Recent content by MikeyL

I have a pair of Ropers on a Registered Magnum that have been with the gun since the late 1930's, and they look like yours, except the Ropers are cut so that you can get to the spring strain screw in the front of the grip frame. The detail of the checkering is very similar. I would suggest...

I am absolutely stunned! I am a fanatic for the 5" N-frames, and to date, have never seen a Pre-29 or a 29 with that barrel length, although I know they existed. I have obtained a 5" 44 Special 1950 Target, a 5" .45 ACP 1950 Target, a 5" Heavy-Duty and a 5" pre-27. The history of that gun...

Beautiful presentation! I just picked up a 5-screw Pre-29, Serial # 167xxx. The clue regarding the screw-heads on the box was a new one on me, but proved out. Thanks! I'm working on trying to get pictures, but I'm technologically challenged in terms of the camera/computer interface. Bear with...

Whelenshooter: I had exactly the same issue with a 1926-vintage Model 1917 Commercial in .45 ACP. Gun was made to shoot 230 gr. ball, right? It didn't ...BIGTIME! Ten-inch groups at best. I was going to let it go until I discovered quite by accident the gun loves light bullets; 185 gr...

Guys: I took note of the comments regarding .44 Special versus .44 Magnum ammo, and wanted to share my experiences. My first .44 Magnum was, of course, a Ruger Blackhawk,(since they were cheapest!) Good shooter, but I am not only a geezer (67) but have small hands; the full-house loads just...

Thanks, guys! These particular stocks fit VERY well, show some use similar to the guns, but are definitely 'cokes'. Bill, I queried you on an earlier post about the stocks on a 1955 Target (since mine had the cokes,I had assumed yours should have had them). I suspect these may have been...

I know what the 'cokes' are, and that they were originally put on the .44 and .41 Magnum revolvers. I recently came into possession of a couple of Model 1955 Target pistols in .45 ACP, one made in 1957, the other in 1959. They are shooters only, but they both have "cokes". I checked these...

I know what the 'cokes' are, and that they were originally put on the .44 and .41 Magnum revolvers. I recently came into possession of a couple of Model 1955 Target pistols in .45 ACP, one made in 1957, the other in 1959. They are shooters only, but they both have "cokes". I checked these...

And here I was getting all proud of myself because I snagged a 5-screw pre-29 a few weeks ago ... reminds me of the old saying about running with the big dogs? That is one stunning job. My only engraved Smith is a pre-Model 15, but it doesn't compare at all to this one! Thanks, Bill...

Actually, I was trying to be funny, but you guys took me serious! I agree, I'd have to make one. I do have a nickel 29-2 that I could hack up, but I'd probably ruin a nice gun! Thanks, gang! MikeyL "Life's tough. Tougher when you're stupid." -John Wayne

Chuck: Thanks for the heads-up on the Cokes. I always thought they were specific to the .44 Magnum due to the palm swell, which does help with recoil. I suppose Cokes were put on a lot of the N-frame targets because they were so very cool! I appreciate knowing the facts on these pieces...

John: Wow! Those are great looking .44's! Puts my 5" Model 1950 to shame, but it is a shooter, not a safe queen. In terms of value, I suspect that even a shooter (98%) should go for well over 1K out here on the left coast. They seem to get 'spendier' every year! MikeyL "Life's tough...

Slim: The Model 14 (aka before model numbers as the K-38 Target Masterpiece) was available in single action only from the factory. I had one and let it go a year or so ago due to brain fade. The ones I've seen were all target models, with adjustable sights. Nice guns, a bit rare, but not a...

SCSW notes that 4-screw "Pre-29's" carry pretty good values. Although the stocks are not correct, a set of "Cokes" could be found. With that said, the gun should sell for between $650 (Very Good) to as high as $1000 (Very Good +). NIB is $2500, but this one is a shooter, not a safe queen...

Sounds like a pair of .44 Russians to me. Smith & Wesson contracted with Russia to build approximately 150,000 military revolvers in 1873, and chambered in .44 Russian, which was different from the .44 American and/or .44 Colt. The Russian cartridge was the predecessor of the .44 Special and...