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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 03-17-2012, 10:17 PM
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Default FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty)

After years of looking, I finally found a rather used and worn Pre-Model 20. Internally, she's in very good shape and the action is nice. Externally, there's pitting and signs of having been left "just laying around".

Still, in a country where .38 special revolvers are the most they'll let you have the .38 Heavy Duty and her sister the Outdoorsman are Kings. She came with the most awful Rubber grips I ever saw, but I had a set of PC Magnas that had come along with a set of Diamond Targets I got off of a Forum Member about a year ago. So, those went on right away although they're probably not exactly correct for the age of the revolver.

The serial number is S 148250 so any information as to approximate Date of Birth and such would be most appreciated.

Pitted or not, these are the "King of the Hill" as far as defensive handguns are concerned here in Mexico. Loaded with Elmer's load (those 356429's in the photo actually have only 12.5 grains of 2400 under them, which I feel is enough and a lot better than Aguila .38 special roundnose) or a reasonable facsimile it's the best you'll get as a civilian in Mexico. And it's probably quite enough, actually. Better than what most poeple have by far.

Yes, I am the guilty party who painted white paint into the lettering. I want any Mexican Policeman to be able to READ that it says .38 Special, night or day (because they won't have a working flashlight, you know?). And anyway, I like it. It's a shooter, not a collectible, but I sure wanted one!













This is an old thread. I am surprised at it's sudden reawakening, but it's nice to see it again. Since these original photos were posted I managed to get the correct stocks from a forum member and this Heavy Duty soldiers on today as one of my principal and most cherished side-arms. It sits in the safe right beside -- almost kissing -- the Roettinger gun when I'm not actually using the Heavy Duty for something or other. Here's a photo of her as she appears now.


When not in use, she sits in the safe snuggled up to Phil Roettinger's NRM. What a nice place to snuggle!

Last edited by calmex; 07-26-2014 at 12:34 PM.
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:20 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Thats a nice old Smith you have there. Enjoy!
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:26 PM
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That looks like a workin' gun that's just about broke in.
That 12.5 grain load will make that old rascal sit up and bark. I have shot some in an Outdoorsman and was really impressed.
You've got a dandy there, enjoy it.
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:27 PM
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That's a great lookin wheel gun! Any wear it has is just more personality.
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:32 PM
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From good information, I think it is a 1955 shipped gun. Enjoy!
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:34 PM
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I have welcomed several Heavy Duty Smith & Wessons into my home that looked very much like your revolver. All have shot well and been great companions. Your new HD will become a very close friend and you will find that there is no other 38 SPL that handles as well.

Congratulations, you did well.

M Daly
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:36 PM
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What a rugged machine. Mine's similarly broke in, works great, no worries. Good score!
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Old 03-17-2012, 11:14 PM
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That is one fine HD. If I lived where a .38 Special was the most powerful handgun I could legally own, I'd be looking at the N-frame .38/44s too. Congratulations on realizing a longstanding dream.
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Old 03-18-2012, 12:27 AM
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Congratulations! That looks like a great "shooter" for the range.
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Old 03-18-2012, 02:03 AM
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Great gun with just a bit of "character". I'm sure it will serve you very well. The white paint doesn't bother me a bit.

Respectfully,
Mike Q.
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Old 03-18-2012, 08:30 AM
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Meets all job requirements. Very nice.
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Old 03-18-2012, 08:37 AM
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Very nice a classic being given a new assignment congratulations on your find.
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Old 03-18-2012, 08:59 AM
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Nice!
Very good shooter. Stay safe, Calmex.
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Old 03-18-2012, 09:19 AM
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Very nice one, CalMex. Can't imagine how difficult it must be to find one in Mexico.

Think of it this way; if it was a car of the same vintage, the manufacturer's recommendation would be that it was getting to the time you should change the break-in oil.

Just about perfect condition for a "usin' gun".

Bob
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Old 03-18-2012, 09:54 AM
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Great gun Cal, and your picture taking is getting better too!!
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Old 03-18-2012, 11:53 AM
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That one has everything you need and nothing you dont! Nice find, enjoy that fine revolver.
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Old 03-18-2012, 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 29aholic View Post
Great gun Cal, and your picture taking is getting better too!!
Thank you, Curtis. I hope all is well with you.

I can't wait to get out and shoot it, but I have to register it first. Maybe next Friday. Are these things usually pretty good on Point of Impact for 158 grain lead bullets?
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Old 03-18-2012, 02:08 PM
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Great post and congratulations on a great find.

I love the way a 4 inch HD handles. Somehow it just feels a touch better than a 4 inch M27 or M28, I don't know why.

Here's mine, built in 1956 I think. Its a parts gun with a cylinder serial numbered different from the frame. But it shoots so I keep it.

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Old 03-18-2012, 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by semperfi71 View Post
Great post and congratulations on a great find.

I love the way a 4 inch HD handles. Somehow it just feels a touch better than a 4 inch M27 or M28, I don't know why.

Here's mine, built in 1956 I think. Its a parts gun with a cylinder serial numbered different from the frame. But it shoots so I keep it.

I love those stocks. I am going to start searching for a set. What I have for now is fine, but I'd like to get the correct set eventually.
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Old 03-18-2012, 02:40 PM
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Skeeter Skelton wrote about encountering a Mexican police officer who had a Colt Single Action Army on his hip, .45 Colt and wearing factory Colt grips. Skeeter asked about buying said SAA and the officer stated that he would only trade for a S&W .38 special. Old Skeet traded a .38/44 HD for the Colt.

Maybe you got Skeeter's HD!!
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Old 03-18-2012, 03:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil View Post
Skeeter Skelton wrote about encountering a Mexican police officer who had a Colt Single Action Army on his hip, .45 Colt and wearing factory Colt grips. Skeeter asked about buying said SAA and the officer stated that he would only trade for a S&W .38 special. Old Skeet traded a .38/44 HD for the Colt.

Maybe you got Skeeter's HD!!
Well, I suppose the possibility exists. However, chances would be against it. We are developing a rather large following for our NRA Action Pistol/IPSC revolver shooting at the range here. There are four Heavy Duty owners in our little group, three of them being the four inch version and one with a five incher. We also now have three Outdoorsman owners (one of whom owns one of the Heavy Duty revolvers as well), and one of the Outdoorsman guns is a worn but mechanically sound Pre-War.

These revolvers, down here, are not so much collectible as they are first rate defensive side-arms. The bad guys use a lot of 9 m.m. hi-caps, which lack the power of a good Keith loading. Sure, they have more shots, but a good 170 grain Lead SWC passing into the engine room at 1,250 fps is probably pretty decisive. And our guys practice, so they can shoot.

I got an email this morning from one of the Moderators on the one of the Mexican gun forums saying that amongst their "in group" nobody is looking for anything other than the Heavy Duty or Outdoorman guns. A lot (and I mean a LOT) of Mexicans simply do not know what they are. I am sure the person who sold me mine thought it was just a big Model 10.

And now, a feeding frenzy has started. I looked quite a while for mine -- and the two Outdoorsman revolvers I found I felt should go to my friends as I already do have Phil Roettinger's revolver here, so it's not like I wasn't totally unprepared compared to my friends who really had nothing of appreciable power at their disposal. Since I always rather shamelessly plug the thread about Phil's revolver in case someone has as yet missed out, here it is; Penultimate Pre Postwar Magnum is in Mexico!

Now, however, Phil's gun can stand down and just be a safe queen. I have the Heavy Duty to do any heavy duty that needs to be done and will pursue an Outdoorsman (or another Mexican Heavy Duty) with a calmer disposition.

Last edited by calmex; 03-18-2012 at 05:44 PM. Reason: Spelling errors
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Old 03-18-2012, 05:27 PM
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Congrats! Great looking gun! I bet most of the owners like the 4" better than the other barrel lengths. You are correct on the hi cap vs a trained marksman, one shot is all it takes!
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Old 03-18-2012, 06:41 PM
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calmex,

The "diamond" N-Frame magnas feel better in my hand then do the later "non-diamonds". I think its because the older magnas have a more rounded curve coming off the frame towards the checkering. The later versions are more blocky and square, like the later N-Frame target stocks.

However I do have some N-Frame magnas that I think were made right after the loss of the "diamond" and they seem to follow the lines of the "diamond" magnas in fit.

On the American auction sites the "diamond" N-Frames are starting to command higher prices but they can still be found somewhat reasonable if you have the time. In lieu of you might look for the "non-diamonds" of older manufacture I speak of.

I have enjoyed your previous thread on the Registered Magnum by the way. Tremendous history there.
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Old 03-18-2012, 07:43 PM
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Cool gun and thanks for sharing the pics with us.
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Old 03-18-2012, 07:58 PM
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That's a great HD. I have a 5" from the early '50s, and carry it every once in a while. I even used it last year to re-qualify for my carry permit. I do stuff like that because I'm a proud dinosaur.
I am interested in the laws in Mexico. Are you limited in the calibers you can own? I know at one point no Military calibers could be owned by citizens. Is that still true? Can you not own a .357 Magnum or larger?
Thanks for the info, and happy shooting!
Jim
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Old 03-18-2012, 09:52 PM
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That's a great HD. I have a 5" from the early '50s, and carry it every once in a while. I even used it last year to re-qualify for my carry permit. I do stuff like that because I'm a proud dinosaur.
I am interested in the laws in Mexico. Are you limited in the calibers you can own? I know at one point no Military calibers could be owned by citizens. Is that still true? Can you not own a .357 Magnum or larger?
Thanks for the info, and happy shooting!
Jim
Jim, I'll get back to you tomorrow or the next day with a good answer. The gun laws here are draconian, and .38 Special is the largest caliber one is allowed in revolvers while .380 is tops for autos. Now -- if you reload -- a lot can happen within those parameters.

It's a holiday weekend here, and my Ice Cream Store is very busy, so a complete answer will have to wait a couple of days. But I did not want you to think I was ignoring you.
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Old 03-18-2012, 09:55 PM
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calmex,

The "diamond" N-Frame magnas feel better in my hand then do the later "non-diamonds". I think its because the older magnas have a more rounded curve coming off the frame towards the checkering. The later versions are more blocky and square, like the later N-Frame target stocks.

However I do have some N-Frame magnas that I think were made right after the loss of the "diamond" and they seem to follow the lines of the "diamond" magnas in fit.

On the American auction sites the "diamond" N-Frames are starting to command higher prices but they can still be found somewhat reasonable if you have the time. In lieu of you might look for the "non-diamonds" of older manufacture I speak of.

I have enjoyed your previous thread on the Registered Magnum by the way. Tremendous history there.
Thank you for the info there, SemperFi. I got up to the Tulsa Gun Show last November and got to meet quite a few of the Forum Members who posted throughout that long thread on Phil's gun. It was really great to put faces to the names.

My partner in crime and I ended up at the S&W Collector's meeting at the end of the night, just before it ended. Lee was giving me the "get up and tell 'em who you are" look but I was suddenly taken with stage fright and did not. Other than stopping to introduce myself quickly to 29Aholic, I simply left early as we had pressing things to do and little time to do them. Most of the members I met were at Lee's table as I kept stopping by to chat with him and anyone who was there.

Next time, I will prepare myself better and be more out-going.
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Old 03-18-2012, 10:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil View Post
Skeeter Skelton wrote about encountering a Mexican police officer who had a Colt Single Action Army on his hip, .45 Colt and wearing factory Colt grips. Skeeter asked about buying said SAA and the officer stated that he would only trade for a S&W .38 special. Old Skeet traded a .38/44 HD for the Colt.

Maybe you got Skeeter's HD!!
I remember that story, nice old revolver!
Congrats!!!
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Old 03-18-2012, 11:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calmex View Post
Well, I suppose the possibility exists. However, chances would be against it. We are developing a rather large following for our NRA Action Pistol/IPSC revolver shooting at the range here. There are four Heavy Duty owners in our little group, three of them being the four inch version and one with a five incher. We also now have three Outdoorsman owners (one of whom owns one of the Heavy Duty revolvers as well), and one of the Outdoorsman guns is a worn but mechanically sound Pre-War.

These revolvers, down here, are not so much collectible as they are first rate defensive side-arms. The bad guys use a lot of 9 m.m. hi-caps, which lack the power of a good Keith loading. Sure, they have more shots, but a good 170 grain Lead SWC passing into the engine room at 1,250 fps is probably pretty decisive. And our guys practice, so they can shoot.

I got an email this morning from one of the Moderators on the one of the Mexican gun forums saying that amongst their "in group" nobody is looking for anything other than the Heavy Duty or Outdoorman guns. A lot (and I mean a LOT) of Mexicans simply do not know what they are. I am sure the person who sold me mine thought it was just a big Model 10.

And now, a feeding frenzy has started. I looked quite a while for mine -- and the two Outdoorsman revolvers I found I felt should go to my friends as I already do have Phil Roettinger's revolver here, so it's not like I wasn't totally unprepared compared to my friends who really had nothing of appreciable power at their disposal. Since I always rather shamelessly plug the thread about Phil's revolver in case someone has as yet missed out, here it is; Penultimate Pre Postwar Magnum is in Mexico!

Now, however, Phil's gun can stand down and just be a safe queen. I have the Heavy Duty to do any heavy duty that needs to be done and will pursue an Outdoorsman (or another Mexican Heavy Duty) with a calmer disposition.


Hello everyone!!! Iam new here , and one of the lucky fellows here in Mexico to have CALMEX as a friend and as a shooting Instructor!!! I have been shooting with him for a few years now, and yes !!! he got me into the HD's, I have 3 N frames and here are some pictures, 38/44 HD, Prewar 357mag, and Outdoorsman 38/44HD cheers everyone!!!!!
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Old 03-18-2012, 11:52 PM
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Calmex,
Are you coming to Tulsa at the end of the month? If so, I'll bring some diamond magnas for you to choose from. They aren't perfect, but maybe you could find a pair that would make you and your HD happy!
Bill
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Old 03-19-2012, 05:16 AM
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lazcool,

Welcome to the Forum! Glad to know that Calmex has a shooting friend there that can share the enjoyment with him. Looks like you have a very nice assortment of Smiths to play with.

Please feel free to come by the Forum anytime you please. We always enjoy hearing from our members outside our borders about how you enjoy our sport of collecting and shooting these old timers.

Bob
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Old 03-19-2012, 11:12 AM
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lazcool:

Welcome ! Nice assortment of N-frames !
I would love to see a couple more photos of your Outdoorsman. If you are willing I would appreciate the serial number of the Outdoorsman for my files (offline)

Jerry

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Old 03-19-2012, 11:42 AM
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lazcool,

Welcome to the Forum! Glad to know that Calmex has a shooting friend there that can share the enjoyment with him. Looks like you have a very nice assortment of Smiths to play with.

Please feel free to come by the Forum anytime you please. We always enjoy hearing from our members outside our borders about how you enjoy our sport of collecting and shooting these old timers.
Bob
Bettis1,
thank you! for sure I will be visiting the Forum, its nice to be able to share all about this Guns, I am in the learning process and CALMEX is a very good instructor and knows his stuff...... The hard part here in Mexico is finding the HD's, then for some reason most of them the previous owners have change the original grips, and finding the right grips down here is almost impossible, I will bring some better pics and serial numbers to get as much possible information on them, Cheers!!
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Old 03-19-2012, 11:48 AM
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lazcool:

Welcome ! Nice assortment of N-frames !
I would love to see a couple more photos of your Outdoorsman. If you are willing I would appreciate the serial number of the Outdoorsman for my files (offline)

Jerry

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GLL, good day, yes for sure I will get better pictures, and will appreciate info about the Outdoorsaman, I will get the serial number,
cheers!!
Lazcool
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Old 03-19-2012, 11:53 AM
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Congrats my world traveling buddy.

It's always good to hear you're doing well as an ex-pat in the land of mañana.

Awesome classic you have there, the HD is still and unfilled tag on my short grail list...I'm jealous.
I was quietly looking for quite a while. Unfortunately, if the owner of one down here knows what he has, it won't be parted with at any price. You need to find one of those people who thinks it's just a big, over-weight Model 10 who wants to trade-up to a new, lighter Model 10. It took me a while, and it was actually Lazcool who found it for me. He sent me photos, and I posted it around our group with the old "Look what Lazcool has found, let me know if you are interested." Nobody, and I mean nobody, got back to me on it. I was not even going to bid because I was sure they'd want a King's Ransom and Lazcool had not mentioned price so I was sure it was out of my reach.

Then, like almost a day later, Lazcool called me in the store and said "Hey, man, you know how much he wants for that Heavy Duty? Like 500.00, man! I don't think he knows what he has."

I had initially been irritated to receive a phone call just at closing time, but my irritation turned to astonishment. "Well, demonios," I said, "for that price I'll take it for myself!"

So, they're out there. And sometimes the one you find hits you on the nose. It all happened so fast, you know?
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Old 03-19-2012, 12:00 PM
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Calmex,
Are you coming to Tulsa at the end of the month? If so, I'll bring some diamond magnas for you to choose from. They aren't perfect, but maybe you could find a pair that would make you and your HD happy!
Bill
Bill:
I'd love to be able to. Unfortunately, Tulsa in the Spring is a week before "Semana Santa", the Easter break. In Canada or the U.S., the Christmas Season is the make-it-or-break-it season. Here, it's Easter. Christmas is becoming somewhat commercialized here -- 22 years ago when I came it was just a quiet time to spend with your family but that is changing. Still, Easter is when everything just goes bonkers.

Also, it's getting hot out there. I have an Ice Cream Store. It would be almost impossible for me to get away. However, my friend Lazcool (who is posting here in this thread for his first time I think) needs a couple sets of grips and I certainly need one set. If you can send me photos of what you have and prices, I'll share them with Lazcool and we'll send you a cheque. I have a U.S. address that things like this can be shipped to and they come down safely (if slowly).

If the economy just continues to slowly improve, maybe I'll get back up to Tulsa again sometime because I had a lot of fun.
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Old 03-19-2012, 12:19 PM
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I should mention here, quietly, that one of the guns in the photos Lazcool posted is an R.M. . Please treat that delicately, as I hope you all know that Mexico has caliber restrictions and .38 Special is the top-end for civilians. Refer to it as an R.M. and we all know what we're talking about but we're not giving up anything to Gran Hermano (the Mexican Big Brother) should they be reading. Mexican Gun Forums are monitored FULL TIME by the Army, trying to learn what they can learn. I doubt they'd monitor here, because it's in English...but better safe than sorry when you're not totally free.

Obviously, he has never fired it, only fondled it. I have never even seen it myself, but I'm going to take a trip to see it after Easter and eat with Lazcool in the "Sirloin Stockade", a sort of Bonanza or Ponderosa restuarant in his city that is just all the rage down here although such chains were starting to fall out of favor up North 20 years ago.

Probably, Lazcool, you should be cautious about posting photos of that one. You know about mine, and I don't post many photos of it either. You know, buddy, just how quick the Gestapo would react if they knew what it was and who you were. I'm just sayin', okay?
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Old 03-19-2012, 01:17 PM
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That's a great HD. I have a 5" from the early '50s, and carry it every once in a while. I even used it last year to re-qualify for my carry permit. I do stuff like that because I'm a proud dinosaur.
I am interested in the laws in Mexico. Are you limited in the calibers you can own? I know at one point no Military calibers could be owned by citizens. Is that still true? Can you not own a .357 Magnum or larger?
Thanks for the info, and happy shooting!
Jim
Jim:
Well, it's a slow morning. This is a long weekend here in Mexico, but I think everyone partied themselves out last night. So far, it's a quiet morning. This gave me time to look up this old thread:
International law or protocol

In a discussion between Pasifikawv and myself we manage to touch on much of the actual LAW and the way it is interpreted here in Mexico.

Basically, you can have a .380 or .38 Special. However, although reloading is Prohibited by the Army, it is legal under the actual law. Any .38/44 loading therefore can be loaded if you take the time and risk to "import" your components. Obviously, this is an under-the-table type importation.

Interestingly enough, if you take a 9 m.m. handgun, obtain a barrel for same-same with a .380 chamber, you can load any 9 load using a .380 case with no problems. It's an amazingly strong little case. I have shot over 50,000 of the .380 "Cal" round since I came up with it in 2004 through a variety of firearms and it gets one up to at least 9 performance if you just gotta have that auto.

There is much you cannot do, other things you're not supposed to do but can get away with -- and obviously other things you can just fly off the runway with and soar. It's knowing WHICH is WHICH that makes all the difference. But yes, we can have fun here. And we do. Right, Lazcool?
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Old 03-19-2012, 03:48 PM
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Jim:
Well, it's a slow morning. This is a long weekend here in Mexico, but I think everyone partied themselves out last night. So far, it's a quiet morning. This gave me time to look up this old thread:
International law or protocol

In a discussion between Pasifikawv and myself we manage to touch on much of the actual LAW and the way it is interpreted here in Mexico.

Basically, you can have a .380 or .38 Special. However, although reloading is Prohibited by the Army, it is legal under the actual law. Any .38/44 loading therefore can be loaded if you take the time and risk to "import" your components. Obviously, this is an under-the-table type importation.

Interestingly enough, if you take a 9 m.m. handgun, obtain a barrel for same-same with a .380 chamber, you can load any 9 load using a .380 case with no problems. It's an amazingly strong little case. I have shot over 50,000 of the .380 "Cal" round since I came up with it in 2004 through a variety of firearms and it gets one up to at least 9 performance if you just gotta have that auto.

There is much you cannot do, other things you're not supposed to do but can get away with -- and obviously other things you can just fly off the runway with and soar. It's knowing WHICH is WHICH that makes all the difference. But yes, we can have fun here. And we do. Right, Lazcool?

Calmex, has always worked hard to find to get as much fun as we can here in Mex, yes we get to have fun!!!
cheers.
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Old 03-20-2012, 12:29 AM
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Jim:
Well, it's a slow morning. This is a long weekend here in Mexico, but I think everyone partied themselves out last night. So far, it's a quiet morning. This gave me time to look up this old thread:
International law or protocol

In a discussion between Pasifikawv and myself we manage to touch on much of the actual LAW and the way it is interpreted here in Mexico.

Basically, you can have a .380 or .38 Special. However, although reloading is Prohibited by the Army, it is legal under the actual law. Any .38/44 loading therefore can be loaded if you take the time and risk to "import" your components. Obviously, this is an under-the-table type importation.

Interestingly enough, if you take a 9 m.m. handgun, obtain a barrel for same-same with a .380 chamber, you can load any 9 load using a .380 case with no problems. It's an amazingly strong little case. I have shot over 50,000 of the .380 "Cal" round since I came up with it in 2004 through a variety of firearms and it gets one up to at least 9 performance if you just gotta have that auto.

There is much you cannot do, other things you're not supposed to do but can get away with -- and obviously other things you can just fly off the runway with and soar. It's knowing WHICH is WHICH that makes all the difference. But yes, we can have fun here. And we do. Right, Lazcool?
Thank you for the interesting bit of information. I am very well read, and I thought guns were almost impossible to own in Mexico. I'm glad, for your sake you can have at least those you mention. And let me state again, that's a FINE Heavy Duty you have there. You'll really enjoy shooting it, as will several generations after you. Those puppies are brute strong, and just plain COOL.
Now we want range reports.
Stay safe.
Jim
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Old 03-20-2012, 12:38 PM
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Thank you for the interesting bit of information. I am very well read, and I thought guns were almost impossible to own in Mexico. I'm glad, for your sake you can have at least those you mention. And let me state again, that's a FINE Heavy Duty you have there. You'll really enjoy shooting it, as will several generations after you. Those puppies are brute strong, and just plain COOL.
Now we want range reports.
Stay safe.
Jim
Interestingly enough, millions of Mexicans believe they cannot own a firearm. The Government, the Army, and the Police do everything -- including lie -- to discourage the civilian ownership of firearms. The fact is, however, that you are allowed to have firearms although there are rather draconian restrictions. Still, a .358 diameter 170 grain Semi-wadcutter style projectile smashing it's way into the party at 1,150 fps+ is a great party-crasher and the launcher for that sort of thing can be legally owned here if one gets lucky enough to find one and become the owner.

Right now, Lazcool and I and some of our group (we have about 30+ shooters, so we're doing pretty well actually) are planning to meet before the end of the week to hopefully test out:

1. My Heavy Duty.
2. Lazcool's Heavy Duty.
3. Lazcool's Pre-War Outdoorsman
4. A friend's 27-2 that has been reverse engineered into a 23. That one we won't discuss much but there are more than a few around. The "Real Thing" is highly coveted but where it cannot be obtained, a reasonable facsimile is often constructed. Model 20's, on the other hand, tend pretty much to be originals when encountered down here.

I think Lazcool always has a camera so we should be able to get some photos if we can actually get out to shoot.
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Old 03-20-2012, 01:25 PM
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lazcool:

Thank you very much for the photos and serial number !

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Old 03-28-2012, 10:39 PM
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Well, I got the Heavy Duty registered this morning, then we drove over to the range (after a quick stop at Italian Coffee for something to eat as we left early without eating). The revolver is a real marvel.

With the standard loading of 3.5 grains of Bullseye and a Lee 158 grain Tumble lube bullet (which weighs 162 grains with our mix) the point of impact was dead on center from a six-o'clock hold at 25 yards using an NRA D-3 target. Very nice.

Using our standard .38 Heavy Duty reload of the same bullet as above and 9.0 grains of Blue Dot (for 1,160 fps from the 4 inch barrel) point-of-impact was still center but strangely about 3 inches left. Tried several different strings with the same result, cannot explain it. One thumb easy extraction.

Using the Elmer Keith loading of 13.5 grains of 2400 and the 358429 Lyman bullet (which weighs 166 grains with our mix out of either of two 4-cavity moulds we have here) the impact was DEAD CENTER at 25 (from a six-0'clock hold). Velocity was 1,305 fps. One thumb easy extraction. Much recoil and rubbed skin off the inside of my thumb knuckle. Really snorts and bellers.

I could not be more pleased with a working Star Trek Phaser.
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Old 03-31-2012, 07:45 AM
Peter M. Eick Peter M. Eick is offline
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I have seen that behavior of flipping shots right and left before with certain loads in my 38/44's. I came to conclude it was really a grip question of how you were holding the gun during firing. If you shoot "interleaved" blue dot and 2400 loads, I bet you will feel a difference in the firing characteristics. Try it sometime and you will see what I think I feel which is why you are seeing the shots flip right and left.

Most of the time it is a right/left deal and not up and down for some reason.

Like the 4". I have several but I am still partial to the 5" ones myself.
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Old 03-31-2012, 03:02 PM
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I have seen that behavior of flipping shots right and left before with certain loads in my 38/44's. I came to conclude it was really a grip question of how you were holding the gun during firing. If you shoot "interleaved" blue dot and 2400 loads, I bet you will feel a difference in the firing characteristics. Try it sometime and you will see what I think I feel which is why you are seeing the shots flip right and left.

Most of the time it is a right/left deal and not up and down for some reason.

Like the 4". I have several but I am still partial to the 5" ones myself.
Thank you, Peter. I believe you are almost certainly correct. I did not have what I would consider a really comfortable set of stocks and because of where I live my hand isn't built up to shooting powerful loads. I assume we all agree that when you add power to the equation, the difficulty in shooting well increases if one cannot practice sufficiently to maintain proficiency.

Until I got this little jewel, the only firearm I had in my possession that was capable of anything above 9 m.m. power was Phil Roettinger's Magnum and it's not something I would want to risk losing in a roadblock due to it's barrel markings, so I shot it only "now-and-then" with much less "now" than "then".

The other day, I shot 150+ rounds in the 1,165 - 1,180 fps range (162 grain Lee SWC) and about 2 dozen of the Elmer Keith loads with the 166 grain Lyman 358429 bullet. Most of the shooting other than testing P.O.I. was double-action, in fact I shot the entire 42 round N.R.A. Los Alamitos course (posting a decent 388 out of 420 with the little monster). The magna stocks ripped away the skin on the inside of my thumb knuckle.

A good friend and forum member wrote me an email lamenting the fact that my new revolver had "hurt my little hand". I cannot be sure, but I think I detected a note of friendly sarcasm there perhaps?

I have a nice set of proper Diamond Magnas on the way, as well as a T-grip. Now that I have registered the Heavy Duty, it will take two weeks or so for my permit to transport it to and from the range is ready. (On the day you register, you are permitted 24 hours to transport your newly registered firearm back to you house -- so everyone hits the range on the way home. That's the way it works here. Then you wait for your proper transport permit. This may sound draconian, but remember: most people simply assume you CANNOT shoot down here. Compared to "cannot do it", the reality of having a lot of paperwork and hoops to jump through is preferable, at least to me.)

It will take about a month for the new Magnas to get here I imagine. The T-grip is anyone's guess, but as soon as I can I shall retest and we'll see. I have a nice set of Post-War Diamond Targets I bought sometime ago with the PC magnas I have on the gun now. Perhaps a test using those will allow me to hold on a little better and see if the results change or not. (And perhaps, my "little hand" won't get so beat up.)

Cheers!
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Old 07-24-2014, 11:37 PM
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Newbie to the forum. Bought my third HD today. SN 35044, 5", matching magnas. Pictures to follow.
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Old 07-25-2014, 12:52 PM
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Old 07-25-2014, 01:03 PM
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Chaser, welcome to the forum. Lots of HD fans here.

That's a great shooter. The stocks look to be in amazing shape for 80 years old.
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  #49  
Old 07-25-2014, 01:47 PM
chasr chasr is offline
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FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty)  
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Thank you! If I am correct that the first 38/44HD was
SN 35037(?), then one was in the first 7 (SN 35044).
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  #50  
Old 07-26-2014, 11:48 AM
Peter M. Eick Peter M. Eick is offline
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FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty) FINALLY, I found a Heavy Duty!!! (picture heavy duty)  
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That is a low serial number alright. I have 35078 which I thought was pretty low but you got me.

Actually, that appears to be the lowest know serial number I have ever heard of. Yours is in great shape.
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