Here is a Triple Lock Target model dating from June of 1910. Scarce or hard to find? Well, I purchased my first Triple Lock in the late 1990's, and I have spent the better part of that time searching for a decent Triple Lock Target Model...at the right price. Purchased from a fine gentleman off of this forum a few weeks ago (THANK YOU oldmacdonald!).

Do I enjoy shooting it? Took it to the range for the first time last Tuesday...and we both had a blast!

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mrcvs,

Sent you a PM.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Getting a thrill up your leg are ya? lol

Received and responded...

I must caveat my entry with this: they're all shooter grade. I live in my home, and it's not a museum.

Here are my post-war K22, LERK, sn K27XX, and my 90+ Model 31.

I've had the K22 less than a month. It was the dullest blue and the most scratched up gun I've ever owned. I knew those two things (and about the chunk out of the left stock) when I bought it, but the seller didn't mention the rust spots under the stocks or the "fake blue" applied over the pits in the cylinder. On initial cleaning my first thought was "sell it" because I can't have this Cinderella in among my pretty ones.

I read several threads here on cleaning guns so, thanks to them, I picked up a tube of Flitz polish at a nearby gun shop, ordered a package of bronze wool from my local hardware store and ordered a small tub of Ren wax online (only because none of the gun or auto shops had it).

Here's a LOUD shout out to HONDO44 and so many others of you who shared your "how to clean a dirty gun" experiences.

First, just a good cleaning/oiling. Then a couple weeks later the Flitz. Wow, it truly has some shiny blue under those decades of grime and neglect. The best news: I arrested the rust (not a sign remains).

Friday the bronze wool and Ren wax arrived. So, ever so gently, I wore out one small segment of one of the bronze wool pads. Most of the spots on the cylinder where somebody had done a mighty poor job of applying the fake blue came clean, exposing some tiny pits (I'll take them over the off-colored, built-up blue goo). Then another light polishing with the Flitz. Finally, yesterday, out came the Ren wax (really glad I listened to you all and bought the small jar--a lifetime supply).

The Flitz, bronze wool, and Ren wax offered the perfectly fitting glass slippers. Now I have a shooter K22 that I'm proud to take to the ball. And, yes, it's a dream to shoot.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Way to go Two-bit. I find few things in life more enjoyable than making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

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Regards,
Bruce

Everything I own is a shooter. But my 5 inch Performance
Center Lew Horton model 27-8 (#132 of 258 made) would
be the hardest to replace.

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USAF AMMO

Thanks, Bruce5781. Generally speaking I enjoy that transformation, too.

I accept the need to do work on vehicles, especially utility vehicles like my beat up and abused '48 Willys CJ2A. That's been fun, but for me it's different with guns. I'll never understand why gun owners turn silk purses into sow's ears.

I get the "it's a tool" argument to an extent, but I've got every tool I've every bought, and they're all in great shape.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Ha, mines a '51 Willys Wagon, with a '54 Ford Y-block....more time spent wrenching than driving it seems.

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Regards,
Bruce

[QUOTE=lawandorder;139109406]..........from any era, just ones that are scarce or hard to find that you enjoy shooting in spite of their collectability.

I have had more fun with this one than the time the hogs ate my little Brother.

M & P in .32 long


Thanks Bruce.

I don't necessarily agree with you. Finding a specific model may be more difficult, or you may not find something at a price you're willing to pay, but the internet has pretty much eliminated a lot of the difficulties of the hunt by making geography a non-factor. Unless you'll only buy hands on, there are plenty of reliable sellers, including members of this forum.

The base model isn't hard to find but this k-22 done up with King sights and hammer isn't something readily available




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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Here are my two Pre Model 27s. They aren't perfect so I do shoot them on occasion. Both have 3.5 inch barrels. The one in nickel shipped in 1950 and has later diamond magnas and the blued one shipped in 1956 and has original magnas.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Dang bud...when did you find that one?

I've had that one for a few years








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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Well Soda I don't know what you are disagreeing with.

This is just a thread for folks to show their, hard to find, or scarce Smiths that they enjoy shooting.

If its the hog eating my little brother, its OK, its just a figure of speech.

Feel free to post an image of one of yours that you enjoy shooting.

The M & P in .32 long was acquired from the internet, in fact from one of the fine members on this very Forum.

???????????

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LEX ET ORDO

Sweet....mine is close, but missing the hammer and rear sight upgrade. Love that hammer on yours.

...........is another of the M & P lineage like Mr. Bates' nice revolver , this example is marked Model 45.

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LEX ET ORDO

First Gun is first year 4" Highway Patrolman.
Second 5 screw 357, 1954 gun.
Third is 1905 early 4 screw, 5" target letters to Nov. 1906.
The last is a Post War S prefix 5" M&P. Have grips on this one now. Only pic I have it.
Shoot all of them.

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A few years back I got the bug to get away from all the N frames in my collection and in a short time acquired these two shooters that have pristine bores, chambers, and lockup although a bit "finish" challenged. A pair of 1930s 22LR Outdoorsman:

'Bout time this thread had an update.

1899 Target .38 Spl. 61/2"

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

I bid on a reblued 2nd model 44 Hand Ejector last week. It was 4" with fixed sights. Would have been perfect for packing around the farm. I got outbid on it, it went over $1,200. It looked like a recent refinish. Shotgunner

My frustration is shooter grades seem to command collector grade prices! I understand values are climbing and time marches on and all that, but a 40-70% finish shooter grade of all but the rarest smith should not be 400+ dollars. A solid mechanically rough looking 34 2" is on my wish list but even beater grades seem to be crazy expensive

I feel your pain.
I gave twice what I thought that 1899 should have cost, but then again, it was still half the price of the only other one I had ever seen for sale.
Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

I had one of these in about 98% but the trigger was also 98% stiff, so I sold it and kept this one- trigger is like warm butter....
with SN 572xxx estimate it's about 1928, even has a grip notch.

I shoot this pre-27. It was an 8-3/8" with a double squib bulge at 2.5". I gave it a 3.5" & a new stainless trigger.

When I don't feel like heftin' an N frame, I have to settle for this.

Both are excellent shooters.


Ned

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Devil's afraid I'll take over.

This is a early post war commercial 1917 (October 1946) with grooved back strap and front sight reconfigured to look like a shark fin. Original finish and grips number to gun.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

Not hard to find per say, but my carry 4" pre28 is definitely "shooter grade." I need to find a beat up set of diamond targets and it will be complete





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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Not that long ago (2006 iirc) I bought a model ten for $165 from my local go to gun shop. Shot great. At the time he had dozens of them and said you can have as many off the pile as you want for 165 each. I regret not buying about six of them. Fast forward to 2015 and same dealer offered me my choice of model 15's ( he piled them on the counter )300 out the door. Since moving to Arizona last year I have found revolvers in shooter grade exceedingly scarce and prices much higher. A supply and demand thing I guess. I marvel at some of the gorgeous guns pictured in these forums, but prefer shooter grade myself

I found the ONLY Nickel 27-1 known...

And she is in shooter grade. I love her.

One out of twelve S&W revolvers is a shooter grade.

This one is about as shooter grade as they come.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Don't have a picture but my........ 27-2 4 inch (recessed but not pinned) from 80/81 a perfect shooter grade at about 90%....... have to believe it was someones well cared for duty gun.

I read this thread with interest. There are some really nice hard to find shooter grade revolvers here. I thought I might contribute a few. I have shown these before.

First is a delightful .44 Special Triple Lock. With serial number 1103 it shipped out in June 1910. "Hard to find" is one criteria here. A Triple Lock should qualify in its own right, but this one has a 5" barrel! As for "shooter grade," it is perfect. This revolver has been carefully used and loved over its 106 years. Everything is original. Its original blue finish is well-worn, but it remains vivid in protected areas reminding us of its original glory. Mechanically it is perfect inside and out. It shoots very well.



I particularly like the way it handles when wearing the Keith Brown Ropers I put on it.



It would be hard to find a shooter grade .44 Special to top this one. Several years ago I put it on display here: S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model #1103





Several years ago I had the hankering for a .32-20 HE. I already had a collector grade .32-20 HE, but what I wanted was a shooter grade .32-20 HE Target. I don't know whether you have looked, but the .32-20 HE Target is hard to find. And when you find one, it's not that easy to pay for either.

Well I finally found one. It is s/n 44703 and left the S&W factory in December, 1909. Technically, it is a .32-20 HE Mod. of 1905 Target, Second Change. This revolver has a 6-1/2" barrel. You see it here alongside my Winchester 1892 .32-20 that dates to 1902. Quite a couple!



Everything matches on this revolver, including the s/n penciled inside the right grip panel. Here's the match people often ask about when target revolvers are discussed:



This wonderful revolver remains in perfect mechanical condition with a mint bore and chambers. Its original finish is worn in places, so it qualifies as "shooter grade." And shoot it does. Very accurate!

There's a real pleasure in shooter grade revolvers that is just plain lacking among the safe queens.

Curl

Here are my kind of hard to find shooters
A 455 TL converted to 45 colt by counter boring. Kind of wish it was still a stock 455 but it is nice to be able to use mild lead 45 colts in it.


Here is my 44 Russian First model double action.


Here are some more recent hard to find shooters a 696 no dash

and a 4" 16-4 in 32 H&R mag

I too, enjoy shooter grades. I am a shooter not a collector. If I don't feel comfortable shooting a gun I won't have it. So that being that I found a 14-3 in less than pristine condition. Mechanically it is like new and shoots better than I do. Then price was a trade for a spam can of .30-06 that I had bought from CMP quite a few years back. The can cost me $89.00. Will post a picture when I get off my lazy butt and take one.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

One of my favorite range guns is this 1950 K38 Combat Masterpiece

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John

I do love the shooters far better then safe queens!

My most recent

My 2nd Model Hand Ejectors



My .38/44 Transitional Heavy Duty

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

New to S&Ws, long time gun owner. I've been told they didn't make a lot of these, not sure if it's rare or collectible.

Model 19. Serial K411xxx, appears to have been made in 1960. Nice shooter condition, checks out mechanically. Bores are bright. Half dozen small spots of corrosion at the top of the port grip. Small chip at top of stbd grip. Light holster wear. Very smooth action without a hint of grit. Can't wait to shoot it.

My tractor gun. 38/44 HD.

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

A five inch pre-war Heavy Duty with King reflector sights..this one is far more accurate than I....it is almost not a challenge to shoot well.



A somewhat rarely seen pre-21, or Model of 1950 Military 44 with King's reflector sight....I shot this one a few weeks ago and came to the realization that the sights were set off to one side..I really need to put up a paper target and get it lined out (it was a bit frustrating at the time)



Here is one that I really enjoy. It is a Non-Registered Magnum, it was delivered to a municipal police department near Dallas. The man who ordered the gun was heavily involved in the chase for Bonnie and Clyde -> they were long captured/killed prior to his acquisition of this gun. It has been refinished (it started life blue). It has been a real pleasure to chase down the history on this one, and I really enjoy shooting it on the steel plates behind my house.



Many thanks to all of the posters here, collecting Smith & Wessons (or any firearms for that matter) does not require pristine guns handled with kid gloves

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On the Oak Savannah

Neat old guns.
I really like the 44 special.
Found this one last summer 1922 Second model
sent back to the factory in 1946 for the Third Model
barrel and re-nickel.
Slick as glass and prints well.
When shipped back in 1946 it went to the Texas Department
of Public Safety--Beaumont, Texas .

Very nice Mike! Shipped 27 days before I was downloaded!

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Get off my lawn!

My most appropriate handgun for this thread would probably be my 5 screw Highway Patrolman from 1954 but I want to post a picture now so I'll throw on the often shown Model of 1989 .45 Colt.

I'll dig out the HP and get some pictures to add here soon. Ok, as promised here's an example of maybe not such a rare, but sought after Highway Patrolman, shooter grade.

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Join the NRA today

Really too nice to shoot but she gets shot often.

Ya gotta love em. Here's a couple of mine.
1905 4th change all matching and Pre Model 15 K38 Combat Masterpiece 1955

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GOD BLESS THE USA

Finish challenged .44 second model 5" barrel, built on leftover 1917 frame.
Picked last weekend for $375.

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

Thanks for bringing this thread back Bruce. Posted these before, but they qualify here.

Pre-27 3.5 inch:


Pre-29 in the wrong box, great shooter:


British Service Revolver in 38-200, no British proofs, but letters as being sold to them. Unconverted and all original parts:


My great-uncle's pre-17:

My bottom-line rule is that if I can't shoot it, I don't want it, with a couple exceptions. One exception: My great, great grandfather's Harper's Ferry 1842 rifle that he carried in the War of The Great Rebellion. Though it appears to be in excellent condition, I haven't fired it out of concern for damaging it. It is complete with the ram and bayonette.

I have two guns I shoot to horrify friends. First is a Colt "Black Army" 1911. I got it in "shooter grade," so, why not? I'm no expert, but it appears to me that the barrel is not original. It has "AA" stamped on the frame. I'm told that means it was armory-rebuilt, but it is a 1911 and NOT an A1.

Second is a gun that was one of my "grail guns": A 1921/28-overstamp Navy Thompson. Parts for it? BWAAAA HA HA HA HA HA! "Shoot it like you stole it!"

So I do.

I've seen Model 547s going for crazy money ($2,000+) lately (and maybe that's nothing new). Here's my recently acquired $700 shooter. Happy to have it.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

My .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model with custom 3-1/2" barrel.

I just finished this project and I have to brag that it has the best action of any Smith I own!

It's a "blast" to shoot!

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