I'm so happy with this gun that I just can't keep quiet. I hope you other .38/44 fans will see why it appeals to me.

.38/44 Outdoorsman, Transitional Variety (prewar frame and long-action lockwork, postwar ribbed barrel and large click-adjustable rear sight body). This is S 70130, and it shipped in September 1946. I plan to letter this one and see where it actually went.

To my eye, that long-throw action just has a visual appeal that can't be beat when the hammer is back in SA mode:




The front sight is not the standard factory Patridge, but a King reflector red dot. If you are shooting into the bright half of the sky or under low-light conditions, the little mirror embedded in the base is supposed to pick up loose light and throw it up on the bead so you can see it better.




The rear sight also benefits from jettisoning the factory square-notch rear blade for a King round-notch (or U-notch) white outline insert.




The gun is in really nice shape -- I make it 95% or even a little better, with thin or missing blue at the muzzle, on the leading edges of the frame and cylinder, and in the turn ring. The gun was shot a fair amount, I think, but was very well cared for. The action is tight, cylinder play is minimal. Bore and chambers are shiny. A tear-down cleaning didn't find much that required attention, but the lube was a little thick and there was some shooting grime behind the cylinder lock. I prefer lighter oils, so I relubed it after a toothpick scrape and wipedown of the frame interior. The SA trigger pull is crisp and precise. I can't wait to shoot this one.




I found this gun in the forum classifieds and feel completely lucky that nobody responded to the ad before I happened to see it. This is an excellent Transitional OD, and I am practically giddy to have in my my collection. According to SCSW, there were about 4,700 prewar ODs shipped, and some 6,000 of the Model of 1950 variety (Model 23 and Pre-23). But only 2300 of the Transitional ODs were assembled, all between 1946 and 1949. Maybe you have to be an Outdoorsman nut to want one or more of every variety of the model; if so, I qualify. I've been looking about for a nice Transitional for months, and now I have one. Color me happy!!

(My appreciation to forum member rck281 for a smooth transaction.)

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David Wilson

Nice one Dave, I don't see you laying down for awhile. This is a one of a kind, has to be with the sights.
I've bought two in two days, I can't remember when I crashed last. Did you get any box or docs of any kind, not that it matters with yours, the ones I bought are only 30 yrs old so paperwork is pretty common.

Good find man, don't rub the finish off

Jerry

si----------

Thanks, Jerry. Yes, this came with a gold picture box. There is no serial number on the bottom, but the style and boilerplate language on the inside of the lid are consistent with boxes the transitionals shipped in. No tools, no docs.

Should have mentioned that the stocks are not original; they are numbered to an N-frame that would have shipped in the mid-60s, some 20 years after this gun left the factory. I'll keep an eye out for something with a number that might have been on a transitional -- 60000 to 90000, somewhere in there. Or maybe with the example of those interesting target sights I'll look for some contemporaneous thumbrest target stocks. That would be cool.

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David Wilson

David, Love your gun and sight combination. It will definately make your next shooting session more interesting. I have never had the chance to shoot a revolver with the King reflector red dot, but I do like the concept. Its really something we can buy these old 38/44 revolvers and while they are 60 to 70 years old they can still offer us a lifetime of enjoyment. -Chad

Once again a very nice score David!

Don't you love the ones with just enough wear that you don't feel bad about shooting them !?!

The long action is a looker and the King sight set-up was a common add on "back-in-the-day". We probably would have done the same, if we'd been around.

You might post a pic with the box...you know...for the box junkies.



GF

Beautiful OD David!! Can't wait for your range report

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De Oppresso Liber Μολὼν λαβέ

That is super nice David!!

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Dom

very neat gun. you will have to tell us how much better the sights work than the standard set. a grip suggestion if i might, keith brown for a pair of ropers.bet it had good grips on it back in the day.

David,

That's a beautiful addition. I've always felt that King conversions were under-appreciated, and tried to take advantage of that. Unfortunately as a buyer, that is no longer the case.
You're looking for a set of thumb rest targets. My transitional (S70977) came with a set of what I think are Herretts. My stocks for your sights?

Bob Hart #946

I happily take requests.








I agree that some Keith Brown Ropers would really make this old beauty sing. That's probably where I will be heading.

I'm curious about using these sights, too. The height of this blade seems a little lower than the height of the stock Patridge blade, but the rear sight notch looks to be about the same. That ought to make the gun shoot high. I'll find out when I get to the range. Several weeks ago I acquired a kit gun with similar sights (Sheard bead front, King U-notch WO rear). I couldn't shoot it worth a darn, but then I can't shoot most I-frames worth a darn. Just a matter of practice and incremental adjustments to hold and sight picture, I guess. I'll get there.

This red dot is about 1/16" in diameter, compared to the 1/10" dots on other target sights of the pre- and immediate postwar era. Seems kind of small way out there at the end of that long heavy barrel, but the sight picture in the rear notch is pretty good. I'll just have to try it and see how it works for me.

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David Wilson

Bob, nice wood and nice compact red post sight as well! I also see the WO square notch rear blade. That's a great package.

Not looking for a trade right now, but if my mood shifts I'll let you know...

I have a couple of uninstalled King sight sets in my parts box somewhere. I need to look at those and see if I really want to pursue the projects I had in mind when I picked them up. If it looks like I won't, they may be available some time in the coming year.

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David Wilson

David
Congratulations on your new purchase. Aren't King Gunsight accessories the best? I really like that King reflector red dot. I finally got my gun, with the King STR, off of layaway. I am waiting to get the letter before I post pictures.

I am looking forward to seeing your range results. If you shoot it half as good as you take pictures, it will be great.

Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Very nice find, David! The gun has a very interesting combination of features. Let us know how it shoots. I'd love to try one with the reflector front sight some time.

Jerry

That is a great find. Congrats.

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Ken

I have a 1931 K22 with that sight combination. It works wonderfully.

The red plastic is probably brittle, so be careful.

Regards,

Tam 3

That's a real beauty. Now that I've got two Heavy Duties, I guess I need to start looking for an Outdoorsman.

Wow, another nice one! A very nice revolver and those King sight's are the iceing on that cake. Thank's for shareing.

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Stay safe people!

Looks like you are batting a 1000 with your recent acquisitions.

That is a fine and interesting example. I very much enjoy the flavor of your interests.

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I Love This Site

Wow, I would love to have a sweet revolver like that. This is why I keep drooling on this forum. Guess I'll grab another (dry) towel and keep looking around...........Sprefix

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Go big or stay home

David I am soooooo green with envy there is no way to describe my feelings.
Congrats

What a beauty.

Thanks for sharing.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

David:

Why would anyone buy one of those old .38/44 transitional Outdoorsman when a GLOCK is a lot cheaper?

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

To quote Rick Blaine from Casablanca:

"I was misinformed."

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David Wilson

David:

Hope it shoots as well as it looks ! NICE one !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Thanks, Jerry. I had a feeling you might approve of this one.

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David Wilson

David,

I own your guns older brother, S 69847. Mine doesn't have any upgrades but I think that the stocks match IIRC. Just out of curiosity, what are these worth in today's market?

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James Redfield
LM #497

James:

I have always been interested in your particular gun and its close relatives ! I have a couple VERY close to yours ! If you are willing could you send me a few photos of your revolver? I have sent you a PM message.

Best Regards,

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

The ad for this one is over in the classified section from about 10 days ago, so it's no secret I paid $1500 for it. I think any transitional OD in decent shape is going to be at least a thousand dollar gun, and ones in exceptional shape will go for 2000 or maybe even more if they have all the accessories.

Part of that price is the rarity, and part is the mystique. I have been told by others that the .38/44 Outdoorsman is the most accurate revolver they have ever shot; more than once I have heard from OD owners that the transitional is the most accurate variety.

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David Wilson

David:

Although I never turn down a nice Pre-War, the transitional versions are certainly my favorites ! I own a couple myself !

In the right hands they are exceptionally accurate !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Just kidding! Very nice piece David.

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Doug

A couple of days ago I made it to the range for a short shooting session that I knew in advance wasn't going to be that satisfying because I had pulled a muscle in my forearm. But I got a few shots off from this heavy gun and found that it pretty much hit where I hoped it would.

This shows 12 shots at 25 feet -- again, that's a ludicrous distance, but I could barely stay on paper at 50 and I didn't even bother with 75. Two hand grip, six o'clock hold. So far so good; distance work comes later.

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David Wilson

between you and GLL.. what are you guys tryinbg to do to the OD market ?

a gun i seriously regret passing several years ago was a pre-war. non reg -mag that lettered as a 6 but had a 4 inch (correct barrel serial #) with king mirror sight. anybody know if anybody has Kings old records ? price was only 600

Jerry, be more than happy to send photos if I could figure how to take and send them. Still haven't graduated to that level of computer skill yet. I used to have a camera with a chip that I could remove and put right in to my printer and download pictures. Camera died.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Beautiful revolver David! Appears to shoot as good as it looks as well. Congratulations and enjoy! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Terry

Not sure how I missed this. What a great gun, David!

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Pace