I was browsing at a LGS yesterday and a used Smith revolver caught my eye. It appeared to be a J frame sized, 5 shot .38spl with a flat latch. There was nothing stamped in the crane/yoke recess. It was blued, round butt and the s/n was:184XXX, and it had an adjustable rear sight. What exactly was I looking at?
ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS ON A J FRAME?
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If original, a Chiefs Special Target, later named either a model 36 CST or model 50.
The serial number mentioned does not fall into the known Chiefs Special Target ranges so it may be a conversion from a standard gun. Only a letter would tell.
The serial number mentioned does not fall into the known Chiefs Special Target ranges so it may be a conversion from a standard gun. Only a letter would tell.
Often we can tell from a photo of the front and rear sights if it has a factory target sight installation.
There’s a price premium for a factory target model if the store knows how rare they are; what was the price?
There’s a price premium for a factory target model if the store knows how rare they are; what was the price?
You were very likely looking at a Chiefs Special Target (although mine was a square butt)---a series that came into being at the behest of Herbie Harris---he of H.H. Harris Co. (Chicago S&W distributor, also known as The Handgun Headquarters of The United States)----so named by Himself, who had a decided fondness for weird guns---this being one of the more weird----never mind you could shoot competitive scores at 25 and 50 yards with them---if you paid (very close) attention to what you were doing. You could also win fairly substantial sums of money from those who bet you couldn't do it---------that being the motivating factor.
Actually, the real motivating factor wasn't so much winning the money---as losing it! Oh the shame of it all!!
Been there---done that!
Ralph Tremaine
And by the way, a set of J frame target grips helped---immensely!
Actually, the real motivating factor wasn't so much winning the money---as losing it! Oh the shame of it all!!
Been there---done that!
Ralph Tremaine
And by the way, a set of J frame target grips helped---immensely!
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OP
The asking price was $999, and the s/n might have been 189XXX. The revolver was in pretty good shape, but the grips had some type of glossy finish to them.
Stranger things have happened, but I'd suggest it's likely a model
that's been turned into a Target model after it left the factory.
First indicator is the round butt.
Second is the serial number range.
I'd like to know jcelect's take on this one.
that's been turned into a Target model after it left the factory.
First indicator is the round butt.
Second is the serial number range.
I'd like to know jcelect's take on this one.
CST
The best indicator of a CST being correct or made up is the front sight! On a CST the front sight is machined with the barrel, not pinned on! To accommodate the higher adjustable rear sight the front sight must be made higher or the gun will shoot POA in the next county over! In the picture below note the height of the front sight of the bottom single gun, which is a CST non-model marked. All the other guns have nonadjustable rear sights. Compare the two sights! For a machinist it would be a simple task to install a model 34 rear sight on any J frame!
jcelect
The best indicator of a CST being correct or made up is the front sight! On a CST the front sight is machined with the barrel, not pinned on! To accommodate the higher adjustable rear sight the front sight must be made higher or the gun will shoot POA in the next county over! In the picture below note the height of the front sight of the bottom single gun, which is a CST non-model marked. All the other guns have nonadjustable rear sights. Compare the two sights! For a machinist it would be a simple task to install a model 34 rear sight on any J frame!
jcelect
A pair of J Frame 38 Special Targets, but the bottom gun will not letter as a Factory Target gun. It was evidently created after leaving the factory.
OP
Thanks for all the great information folks! Now that I know what I was looking at, I'm wanting to head back to that store and check out the front sight.
A pair of J Frame 38 Special Targets, but the bottom gun will not letter as a Factory Target gun. It was evidently created after leaving the factory.
As usual the front sight is the telltale that it’s not a factory target; notice it’s too far back from the muzzle and not shaped correctly.
Still a nice target sighted gun!
I all ways thought this was a ridiculous pistol. Whats the point. Why not sights on a Bodyguard or hammerless?
Mike,
That's a fair question. I can only answer from my perspective. I just like target sighted handguns. I have many without target sights like the I and J frames, and Ruger and Colt single actions.
But I find target sighted I and J frames desirable mainly because they're not plentiful so you don't find them very often except the .22s. Do I adjust them very often? No. But when I first get one I dial it in for a center hold or a 6 o'clock hold and I'm done. I also appreciate the sight picture more and more the older I get.
That's a fair question. I can only answer from my perspective. I just like target sighted handguns. I have many without target sights like the I and J frames, and Ruger and Colt single actions.
But I find target sighted I and J frames desirable mainly because they're not plentiful so you don't find them very often except the .22s. Do I adjust them very often? No. But when I first get one I dial it in for a center hold or a 6 o'clock hold and I'm done. I also appreciate the sight picture more and more the older I get.
StrawHat
Member
The Chiefs Special Target would be a nice revolver to have had when I shot PPC. I used a Model 36-1 and gave some serious thought to adding adjustable sights to it.
Kevin
Kevin
Ashland Shooter's Supply commissioned a handful of J targets in the mid 80's. Front sights do look awkward.
Mike
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Mike
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Rubone
Member
Rubone
Member
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And so do 196 .32 Regulation Police models in 1957.
