I've been reading the discussion of Cokes on a 28 and I know the rule, never say never. How confident can you be saying 29's and 57's always came with cokes? Has anyone ever lettered a 29 or 57 in the coke time frame with the regular targets not as checkered Goncalo Alves target grips? I've always thought 29 & 57 cokes and 27 & 28 regular targets. Thanks
Another Coke
- Thread starter ND Farmer
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Anyone that uses the term always with S&W is likely new at this. 
Understanding why will surface in many threads on here. It does make learning on here and collecting more interesting.
Understanding why will surface in many threads on here. It does make learning on here and collecting more interesting.
crsides
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As a rule, you are right. And a letter may or may not distinguish between the two styles of grips.
Charlie
Charlie
Welcome to the forum.
You have it right. But cokes GA stocks could be an option on any N frames at the time.
As far as 29s and 57s always coming with cokes, the following thread link will provide insight on the pains taken by Smith to always supply cokes on those two models:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...16014-s130741-45-44-magnum.html#post139536804
I knew I set myself up when I used "always" but I tried to preface it before saying, never say never.
Was it usually special ordering that had some GA cokes on 27 & 28's and regular targets on some 57 & 29's or did it get down to supply on hand in some cases.
Also, why do you think they dumped the cokes and not the regular targets when so many more think the cokes are better shooting? Cost? Regular targets are too big for my hands. Thanks
Was it usually special ordering that had some GA cokes on 27 & 28's and regular targets on some 57 & 29's or did it get down to supply on hand in some cases.
Also, why do you think they dumped the cokes and not the regular targets when so many more think the cokes are better shooting? Cost? Regular targets are too big for my hands. Thanks
1. Yes on 27s and 28s. But no on 29s and 57s, cokes were the standard stocks for them. If you find standard targets on 29s and 57s, the Cokes have been canabilized after being shipped from the factory. Not supply on hand.
2.Who is "they"? If you mean S&W, the standard targets were cheaper to produce.
The invoices for Model 29s and 57s did not specify the style of stocks unless they were special ordered. If an invoice for a Model 28 shipped in the time frame for coke bottle or regular target stocks, the invoice would only specify target stocks, not the type.
Bill
Bill
Does anyone have a Highway Patrolman that was factory equipped with the Special Target grips? I have seen them with Diamond Targets but all those I have seen with the Special Targets have been aftermarket....
Does this discussion in any way represent a possible reason why a 1955 .45 Target Model that I picked up recently that has a "W" mainspring is fitted with diamond centered targets that are serial numbered to a Pre-Model 29 fitted with "Cokes"? In other words did the factory simply receive an order for the Pre-Model 29 and a request for "Cokes"...take the diamond center targets off, put the "Cokes" on and then simply put the diamond centers on the Pre Model 25 as a matter of course? The curiosity never ends....
Kinman,
No this discussion does not, but the reason is thoroughly explained in the thread linked to in my post #4.
In brief, the 44 Mag that the standard targets on your .45 are #d to match, was not a pre 29 at the time the grips were #d to it. It was produced as another N frame that did not get Cokes as a standard issue.
But Smith needed a frame to turn into a pre 29 which was a hot seller with greater market demand than most or all other N frames at the time, so the targets on it were removed, and replaced with the proper cokes for a pre 29. The standard targets were not discarded of course, they were re-used on a 1955 .45 target which happened to get a W spring and that you now own. Or some other N frame if your gun does not letter as being shipped with target stocks.
Targets were seldom serial numbered to a particular frame because they needed less fitting and were a more universal fit than Magnas. When they were #d, and re-used on another gun, they leave a trail of their former planned use (and confusion) as you have now discovered!
No this discussion does not, but the reason is thoroughly explained in the thread linked to in my post #4.
In brief, the 44 Mag that the standard targets on your .45 are #d to match, was not a pre 29 at the time the grips were #d to it. It was produced as another N frame that did not get Cokes as a standard issue.
But Smith needed a frame to turn into a pre 29 which was a hot seller with greater market demand than most or all other N frames at the time, so the targets on it were removed, and replaced with the proper cokes for a pre 29. The standard targets were not discarded of course, they were re-used on a 1955 .45 target which happened to get a W spring and that you now own. Or some other N frame if your gun does not letter as being shipped with target stocks.
Targets were seldom serial numbered to a particular frame because they needed less fitting and were a more universal fit than Magnas. When they were #d, and re-used on another gun, they leave a trail of their former planned use (and confusion) as you have now discovered!
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