Please talk me out of a Model 14-3.

USSR · Apr 12, 2017

Went to a local gun store today, and spied a minty 14-3 with 6" barrel (15K serial #) and the issue box (no papers and no tools). Price: $700. I will be loading .38 Special HBWC's and was planning on using my 6" Model 19-3 for shooting them, but now I am tempted on buying the 14-3. Some questions: Can I expect similar accuracy with wadcutters between the 19 and the 14? The 14 comes with Magna grips which seems to be normal for that mode, Yes? Price seems a little high, Yes? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Don

JimBianchi · Apr 12, 2017

If the 14-3 is in great shape, that price is not out of line. On the high end, but condition is everything.

My 14-4 has obvious wear on the barrel and no box or papers, paid $440 a month ago and was willing to go to higher, but got lucky.

The gun is ridiculously accurate, excellent trigger and a joy to shoot.

Pocketrocket · Apr 12, 2017

Oh you don't want one of those. They're awful. Especially the minty flavored ones that come in a box. Hope this helps.

lrrifleman · Apr 12, 2017

I will be more an enabler, sorry!

I have 2 Model 14s, and old 4 screw and a 14-3. In my mind, you can never have enough K38 Masterpieces!

Expect better accuracy out of a Model 14 over a Model 19. Remember, the Model 19 cylinder has chambers cut and extra eighth inch longer than a 14, because the 357 case is longer.

Granted, the last 14 that I purchased was in the mid 90s, I have never paid more than $400 for any K38. I have not followed the market, so I can't say what an average current price is. I don't know if I would drop $700 on a K38 today, probably because I have 2 already. If I didn't, maybe I would spend the cash.

Originally, a Model 14 would come with the Magnas, IF it shipped with the service trigger and hammer. However, if it shipped with the target trigger and hammer, it usually shipped with the target stocks.

When I shoot my WC handloads, I can usually expect about a one and a half inch group slow fire at 25 yards single action, and about 3" rapid/timed fire (again fired single action) at 25 yards.

Sorry, but no way can I talk someone out of a Model 14, unless I have my eye on it!

growr · Apr 12, 2017

Get it quick before someone else figures it out!!!

Randy

paplinker · Apr 12, 2017

My question might be do both revolvers share the same twist?

I have no idea. Like to know myself.

I have heard but cannot confirm that the prewar 38/44s and the Reg mag had different twists, but are comparable guns as the two you asked about.

D Brown · Apr 12, 2017

Scoop it up before someone else does!

USSR · Apr 12, 2017

lrrifleman said:
Expect better accuracy out of a Model 14 over a Model 19. Remember, the Model 19 cylinder has chambers cut and extra eighth inch longer than a 14, because the 357 case is longer.

When I shoot my WC handloads, I can usually expect about a one and a half inch group slow fire at 25 yards single action, and about 3" rapid/timed fire (again fired single action) at 25 yards.

Yeah, I know what you mean. But, are we talking about a significant accuracy difference with wadcutters in a 14 as opposed to a 19? About 18 months ago, I got my Mint Condition 6 inch 19-3 with the issue box for $570.

lrrifleman said:
Originally, a Model 14 would come with the Magnas, IF it shipped with the service trigger and hammer. However, if it shipped with the target trigger and hammer, it usually shipped with the target stocks.

Forgot to notice the trigger and hammer, although I am pretty sure they are not the wide target trigger and hammer. I checked the completed auctions on GunBroker, and there doesn't seem like anyone is bidding on the $600 - $800 14-3's.

Don

Jingles · Apr 12, 2017

I've got A 19-3 and a 14-3. For whatever reason I shoot the 19 well, but the 14 great. In fact out of all my guns my 14-3 will outshoot them all. In theory they should shoot very similar but that 14 is has such a good trigger that it even outshoots my Performance Center guns.

I suppose it could have to do with the fact that I use it a whole lot more than other guns, and I generally only shoot 148gr wadcutters. The price is a tad high but not enough so that I wouldn't scoop it up.

Jackcpat · Apr 12, 2017

14-3

These are really nice handling revolvers. As for as price goes I paid $700 for an unfired 14-3 full target, with correct box, tools and anti corrosive paper. Target box is a little wideer for the extra grip length. Then I turned around and gave $900 for a 14-3 with added 3 T with standard box numbered to the gun but wouldnt fit with the added target grips. This was a bullseye gun that had been slicked up. I guess my point is, it's all what you want. Good luck.
Oh, on a side note the bullseye gun I swapped the grips back to Magnas. Just fit my hand better

USSR · Apr 12, 2017

Any advantage to having or not having the 3 T's, other than the fact that most collectors like them? If I get this, it will be shot with strictly wadcutter loads, and if I keep the Magna's on it, I will add a Tyler T-Grip as it will fit my hand better.

JP@AK · Apr 12, 2017

USSR

First, I'll try to talk you out of buying it if you will tell me who to call so I can buy it instead of you!

Clearly you should get it if you have never owned a K-38. I promise you won't be sorry. The price is right around the top of the market, but I would do it anyway. This is one of the finest .38 Special target revolvers you will ever shoot.

About this:

Originally, a Model 14 would come with the Magnas, IF it shipped with the service trigger and hammer. However, if it shipped with the target trigger and hammer, it usually shipped with the target stocks.

It simply isn't true. Magna stocks were frequently shipped on the Model 14 (at least on all dash numbers up to the -4) regardless of the type of hammer and trigger that were fitted to them. I have well over a dozen K-38 Masterpiece revolvers (including Model 14s) in my safe. Some have 1T, some 2T and some 3T. All combinations are common. I actually have more that shipped with Magna stocks than with Target stocks and nearly all of them have at least the target hammer.

There are three 14-3 revolvers in the attached picture. Two of them have target hammers and triggers and both of those shipped with the Magna stocks that are on them. There just isn't a correlation between 2T and 3T features, as suggested. The factory regularly cranked out all combinations.

Note: it does seem to me that with the advent of the -4, target stocks became more common, if not standard, with the other two Ts. But if you notice the gun second from the bottom in my picture, you will see a -4 with the standard trigger and the target stocks. It left the factory that way.

Go back and buy that Model 14-3 tomorrow!

jp-ak-albums-k-frame-target-revolvers-picture10764-top-bottom-k-38-masterpiece-1956-model-14-2-1967-model-14-3-1971-model-14-3-sao-1973-model-14-3-sao-2t-1973-model-14-4-1977-model-14-4-1980-a.jpg

KalamazooKid · Apr 12, 2017

My 14-3 from 1974, bought from a trusted forum member, is one of my favorite shooters. The balance on the 6" is perfect.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bananaman · Apr 12, 2017

I really like 14's. I only have 1. Picked it up on GB, (August 2014)for $410 shipped & insured. Best money spent. Mine was gun only, and condition is very good. $700, is HIGH to me but it is your (& only your ) decision. Did you try to negotiate the price? Let us know how you make out. Bob

bananaman · Apr 12, 2017

KalamazooKid said:
My 14-3 from 1974, bought from a trusted forum member, is one of my favorite shooters. The balance on the 6" is perfect.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You sure have a nice 1 there! Bob

JP@AK · Apr 12, 2017

bananaman said:
I really like 14's. I only have 1.

That's a nice one, Bob.

One is a lot better than none!

Aircrewman · Apr 12, 2017

Coming here to ask the membership to "talk you out" of buying a really nice K-38 would only happen if one of us found out the location of said gun so as to be able to get it before you did........

Advice: buy it... and soon, because the investigative powers here abouts to sniff out great buy K-38s (19s, 15s,10s, 28s, 29s, 57s 58s, 67s etc, etc, etc....) is amazing....! He who hesitates..... The early bird....!!!

USSR · Apr 13, 2017

JP@AK said:
Clearly you should get it if you have never owned a K-38. I promise you won't be sorry. The price is right around the top of the market, but I would do it anyway. This is one of the finest .38 Special target revolvers you will ever shoot.

Oh, I have about 8 K-38's, but they are all Model 19's and 66's.

JP@AK said:
Magna stocks were frequently shipped on the Model 14 (at least on all dash numbers up to the -4) regardless of the type of hammer and trigger that were fitted to them. I have well over a dozen K-38 Masterpiece revolvers (including Model 14s) in my safe. Some have 1T, some 2T and some 3T. All combinations are common.

Since this particular 14-3 comes with the issue box, what should I look for on the label in regards to it's original T configuration?

Don

JP@AK · Apr 13, 2017

USSR said:
Oh, I have about 8 K-38's, but they are all Model 19's and 66's

The Model 19 and Model 66 are not K-38s. The K-38 Masterpiece was strictly a .38 Special gun and became the Model 14. The Model 19 is a Combat Magnum and the Model 66 is a Combat Magnum Stainless.

Since this particular 14-3 comes with the issue box, what should I look for on the label in regards to it's original T configuration?

On the end label, the TH and TT boxes will be checked if the gun was equipped with Target Hammer and Target Trigger. The Stock box will have an S in it if the gun shipped with Magna stocks. If the gun shipped with Target Stocks, it will have a T or a TS or (sometimes) ST.
.

cmansguns · Apr 13, 2017

Hello Forum;

I vote for the 14-3 at whatever price gets it in your hands!

My 14-3 with 8-3/8" barrel wearing ancient Mershon rubbers came to me unfired per the original owners son.

It is no longer unfired and that gun beat the daylights out of my Colt Officers Model Match.....same hold, same range (indoor), same everything....the Colt just didn't match the 14-3.

Sure....it might have been the grip (medium hands...not bear paws) or it might have been me to some degree....but I'm here to tell you...the 14-3 for $600 OTD vs the Colt which I sold for $900 a month later....I'm happy, the boss is happy, the gun safe is even happy (1 less horse in there, 1 more quality, fine lookin Smith).

OP.....like the others said.....better grab it before I get back to my home State (New York) and start quickly pawing around Canadaigua, Chataqua, Olean, Wellsville, even up to Utica) and find that guy........hmmm.....wonder if the boss wants a little Easter trip up North.

Best of luck with that 14 no matter what you get it for.

Please talk me out of a Model 14-3.

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