This is just a question I was curious about. I have a model 14-2 and I wondered how it's accuracy compared to some of the current day guns like the 1911. I can find people that test the new guns from sandbags and some (Baer) even have guarantees on cluster sizes at 25 and 50 yards but I was just wondering how that compares to the old Targetmaster K 38. Has anyone tried to test theirs from sandbags or other supports at these distances? Using what ammo?

Like I said, I was just curious.

My model 14, with 30 years of bullseye shooting, still will shoot 1" at 25yd with my handload wadcutters.
At one time, I could do that in competition, but now I need a rest to keep them that close.
Revolvers tend to be more accurate than same-priced semi-autos, IMHO. There is an advantage to having the sights mounted on a fixed barrel.

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Science plus Art

The K38 and Model 14 were a revolver used in competition for a long time 40 years ago and earlier and S&W made them as accurate as they could. It would be hard to say if they are is accurate as other guns and especially in the case of very expensive guns built for competition as that could vary by gun even within one make or custom builder.

Not sure that helps

With the right ammo I think that less that 1 inch at 25 yards is pretty well guaranteed. In fact with one that has been tuned up a bit an inch at 50 yards is probably within reason. The big problem is actually shooting to this level.

That is NOT at all as easy as it sounds. I got the itch once to see just what my tensioned barrel model 620 could do and after 2 months of twice weekly practice the best I could do with a handgun scope and off a sandbag rest was 4 shots into 7/8 inch at 50 yards. ANY error in trigger release or recoil management shows up as a big fat flyer at these ranges and handguns are just BRUTAL for revealing any flaw in these areas.

If in decent shape it should hold 3" or less @ 50yds . 1" @ 25yds I'd sure like to see . Slow twist on factory barrels works better with the shorter 158 RN or SWC . A 148 HBWC needs a faster twist to not keyhole @ 50yds . 38 special like 45 acp ball is pretty much limited to 3" @ 50 yds . That's why in earlier days the faster Colt barrels were often mated to S&W revolvers . I've a 1960 vintage Colt Officers Model Match that'll out group any S&W I've ever shot @ 50 yds . I do have a pre 23 38/44 that'll come close though .

Yes, my cast DEWC hold together much better than the HBWC I've tried in my model 14, even at 25yd. When I first noticed that, many years ago, I thought it must be something wrong with my loading, since so many said the HBWC was the ultimate accuracy bullet. As you noted, I finally decided it must be a stability issue.

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Science plus Art

Even my Model 52 has the 1 in 18 3/4 twist . Granted bore is .3555 so it even shows bullet tipping @ 50 yds . PPC guns are built with twist as fast as 1 in 10 . I'd try the old H&G 78 flat base button nose WC @ around 800fps . It's shorter & pushed a little faster usually shows good accuracy . That vintage gun would probably shoot the 158 RN best .

Most model 14's are capable of shooting as good if not better fifty yard groups than the autos- I shoot a better score with my beater model 14 ( cost under 300 bucks ) than I do with my les Baer hardball gun. My average bullseye course score is I the low 260's with 158 round nose ammo. Not spectacular but not much less than guys who have 3 grand into an auto with mags scope mount and red dot. As I age my affinity for simplicity keeps me with the revolver. No mag issues no chasing brass

A good 14-2 is more accurate than 95% of us can shoot and the other 5% are probably liars.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Well stated.

I can get my 14 no dash to shoot 1.5 to 2 inches at 25 yards off a simple rest. If I've been shooting very often, the groups can get close to 1 inch. If I haven't shot much, well it gets a bit ugly at first. The old 14 favors 158 grain LSWC with 4.5 grains of Unique. It keyholes with HBWCs. Shoots DEWCs just fine.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

It will outshoot those run of mill 1911's and probably all of the plastic autos. Still considered the revolver for bullseye shooters.

My 14 with a 8 3/8" wil shoot 1" at 25 yards with LSWC's if I am up to it, but these days the old eyes are the problem.

Ya don't see many Grocks on the line in Bullseye matches.

I've been amazed many times how my 14 shoots the current 'gunshop standard' these days, the 130 gr. FMJ. Incredible.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

There have been many trophies won and lots of money won with a model 14.