I just bought a '51-'52 vintage N-frame that comes with smooth, relieved target stocks (no pictures as the gun hasn't arrived yet).

Another thread discussing smooth targets got me to wondering when S&W introduced the relief cut-out on their target stocks? Anyone with the inside scoop/knowledge on this?

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I've always suspected they arrived when the Combat Magnum (pre-19) and the .44 Magnum (pre-29) were introduced - in '56. Pretty sure those were the first two models that shipped with them as standard equipment.

That makes sense to me because of the length of the cartridge cases. It's nearly impossible to eject empty .357 or .44 mag cases with unrelieved stocks....

That said, someone here may have info on when the change to the relieved style was ordered for production at the factory. I don't recall ever hearing anything official....

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

Relieved target stocks first appeared sometime in 1956, but the earlier non-relieved style was used from approximately 1952 to 1958. As is typical, older stock in inventory was used up, not thrown away or sold off, so there is an overlap.

Thanks guys. Your info confirms what I suspected, that the relieved targets this gun is now wearing could not have been ordered as an option with the gun. It's probably shipping date is 4-5 years too early. They're kind of neat looking stocks none the less. I'll probably post a picture when the gun finally gets here.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)