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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 05-01-2012, 03:25 AM
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Hi,

I'm really digging my model 17 with the long barrel. It's a sweet range gun. That long barrel reaches out and touches the target at 25 yards. The sights and trigger are great. By the way, what's that trigger generally set to? I don't have a scale, I'm thinking it's around 3 pounds. Whatever it is...it's sweet.

I'd like to get another really nice target revolver. I'm open to other calibers. I just want something with a trigger as nice as the M17 and good sights too.

What do you guys suggest I look for?

Thanks,
Dave

And photos...got to have photos...


I do like the target grips on this bad boy.










There's a 6" M17 in nice shape that I could pick up for a fair price. I think it's a 17-3. Is there a big difference in trigger pull and all that good stuff if it didn't come with the target upgrades?

I do have a 686 with a trigger job from Clark and upgraded sights...but I'm not nearly as accurate with it compared to the K22. This is about the best I could do with it from 25 yards...offhand...on this 8" target.



Thanks,
Dave

Last edited by Super Dave; 05-01-2012 at 03:27 AM.
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Old 05-01-2012, 04:23 AM
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I only have one at the moment, and while the finish is a bit worn, everything else works just fine, and that is my Smith Outdoorsman in .38 Special, but these guns were built to handle the .38-44 loads, basically the forerunner of the .357 Magnum. All of these targets were shot one handed (suffering through an injury so I do my best)

















I also owned a 686 with an 8 3/8 inch barrel that was a delight to shoot, but if you want a serious target gun, PM me and I will tell you where a Model 29 .44 Magnum Silhouette gun is. It has a 10 inch barrel from the factory and an adjustable front sight along with the rear. Very reasonable too.
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Old 05-01-2012, 05:30 AM
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I have a long barrel K38 that's very good,and don't forget the Dan Wessons, they are VERY accurate.
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Old 05-01-2012, 08:27 AM
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There are a lot of great S&W target revolvers, and of course you already have one in your model 17. You can't go wrong with a model 14 (or earlier K-38) in .38 special, which are plentiful and can be had for a reasonable price. I personally like the K frame .32's, but they are harder to find and more expensive. My favorites are this model 16-3 and these 16-4's, low recoil and very accurate, just a pleasure to shoot.
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Old 05-01-2012, 10:05 AM
Shooting4life Shooting4life is offline
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The most accurate handgun you can buy is a freedom arms. Here is a picture of fa 252 that is previously owned. Frame was designed for 454 casual, though the 22 cylinder still only held 5 rounds. Chambers were so tight you had to seat the round with a wooden rod. With a 12 power scope I saw a group shot under 1 inch at a 100 yards with this gun.
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Old 05-01-2012, 10:06 AM
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A few years ago I found and bought a 625-2. I'd never owned a .45 ACP revolver. I'd never thought much about them. I bought it with no real idea what I'd use it for. I didn't expect more than typical results from it when I first took it to the range. To say I was shocked by the results would be a gross understatement. That 625 has turned out to be the most accurate revolver I've ever owned excluding .22 LR revolvers. With care one can keep 50 rounds inside the 10 rings of a Silhouette target at 25 yds. fired off-hand from a Weaver stance. At 50 long steps I've been able to hit scrap steel railroad plates time after time after time firing off-hand.
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Old 05-01-2012, 10:28 AM
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I just got this one a Model 48

I was pleasantly surprised by how precise it is.
I didn't expect much from a .22 mag.
Perhaps wrongly

Target was only 10 yards but with someone more capable than I tend to be
could be a real tack driver




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Old 05-01-2012, 10:58 AM
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I have an 8 3/8" Model 14, with the Single Action Only hammer and trigger and a light rebound spring.

If ever a gun was made for 25 yard Bullseye matches, with .38 WC rounds, this is it.

I swapped out the wood target grips for a set of period correct no medallion Large Pachmayrs, for maximum grip and control one-handed. I figured I would set the gun up for serious target shooting, and the finish damage takes it out of "collectible" status anyway.
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Old 05-01-2012, 11:32 AM
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Just about every Smith revolver made with adjustable sights could be called a "target revolver" with more than a little justification.

My 6" Model 686 gave me a "best" target recently - standing at 25 yards:



Either of my 625's (a 4" Model 625-8 JM Special and a 5" Model 625-6 model of 1989):





Here is my 6½" Model 624:



When you have a fine revolver like most Smiths are, the performance will be determined by the ability of the shooter.

My recommendation would be to pick a caliber that is especially useful (or desirable) to YOU. Then just pick whichever adjustable sighted Smith revolver that best supports that caliber and you should be good to go.

Keep in mind that you will NEVER shoot to YOUR potential until you reload your own ammo and better yet cast your own bullets. Unless you are independently wealthy, you will not be able to shoot as much as you need to do your best.

It just flat takes "trigger time". With most of us, that means a LOT of trigger time (but that is good, no?).

Dale53
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Old 05-01-2012, 11:44 AM
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Dale I'm glad you don't shoot my revolvers
Then I'd know how much I let them down
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Old 05-01-2012, 12:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stantheman86 View Post


I have an 8 3/8" Model 14, with the Single Action Only hammer and trigger and a light rebound spring.

If ever a gun was made for 25 yard Bullseye matches, with .38 WC rounds, this is it.

I swapped out the wood target grips for a set of period correct no medallion Large Pachmayrs, for maximum grip and control one-handed. I figured I would set the gun up for serious target shooting, and the finish damage takes it out of "collectible" status anyway.
+1 on the Model 14 in 8 3/8 inch barrel.
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Old 05-01-2012, 12:23 PM
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Trigger pull: Most S&Ws come with SA trigger pulls in the 3-lb. range, and some as low as 2 1/2. I have some previously owned revolvers that came to me tuned to the 1 to 1 1/2 pound level, but that feels a little too light for comfort.

Clearly a lot of people can work wonders with a K-38, and the long tube on those seems to confer a distance benefit. But I find that in .38 Special I'd really rather shoot an N-frame, and the .38/44 Outdoorsman (either the transitional model or the Pre-23) is a fine distance hitter. All that steel out there at the end of my arm seems to act like a mass damper and suppress the effects of arm tremors. That's my theory, at any rate. I certainly shoot heavier guns better than light ones. Even my short-barrel N-frames sometimes give me accuracy better than I can achieve with a lighter-frame long-barrel gun. I'm thinking in particular of a PC 627 with a 2 5/8" barrel.
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Old 05-01-2012, 01:15 PM
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8 3/8" 629 DX...out of the box- 2"@50 yds.

My 6" 16-4 is really sweet. I seem to do best with longer full-lug barrels. Allthough I have a 2nd model 44spl (convertered to target) that can put all 6 touching at 15yds.
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Old 05-01-2012, 01:41 PM
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Since you didnt mention it had to be a S&W my vote is for a Freedom Arms .22
When the "dope bag" tested them many years ago they reported this revolver was the most accurate .22 handgun they ever tested, bar none. And that included single and semi auto's designed for Olympic competition.
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Old 05-01-2012, 01:50 PM
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My 6" Security Six has served me well and is very accurate.

I don't have one of the "new" SP101's in .22LR but it may be a good option too with the new fiber optic front site and all.
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Old 05-01-2012, 02:47 PM
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The only target revolver that i have any experience with is the s&w model 60 .357 magnum with a 3 inch barrel its a nice little gun.
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Old 05-01-2012, 03:10 PM
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Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm at work now so I'll have to look into all these cool models later.
I do have a quick quetions on the Freedom Arms. I had considered one of those...kind of pricey...but the thing that turned me off was it looked like the grip was designed for one hand. I shoot with two hands. Does that type of cowboy grip style work with two hands?
Thanks,
Dave
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Old 05-01-2012, 03:22 PM
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Here are both my 8 3/8" barreled S&W's. Both are tack drivers. If it were me, I'd go after a Model 14. They're as sweet as they come.

Note - This is a little heretical, especially here, but Colt Officer Model Match revolvers are also an excellent choice.
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Old 05-01-2012, 03:39 PM
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A S&W Model 25 in 45 ACP would go nicely with your Model 17. Here's my Model 25 no dash, made in 1957:



If you want a really cool old-school target revolver, try a Colt Shooting Master:



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Old 05-02-2012, 03:39 AM
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Wow, great stuff.

I would definately like to try a Model 14 at some point. But, the cost of ammo would take the fun out of it. I'm looking at $25 a box for some generic .38s on Oahu.

So, I best stick with the guilt free .22.

How would a Colt Officer Model Match .22 compare to my target S&W M17 in feel and trigger pull? Are they equals?

Is the Colt Officer Model Match a higher grade revolver than a standard Model 17 (without target sights, hammer, grips)?

I wouldn't mind branching out and trying something different.

Thanks,
Dave
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Old 05-02-2012, 07:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Super Dave View Post
Wow, great stuff.

I would definately like to try a Model 14 at some point. But, the cost of ammo would take the fun out of it. I'm looking at $25 a box for some generic .38s on Oahu.

So, I best stick with the guilt free .22.

How would a Colt Officer Model Match .22 compare to my target S&W M17 in feel and trigger pull? Are they equals?

Is the Colt Officer Model Match a higher grade revolver than a standard Model 17 (without target sights, hammer, grips)?

I wouldn't mind branching out and trying something different.

Thanks,
Dave
If you want to stick with a 22LR I'd get a Model 18 with 4 inch barrel or Model 17 with 6 inch barrel.
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Old 05-02-2012, 11:37 AM
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If you don't have a M41, I highly recommend it. While not the revolver you are looking for, it is one nice target gun. I have a M17 and a M617 and while I like them both, I am a better shot with the 41. I think its due to the grip, which just plain fits me better than a revolver grip.

kas
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Old 05-02-2012, 11:50 AM
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So, I best stick with the guilt free .22.

That's why I only bumped you to a .22 mag...LOL
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Old 05-02-2012, 02:31 PM
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Right on guys. I appreciate the good advice.
Yea, I want one of those M41's too.
Just when I was content...I had to start thinking about what I don't have.
Human nature I suppose.
Back to work now...
Dave
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Old 05-02-2012, 03:16 PM
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625-4 I'll be picking her up in the next week or so. I have pretty high hopes that she'll be quite the tack driver. Not quite sure yet what mods have been done aside from the sights and cylinder latch.

I've never heard a bad thing about any of the 625s but I'm pretty happy to have found one pre-lock/MIM.
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Old 05-02-2012, 09:20 PM
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How about.a 6in.mdl.34-1 or a mdl.35 6in.
Dick
6in.34-1
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Old 05-03-2012, 10:44 AM
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Your 686 should shoot better than that. My 6" 686 all stock but a slightly smoothed trigger will shoot into about 2" at 25 yds. Perhaps you need some handloads "tuned" to your gun. Mine likes my 38 spec load of 4.9 gr. 231 behind a 158 gr. RNFP and sparked with a Fed primer. Load is right out of the old Lyman cast bullet handbook as most accurate load with that bullet. (and it is).
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Old 05-03-2012, 05:30 PM
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I agree with you Richard on the 686. I don't know what it is with that gun but I've never warmed up to it. It's accurate when bench rested. Off hand I just can't seem to get right with it. It's been like that since day one...and I invested in new grips, trigger job and new sights and still can't seem to warm up to it. I should probably sell it.

The 686 was my first wheel gun. I thought that maybe I just wasn't cut out for revolvers. That's why I was so stoked with the model 17.

Anyway, I appreciate all the ideas.

Dave
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Old 05-03-2012, 06:29 PM
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What do the K-38 14-4's go for these days, say if they have the original box, manual etc?
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Old 05-04-2012, 01:05 AM
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What's the difference between the target sights and the non target sights on the Model 17's?

Do the full target models have a sweeter trigger pull than the non target models? Thanks,
Dave
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Old 05-04-2012, 09:23 AM
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Default My bullseye target revolvers



From the top are a Model 17 tuned by the Performance Center; a Model 16 converted to 38 Special by Hamilton Bowen; a Model 625 by the Performance Center; and a Model 625 with only a little work done by a friend of mine (S&W trained). The top two and the one at the bottom I use regularly in 2700s (shooting low- to mid-2500's) but the 625 PC I'm still working up a load for. Interestingly, that gun is one of the first 100 JM guns built. All the grips are Nill Hemphill PPC grips. They work the best for me since I shoot DA for all sustained fire strings.
Keith

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Old 05-04-2012, 09:52 AM
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Wow, I usually come away from this forum feeling pretty good but, this thread is beginning to hurt my feelings. I'm happy to put all six on an 8" plate at 25 yards. Maybe it's my old eyes.

Here's one of my favorites for target shooting, a model 1950 shipped in 1955
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Old 05-04-2012, 11:53 AM
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That one has me green DGT
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Old 05-04-2012, 12:00 PM
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Thanks weatherby, I'm not sure if I own it or it owns me
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Old 05-04-2012, 04:43 PM
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What's up with those long barrels?

When I want to deliver a grouping at 25 yards I reach for this bad boy:



The venerable Bobcat 22 LR with a 2" barrel!

Oh wait...did I say 25 yards? I meant 25 FEET. Or was that INCHES?
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Old 05-04-2012, 05:53 PM
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"Cannon" barrels rock!
Model 48-2 full target 8-3/8"bbl in .22 WMRF, with model 17-2 6"bbl .22LR, also full target.



Model 57-1 with 8-3/8"bbl .41mag, full target

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Old 05-04-2012, 07:56 PM
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Here are a couple of mine:

A 1955 Target produced in 1955. It was wearing a cheap set of fake ivory grips when I bought it. I installed the S&W retro targets seen here. The throats slug out at .4555" but it still shoots better than I do.

The second is a K38 that dates to 1952. The picture says it all.

Both still get regular work outs, especially the K38. If only I could consistently shoot to their potential...
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Old 05-04-2012, 09:51 PM
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Never shot bullseye with a revolver. Silhouettes were another matter.
My 17-4 did just fine at the IHMSA rimfire revolver matches back in the day.
It could really slam the little rams at 100 meters.

Its 29-2 wasn't too shabby either. It finally began to suffer from 1000s of heavy loads so it went back home last year for a rejuvenation. Note that I had changed the front sight over to a patridge so both guns sighted the same.

Here they are, along with their Model 14 cousin "practice" gun, all dressed up for their family portrait:


Back in the day, they all wore plain Pachs as their "working" stocks.
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  #39  
Old 12-18-2012, 01:27 AM
TheTinMan TheTinMan is online now
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Like "Dennis the B" I'm not trying to be rude, but this 1960 Colt Officers Model Match has the best trigger pull and accuracy of any handgun I have ever shot:

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  #40  
Old 12-18-2012, 08:12 AM
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steamloco76 steamloco76 is offline
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I have a real soft spot for quality .22 LR revolvers. Pre-17's, 17's, 18's, 34's, 617's, Ruger Single-Six's. For pure shooting fun in a S&W I humbly submit my recommendation The Model 617-6 ten shot, four inch. Yes, I know it has the stupid lock, however in thousands of rounds I have not had any issues. The factory trigger has smoothed into near perfection and the revolver is more accurate than several other K-22's in my safe.
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  #41  
Old 12-18-2012, 10:26 AM
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jaymoore jaymoore is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Super Dave View Post
What's the difference between the target sights and the non target sights on the Model 17's?

Do the full target models have a sweeter trigger pull than the non target models? Thanks,
Dave
1)Probably a bit late (Super Dave hasn't been to the site since August!), but all the adjustable rear sights on S&Ws since WWII have been essentially the same. (With exceptions in numerous small details!) About the only thing your eye will notice is whether it's a "white outline" rear notch, or plain black. The front sights have a little more visible variations, but most Model 17s have a patridge front blade, just like yours. A Model 18 would have a ramp type front sight.

2)As far as factory trigger pulls go, it's completely random! Try it before you buy it. A snubby J-frame can have a better trigger than a "target model anything".

The triggers themselves will vary in width and may be grooved or smooth. Some target models come with a trigger stop, but I've found them ineffectual.
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Old 12-18-2012, 10:53 AM
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If you wanted a matched set in terms of balance and weight get a Model 14 with 8 3/8 inch barrel. In the 50's and 60's the Model K38/14 was used a lot by competition shooters and S&W made the Model 17 to have the same weight and balance so that these shooters could practice with less expensive 22LR ammo.

Model 17-4


Model 14-4

Last edited by fyimo; 12-18-2012 at 11:05 AM.
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  #43  
Old 12-18-2012, 11:24 AM
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Most any of the Dan Wesson's from the Monson Mass.
plant or the CZA factory.
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