it with you, might as well enjoy it while you're here.

Before long you'll forget what you paid for it, and will just brag about the gun. Unless you're planning to sell it, what difference does it make?


Congratulations by the way.

__________________
John 3:16 .

By now, I imagine your feeling better about your purchase. These are fantastic revolvers by any definition and as all others have said in consensus, you did just fine. Enjoy!

Cheers;
Lefty

As others have said before: "You can't pay too much for a gun...just too soon." It will definitely catch up and pass what you paid for it.
They made pre-model 5 screws for several years. They only made pre-model 4 screws for about a year.

I inherited its twin from an uncle who carried it sparingly as a reserve officer in Ohio in the '60s. Just a little bit of holster wear on the high points and muzzle sides and it's a tack driver. I shelved the near-perfect magna grips in favor of some period diamond targets.
Congrats on a gun that is sure to become one of your favorites.

__________________
Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I don't think you overpaid at all.

And, here's a link to fixing S&W cylinder end shake. A very easy fix.

YouTube - Gunsmith - Fix excessive cylinder endshake in S&W revolver

__________________
-Bob

Mike,

Out of curiosity what do you see that places the stocks as being too early?

__________________
Doug

Doug

Its the real square shoulder on the magna portion. That is how they
were initially made right after WW2, when the magna stock was
slightly redesigned. Over the ensuing 5 years, that shoulder got
rounder over, more and more, and eventually it disappeared.

As to the comments about "not paying too much, just paying it too
soon", or "paying tomorrow's price today", I'd like to offer a couple
of observations.

Comments like these imply that prices will continue to go up. On the
one hand, that may turn out to be true, in what I would call the
intermediate long term. On the other hand, it was exactly this
belief that broke the financial system a couple two-three years ago.
The Fed took this belief seriously, and used it as a mechanism to
inject tons of money into main street. Otherwise, it can only inject
money into the banking system.

Over the intermediate long-term, the Fed will continue to expand the
money supply, and Treasury will continue to borrow massive amounts
of money. Because of this, the believers in the above comments will
prove to be right. But, only until the country revolts against the
policies of the Fed and Treasury. When that point comes, the US
will have to go back on the gold standard, and a lot of inflated
prices will come crashing back down to earth. Money will be a lot
tighter than it is, today.

Regards, Mike Priwer

Wow! Didn't expect all the responses. Thanks, guys. To a man, you've all concurred that the price wasn't too high. Glad to hear it! I guess I've been fooled by the $300 OTD Model 17-1 and the $285 OTD Model 64-3 that I've picked up in the past two years.

I'll take a closer look at those grips. Seems that I recall the s/n on 'em was 171XXX or so. I'll double-check and let you know.

If the weather holds and the baby sleeps tonight, I'll be shooting this tomorrow. Range report to follow.

Thanks again. Now, if I can just find a mint 24-3 three-incher for a hundred bucks or so!

As you must know by now, you got a great gun, regardless of the cost. As far as Alex Hamilton goes, I can recommend him highly. That's where my K-38 went and I couldn't be happier, and it didn't cost that much. My decision to send the gun to him was not based so much on any particular problem (the gun seemed to shoot great); I just wanted to be sure that it was all that it should be. I am now.
Chris

I own one four screw. It's a snubby with a round butt. Honest holster wear put there by a working man but in very good shape mechanically. I've got $425 in mine and it shoots 2" groups at 25 yds. You didn't get hurt. Things may come crashing down, but firearms and ammo will still be going up.

Mike,
Sorry but you lost me. What area are you talking about? A,B,C or D?
Thanks,

__________________
Doug

He's talking about D. i compared the grips with those on my 17-1. I'll post pics if I get a chance.