As much as I tell myself I have bought my last gun, all I have to do is see a new shiny trinket and all my willpower goes out the window. A month ago I bought a new King Cobra 22 4” then two weeks ago at a gun show I picked up a very nice 17-6 4” without the under lug and a model 63 4”. I was feeling pretty good after buying the last 2 until yesterday when I walked in my local gun shop. I have a weakness for older Smiths and there it was in the case. I’ve never owned an 8-3/8” anything and there sat a virtually new 14-4 8-3/8”. I love the K frame Target revolvers and this one may have been shot once or twice. There are no marks on the blast shield except a minor track from the cylinder index pin. There’s hardly a drag line on the cylinder and the blue is near perfect. It has the 3 T’s but unfortunately no box.

The price was right at $700 and I had been thinking about trading off my 617 with Hillery hole at the next gun show but used this as an opportunity to work up a trade. The 617 was used when I got it and I traded a shotgun I inherited for it. I put a set of Altimont grips in it so that was the only cash I had in it. My dealer asked what I’d like out if it and I said even swap. It turned out the M14 was a consignment but everything worked out and i came home with a gorgeous M14.

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I’d have made that deal. Nice piece.

I would have found it very hard to pass on that Model 14 with a $700 price tag.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Nice pistol. I still have my 3 T'd 8 3/8" 14 purchased new at Montgomery Ward in Torrance, CA in 1980! I believe it was $189 plus tax. Them was the days...

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ken
SWCA #1959

Nice! I love it when a plan comes together!

The K frame models have always been a sweet spot for me especially the target models.

That really shows how much inflation affects prices. I bought a new M28 in 1978 and have the receipt. I paid $177 for it. But then how much were we making in 78-80?

35 years ago.......... I bought my "last gun......"

I have said to myself "definitely my last gun" at least 3 or 4 times a year for the past 50 + years!!! It's a sickness with no known cure, just have to deal with it the best you can. Great looking Smith, BTW, and not a bad deal these days.

You can fairly say it is your “last gun,” until you buy the next one. Congratulations on your new K38.

I think you will find that the K frame long tubes balance really well. I had my 17-5 long tube at the range yesterday. Very fun to shoot even DA.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

It's Okay ... He Made You an Offer You Couldn't Refuse !

$700 would be considered "stealing " in some places ...
I would have bought it too !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

You lucky dog.

I have a few 8 3/8 N frames, but you better eat your Wheaties to handle one accurately. Since I hit my mid 60's they seem heavier every time I pick one up. I bet that K frame would be a joy to shoot.

I’m in my mid 70’s and noticed how much heavier some of my guns have gotten and how much heavier recoil has gotten. See what you have to look forward to.

While I have no real interest in a barrel that long I will freely admit that is a really nice revolver. I bow to your lack of will.

I bought my first M-28 in 1962. I bought it at the rod & gun club at Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya. Brand new $70, 6 months later I bought My M-19, $90. I still have the M-19.
SWCA 892

Life is just too short to not enjoy things you love.

There’s one other gun I’d like to pickup sometime. I have a M28 that I bought new and always love the 27’s. Those are gorgeous guns. If I found a really nice example at a good price or trade I’d be very tempted to grab it.

I love stainless and really like nickel but the blue during certain production periods is as good as anything I’ve ever seen including the old Pythons. This M14 has that rich luminous blue and that’s part of what attracted me to it.

My good man, you have plenty of will power.

It's WON'T power that you're lacking!

Wait till you hit your mid 70s.

I just put my "next to the last" gun on layaway last week.

Congratulations. Beautiful gun.

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John 3:16 .

$189 adjusted for inflation is $755.00 today:-)

Pretty similar to what they are today.

Very nice Model 14-4 and the price was sure right enough. You’ll like the 8 3/8” barrel because they are accurate and a pleasure to shoot. I have a fondness for the long barrel’s myself.

I bought this Model 14-4, new in the box, in 1981. They’re kinda addictive.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

The last gun I bought is always the second to last gun I'll ever buy.

I too have NO will power, or as it was correctly stated "no won't power"
I have said no more, for so many years, that I'm embarrassed to say, i ever said it at all. I've given up trying. I'm resolved to the fact that I'm doomed/destined to buy another one, the next time a "can't do without it" gun comes along
So be it :-) I have two M14's both are outstanding shooters

Who said 8 3/8" K frames? What's not to like about them!

jcelect

As of today I’ve had my new toy at the range twice. I now understand how these long barreled revolvers can be addictive. I believe it’s the most accurate handgun I’ve ever owned.

I’m looking for the best load and shot 50 158 polymer coated SWC with Nitro 100nf under it and 25 148 HBWC with Bullseye under them. N100NF is a touch faster than BE and to my surprise they were just as accurate and shot very soft, softer than 2.6 grains of of Bullseye.

At 50ft from a rest I made one large hole shooting 50 rounds and then another target with 25. Forgot my chrono but plan on taking some Berrys plated 125’s over AA #2, 158 polymer cast over Nitro 100nf and more HBWC 148’s over Bullseye. I need to move the target out now to 25 yds and beyond.

Revised photo.

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For me, everything past 6 1/2". Do you use Viagra for powder in reloads?

My first .357 was a Model 28 bought in Concord, CA, for $225 out the door in 1979 or 80. You couldn't get it from me now for less than $1000. I'm not saying that because that is the going price, but because I'm really attached to it. In truth I have no idea what a 6" M-28 of that year is worth, and don't care, cuz it's not for sale.

Llance

I still have my 28-2 I bought new in 1978. I found the receipt lastgyear and the price was $177. It still looks new and I don’t think I’d be interested in selling it. I’d like a 6” but mine is a 4”. At a recent gun show I saw copies in used condition for close to $1,000.

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