Got the 38/44HD yesterday and was able to detail strip and clean it today. It got a heavy soaking of Hoppes and then a good amount of CLP in some places and RemOil in others.

What came out was an all matching 4" 38/44HD Transition that's not been reamed, bright shiny charge holes and bore, no end-play, a smidge of side-play, no more hang-up in the hammer, and a good amount of character to the finish. I dry-fired until both trigger fingers were worn out and didn't jam up at all.

Next task will be giving attention to the finish.

I'm happy with my $374.99 and a little elbow grease.

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Isn't it wonderful when projects come together nicely?

Congrats. Those grips look mighty nice. Wish my HD grips looked that nice and were original.

Now that is a neat buy for $374. Great snag.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

There's something special about old metal and wood guns with character. Very cool find!

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

What's not to like? Very cool old HD!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

I wouldn't mess with that finish at all.

Very nice! I have two 4" HD's, one in the 74000 range. They are a lot of fun at the range!

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Now that is a revolver with character. Great save!

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

You are obviously free to do with your gun what ever you wish but if you were to ask me I would advise you, please don't re-blue that fine old duty gun. If you do it will loose most all of it's character. That may not appeal to you but it does to a lot of us here.

Keep it clean and by all means shoot some real 38/44s through it.

Just sayin',
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

With the attention you paid to the action and interior, you now have a first-rate shooter. Nice reclamation!

I don't doubt you can make that finish look better, but I don't think you can make it look new without heavy buffing that could sacrifice detail in the stamps and rollmarks. At my age, I like to think my face has earned every crease and wrinkle. I believe guns like that one have also earned the surfaces they present to the world. Count me among those who think it does not need a facelift. It looks just fine as is.

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David Wilson

Copy all on the rec's for the finish. I never had the immediate intention to refinish. I was merely thinking clean it up and get the rust cleared off. I realize only a heavy amount of buffing can really clean this up and I've never liked the look of heavily buffed, refinished Smith's.

Thanks for all the notes.

Congratulations! That 38/44 surely looks serious bussines.

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"lets be careful out there"