I was out shooting my 1938 Colt OM this morning and I got to thinking, what would the Smith&Wesson alternative be in the K frame size back in 1938?

38 Military & Police Target Model if you can find one.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

The K38 Masterpiece, which later became the Mod 14. Several years ago I had my Officers Model Target and my K38 to the range to shoot side by side. While the S&W had a better trigger, the accuracy was identical.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Was it a K38 Masterpiece in 1938? I thought Masterpiece was a post war thing?

I believe H. Richard wasn't meaning specifically referring to the1938 model or pre war model S&W by using K38 Masterpiece. In 1938 it was the .38 M&P Target.

You'd have to reference a catalog of 1938 to be sure, But my 1941 catalog only references the K22 Masterpiece (the K22/40).

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The Officer’s Model was/is a bit bigger and heavier than the .38 M & P Target, more L frame sized. It may be why the postwar K-38 Masterpiece had the ribbed and eventually heavier barrel installed.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Here you go... 38 M&P Target - A great gun.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

You stole the show with those pictures.

Here is a 1940 Colt Officers Model Target .38 like the one GyMac referred to for those who are not familiar with that revolver.

Attached Images

Colt OMT .38 & Vintage Ammo 1.jpg (84.9 KB, 103 views)

That 38 M&P and the OM are beautiful! I shoot only DA and I would love to try that old action! I’m an S&W man mostly, but I do love my OM. Of course I do have 2 K-38’s!

This Colt officers model had been modified, short throw hammer, Roper sights and grips. I believe it was set up to shot USRA matches.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

I have a Heavy Barrel Officers Model from the ‘30s and a Model 14 from the ‘70s. I shot both off bags at 20 yards and as noted above, accuracy was very similar. My OM has a lanyard ring on it. Something I had not seen before on OMs.

In 1938 the K38 Masterpiece did not yet exist. There was the M&P Target and that's likely the closest competitor to the Colt OMT. But the Colt was made on a heavier frame and the tapered bore Colt barrel supposedly shot lead bullets a little tighter than the S&W. I believe Colt pretty much dominated Bullseye shooting through the 1970s.

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No life story has happy end.

Another competitor to the OM worth mentioning would be the 38/44 Outdoorsman.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that.

Attached Images

HBH OD (2).JPG (126.4 KB, 209 views)

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

The OP did specifically mention K frame. Also it seems like the Outdoorsman would be more of a competitor to the Colt New Service Target or Shooting Master - in .38 Special, of course.

Or maybe the Colt Shooting Master. (Sorry, being the only Colt guy on this thread, I had to do that.)

Shooting the Colt alongside my K-38’s I get very similar groups. I always shoot DA. The triggers on the Smiths are a little better, but I prefer the sights on the Colt. One K-38 has very few rounds through it and I can shoot the Colt better. But I love them all.

Couple of dueling banjos,,,

Those are so beautiful! Thx for posting!