I was recently fortunate to run across a 5 screw K38 Target Masterpiece, sn K2275xx, not a collector, but not in bad shape. A couple of scratches and scuffs, some holster wear at the muzzle, but not what I would call abuse.

Finally got her to the range to day, with my first ever HBWC loads (I've loaded plenty of other fodder, but never these). All I can say is, "Now I know...." If it wasn't for the loose nut behind the trigger it would have been more impressive, but I am very happy with this gun. Think I'll clean her up and load up a few hundred more of the 2.7 Clays

Pardon the ****** phone pics at the range, didn't have a good camera with me.
25yds:





Oh, and the bonus- apparently she left the factory the same year I did!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Wow.... very nice... I would agree it is a keeper

You came from the Smith & Wesson factory too?? Damn, how cool is that?!! Have you been lettered yet??

LMAO!!!
You guys are killing me.....

And a birthday gun to boot! Congratulations!

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SV,14,17,21,28,29,39,66,586

Ok, ok, different factory, same year

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

This was before coming home, at the LGS:




I'm thinking this may be the fun gun for the wife, but I'm on the fence... sure hate to lose it

eta, yes, I did get the sideplate screws back in their proper locations...

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Very nice K38 and pretty good shooting for a kid.

Let me assure you, "The older I get, the better I was", in the words of a great bluesman.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Good for you, a classic birth year gun to be sure! That loose nut syndrome must be spreading, I've noticed that my groups keep opening up with every year too, but still good shooting on your part. I too recently picked up a 1954 birth year K-38 and dang if it dosent outshoot me. If you ask me 1954 was a pretty good year, was it not?

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Stay safe people!

Very nice gun and it looks like some pretty good shootin' to me. I lost my K-38 to my youngest daughter. After shooting several guns one day not long ago, she said she really liked it so I gave it to her. Needed more room in the safe anyway

Congratulations and that one is definitly a keeper and a birth year gun to boot.

Mine is a 1976, but will still shoot my wadcutter loads (2.7gr Bullseye, 148gr WC solid) a lot better than I can hold it, except when shooting over a sandbag.

Mine is also a '54 - K2178XX. She is also able to shoot my wadcuttter loads (2.4 gr. Titegroup, 148gr HBWC) much better than I, although every so often she shows off!