My very first Pre-War Smith - UPDATED with Range Report 2-11

SAFireman · #1 02-04-2013, 11:53 AM

My dad and I hit the local show this weekend and while I was looking for a 1917 for his collection, came across this 44 HE 2nd change I believe.

I has very nice jigged bone stocks. The finish is a very nice and uniform patina. I guess that I have to go buy some 44 dies, brass, and get some Kieth style wad cutters loaded up.

What do you guys think? There was some serious horse trading to get this one done. It was going home with me or my dad no matter what. This is my first 44 special, and my first pre-war S&W. The serial is 181xx and it matches everywhere that it should.

jaymoore · #2 02-04-2013, 11:59 AM

If you can see the sights it'll likely make you a happy shooter. But the double action pull weight might take some getting used to.

H Richard · #3 02-04-2013, 11:59 AM

That looks like it should be a great shooter. I'd have to have negotiated that to my possession as well. Nice find.

ringo1597 · #4 02-04-2013, 12:08 PM

SAFireman,

Very nice old Smith.

It was a pleasure meeting you and your father.

Y'all stopped by my table and we visited awhile.

Larry
SWCA 2494

LEO918 · #5 02-04-2013, 12:22 PM

Very nice. Those grips are perfect for the gun. Looks like the strain screw has backed out a little. Well done.

JP@AK · #6 02-04-2013, 12:32 PM

Nice one to start with. I like the looks of those stocks a lot. Great looking shooter!

I would suggest casting your KT bullets fairly hard. Not Linotype, but a #2 Alloy has worked very well for me.

Jack

wheelgun610 · #7 02-04-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEO918

.... Looks like the strain screw has backed out a little....

Yup, I noticed that too. That'll make the DA pull feel lighter, but it'll also lighten the hammer strike, and maybe to the point where it may not bust a cap....

Ya done good hoss! I'da grabbed that'n too...

SAFireman · #8 02-04-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringo1597

SAFireman,

Very nice old Smith.

It was a pleasure meeting you and your father.

Y'all stopped by my table and we visited awhile.

Larry
SWCA 2494

Larry,

It was a pleasure to meet you. My father was quite impressed with your offerings. He was looking for a 1917, but was really tempted by your pre-22's.

We found this one a few aisles down from your table buried in a glass case.

Next time you see me wandering aimlessly at a show, give me a shout. I forget names far too easily, but I do pretty well on faces

I'll keep my eyes peeled for APD guns for ya (if I don't take it home myself).

Take care.

Scott

SAFireman · #9 02-04-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

Nice one to start with. I like the looks of those stocks a lot. Great looking shooter!

I would suggest casting your KT bullets fairly hard. Not Linotype, but a #2 Alloy has worked very well for me.

Jack

Jack,

I'm not set up to cast yet (but it is on the short list). I will be headed out after lunch to try and snag some LSWC in ~240gr. The barrel was all leaded up, so I am getting it cleaned up....maybe I need to invest in some of those lead removal patches?

I really like those stocks. I have been thinking that a bronze Tyler would be just the ticket for my big mitts.

Take care.

DCWilson · #10 02-04-2013, 01:01 PM

Probably 1921.

Lanyard loop! There are several .44 HE/Seconds in that configuration with serial numbers in the 18xxx range. Looks like some shipped to the Springfield Armory, so maybe yours did, too.

Very nice score. That will be a great shooter.

ladder13 · #11 02-04-2013, 01:17 PM

Nice find Scott

JP@AK · #12 02-04-2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAFireman

I'm not set up to cast yet (but it is on the short list).

I sympathize. Right now, my shop is so full of Peterbilt and Cat parts that I have no room left to do my casting. I'm hoping to change that soon. Fortunately, for now, I have enough bullets on hand to last for a while . . .
Jack

SAFireman · #13 02-06-2013, 08:57 AM

Reloading update - I drove all over town and found 500 primers and the correct dies, but no brass. I even tried to buy some 'cowboy action' loads just to shoot and then have the brass, but it was a 'no-go'. I guess that the panic includes 44 special? I knew that there would be no 223 or 22 lr to be found, but 44 special? c'mon now.....

I can not wait to find some brass and see what this 2nd model can do...I keep hearing all these great things. I guess that I will have to wait a bit longer. I did clean the bore up and got most of the lead out and it looks much better.

delta-419 · #14 02-06-2013, 12:09 PM

Welcome to the 44HE club. You can not stop with just one, the passion will grow until your dreams are full of the quest for the next one. Obsession??? The competition for these guns has made them scarce, but the reward is enjoying a level of craftsmanship that no longer exists. They are as smooth as butter and just feel good in your hands. I'm awaiting delivery on one as I write this note. Enjoy!!!

DWalt · #15 02-06-2013, 12:13 PM

You might check to see if Starline has new brass, or take a look on the auction sites to see if any fired brass is available. I wouldn't think .44 Spl brass would be that difficult to come by, even now.

Wiregrassguy · #16 02-07-2013, 01:18 PM

Here's her sister from 1924 with pre-WWI grips on her:

You might check Georgia Arms for some .44. I bought cowboy loads for this one when I picked it up last fall. They are behind, but should deliver in a few weeks.

crsides · #17 02-07-2013, 07:26 PM

Send me a PM with your address. I think I got some extra cases - enough to get you shooting anyway.

Charlie

Muley Gil · #18 02-07-2013, 10:26 PM

I started casting bullets (minies for a .58 musket) back in 1969. You can go low tech or high tech, but it is easy to get started. I have owned an electric lead pot, but never really liked it, so I went back to a cast iron lead pot sitting on a Coleman stove. It still produces great bullets. Wheelweights work good for pistol bullets.

SAFireman · #19 02-11-2013, 09:20 AM

Well I got lucky, and my dad found some cowboy loads that he had hidden in the back of the closet. They were 200 gr ball and 7-800 fps(?)

He had already shot 15 of the cowboy rounds, so I loaded those up with 240gr SWC-HP and 6.6gr of SR4756.

The first plate shows the first 5 rounds shot free hand at 10 yards (double action). Then I shot another 5 for good measure.

The second plate is all 25 rounds. The cowboy loads penetrated about 1/4" past the end of the lead, but the 240 gr SWC-HP went in another 2" past that. The 6.6gr charge was comfortable to shoot (about like 38 special).

Over all, I think that it is a great shooter. I need to pull the side plate off and give it a good cleaning & lube. It has a longer barrel than I prefer, but it certainly is a shooter.....maybe a Tyler adapter would help me out....maybe the bronze one?

Thanks for all of the positive comments so far guys. And a big thanks to Charlie for his offer to send brass

Do any of you guys have a 4" 2nd 44HE? I would love to see some more.

...and here are the photos....I was hoping that my dad would get to shoot his Wolf & Klar at the same time, but he had other obligations. When we get the two together I will snap some photos for y'all.