.38 Special Info

Scooter-Shooter · #1 03-13-2015, 11:11 PM

Hi, new member here. The .38 Special revolver in question was willed to me from my deceased Father-In-Law. It was his duty gun while on the police force in Pennsylvania in the 1960's and 1970's. I have no clue what model number it is as none is on the gun. I also would like to know if it would be safe to shoot +p cartridges, as they were with the gun when I received it. It seems to be in great shape and the cylinder locks up nice and tight and the barrel has no rust. A bit of wear from holster use, but it just gives it some personality.

I posted relevant pics to help identify the gun. I installed new grips so I could use a speed loader. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. I'm looking forward to getting out to shoot it since the weather is starting to warm up.

theoneff · #2 03-13-2015, 11:38 PM

Welcome to the forum. Nice handme down from your father in law. I think it is a model 14 but someone will come along with a better knowlwdge and a catalog to give you the scoop. Have fun shootin it, Theo

DWalt · #3 03-13-2015, 11:46 PM

K231,256 – K266,154...1955 (manufacture). It likely shipped in early 1956. S&W called it the "K-38 Combat Masterpiece" (CM) at that time. A few years later, the CM became the Model 15. It looks to be very nice, and good condition CMs are always in demand. The unrelieved target grips (at least they appear to be unrelieved) shown are of the correct style for that time period, and are very desirable by themselves. If they are relieved, the relieved area will be football-shaped, and from slightly later. Most of these shipped with Magna service grips, but target grips were an available option. The CM was intended for duty use, and is essentially the service version of the "K-38 Masterpiece" revolver (later the Model 14) which was made for competitive target shooting. The most significant difference between the two was that the Masterpiece had a 6" barrel, while most CMs had 4" barrels.

No problem in using +P ammo, there's just little reason to do so. Save your money and shoot lead bullets.

Regarding your desire to use a speed loader, later K-frame target grips from 1980 onward have a relieved area specifically designed for use with speed loaders. They are not too expensive on eBay.

NickAdams · #4 03-14-2015, 02:47 AM

Dear Friends over there
At first i would like to introduce my self
Iam a Hunter from Germany and i love Firearms
As an Hunter you have the right to own two handguns
At my first place , i own a Smith mod 29 - 2 44 mag
For the second place i am searching something compact
At my Gun shop i found a Smith , it is stamped with
Mod 36 1 zoll barrel
no Dash
under this is stamped a number 28067 and B18
The serial number at the Butt end is stamped J66
I would like to know the year of Birth and all information you have
The German fellow can't help me
And is it ok to shoot +p ammo , i know of course not thousands of them but a few
I hope you can help me
Best wishes from Germany

Scooter-Shooter · #5 03-14-2015, 07:38 PM

Wow a wealth of information! Thanks for your expertise and knowledge regarding my gun. The grips are indeed "unrelieved" and a speed loader will not work with them. The new grips I installed do allow for speed loader use and are less bulky for concealed carry. See attached photo.

I will mainly use lead bullets for target shooting, but I'm glad I can use +p for carry and self defense.

JP@AK · #6 03-14-2015, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter-Shooter

The grips are indeed "unrelieved" and a speed loader will not work with them. The new grips I installed do allow for speed loader use and are less bulky for concealed carry.

The Combat Masterpiece is an absolutely wonderful handgun and yours is a dandy. As DWalt told you, this one was assembled in 1955 and still has all 5 frame screws.

It is good that you changed out the stocks before trying to use a speed loader, or even to eject many cartridges. It would be a shame to scar up those nice non-relieved stocks. They are worth a small chunk of change. I'd suggest storing them in a safe place, since eventually you may want to restore them to the gun. If, instead, you decide to sell them off, there are plenty of us who would be happy to purchase them from you.

Scooter-Shooter · #7 03-15-2015, 03:43 PM

Thanks Jack, I do have a Glock .40 cal semi auto, but there is no getting around it. There's something special about wheelguns. Especially Smith & Wesson's. I just bought a Smith & Wesson Model 69 .44 mag/special Combat Magnum this past winter, so I guess my Smith & Wesson collecting has started.

JP@AK · #8 03-16-2015, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter-Shooter

I just bought a Smith & Wesson Model 69 .44 mag/special Combat Magnum this past winter

Let me know how that works out. Basically, I have no interest in any S&W revolver made after the mid-1980s. However, I was intrigued by the introduction of an L frame chambered for the .44 Remington Magnum. I've wondered what the quality is like. Once you have a few boxes through it, let me know what you think of it.
Thanks.