This gun was another gun show find a while back. Serial number is S148XXX. Stocks number to the gun. Kinda big for a .38, but I understand what they were trying to do.
.38/44 HD 4 inch
- Thread starter Shark Bait
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Nice, I like it. Still 38 Special only or modified for 357s? Looks to be in very good condition, grips are probably correct with the SN stamped on the inside right panel.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
OP
Yes, .38 Special only and the stocks do number to the gun. Appears to be unmolested.
Great guns. I bought a while back as sort of an homage to my dad who carried one as an MP during WWII. I like it, I shoot it and I even qualified with it a while back.
I have one in 357 Magnum... I'm pretty sure that it is a factory "357-38"...
NOT...
At least the Smith who reamed the cylinders, marked the barrel, so that I did not have to wait until I got it home to check.
NOT...
At least the Smith who reamed the cylinders, marked the barrel, so that I did not have to wait until I got it home to check.
Last edited:
Funny thing, I never had any interest in the model 27 or 28. I figured if I'm lugging around an N frame I want a 44 mag…….. YET I really like the HD and Outdoorsman in .38. I know that doesn't make sense. I guess it's the history that draws me to a 38/44
IIRC this is a 1953 with matching grips, 38 only.
My only post war HD, a 5 inch transitional from 1946.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2qccos9 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2qccos9 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
with fixed sights how does .38spl and .357 magnum ammo print on the target ?
an old time cop I worked with carried a .38/44 .38 5" nickeled.
When the newbies inquired why he carried a heavy .38 he would go to his locker and bring out a Model 10 6" with the barrel looped upward. He would explain while in a fight he used his Model 10 as a club and bent the barrel. He then would show his .38/44 and ask " see any bent barrel on this one?"
When the newbies inquired why he carried a heavy .38 he would go to his locker and bring out a Model 10 6" with the barrel looped upward. He would explain while in a fight he used his Model 10 as a club and bent the barrel. He then would show his .38/44 and ask " see any bent barrel on this one?"
Never shot a 38 in it. My 357's.....168 grs cast bullet...14.5 grs of #2400...Shoots very close to point of aim.......You wouldn't miss a rabbit.
My only post war HD, a 5 inch transitional from 1946.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Very nice HD. It kind of hurts because I was born in 46 also, hard to find birthday S&Ws from that year. Sadly it looks in better shape than me too.
I have two 4" 38/44s that are very close in serial number. S149XXX and S151XXX. Both have matching number diamond magnas and are still in original .38 spl chambering I am happy to say.
I have one, a 4-inch 1957 specimen that's still in original condition. These babies were tough as nails - useable as bludgeons as well as for shooting!
John
John
Last edited:
daddio202
Member
DWalt
Member
I have one, early 50s, lengthened chambers. Maybe 80%. I don't consider the .357 conversion to be a negative. I don't shoot it much, too heavy to suit me. I have wondered why S&W did not offer it in .357 from the factory.
Last edited:
