A Model 14 question

[treedog61]

Ok folks, a question to make you think. Back in the mid 90’s, Roper Supply, Picayune, Mississippi owner Morgan Roper commissioned S&W to build a Model 14 because of a national shooting match taking place in Jackson, Mississippi. This Mod 14 had a 4” full underlug barrel, recessed crown, with a pinned McGivern style front sight. I’ve been doing business with Morgan for over 30 years and spoke with him last Monday. Morgan’s words were, “we sold them across the nation, but I didn’t keep a one. I wish I had.” With that being said, has anyone ever seen the “Roper Supply 14” or do you own one? I’m really curious about this revolver.

[CALREB]

Cant remember the year 1994/1995 P/C sent them out to the LAPD/Miss HP pistol teams. Here are the 2, I have 1 from S/W and one, I honestly cant remember if I called Jim Rae and got it from him or from Roper ,but they have consecutive serial numbers, which is pretty weird or lucky. # BNW---, book shows from 1993 ? Also remember they came in a brown cardboard box,otherwise I would have kept it. I would like to know what box other have for theirs. Photo would be great.
As they came from the P/C the had a target hammer and regular (combat)? type trigger with a trigger stop. The NRA would not allow the triggerstop so we had to change out the triggers, most changed the hammer to a standard hammer at the same time,all shooting was D/A for the service gun match, also the combat stocks/grips and kept the spare parts.

A lot of guys shot L frames for the service revolver, but required different speedloaders/ loading block , which could get confusing. so this gun made it easy.


These guns are kinda odd ball because a lot of them are assembled on all kinds of frames, Ive seen several on model 19s, which looks fine and others on older model 14 frames , which you wouldn't notice except the frame is contoured away from the underlug at the bottom instead of being mated. Also I have seen pinned barrels, not original to the model. I think there was a lot of these barrels left over and people either got the barrels and had S/W put them on a gun they already owned or did it themselves. Ive seen several roundbut versions which didn't happen to the model 14 until the late 14-6s, but this was a while after these guns first came out I think, so maybe some barrels were around until then. I was always curious as to where they were all assembled at , S/W or by the distributor. Even the version on the original flyer is a roundbut, no roundbut 14s in 1995 that I saw and at that time I was working on a lot of these guns. I just checked a very early RB 6" 14 I have #CAS--- and it was from 96, so maybe late 1995. Maybe a letter would clear up things, I wonder if anyone has had 1 lettered.

They are great guns fun to shoot and very accurate. The barrels tended to lead up especially at first and you had to clean them out about every 400 rounds or so to keep 1" at 25 yard accuracy. Required load was originally 158 RN or SWC so soft lead.I never thought of polishing the barrels or anything it wasn't that big a deal.

You never see one for sale but Im a little mystified why they don't seem to have the same value as other rare revolvers. They are a very special gun .Ive always heard around 100-120 total made.

[Walter Rego]

I have heard of them and sure would like to own one. The Model 14 with the full lug and 6" barrel is too muzzle heavy for me. A 4" full lug in .38 Special would be a joy.

I do have to say that a real sleeper is the Model 15-? that were made in the late 1980's with the heavy barrel. I was with my buddy at a show a few years ago helping him spend his money and found one in near new condition. I had never seen a Model 15 with the heavy barrel as seen on Model 10's and it had a great balance to it. It was during the period of handgun shortages in the last administration when everyone wanted a hi cap plastic automatic.
The seller said "I'll let it go for $400". My buddy looked at me for approval and I said what the heck are you waiting for ? The gun shoots wonderfully.

[CALREB]

Walter, you are so right, I was shooting a 15-5 before the 4" 14s came out.
I retired that gun and a few years later added a 17-5 of the same configuration , both shoot great but now days just sit in the safe.