model 14 or 19 or something else for precision target shooting?

Before I ask my question let me tell you something about about me.I am Chris from Germany and i am a maniac sportshooter.

But here in good old Germany everything is totally different with our extremely strictly gun laws.We can not buy as much as we would like to.

First we have to be minimum 25 years old, have to belong to a shooting assosiation, have to practise 18 times a year as the mininum, then you need a positive general knowlede test from a special academy, an emergency education, a stamped and complete shooting book with all the dates into, some attendances on competions, the evidence to have the right safe, the membership into a shooting club belonging to your shooting assosiation.

If all this is complete you can apply for permission on your police county. Then they check you out in really every way, just a few parking tickets is enough that they could negate.
If everything is okay,with your finance by the way too, you could go on....

Two handguns is the maximum you could have here, the call it the ground contingent.
Every gun you would like to have must be listed for a special
sporting class discipline, its a piece of sport equipment, you got it?

My first was a Les Baer P II in .45 ACP for Service pistol II, that means with adjustable sights, my second was a custom modified 586-3 in 6 '' for the PPC 1500 open class.

If you would like to go on, you need a lot of competions with good results, otherwise the game is over.

So, my third was a Glock G 17 for I.P.S.C production, and my fourth was a 586-3 standart in 6 '' for the PPC 1500 distinguished revolver match.

You could imagine that i shoot a lot,and not so bad.

Now i am looking around for a new one for Service Revolver.
This is a static discipline on a distance of 25 m on the ISSF target, 3 series per 5 shots, 150 points maximum, all the time of the world, three minutes.
Most of the guys here take for that the standart, a 686, mostly the new ones -5 and further with mim parts.That ones i won't never buy, maybe they are not so bad and probably better, but i love the old forget frames with square butts, blued,hammernose and preferably recessed cylinders but the last is not a must.
I don't need the .357 option cause i will feed it exclusively with very soft .38 special wc loads for the maximum of precision.
The allowed trigger weight for service revolver is in the SA modus 1360 g, for DA modus its not regulated.But because of the PPC i trained and i am used to shoot exclusively DA on revolvers. My both other ones are ultrasmooth DA's, they work only with federal 100 primers but great.

Now i thought for my special needs about a 15-3 or 15-4, a 19-4 or a 686-3 or 686 -4.

I think a pure .38 revolver is with only a .38 feed is probably more precise than a .357 with .38 cause its built for, i am right?

My preference is a k frame for that, cause i have already two l frames.The other reason is that the trigger of the k framed models is much smoother when it is original.With some mods it should be like butter.So for that the 686 should be out.

I have never shot a 15 or 19, here they are very unpopular, no one wants to have them.You can have them here in maybe unused condition for less than 200 Euros, thats nothing, and i think they are nice guns.

What's the best choice and what series and years are the best, what years and series i shoul not buy?

It should be precise and long living thing, but just for .38.

Best regards from Western Germany in deep snow.
The deepest since the last 30 years.

Chris

I have not found there to be a significant accuracy difference between K-frames in .38 versus .357 when both are being used to shoot .38. This depends on the individual gun more than what cartridge the gun is chambered for.

I prefer the K frame to the L frame or N frame, so choosing a K frame makes sense to me.

Do any of these guns have a 6" barrel? If so, I would choose that one, because it sounds like you already have several 4" guns for general practical pistol shooting events. For precision revolver, you will benefit from a 6" barrel.

Otherwise, choose the particular gun that has the best trigger and lock up.

You didn't mention a model 14. A Model 14 is probably the sweetest target revolver ever made.

I second the Model 14; they are sweet.

I would vote Model 14. I would never give mine up.

Yep. Model 14. THE classic target revolver.

Hi For the .38 Special round for target shooting. Model 14 Smith all the way you won't be disappointed guarranteed....

Rick

And you can buy a brand new Model 14 Classic from S&W if the
money is not an issue.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701

get the 14 they are sweet!

I have already 586's in six inch, that is the maximum which is allowed for the divisions they are for.

For this division everything between 3 and 4 inch is allowed, so i take four.

And adjustable sight are a must.

An older Model 14 with the wide target hammer and target trigger is what I would recommend. No nicer target revolver ever made.

I agree with the rest. A model 14 or even a pre-14 K38 masterpiece is the best target 38 special I have ever seen. You can find a 6 inch barrel which would be excellent for target shooting. Getting one with a target hammer and trigger is a plus. I have the combat masterpiece with the target hammer and trigger. Best shooting 38 special I have ever had. The model 14 would give you the advantage of the longer barrel option.

Good luck,
roaddog28

a friend of mine has an old 14 from his uncle which died, it shoots very nice, much nicer than his 586-6, but it is a six inch too.

Was this model ever produced in 4 inch?

I am not sure, i know just the 14-3 which was called masterpiece in six inch.

I have a Model 14-3. Extremely accurate revolver.

Just to add a bit of heresy, though. Give some thoughts to a Colt Officer's Model Match. Slightly larger frame. Extremely accurate. Slightly more $'s. Also consider a Python, but much more $'s.

I also own a Model 19, 6.5", bbl, 3T's. It works very well, with .38 loads in .357 brass. Less build-up in the front of the cylinder.

I would

Hi if you want the 4" version its the Model 15 A.K.A. Combat Masterpiece its a .38 Special also its got the adjustable rear sight also but they don't come with the 3T's is all ...

Rick

4" Model 14?

It's a bit ragged out but it's a non-Dayton 14-2 from 1962, the best shooting 4" K-frame I've ever held. The trigger feels like teflon on ice. I have to get some new pictures as it looks really plum in these but looks quite a bit more uniform in the hand:

Do we see a pattern developing here?

I have 2 model 14's. Both are more accurate than I am.

Hi Chris,

Since you're in Germany, why not go with a Korth or Manhurin MR-73? All the ISSF shooters I know, myself included, would dump our S&W K frames in a heartbeat for either of those! They really are much more accurate, better fitted, and far, far tougher.
Check egun.de for prices. I've seen some good prices on either choice that made me wish I could figure out how to import.
Alternatively, the really hot centerfire pistol right now is the Pardini 32. There are older CF choices like Walther GSP, Sako Triace, Hammerli SP 20, etc.
But, in all fairness, a K38 is good for the money.

Best Regards,
Jim

The Model 14 .38 S&W Special caliber with 6-inch barrel is THE quintessential K Target Masterpiece revolver. The earlier engineering revision, (i.e. dash number) the better, in my not so humble opinion.

I have a 6' 19-3 target model which when shooting .38 Special is not more accurate than my 4" 67 (no dash) service model. The 67 just seems easier to shoot well (perhaps it's all in the balance).

I am so sorry though that you can't just go out and buy guns and keep what you like and sell them as the mood hits you.

By the way, 40 years ago (when I was in the U.S. Army) I was stationed in Germany and played musical instruments in the band. I played beer tents non-stop half the year. Oh, to be young again.

Hi Chris. In regards to your s situation, I believe that you will want a Model 15, the "Combat Masterpiece." It is a four inch barrel (generally but sometimes found with a 2" barrel), with target sights. They can be had with the "target style" trigger and hammer and large full wooden grips and are usually found with wooden "service grips" that are surrounding just the butt or grip frame of the gun.
If you can find one of these revolvers, you will be able to compete in the matches you want to for the style of competition you have described. You will be well served by this model of 38 special revolver!
This model was my first service revolver when I began my service as a Deputy Sheriff in Los Angeles County 40 years ago. Just simply a great handgun! Best of luck to you.
My daughter was assigned to Spangdalem Air Force base in the early to mid-ninety's and she lived in Bitburg..... What a great place it was/is. I have a very fond place in my heart for that area and its wonderful people! I would move there to live in a second if I had the chance.