I have the opportunity to purchase an '80's PPC revolver built by Royce Weddle. Though I know next to nothing about PPC, I enjoy S&W revolvers and am wondering if this would make a fun range gun. Through basic internet searches, I discovered Mr. Weddle was a top competitor and a great pistolsmith as well. It follows the pattern of the three or four S&Ws built by him that I've found info. on; Douglas bull barrel, Aristocrat sight rib, DAO trigger, and in this case, built on a S&W 13-1.

Without knowing the round count, I'm wondering what kind of “issues” a revolver like this is likely to have. I've read here about a member who owns a similar Weddle built S&W that seems to need “constant trips to the smith” in order to keep ticking. If he doesn't reply to this post, I may contact him via PM, but am hesitant since wasting my time contacting another member who hasn't bothered to respond.

What's likely to go out of tune, and how hard would it be to fix it myself? I'm pretty sure this is going to involve timing, something I haven't done or even researched.

Assuming cast lead bullets, what kind of life can be expected of such a barrel while still maintaining decent accuracy for informal target shooting? Are they usually set up for a particular load, or would I be able to shoot any .38spl?

How do these compare, weight and balance-wise, to a 6” 686 shooting .38spl.?

Any other pros or cons?

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful info.

I would go for it in a heart beat. The workmanship alone is worth the price. A like Performance Center heavy-barreled revolver would cost high $$$$$.

As to wearing out the barrel, a police PPC shooter named Paul Weston wrote a book on shooting (tips) and he used a 6" tuned Colt Python with .38 lead loads. He estimated he shot over 50,000 rounds through that Python and he then sent it back to Colt for a check-up, requesting a new barrel be put on. Colt advised him that he did not need a new barrel; his current barrel's bore was simply "polished." I can't remember the exact title of the book, but I read that and I was amazed....and that was way back when......

So......get it and have fun shooting it.

As far as timing issues that may occur, Smith & Wesson revolvers are easier to work with than other revolvers. I would not worry about that.

TAKJR

A Douglas bull barrel, shot with lead bullets, might last maybe 500,000 rounds, then would probably only need to have the muzzle re-cut, or maybe the forcing cone cleaned up. Only thing that would cause numerous trlips to the gunsmith would be a trigger job that is too fine and needed constant attention. Put a standard trigger job on it and shoot it another 20 years. It may need a new hammer or trigger depending on what has been don to it. I'd buy it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thank you both for the feedback.

I forgot to ask, since it only hit me after I'd posted...

Even though the .38spl chambering is most common, was it normal for such specialized revolvers to be chambered in .357Mag also? I don't see why anyone would have it chambered in .357, but the cylinder appears to be longer (after all, it is built on a M13), and the seller hasn't found a caliber stamp, which I find strange.

Thanks again,
MG-70

There were a number of competitors who shot customized Kframe .357's, but I am not aware of any that shot magnum loads during competition. I do know people who loaded .357 casings to warm .38 special levels, mostly to prevent building up a ring in the cylinder and, frankly, just because they wanted to.

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Even older, even crankier....

There could be a zillion reasons, any of which would have been sufficient, even though otherwise it would not be logical to bother with a .357 chambered wadcutter gun. I bet it would be decent for hunting, too.

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NHI, 10-8.

Thanks for the added info.!