I need help figuring out which grips would be the correct ones. The serial # is 1K42***. If someone could provide the answer along with pics of the correct grip style I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,

The first picture is my M14-3 with the target grips that were on it when I got it (used). The second picture is my M17-4 with magna grips.
This does not give you a definate answer on which your gun had when new but it would have been one of these.

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	FA Pictures 383.jpg (177.6 KB, 89 views)
	FA Pictures 402.jpg (172.5 KB, 68 views)

Probably the first grip pictured, often called a "football target" stock. You will generally find some listed on eBay if you are in need of a pair.

The SN indicates a 1971 ship date, and my educated guess (based on a similar new gun bought around that time in my family) is that it likely had Magna or service stocks with flat bottoms, like the model 17 above. A factory letter would tell you for certain but that would buy you a set of stocks .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Your piece would have had the flat-bottom magnas as std., with the "football" targets optional.

From top to bottom, the third, fourth and fifth guns in this photo are Model 14-3. The third one dates from 1971, the same as yours. It is wearing its original Magna stocks. The fourth and fifth guns from the top are factory SAO from 1973, also wearing original stocks.
For those who may be curious, the second gun from the top is a Model 14-2 that is wearing a pair of service stocks from the mid-1930s. Not exactly correct, but they feel good and the gun shoots well.


In this second picture, you can see a Model 14-3 from 1973 with its original Magnas on it. These are most likely what shipped on your gun.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

would these be numbered to the gun?

The gun came with a set of the Magnas on it and they're numbered, but don't match the serial number of the gun.

Most likely they got changed out at some point, unless they are off by only a digit or two. There have been cases where the factory shipped a revolver with incorrectly numbered stocks, but they were close in numbers and just got mixed up at assembly. It hasn't often happened, but it has shown up a time or two.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My 14-3 came to me with target stocks on it. It is a 1977 ship date. I would keep the grips that you have. If they don't feel right to you change them. If you go to the range with it, people are not going to shout out "That gun has the wrong grips on it!" Bob

Yes. Some did. The bottom two in my picture at Post #6 are Model 14-4 that came with target stocks. The bottom one with the speed loader cutout is from 1980. Earlier examples would have the "football" relief. Keep in mind that Targets would not have been numbered to the gun.

Very true!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I have a 14-3 a couple of years younger that came new with TT, TH, and TS, which was a pair of football targets. If yours has a TT and a TH, it very likely also had a TS.

I tend to agree, especially after about 1974 or 1975. The second to the bottom gun in my picture is a 14-4 that shipped in 1977. It wears its original football targets.

But earlier guns, especially dash threes, frequently shipped with TT and TH but Magna stocks. I have several in my collection with that combination of features. Both of the SAO guns in that photo letter with 2Ts and have numbered stocks on them. As I mentioned earlier, both shipped in 1973.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My 14-3 has target hammer, target grips, and standard trigger. !977. A Smith is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. Bob

Thanks to all for the replies and information.

I purchased my 14-3 brand new as a gift to my self for surviving the Vietnam conflict. I am the original owner. I ordered and received the gun with a target trigger, target hammer, target stocks and white outlined rear sight. I was told (by the dealer) that the target stocks had to be ordered separately which I did. (Made no sense to me either)

But I ordered them and they came separately . They were the foot ball cut out type. But as I look at the original Magna stocks that came with the gun - The serial number marked on the original Magna stocks no where matches the serial number of the gun. Matter of fact the number on the original stocks doesn't make any sense to me at all. Can find anything in the SCSW either.

I still have the box and it is marked for standard stocks. All other accessories TH, TT, - with the exception of the white outlining of the rear sight are marked on the box.
So may be that the sights you have on your gun really did come with it ??
With S&W ya never know........

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'I know nothing'.. Sgt. Shultz

Welcome home, friend! When I came back from my second tour, I bought myself two new Smiths - a Model 28-2 and a Model 17-3. Both are great guns and both are still in the family.

Are there ink markings on the inside? I would expect part numbers.

Can you post pictures showing both the outside and the inside?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Jack, I'll get my Brownie out and take a few shots tomorrow and send them to you. Bill

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'I know nothing'.. Sgt. Shultz