New to me 38/44 She's home! ** updated photos added**

[Erocksmash]

Howdy,

Welp, you read it right—I get to pick her up Thursday, and I’m excited!

I’ve always been in love with the .357, so when my local shop asked me to ID a gun, I had to have it. My #1 gun bro said, “You need to get ahold of that gun.” I dusted off my 3rd edition S&W Bible and ran up to the shop. He thought it was an old Model 10 (he's a great friend, my #2 gun bro), but I had to tell him what it really was.

He got it on pawn—some feller traded it to him for a 19X plus some cash. Now, I love Glocks, but I love S&W six-guns just a little more. I tried to beat him up on the price after telling him what I thought it’d bring, but I couldn’t get this gun out of my head. Ended up trading a PSA upper and a Mossberg 590 for it.

She’s a solid shooter-grade gun that I think will clean up pretty decent. I’m thinking about a possible refinish—maybe hard chrome, or maybe that other finish I can’t remember the name of—the one that keeps the same dull bluing look. Either way, I want her to last.

Got my boy (he’s 7 now) handloading .38s, and I think this will be a revolver he can enjoy for years.

For a proper load, I’m thinking 158-grain pills over 12 grains of 2400 in .38 Special cases (she hasn’t been punched), and call it good.

There’s just something about these old girls that speaks class to me—from a time when a man had pride in what he built.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Anything I should know about this gun? She’s got that dull finish, but the timing and lock-up are spot-on. A little end-shake, but that’s expected with her age.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Truckman]

I own a few of these Outdoorsman .38/44's, both prewar ant postwar versions, and they definitely grow on you...Congrats!......Ben

 

[The Kid]

Good find. That gun looks way too nice to refinish to me. I’d just use it as is and try to wear it out. Which is exactly what I’ve been doing with its brother for over a decade now.

A 158 over 6gr of Power Pistol makes a nice 38/44 load.

 

[Tom K]

....
She’s a solid shooter-grade gun that I think will clean up pretty decent. I’m thinking about a possible refinish—maybe hard chrome, or maybe that other finish I can’t remember the name of—the one that keeps the same dull bluing look. Either way, I want her to last.
....

Are you insane??? Why would you want to ruin the perfectly good finish that it already has?

 

[Erocksmash]

Honestly it's the picture ill get some better ones once in hand some pitting/ decient rust spots throughout

 

[Erocksmash]

Good find. That gun looks way too nice to refinish to me. I’d just use it as is and try to wear it out. Which is exactly what I’ve been doing with its brother for over a decade now.

A 158 over 6gr of Power Pistol makes a nice 38/44 load.

That's nice deffinatly looking for a set of Tyler's for her and now so stags that really makes her po

 

[22hipower]

I see a $1200 pre-23 Outdoorsman likely with the post war bright blue finish which the Standard Catalog says adds 25-50% premium. Doesn't appear to me that that would be a candidate for a refinish. Nice acquisition.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[6string]

Refinish?

Maybe you’d be happier trading it for a 627 or 686?

 

[Erocksmash]

I see a $1200 pre-23 Outdoorsman likely with the post war bright blue finish which the Standard Catalog says adds 25-50% premium. Doesn't appear to me that that would be a candidate for a refinish. Nice acquisition.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Hmm not to fimilar with any other finishs than the dull kind of blue like on a 28 and the high gloss 27 kind of finish

 

[GLL]

Erik,

The vast majority of the Outdoorsman that I have come across have at least some imperfections and minor barrel wear. Clean it up and leave it as-is. 25 years from now your son can let his own son shoot an original 100 year old .38/44 Outdoorsman !

Jerry

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. OP, lets delete the word "re-finish" from your apparently excited brain! OK. Leave her alone. You dont even have it at home yet.

 

[22hipower]

Hmm not to fimilar with any other finishs than the dull kind of blue like on a 28 and the high gloss 27 kind of finish

I can't tell for sure from the one picture but here's mine with bright blue finish. Either way, I wouldn't spend $400 to refinish it and then have a $700 refinished OD.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qXknbV https://www.flickr.com/photos/brushypondranch/

 

[Erocksmash]

Hahah alright fine no refinish!

What kind of holster should I be looking for did s&w make holster for this gun around the same era?

 

[Papa Lee]

S&W Leather Products did indeed make a holster that would fit your 38/44, but a few years later than your gun - around 1969. Look for a S&W brand holster with a fit number of "26". There are usually a few on eBay for sale.

 

[22hipower]

Hahah alright fine no refinish!

What kind of holster should I be looking for did s&w make holster for this gun around the same era?

Bianchi probably made some too, and others. However, if you want to keep it looking as good as it does now, keep it out of the holster. And if you absolutely have to put it in a holster get one that is lined.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[GLL]

El Paso Saddlery.

 

[gmborkovic]

Thank the Lord! Just the words I wanted to hear, "no refinish".

 

[Deadeye_Dan]

Hahah alright fine no refinish!

What kind of holster should I be looking for did s&w make holster for this gun around the same era?

If you are looking for a period holster, check eBay for one made by the George Lawrence Co. of Portland, Or. Sadly, theyu are gone now, but their holster charts are available online. And their holsters are still available on eBay. To the best of my knowledge, S&W didn't offer holsters until the early 70's

 

[T44spl]

Yes, postwar Outdoorsman N frame 38/44 with the optional high polish finish of the model 27. Do Not refinish, I Don't see any flaws or blemishes that would suggest the need for refinishing.
Maybe some more pictures when you get the gun in your hands and possibly a range report as well. The heavyweight gun shoots target 38's very mildly, you'll enjoy this gun.

 

[The Kid]

The Bianchi “outdoorsman” holster, model number 10 maybe, is a pretty decent holster for not much money on the used market. I have them for K and N frames. I also have a nice Bianchi full flap that fits the 6.5” N frames that live here, but it’s pretty bulky.

The posted Threepersons style from EPS or Lawrence would be a more desirable rig to me if somewhat more expensive unless you get lucky. I’ve kicked around the idea of ordering one but always put it off in favor of something else.

The grip adapter on mine I posted above is a Robertson Trading Post product. They’re cheap and always available, unlike Tyler. I don’t believe they list an N frames model but I bought a bunch of the K frame model and they actually fit an N as well or better than they do a K.

I have a soft spot for the N frame 38’s and carry them regularly now that I no longer live in the land of big bears. They are very fun to shoot with about any 38 load and a 173 Keith or 168 Cramer at 1100fps is sufficient for my needs around here should I run across a deer, pig, coyote, etc. I did carry a heavily loaded 4” Transitional Heavy Duty on a brown bear hunt on Admiralty Island one spring, thankfully I used a rifle and didn’t need it but it was with me.