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06-27-2017, 09:59 AM
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Late model Model 14
Hi Folks,
I recently picked up a late model Model 14 from one of the auction sites. Its has a sn of K3753xx and there is a rubber stamp date on the grips that seem to indicate a MFD of 1981.
Does that sound about right to you guys.
Its a good tight machine I went to my range an put about 75 rounds down range at 25 yards, off hand bullseye style and got some good results with out ever sighting in . So I'm pleased . The trigger is great !
I was told that it was a police trade in.
Very well maintained.
I'm wondering what you all might have to say about these later Model 14's .
Do you like the cylinder to forcing cone fit ? Precision ? Feel?
I can make up my own mind about the quality of the gun, but I wonder about the general take on these 80's S&W's .
Whats the coin of common wisdom ?
I'm over here in Jersey getting my feet wet in Bullseye shooting and still have a lot to learn about these center fire guns , having spent most of my range time shooting rim fire.
Thanks, Al W
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06-27-2017, 10:30 AM
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Nope. K375xxx would be 1959. You in fact have an early model 14. You either have a Model 14 or a Model 14-1. The -1's started in 1959. It should be marked on your yoke or the frame under your yoke. If it is a 4 inch barrel you may have a Model 15. The model number on the revolver will solve the issue.
Well done.
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Last edited by Targets Guy; 06-27-2017 at 10:32 AM.
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06-27-2017, 10:53 AM
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I have an early (14-1, 4 screw) and a later (14-4) that I love. My 14-4 is a 3T Model, which I use for bullseye matches. My 4 screw has the standard service trigger and hammer, which I use for PPC.
With light loaded 148gr HBWC, both revolvers are unnervingly accurate. I usually load hard cast 150gr button nose wadcutters for bullseye, and I am extremely happy.
If your's is a early Model 14, it could be a 4 screw. The 4 screw has three sideplate screws (none at the top near the rear sight) and the fourth is angled in front of the trigger guard. If you have a revolver with the service trigger and hammer, you are in for a delight if you can find a target trigger and hammer.
In my opinion, one can never have enough K38s.
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06-27-2017, 12:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Targets Guy
Nope. K375xxx would be 1959. You in fact have an early model 14. You either have a Model 14 or a Model 14-1. The -1's started in 1959. It should be marked on your yoke or the frame under your yoke. If it is a 4 inch barrel you may have a Model 15. The model number on the revolver will solve the issue.
Well done.
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The frame states model 14 below the sn.
The yoke has another number 5128x below which is an upper case M which has a number 4 below and to its right.
I'm amazed that this is a 59'. Its very clean apart from a ding or 2. I went over it over the last couple of days.
I was told it was a police trade and had been used primarily as a dress gun. A retirement liquidation .
Guess my instincts were good. The seller was an arms dealer in Ky . that must process tons of product . They had no Idea of the age. My FFL thought it was possibly 70's .
So, interesting. Its a good gun. When I sight it in I can tell its going to reward me.
Its also going to force me to hand load if I want to keep shooting it unless I want to go broke.
Thanks for the info.
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06-27-2017, 12:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrrifleman
I have an early (14-1, 4 screw) and a later (14-4) that I love. My 14-4 is a 3T Model, which I use for bullseye matches. My 4 screw has the standard service trigger and hammer, which I use for PPC.
With light loaded 148gr HBWC, both revolvers are unnervingly accurate. I usually load hard cast 150gr button nose wadcutters for bullseye, and I am extremely happy.
If your's is a early Model 14, it could be a 4 screw. The 4 screw has three sideplate screws (none at the top near the rear sight) and the fourth is angled in front of the trigger guard. If you have a revolver with the service trigger and hammer, you are in for a delight if you can find a target trigger and hammer.
In my opinion, one can never have enough K38s.
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This is a 3 screw with target grips and the target hammer and trigger. Its an impressive gun. I'm still rather shocked that the sn dates it to 59'. Thats a surprise . It may be that the hammer , trigger and grips were a later addition because as I said there is a ink stamp with the date Dec. 1981 on the inside of the right grip and a ball point on the left that is marked 14-4.
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06-27-2017, 01:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al W.
The frame states model 14 below the sn.
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These statement are contradictory. The serial number does point to 1959. Both the Model 14 and the Model 14-1 were four screw guns. The cylinder stop plunger retaining screw in the front of the trigger guard did not go away until 1961, with the advent of the Model 14-2. On your revolver, there should be three screws in the sideplate and one in the front of the trigger guard - hence, a four screw frame.
Quote:
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It may be that the hammer, trigger and grips were a later addition because as I said there is a ink stamp with the date Dec. 1981 on the inside of the right grip and a ball point on the left that is marked 14-4
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I don't know about the hammer and trigger; they could easily be original. But the stocks are definitely a later addition. Your gun would have shipped with diamond Magna stocks (likely) or diamond target stocks (possible). By the time the Model 14-4 came on the market, the diamond was long gone.
If you post pics, all will become clear. A good photo from the side will quickly demonstrate whether it is a 14 or a 14-1, and the identity of the stocks will also become obvious.
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06-27-2017, 02:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK
These statement are contradictory. The serial number does point to 1959. Both the Model 14 and the Model 14-1 were four screw guns. The cylinder stop plunger retaining screw in the front of the trigger guard did not go away until 1961, with the advent of the Model 14-2. On your revolver, there should be three screws in the sideplate and one in the front of the trigger guard - hence, a four screw frame.
I don't know about the hammer and trigger; they could easily be original. But the stocks are definitely a later addition. Your gun would have shipped with diamond Magna stocks (likely) or diamond target stocks (possible). By the time the Model 14-4 came on the market, the diamond was long gone.
If you post pics, all will become clear. A good photo from the side will quickly demonstrate whether it is a 14 or a 14-1, and the identity of the stocks will also become obvious.
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I didn't think it was a 59'. I think its and 81' which would be more consistent with its condition. but here are pics. http://attachment.php?attachmentid=2...1&d=1498586608
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06-27-2017, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK
These statement are contradictory. The serial number does point to 1959. Both the Model 14 and the Model 14-1 were four screw guns. The cylinder stop plunger retaining screw in the front of the trigger guard did not go away until 1961, with the advent of the Model 14-2. On your revolver, there should be three screws in the sideplate and one in the front of the trigger guard - hence, a four screw frame.
I don't know about the hammer and trigger; they could easily be original. But the stocks are definitely a later addition. Your gun would have shipped with diamond Magna stocks (likely) or diamond target stocks (possible). By the time the Model 14-4 came on the market, the diamond was long gone.
If you post pics, all will become clear. A good photo from the side will quickly demonstrate whether it is a 14 or a 14-1, and the identity of the stocks will also become obvious.
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I did not include the trigger guard screw , so this is 4 screw. I sent some pics that the moderator hasn't released yet. so all will be clear eventually.
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06-27-2017, 05:29 PM
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Heres that model 14
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06-27-2017, 05:43 PM
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Very nice K38. Your grips are from a later era. Sit back and enjoy, you will love shooting it. The old recipe that K38s love is 2.8gr Bullseye under a 148gr HBWC. It is a nice comfortable load that is consistent and you could shoot all day long!
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06-27-2017, 06:10 PM
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Great pics of a nice revolver.
This is definitely a Model 14 (not a dash 1). The extractor rod has right hand threads.
Stocks have the speed loader cut, so, as expected from your earlier posts, are much later than the gun. Nice GA wood, however.
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06-27-2017, 06:24 PM
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You did good. Great job.
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06-27-2017, 06:35 PM
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Liking it !
Had no Idea it was a 59'.
They had no information on the listing just 2 pictures and this was the only one that had the target hammer , trigger and these grips which I like.
I just got lucky.
Luck is good.
It has a very light trigger in DA.
I'll need to check that more closely .
I suppose I should do some spring upkeep next.
Have some 148 grain Wadcutter coming.
I'm having fun.
Thanks for the help dating the gun. 
Shot some L league tonight and after the match took out this model 14 put it in a bench rest and shot a bullseye even after strip cleaning the sights and zeroing them the night before . Amazing. Shot 18 rounds . Its going to be fun to learn this gun ! Amazing !
Last edited by Al W.; 06-27-2017 at 10:34 PM.
Reason: range report
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06-28-2017, 07:40 PM
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Welcome to the FORUM!!! 14's are a fine target gun. I have a 14-3. Fun to shoot & accurate. It was quite reasonably priced. No target trigger though. With my 148gr. wadcutter handloads, it is almost like shooting a .22. Bob
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06-29-2017, 11:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bananaman
Welcome to the FORUM!!! 14's are a fine target gun. I have a 14-3. Fun to shoot & accurate. It was quite reasonably priced. No target trigger though. With my 148gr. wadcutter handloads, it is almost like shooting a .22. Bob
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Its a blast in every way.
I have ordered some 148 WC its on its way. In the interim I'm firing PPU LRN 10.2g - 158 gr.. I also have some Aguila and ran through a box of Blaser Semi Wad C.
The Blazer has been the most precise so far, but I really need to get into hand loading so I can have some actual target loads to shoot.
Wanting to shoot this gun is going to force me into hand loading. I was going to have to go that way for the 45 ACP any how I guess.
But I like a revolver. This Model 14 is motivational .
I've been shooting a semi auto 22 cal target pistol a lot and working on my target game .
This Model 14 is a big eye opener.
This is my second revolver and the first S&W.
A lifetime purchase.
I hope to shoot some good targets with it.
Thanks for the greetings.
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06-29-2017, 11:14 PM
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Al,
I have 2 K38s, and if the price were right, I would buy more. I do have a factory single action kit waiting to be installed. Just as a suggestion, I will only put lead through my K38s. I want the barrels to last as long as possible.
My -4 gets to a steady diet of 148gr swaged HBWCs and 150gr hard cast BNWC. My 4 screw gets a steady diet of 160gr RNs or SWCs. There is no sense in wearing out the rifling with jackets!
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06-30-2017, 02:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrrifleman
Al,
Just as a suggestion, I will only put lead through my K38s. I want the barrels to last as long as possible.
My -4 gets to a steady diet of 148gr swaged HBWCs and 150gr hard cast BNWC. My 4 screw gets a steady diet of 160gr RNs or SWCs. There is no sense in wearing out the rifling with jackets!
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Good suggestion. The PPU I've been shooting are all lead. Not the Aguila or Blazer.
As luck would have it I have about 1k round of the PPU.
When I have my own choice I'll load lead wad cutters .
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06-30-2017, 05:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrrifleman
I have 2 K38s, and if the price were right, I would buy more.
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I'm with you there. I have a Baker's Dozen or more, but I'll continue to accumulate them as the opportunity arises. I'm still missing two examples to have a complete set from 1947-1982.
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I do have a factory single action kit waiting to be installed
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May I ask why? Not objecting, but what is the reason? A standard DA can be fired in SA mode, so it's hard to understand why anyone would convert one, unless it is required for certain matches you participate in.
I do own two -3s that came from the factory as SAO and they are cool. But I personally would not convert one from DA.
Again, I'm just curious.
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06-30-2017, 05:22 PM
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Nice old four screw. I would change nothing but the grips.
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