|
|
 |
10-01-2021, 09:52 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
Picked up a 4” 38/44HD today!
I did a thing on my lunch break today. A 38/44 has been languishing in my LGS for several months, so I went to visit it again. The shop owner said why visit when they can go home with you let’s make a deal. After some back and forth we both ended up happy. Since we got sent home early for a snow day at work (I live in Alaska) I stopped by the local library to checked out the standard catalog of Smith and Wesson. It’s a 38/44 heavy duty model of 1950 produced in either 1954 or 1955 based on the serial number.
|
|
The Following 98 Users Like Post:
|
19leben, 1Aspenhill, 2ndshift, 6string, abigails&w, ancient-one, arfmel, Babysitr, beagleye, bengal fan, bigmtnman, bigolddave, Birdhunter6, brendonjames65, browningcollector, clang444, Collects, CptCurl, damienph, ddixie884, delta-419, deputydon, Doug627, DR505, eb07, fdover, Frieda's Boss, Gardner11, gdogs, Glashaus, Grayfox, Guero, gwpercle, heeter3, Housepuss, Hunter Keith, Iggy, imakmst, JayCeeNC, Jessie, jframejoey, Jim Kuykendall, jimbo728, Joe Kent, kaaskop49, Kansasgunner, kennethg, kmyers, Krogen, Lee Barner, leonardocarrillo, lihpster, LLOYD17, LNBright, LoadedRound, LPD256, Marlin57M, ME94, Memphis, merl67, mh51, michaelp00, Mike, SC Hunter, mojave30cal, Moo Moo, moosedog, Narragansett, Nedroe, Ngtdog, Old Seabee, OLDSTER, Old_Cop, Papaw, pawncop, plvickers, RevolverP320, Richard Simmons, rincar, rjm6120, rocknroad, Rodan, S&W Fan, SAFireman, series guy, sigp220.45, skeezix, slight_turn_line_69, SS336, StrawHat, SuperMan, The Gila Bender, tominboise, tops, toroflow1, Tyree1867, Wiregrassguy, X62503, zipty6 |
10-01-2021, 10:18 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: S W GA
Posts: 879
Likes: 4,093
Liked 1,719 Times in 461 Posts
|
|
Very nice pick up. 38/44s are one of the nicest
old style S&W revolvers. Takes the bite out of shooting 38 spc. Esp lightweight wadcutters
and target loads and tames +Ps well also.
It looks like a fun Smith shooter. Congrats.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-01-2021, 11:28 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: east valley
Posts: 539
Likes: 4,557
Liked 546 Times in 311 Posts
|
|
Very nice enjoy the heck out of it.
|
10-01-2021, 11:34 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boise, Idaho, 83706
Posts: 344
Likes: 427
Liked 528 Times in 201 Posts
|
|
Shot my 5" some yesterday as a matter of fact. Love the 38/44's!
__________________
Regards,
Tom
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-01-2021, 11:39 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Avery,Tx
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3,812
Liked 1,863 Times in 938 Posts
|
|
I am green with jealousy...........
__________________
dd884
JMHO-YMMV
|
10-02-2021, 03:46 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
|
|
The Following 39 Users Like Post:
|
1Aspenhill, 29-1, 2ndshift, 6string, ancient-one, boykinlp, damienph, delta-419, deputydon, DR505, fleabus101, Frieda's Boss, Guero, heeter3, hivel37, Iggy, jimbo728, Kansasgunner, kmyers, Krogen, Lee Barner, leonardocarrillo, LPD256, ME94, Memphis, Moo Moo, Old Seabee, OLDSTER, pawncop, Richard Simmons, rjm6120, S&W Fan, series guy, SS336, SuperMan, The Gila Bender, toroflow1, X62503, zipty6 |
10-02-2021, 06:34 AM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ashtabula County, Ohio
Posts: 6,076
Likes: 9,344
Liked 13,762 Times in 4,038 Posts
|
|
Owned by Officer Lindsey? Or taken into evidence by him?
Nice revolver, I have a 5” short action. The earlier versions were the revolvers Phil Sharpe used to develop loads that became the 357 S&W Magnum.
Kevin
__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 06:44 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 341
Liked 966 Times in 534 Posts
|
|
Very nice!
|
10-02-2021, 07:29 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1,638
Liked 3,802 Times in 881 Posts
|
|
That is a nice Heavy Duty!
I have two, neither have been safe queens, they are great shooters!
The upper HD I have named Lucky 7 for the two dice faces that are in the bottom of the stocks
__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL
|
|
The Following 25 Users Like Post:
|
ancient-one, boykinlp, damienph, delta-419, Frieda's Boss, Guero, heeter3, JayCeeNC, jimbo728, kaaskop49, Kansasgunner, kmyers, Lee Barner, LPD256, ME94, Moo Moo, OLDSTER, Richard Simmons, Rodan, SAFireman, series guy, SS336, The Gila Bender, toroflow1, X62503 |
10-02-2021, 10:51 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 14,555
Liked 4,663 Times in 1,200 Posts
|
|
Nice revolvers gentleman.
Compared to the M&P’s the .38/44 are big and brutish looking, the extra size is surely not needed for the .38spl.
But every time I see one I start sweating and running around town looking for one. There’s something about them that just rings a bell for me.
Really like the 4” barreled version. I am green with envy.
|
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 11:21 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Puget Sound
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 8,898
Liked 5,312 Times in 1,872 Posts
|
|
Nice find! People claim Rugers are built like tanks. The Heavy Duty is built like a tank with finesse!
I want one . . . .
|
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 11:30 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ashtabula County, Ohio
Posts: 6,076
Likes: 9,344
Liked 13,762 Times in 4,038 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SS336
…Compared to the M&P’s the .38/44 are big and brutish looking, the extra size is surely not needed for the .38spl...
|
These were not built for the “.38spl”. The HD was built for the 38/44 cartridge, identical to the standard 38 S&W Special but propelling the 158 a couple hundred FPS faster than the cartridge for the K frame M&P. The 38/44 was introduced as a response to Colt’s 38 Super which was developed in response to Law Enforcements request for something better than the 38 S&W Special.
These revolvers truly come into there own when hand loaded with appropriate ammunition. The Skeeter load is one of which I am fond, the Thompson/Lyman 358156, seated out in the 38 S&W Special case, over a large dose of 2400 powder.
Phil Sharpe used a 38/44 Outdoorsman to develop loads that eventually became the 357 S&W Magnum.
Kevin
__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.
Last edited by StrawHat; 10-02-2021 at 06:45 PM.
|
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 11:45 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,631
Likes: 241
Liked 29,144 Times in 14,091 Posts
|
|
In threads like this about the .38/44 HD, it's customary to ask whether you have checked the chambers to determine if thay have been lengthened to accept .357 ammunition. Quite a few were modified by their owners back in the day, as it is a fairly simple task to perform, and it can even be a DIY job, given the availibility of a .357 reamer. Personally, I don't consider that modification to affect the value of a typical HD greatly, if at all, unless it is a very high condition piece. While the old .38-44 ammunition is not available, other than from the high-priced boutique ammo makers, it is simple to produce duplicate loads by handloading .38 Special cases. The typical MV given for factory .38-44 loads was in the neighborhood of 1100 ft/sec with 158 grain bullets (depending upon barrel length), a little shy of .357 Magnum performance, but not by much.
I have a .357-modified HD from the early 1950s. It's a former cop gun and shows it, but mechanically it is like new. It handles .357 loads OK, but I normally use only standard .38 Special loads in it. Not one of my favorites, mainly because its weight makes it a little more difficult to carry around.
Last edited by DWalt; 10-02-2021 at 12:45 PM.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 11:50 AM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 20,185
Liked 6,287 Times in 1,566 Posts
|
|
Mine is from September of 1954. Serial number is S104*** if that helps you. Enjoy yours.
__________________
SWCA 3255 SWHF 615
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 12:11 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SS336
Nice revolvers gentleman.
Compared to the M&P’s the .38/44 are big and brutish looking, the extra size is surely not needed for the .38spl.
But every time I see one I start sweating and running around town looking for one. There’s something about them that just rings a bell for me.
Really like the 4” barreled version. I am green with envy.
|
Definitely overkill for regular 38 special, but definitely appropriate for the sort of hot hand loads that led to the development of the 357.
My 4” standard barrel k frame weighs in at 32 ounces, my 38/44 HD weighs 40 ounces. It’s heavier, but man holding the k frame next to the HD makes the k frame feel like a toy.
|
10-02-2021, 12:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
In threads like this about the .38/44 HD, it's customary to ask whether you have checked the chambers to determine if thay have been lengthened to accept .357 ammunition. Quite a few were modified by their owners back in the day, as it is a fairly simple task to perform, and it can even be a DIY job, given the availibility of a .357 reamer. Personally, I don't consider that modification to affect the value of a typical HD greatly, if at all, unless it is a very high condition piece. While the old .38-44 ammunition is not available, other than from the high-priced boutique ammo makers, it is simple to easily produce duplicate loads by handloading .38 Special cases. The typical MV given for factory .38-44 loads was in the neighborhood of 1100 ft/sec with 158 grain bullets (depending upon barrel length), a little shy of .357 Magnum performance, but not by much.
I have a .357-modified HD from the early 1950s. It's a former cop gun and shows it, but mechanically it is like new. It handles .357 loads OK, but I normally use only standard .38 Special loads in it. Not one of my favorites, mainly because its weight makes it a little more difficult to carry around.
|
I have a few 357 rounds around, I’ll try them out to see if they chamber or not.
|
10-02-2021, 12:30 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LPD256
Mine is from September of 1954. Serial number is S104*** if that helps you. Enjoy yours.
|
Mines S105xxx, so likely late 1954?
|
10-02-2021, 12:51 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,631
Likes: 241
Liked 29,144 Times in 14,091 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by skierd
Mines S105xxx, so likely late 1954?
|
It is early in the 1954-early 1955 manufacturing SN range, so shipping would likely have been in mid to later 1954 or possibly into 1955. N-frame shipping dates at that time were somewhat random. The best way to determine if its chambers have been lengthened is to see if a .357 round or case can be fully inserted. BTW, my HD SN is also in the S105xxx range.
Last edited by DWalt; 10-02-2021 at 01:02 PM.
|
|
The Following 9 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 12:57 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 2,567
Likes: 6,532
Liked 4,340 Times in 1,595 Posts
|
|
The one we picked up is from 1949. At one of the local gun shows Better Half was eyeing a model 10 and I happened to noticed the one we picked up thinking that looks like a 38/44 HD, turns out it is.
__________________
KM
S&WCA 3110 S&WHF 625
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 01:13 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Bartlett, Tennessee
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 2,935
Liked 18,697 Times in 4,789 Posts
|
|
Excellent find! Congratulations! Your gonna love it! 
Standard .38s out of that are pure cream puffs. Target loads are almost like shooting .22s. I use the load that I believe was attributed to Skeeter Skelton (?) of a 158gr lead bullet over 12.0 grs of 2400. This generally clocks at 1200fps and is very accurate out of my guns. 
I've got three .38/44s. 4 & 5" heavy Duties and a 6.5" Outdoorsman.
|
|
The Following 16 Users Like Post:
|
damienph, DGNY, dingomann, DR505, fleabus101, heeter3, Hunter Keith, Iggy, jframejoey, kmyers, michaelp00, Richard Simmons, series guy, SS336, The Gila Bender, tops |
10-02-2021, 02:05 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 53
Liked 4,623 Times in 864 Posts
|
|
Nice find.
In my many years of gun & pawn shop hoping, I've only ever seen a 38/44 once that I recall (and I promptly bought it). And to think that gun sat for several months with no takers. I don't get it?
__________________
Watch & Pray
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 02:11 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Bartlett, Tennessee
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 2,935
Liked 18,697 Times in 4,789 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567
Nice find.
In my many years of gun & pawn shop hoping, I've only ever seen a 38/44 once that I recall (and I promptly bought it). And to think that gun sat for several months with no takers. I don't get it?
|
The .38/44s are one of S&Ws best kept secrets. The average shooter/gun owner sees one and thinks "Damn! That way too big and heavy for a .38." So they pass right by them. 
But that just leaves them for those of us who know better.
|
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 02:18 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1,638
Liked 3,802 Times in 881 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grayfox
The .38/44s are one of S&Ws best kept secrets. The average shooter/gun owner sees one and thinks "Damn! That way too big and heavy for a .38." So they pass right by them.
But that just leaves them for those of us who know better. |
Both of the Heavy Duties that I have were miss identified by the sellers. One was a GB auction from a pawn shop that had it listed as a 1905 Hand Ejector M&P, the other was from an on line auction house of police confiscated firearms from Phoenix, it was listed as a M915 which is an assembly number on the crane
__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 04:14 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
It is early in the 1954-early 1955 manufacturing SN range, so shipping would likely have been in mid to later 1954 or possibly into 1955. N-frame shipping dates at that time were somewhat random. The best way to determine if its chambers have been lengthened is to see if a .357 round or case can be fully inserted. BTW, my HD SN is also in the S105xxx range.
|
That’s a nice roscoe. 
No dice on 357, doesn’t fully seat.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 04:28 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,223
Likes: 6,538
Liked 9,976 Times in 2,065 Posts
|
|
Nice! I had one from 1954 that was a former Pueblo PD revolver, stated so in the letter in addition to the marking on the backstrap. Foolishly sold off a number of years ago. Since I'm in the Denver area it hadn't traveled too far lol.
Absolutely fun revolver to shoot, wish I still had it-who here can't say that?
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 04:38 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 8,441
Likes: 2,498
Liked 13,179 Times in 4,572 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567
Nice find.
In my many years of gun & pawn shop hoping, I've only ever seen a 38/44 once that I recall (and I promptly bought it). And to think that gun sat for several months with no takers. I don't get it?
|
Seriously?
It's large and heavy.
It's capacity is limited to six rounds.
It's not a 9mm.
It's all steel, not plastic.
It's a small caliber for Alaska might be another reason.
Y'all can probably come up with other reasons that the current gun buying public would use to not buy a revolver.
Funny story - some 8 years ago there was a huge revolver sitting for quite some time at the LGS. At the time I didn't know what it was. I did know that it was not unreasonably expensive. One day I asked to see it. Man oh man! What a chunk of interesting revolver! When I decided to buy it the store owner, who knows me very well and knew how many S&W revolvers I had, suggesting that I find this Forum and join the SWCA. I did both.
Pre-war, shipped 1931 according to Roy Jinks. Came with these stag stocks on it:
__________________
Come and take it!!
Last edited by ISCS Yoda; 10-02-2021 at 04:40 PM.
|
|
The Following 17 Users Like Post:
|
ancient-one, boykinlp, browningcollector, DR505, fleabus101, Glashaus, heeter3, Hunter Keith, Iggy, michaelp00, Old Seabee, PaulDoc, Richard Simmons, skierd, SS336, The Gila Bender, Tom K |
10-02-2021, 06:40 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Conroe Texas...
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 0
Liked 9,432 Times in 2,653 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glashaus
Both of the Heavy Duties that I have were miss identified by the sellers. One was a GB auction from a pawn shop that had it listed as a 1905 Hand Ejector M&P, the other was from an on line auction house of police confiscated firearms from Phoenix, it was listed as a M915 which is an assembly number on the crane
|
It pays to find auctioneers who are dumbfounded with what they are attempting to sell... ...Ben
__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-02-2021, 06:52 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ashtabula County, Ohio
Posts: 6,076
Likes: 9,344
Liked 13,762 Times in 4,038 Posts
|
|
I have only one HD as I much prefer the N frames in 45 ACP. Mine is a 5” that was made in 1950, so a short action. One day it will grow up into a 45 ACP!
Kevin
__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.
|
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-03-2021, 06:46 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1,638
Liked 3,802 Times in 881 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truckman
It pays to find auctioneers who are dumbfounded with what they are attempting to sell... ...Ben |
I put my max bid in on both those Heavy Duties and was doing ok in those auctions until the very end. In both auctions another bidder came in and ran up my bid, someone that knew that these HD's were not what the sellers thought they were. The other bidders stopped just short of my max bid in both cases and I won both auctions. I bought my HD's for just shy of $500 each, an ok price at the time a couple of years ago, just not a great price. Overall I am not losing any money, they are great shooters! Both still in .38.
__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL
|
10-03-2021, 09:15 AM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: R.T. P, area NC
Posts: 9,718
Likes: 29,595
Liked 23,021 Times in 5,791 Posts
|
|
The 38/44's are great, for years they were the Smith and Wesson vintage sleepers. Sadly not so much anymore.
I also lucked into a Pueblo P.D. gun, several years back. Per the serial number, S 105866. it was shipped in 1952. It's a shooter and one of my home "ready guns."
Enjoy yours.
__________________
Always Stay Strong!
|
10-03-2021, 11:37 AM
|
 |
US Veteran
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Kansas, USA
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 1,308
Liked 3,521 Times in 577 Posts
|
|
Here is my Pueblo PD Mod 20 HD shipped in March 1963:
Your gun could have been replaced by these Mod 20s.
Enjoy yours!
Bill
__________________
38-44heavyduty.com
|
|
The Following 12 Users Like Post:
|
damienph, fleabus101, jframejoey, Lee Barner, Old Seabee, Rodan, S&W Fan, SS336, StrawHat, The Gila Bender, Tyree1867, X62503 |
10-03-2021, 01:03 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 53
Liked 4,623 Times in 864 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda
Seriously?
It's large and heavy.
It's capacity is limited to six rounds.
It's not a 9mm.
It's all steel, not plastic.
It's a small caliber for Alaska might be another reason.
Y'all can probably come up with other reasons that the current gun buying public would use to not buy a revolver.
|
Well, I can't speak for Alaska (or Dallas), but any old S&W or Colt in my area (regardless of size or caliber), go like hotcakes at a Boy Scout Jamboree.
Everyone seems to be a "collector" of these old classics wheel guns these days.
__________________
Watch & Pray
Last edited by Dump1567; 10-03-2021 at 01:05 PM.
|
10-03-2021, 02:15 PM
|
|
US Veteran
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Kansas, USA
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 1,308
Liked 3,521 Times in 577 Posts
|
|
Dump1567,
Sorry, but I bought a 5" post war about 15 years ago from a gun store in Arizona.
Bill
__________________
38-44heavyduty.com
|
10-03-2021, 11:46 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: S W GA
Posts: 879
Likes: 4,093
Liked 1,719 Times in 461 Posts
|
|
38/44 4 inch Yowsa😁
The 38/44 was a great Smith HE model.
I like the heft of one using 38 light loads.
I installed a smooth .312 smoothed around its edges..combat trigger in it for a nicer feel.
Original trigger parts retained in its box.
With the wonder(ful) rear sight addition😁. My '53ish with orig service magnas and period un-relieved targets. A few pics.
Last edited by fleabus101; 10-04-2021 at 06:03 AM.
|
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-04-2021, 08:58 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Conroe Texas...
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 0
Liked 9,432 Times in 2,653 Posts
|
|
Randy, that's a package for my dreambook...Supercool... ...Ben
__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-18-2021, 11:06 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
New shoes for the 38/44 HD. I tried the Pachmayr grip adapter but was less than thrilled. I’ve heard good things about the guy out of Thailand making and selling grips on eBay, so I decided to try a set. They fit fantastic, both my hand and the gun, and look great IMO.
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-22-2021, 02:12 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,408
Likes: 3,190
Liked 12,772 Times in 5,691 Posts
|
|
The good thing about being a 4" model, is that it came out later than the 5 & 6.5"
which makes your weapon a lot younger.
The 5" Outdoorsman started in the 1930's with a 6.5" coming out 1-2 years later.
It was named the 38/44.... and maybe had a HD stamp, since model numbers were not used back then.
Later on the Outdoorsman was stamped as the M20 and later the M23.
Great weapon for the times, when people were trying to improve on the old 38 special "Widow maker" load, that was standard LE issue.
Someone finally broke the mold in 1935 when the M27 in .357 was being developed.
Never owned one but they have to be a hoot to shoot......
nice find and enjoy.
|
10-31-2021, 10:50 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Liked 368 Times in 42 Posts
|
|
First range session showed some problems in the old girl. Had a FTF and a couple hard cylinder turns. I ordered new springs, looks like there was a very short (light?) return spring and the mainspring had some corrosion so I replaced them both with a Wolff type 1 main and 15# return. When dry firing after to check for function I noticed more than a little fore-aft movement in the cylinder. My smallest feeler is a 0.005 and it barely cleared with the cylinder pushed forward, and pulled back I could fit a .012. So 0.007 of end shake? I see some end shake bearings in my future.
|
10-31-2021, 11:54 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rochester, NH USA
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 1,630
Liked 4,916 Times in 1,705 Posts
|
|
Nice gun...you will work out all the issues and have a great shooter...
For whatever reason I ignored this model for a LONG time...like decades. Finally saw a post on here about them and thought they looked kinda like a skinny barreled 58...so I found one made in 1952 (same as me) and got it for a very reasonable price off GB...
Shooting the 357156 with 6.0 grains of Unique runs 1130 from the 4" barrel... Buffalo Bore has the 158 grain Outdoorsman solid and 158 LSWC-HP that are both doing in the upper 1100s and safe in everything from a steel frame snubbie and up... It is the only .38 Special ammo I would ever consider carrying...
Bob
This one was carried a little but not shot at all... Last pic is with a 1952 Pre-27 that was shipped on the day I was born 50 miles away.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
