I have been lusting for an older non lock .38 spl. I want an older revolver mainly because I like the attention to detail the older guys gave them before everything went hurry up and get it out the door. I will only be using this with lighter wadcutter bullseye loads in informal target shooting. I just don't know what would be the best model. I do know I'll be wanting a 5 or 6" barrel. So I'm soliciting any and all opinions on which would be the best gun to look for within a reasonable price range. Not looking for a collector grade safe queen, but an every day shooter. Locally the only used guns I can seem to find available are .357's and I already have 2 of those. So please tell me your opinion on what model 38spl and why you think it would serve me best.
Thanks.

Getting a 5 or 6 inch is harder than obtaining a 4" model. If you said 4" I'd send you straight to a Model 10; they're not hard to find.

Model 14, nuff said.

+1 for the 14.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Hey Pat, how bout this. Mod-14s are cheap to buy. Aint that a hoot.
Best choice, go the money, and be happy.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

another nod for the 14

the only used guns I can seem to find available are .357's and I already have 2 of those.


you do realize you can shoot WC .38 ammo in a .357 with little/ no loss in accuracy?

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Science plus Art

There are good choices of other brands in both .38 Special and .357. But the S&W Model 14/pre-Model 14 will probably be less expensive than equivalent target-model Colts having 6" barrels such as the OMT and OMM. But as stated, have you tried .38 WCs in your .357s?

In all honesty, you can never have enough K38 Masterpieces/Model 14s! I have one (a 3T) for bullseye, and one with the service trigger and hammer with a set of Hogue Monogrips for PPC and my night stand revolver. I need to get another for the single action kit in my parts box!

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Judge control not gun control!

M&P, Model 10, or an old 38/44...or even, dare I say, Colt Official Police (gulp).

Get a 6" model 19 or a 6" model 66 or a 6" model 28.

They are chambered for .357 magnum but will also shoot 38 spcl.

They are iconic and sought after and in the 6" versions not crazy expensive.

One more vote for the model 14.

I have two and they both shoot better than I do.

Wingmaster

I have a pre model 14 K38 Target Masterpiece and it shoots like a dream and it's one of my favorite S&W revolvers.
K38 pre Model 14

For your criteria, there's really only one choice.
A Model 14.

Give up 1" and get a Model 15. Small sacrifice for a cool, versatile revolver.

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Because of the metric system?

Except that he wants a six inch and Model 15s are hard to find in that barrel length; guess a 15-6 would work but don't see them too often.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

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Can't agree with ya there, Yoda. It isn't that hard to find an older M10 with a 5" or 6" barrel. The thing is, the OP wants to target shoot so the M14 with its adjustable sights makes more sense.



Deyomatic, we probably should dismiss the M&P / M10 due to their fixed sights. The other two you reference would tend to cost more than the OP wants to pay. So we wind up again with the M14.

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You're shy a few manners.

Another vote for the 14! This was won on G.B. August of 14. $410 insured & shipped. Myself I feel that is a lot of bang for the buck! I have shot the wadcutter loads as mentioned. Kinda like shooting a .22! (more fun, & cheaper! Bob

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I would think twice about spending lots of funds....
shoot .38 wadcutters in your .357 Magnums...you will see little accuracy improvement getting a gun with a shorter cylinder chamber....
Should you come across an old K-38, which became the Model 14, then fine. But unless you are just wanting another gun, it will give you little, if any, advantage. You might want to look for a Model 52, a .38 wadcutter semi-auto, known for accuracy,,,,,sometimes not.....but a good investment. They are more expensive but have much higher resale value. Mine was a tack-driver...once I changed the barrel.

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

I prefer shooting .38 ammo in my .38 revolvers and .357 ammo in my .357 revolvers because I don't have to clean the crud rings from the chambers in order to chamber .357 ammo later.

Of course, the OP could load .38 wadcutters in .357 brass and shoot them from his .357.

But then, we're a bunch of enablers.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

That is really beautiful, and at that price, I would have bought it. And I never really warmed up to the M14 ...

Of course it may be more practical for the OP to shoot .38s in what he already has. But I agree with shooting what's marked on the barrel. Besides, if you buy one in anywhere near the condition of Bananaman's, at anywhere near that price, you will always be able to sell it and get your money back.

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You're shy a few manners.

Model 14 for sure.

I'm sure the OP knew before he posted that he could shoot .38's through one of his .357's.

How many here wouldn't want a dedicated .44 Special, even though we already have several .44 Magnums?

Myself, I have one .357 Magnum revolver, but six .38 Specials. Over the years it's become my favorite handgun cartridge.

I love the Model 14, and that would be at the top of my list.

However, also take a look at the Colt Officer's Model Match, those are great range guns, too.

Do we see a pattern developing here?

Another vote for the Model 14.

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Eccentric old coot

A K38 Masterpiece seems in order, followed of course by a K22. There's always one more Smith just around the corner.

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Join the NRA today

I have to join the Model 14 party too. I've owned way(way) too many .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers over the years and none have been a better shooter than my 1959 Model 14, 6 inch. Got it for under $400 from a private seller with its original target stocks. Its wearing Ahrend's retro-targets in cocobolo in the photo.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence