I hope some one here can help with what I believe to be a K-38 muzzle brake. It belongs to a friend of mine who has asked me to see if we can get a idea of what the price range would be so I can post it on the sale board.
I tried a search but it only turned up pictures, no prices.
It is aluminum, has fine scratches from storage but has never been used.
It looks nicer than in the pictures. Thank you for any help.

These were made by S & W for both the K-38 and 1955 (.45 ACP) target revolvers. Unfortunately, some very convincing replicas were also made - someone may be able to tell from your photos whether this one is factory original. If original, I think about $100-150.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Certainly no expert, only seen a couple of these over the years. From the photo I'd say it look proper, but again that's just from my limited experience.
As to price, the K38 version seems to be seen less often than the larger 45acp version, and prices seem to be in the range that murphydog indicates.

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.............SmithNut

A couple of months ago I bought one of those from Numrich (Numrich Gun Parts Corporation) for about $30 -- part 955050. It's labeled Smith & Wesson but has a slotted rather than hex-driver screw head. I don't know how you would tell if it was original or a counterfeit.

Fits only wide-rib K-38, as I recall.

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David Wilson

I am not sure any replicas were ever made. I think the ones Numrich has are probably from a parts/inventory dump that S&W makes every few decades or so.

I have seen them with both slotted and allen screws. I have had many 45's thru the years, but had never seen the 38 till a few years back. Within a couple of years of seeing my first 38 brake, I found out Numrich had them. This also makes me think they got them in a parts dump. I don't believe someone would tool up to make such a limited sale item, and sell it for $30.

The anodizing on all I have seen has always been a perfect match to the S&W color and texture. The "Smith & Wesson" varies in size and depth through the years- typical of S&W.

I have never seen one, but one member here has one in 32 cal for the K-32.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I believe Lee is absolutely correct about them being old stock. I found them buried in the GPC catalog a couple years ago and bought a number of them. They were selling on ebay between $80-$125 at the time. Some were in better shape than others, they were generally dirty and one i got actually had firing residue on it. Other people started selling them (sometime more than one at a time), the counterfeit rumors started and I gave up. I saved a nicer one for myself, because I figured someday they‘ll run out. Last I checked, they had hundreds still in stock.

Why would GPC risk a trademark infringement lawsuit from S&W?

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"I also cook."

Lee and Chad;

I have one of the K-38 brakes bought from Numrich a few years ago (sometime this century, that is ), and before I bought it I was told over the phone it was a replica. Maybe he was mistaken?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thank you for the information guys. The one in the picture is from a old time S&W parts distributor. It is the .38 size.

I have a couple of the Numrich brakes and tend agree with Lee. Just doesn't seem to be enough demand or profit to be made to set up for producing these.

Has anyone actually tried using one of these and did it affect the recoil?

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John. SWCA #1586

i have a brake on a 14 with 83/8 in bbl. it does make a noticeable difference, however, it will tend to loosen after about 100 rds of wadcutters and will affect where the bullet strikes and they get lead buildup and have to be cleaned periodically. makes a difference if using swaged or cast bullets also. if i could do pics i would. btw, they only fit guns with a certain width of rib. believe it was the wider one so they can't be used on the early narrow ribbed guns.

I bought a couple from Gun Parts and have used one on my 6" Model 14. They do make a bit of a difference as far as being able to line up for the next shot a bit quicker. The one I have used, about 200 rounds with it, the bluing has started to come off a bit on the slanted portion where the port hole is located. I have seen GPC mention online that they are reproduction pieces, but, like Lee, I can't believe anyone would make new ones of these when the original didn't sell worth a damn.

My take on these is that they were the hottest thing for Centerfire Pistol shooting when single-handed, thumb-cocking of revolvers was "in" for pistol matches. If the muzzle brake is heavy then it adds additional weight up front for muzzle stability.

I have a Ruger MK II w/bull barrel with a Volquartzen muzzle brake. A .22 LR is too low powered for the "muzzle braking" action but the brake does add muzzle weight to help stabilize the front end and makes it muzzle heavy. Now on high-intensity Thompson Contender barrels and high-powered rifle barrels, a muzzle brake is beneficial.

I have an 8 3/8" Model 17 I am trying to do up as a "retro" bullseye revolver, I even paid a nice penny for some NOS single action only parts. I had thought about the muzzle brake for my 17 but have no desire to hang an appendage off my 1973 production target revolver, when all I shoot out of it is light wadcutters. To me it ruins the lines of a pretty revolver, and it's not like I actually shoot the gun in 25 yard bullseye matches where it would be any benefit. At my range, if they did have a bullseye match it would be me and a few older guys from the VFW shooting it out to win a 12 pack of Genny light.

I've had one like your picture since the '60, and used it on the " Jet ". Same markings and Hex screw. Hard to use the front sight, so you just point.