Hi.
Long ago I did IPSC with a CZ75B, which I will have again.
Then I was able to shoot for more than 10 years and now that I have returned, I really want to start with stirring.

I have purchased a SMITH & WESSON K38 14-4 that I really like.
With it I will be able to shoot in the discipline of Central Fire (it is precision) and I wanted to see if it would help me to get started in IPSC revolver.

But I have doubts. LOL!!! not because the revolver does not fulfill its function, but because I would like to leave it only for pure precision and look for another practical shot.

That is why I appeal to your experience since I am looking at a revolver with which to start training very seriously. I'll compete, but I'm in no rush for it.
I had thought of a 14-6 (since I'm only looking for 38spl revolvers, not 357 + 38spl) but it is giving me the same feeling as with the 14-4.

I would appreciate what options you think may be appropriate.
Even if you tell me about brands that leave the S&W house, I will also contemplate them.

The minimum characteristics necessary will be the logical ones within the IPSC modality. 4 to 6 inch barrel, six shots, double action and 38spl.

Keep in mind that here we do not have all the models that you know. The market is more limited
Any opinion will be well received.

Thanks a lot.

Suggest you read carefully the current IPSC Revolver rules. In the United States, we follow USPSA rules, and the 8-shot 9mm revolver dominates Revolver Division. 6-shot minor revolvers don't have a chance here.
I notice that IPSC rules also have no limit on cylinder capacity, so the 8-shot revolvers are legal in IPSC.

__________________
Science plus Art

If you're looking for practice, not trophies, you might consider the model 15. This is a 4 inch adjustable sight gun on the same frame as the model 14. The hyphen in the 14-4/14-6 refers to production changes made by S&W. They're basically the same gun. So, any version of the model 15 would be basically the same. I believe the model 65 is the same gun in stainless. If adjustable sights aren't a must have, the model 10 or 64 (stainless) will work.

If you're considering used guns, make sure the cylinder has a gas ring on the front to make cleaning after heavy use easier. For a time, S&W went with eliminating that feature (cost cutting) before returning it. (The gas ring is a small tube press fit into the front of the cylinder to keep gunk off the yoke/cylinder area. Without it, lead particles could build up inside the front of the cylinder center bore and cause binding over time.)

If you're chasing trophies, check the smith-wessondotcom factory website for the revolvers mentioned immediately above.

Hello OKFC05

Before entering the forum I had to learn a lot about the differences in terms of competitions that exist between the USA and Spain.

I don't know there, but here, for a few years, we have to take a course to be able to practice IPSC.
When I started it wasn't necessary, but times change.
I already did and I have all the information about it.
I also know that it is more common there to practice USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge, 3 Guns and a few other modalities that there aren´t here.

I did not want to enter the forum without having a minimum basis for these possible differences, because I didn´t want to make you dizzy by requesting information that I could already obtain in advance.

True, there is no limit to the cylinder capacity in IPSC, but there is a limit to the number of shots in a row. Only 6.

That is the reason for looking for certain models. To close the fan a little, especially around 38spl.

Thank you very much for your comment.
a greeting

Hello WR Moore

Adjustable sights are essential. It is not that they are going to have to be adjusted every bit, but it does help that it can be done.

The reason I looked at 14-6 is the full lug as a "little help" since it gave a bit more weight to the front of the barrel. But, seen now, I think it's so little that I don't think it's very relevant.

The Model 15 here is quite well known, because we have domestic ASTRA and LLAMA revolvers that look very similar, in fact in some cases some parts can be interchanged between them and S&W.

A few days ago I spoke with the importer for Europe of SMITH & WESSON to ask him some questions about cylinders for moonclips and the possibility of ordering one. Since here it is not allowed to machine the cylinder as it is a fundamental part.
Putting that aside, he told me that the 64 and 67 would be discontinued at the beginning of the year. His words were: "Sad news is that for the new year we have discontineud our two 38SPL only model revolvers, model 64 and 67, you must be lucky to find one of these. Now we not build these anymore."

My intention is not to win trophies. I will compete just like I will train, just for fun and because I like it. It will be good for my physical form and to do something that I like. I only compete against myself. Although it is true that I like to improve myself and for that I like to shoot with those who do it better than me. I'm not going to be so hypocritical LOL !!!

What has surprised me a bit about your answer, but for the better, is that you have only referred to 4-inch guns.
Sorry if I ask you, do you think 4 inches is enough? because the normal thing is to see a very high percentage of 6 "and the occasional 5".

I edit because by the name of "gas ring" I didn´t recognize the piece. I know which one you mean. Thanks for the warning

Thank you very much.
Greetings

Eremita,

You were asking about models of revolvers. The model 14 is a 6 inch barreled revolver originally designed for bullseye shooting. The same gun with a 4 inch barrel is the model 15 and was originally designed for a particular division of police PPC competition. This is slightly different from the usual practice of making a particular model and having different barrel lengths available. That's why I mentioned it.

The model 686 is a .357 (will also shoot .38 Spl) with a full barrel underlug and is available with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. Has adjustable sights and is stainless. I haven't shot IPSC/USPSA in decades so don't know what's currently "with it".

The S&W website has pages of revolvers, don't know what may be available in Spain. A lot of it looks weird to me, but I'm an old fogy.

Hope this was of some help. Merry Christmas.

The Model 14 will make an excellent start for USPSA matches. Get yourself a lot of Safariland Comp III loaders and use RNL round nose lead bullets.

Practice your reloads until the become natural. Don't try to compete with the 8 shot guys, set your goals and go for it. Those extra 2 shots have changed Revolver Division.

If you weren't attached to the 14 I'd say get a 627 or a 929 and go for 8 shots. The 627 is .38/.357. Moon clips will speed up your reloads.

Here's my 929 with C-More Red Dot 12 MOA.

Attached Images

929 close up.jpg (144.9 KB, 25 views)

Thanks for that information.



All help is welcome WR Moore

About 10 years ago SMITH & WESSON made a shipment of the 6 inch 686 only for the European market and then I found out that some of them went to Brazil. That shipment was only for the 38spl. I only know two shooters in Spain who have it.

I am not considering purchasing a 357/38 because the 357 is not used at all here. To shoot and hear the PUMM, but nothing else. It is not a useful ammunition.

Currently in the SMITH & WESSON catalog there are only two options that could be interesting for me. One would be the SMITH & WESSON 929 and another the SMITH & WESSON 986 which I really like. But here we hit the price. In the USA, 986 is for about $ 1,070.00, here it is around * 2,100 ($ 2,545.47). A real madness.

That is why I am looking for cheaper options. Our regulations regarding ammunition also condition us a bit. That's why I made the decision to shoot in a lower factor for a long season and when I improve I would go to 45ACP.

But at the moment only 38spl and soon 9x19 to complement it with the semiautomatic.

Thank you very much for everything and Merry Christmas to you too.
Greetings

Hi AzShooter

At the end I will have to surrender to the evidence that, that "feeling" of leaving my 14-4 only for precision is still just nonsense of mine.

A very wise great shooter from Argentina used to say to those who were starting out "shoot with what you can, the rest will come", and I will have to listen to him.

I already got the SAFARILAND loaders, but the Comp II and covers for them of two types. To know which ones I am more comfortable with.
I take note of the type of tips you tell me.

I'm already doing some dry training.

I know the history of those two extra shots. In fact the 986 that only has one here would be a discomfort, since in IPSC you cannot shoot more than six without reloading.
That's why I only look at the six-shot ones.

Many people who have the 7 and 8 shots comment on it. Which is like driving a Ferrari through the city center at 30 kilometers per hour.

At IPSC we are all in the same condition. Only six can be fired before reloading. For that part I´m very calm ¡¡¡LOL!!!

I´m a very positive person and having to comment on the limitations that we have here doesn´t please me very much.

Not that I'm attached to Model 14 at all.
But I know what I would like.

I would like a revolver with a K or N frame, with 5 or 6 inches barrel and that only fires the 38spl, and with which I can use moonclips.

It looks like a letter to Santa Claus ¡¡¡LOL!!!

According to our regulations, revolvers can only be guided with the ammunition that is punched in the barrel. So we have a small problem with the 357magnun.
If the gun guide comes with the 357magnun we cannot buy the 38spl ammunition in the armories.

That is why I look for weapons that can be guided with the 38spl. It is not on a whim.
The 38spl ammunition can be bought in the club and shot with 357 revolvers, but it has to be fired in the same club, it cannot be taken out from there.

On the other side, if the weapon is only with the 38spl the question changes. I can already buy it wherever I want.

Just to the colleague I responded to before I mentioned the inconveniences of buying the 929 and the 986 here. In fact, the national importer said he was not going to bring them and when I contacted the European importer, he was not very helpful either.
I have valued a European gunbroker, but not for those two revolvers.
I even wrote to TAURUS, but that was two weeks ago and they still haven't responded.

All this that I have written makes me agree with you. I will take advantage of the 14-4 and as far as it goes. In the end what matters is the usual, having fun.

Thank you very much for your suggestions, which makes perfect sense.
Greetings AzShooter

Attached Images

	Cargadores rapidos 02.jpg (66.0 KB, 26 views)
	Cargadores rapidos 01.jpg (56.7 KB, 23 views)
	Cargadores rapidos 04.jpg (109.6 KB, 23 views)
	S&W K38 Model 14-4 035.jpg (55.0 KB, 26 views)

Outside of the gun range, if you possess both a 38 and a 357, could you put the 38 cartridges “accidentally” into the 357?

Hi 3rdgeargrndrr

It doesn't necessary that to be "accidentally" LOL !!!

It can be done quietly, but it is not "practical" for several reasons. Here the 357magnun is not a "useful" ammunition, on the contrary it brings many inconveniences, especially bureaucratic ones.

Here you should not be able to shoot 38spl in 357 revolvers, but at the shooting ranges it is allowed if you buy the ammunition at the shooting range itself.

If your weapon is the 357magnun in the armories they do not sell you the 38spl. Is the law.

So my search is a bit "special". Although I honestly do not like to abuse. I try to find everything on my own, but in the USA you handle more information than we have here, and swimming in it is not easy sometimes.

For that I appreciate both your patience and the information you offer me.

Thank you very much 3rdgeargrndrr

Greetings