Combat Masterpiece-True Story

[57 Fan]

The wife and I are purchasing a small homestead a few hours from home to serve as a weekend get-a-way and I was wanting to purchase a reliable revolver to tuck away somewhere in the house. I went online shopping with a budget of around $400 +/-.

I shopped several sites and ended up on one of the big box stores used guns page and found this for sale...

After speaking with the salesperson to make sure of the condition, I made the purchase $414 shipped. I had no idea until it arrived that it was a 5 screw K38. Neither did the sales person. From what I can find, it was mfg between '49 and '51. Needless to say, it will not find itself tucked away beneath a loose floorboard unused and unloved.

 

[ralph7]

Looks like you're a couple of c notes ahead of the game.

Nice gun!

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice Combat Masterpiece,
Definitely made before 1953, if you would like to narrow it down post the serial stamped on the heel.

 

[57 Fan]

Great thank you. Here is the S/n - K 118093

 

[Jackcpat]

Combat Masterpiece

Combat Masterpiece with Magna grip is one of the easiest pointing, smoothest shooting hand guns out there. Good score, you have a piece you'll enjoy.

 

[gutterman]

What was the big box store and the salesman name? I think he and I could be good friends!

 

[spdguns]

Nice find!

 

[rct269]

And thank you so much for referring to it as a Combat Masterpiece---rather than a Pre-Model number whatever.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Engine49guy]

Great thank you. Here is the S/n - K 118093

Likely a mid to late 1951 gun,

If your interested to go to the next step you can remove the stocks and look inside the right panel for a matching serial number that would denote the stocks are the originals.
Next tidbit is using a magnifying lens look closely at the medallions in the grips as your gun is very close to the range where we see plastic grip medallions briefly appear in place of the normal nickel coated brass.
This was due to Korean wartime rationing of brass for the war effort.

 

[57 Fan]

What was the big box store and the salesman name? I think he and I could be good friends!

It was a Cabelas store in the mid-west and the sales guy was a real polite fellow. He went to great lengths to remark how clean, rust free, tight lock up, excellent blue, very little holster wear, etc. the revolver exhibited. Yep, he sold me...

 

[57 Fan]

Oh yes one more thing. I'd like to shoot and enjoy this great handgun and would really appreciate any suggestions on recommended ammo. I am sure I need to use rounds that are not too hot and are not designated +P.

Thank you,

 

[Targets Guy]

What a beauty.

 

[OldChief]

Nice piece, according to my S&W bible, your revolver was put together in 1951. Enjoy it, I'm sure it will prove to be a great shooter.

 

[Engine49guy]

Oh yes one more thing. I'd like to shoot and enjoy this great handgun and would really appreciate any suggestions on recommended ammo. I am sure I need to use rounds that are not too hot and are not designated +P.

Thank you,

While S&W policy is anything "Pre" Model marking is not OK with +P rated ammo IIRC the general consensus is +P ammo is withing .38 special specs so will not damage your gun .

That being said IMO daily range use is better suited to milder loads especially on the older classics that you want to last and BTW S&W will not work on pre model guns should they develop any mechanical issues since they do not have any spare parts and returning defective firearms is a liability .

If you are interested in the Combat Masterpiece evolution there is a thread that follows its development from intro to the end of the pre lock era here.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/365528-some-combat-masterpiece-eye-candy.html

 

[57 Fan]

Likely a mid to late 1951 gun,

If your interested to go to the next step you can remove the stocks and look inside the right panel for a matching serial number that would denote the stocks are the originals.
Next tidbit is using a magnifying lens look closely at the medallions in the grips as your gun is very close to the range where we see plastic grip medallions briefly appear in place of the normal nickel coated brass.
This was due to Korean wartime rationing of brass for the war effort.

Just removed the stocks and the matching S/n is stamped on the right one. Under magnification, the medallions appear to be nickel.

I greatly appreciate that bit of info. Many thanks.

 

[Jackcpat]

Combat Masterpiece

I've had great luck with factory 158 gr lead SWCs and jacketed HP in my 1956 Combat

 

[Texas Star]

Given the role that you outlined, I'm amazed that you didn't insist on stainless steel. And on a .357 or at least Plus P capability.

But you did get adequate value for the money. The gun is usable for the purpose but hardly ideal. However, the consensus is that you can fire a limited number of Plus P rounds. And out on that land, you may want Plus P or .357 Magnum power.

I think this gun would be better bought by a collector or a nostalgia freak.

 

[Art Doc]

I have K123970 shipped 10/23/51.

I agree that limited +P is OK. Don't shoot more than a couple hundred thousand rounds. All right, maybe half a million would be OK. But no more than that.

Shooting with Hobie

 

[Old Corp]

Great find on your K38 CM.
For the role for which you are looking for a handgun, IMO a great fit would be a used police trade-in, such as found on Bud's Guns - an M&P auto or Glock.

 

[57 Fan]

I have K123970 shipped 10/23/51.

I agree that limited +P is OK. Don't shoot more than a couple hundred thousand rounds. All right, maybe half a million would be OK. But no more than that.

Shooting with Hobie

Thats great!

I am not looking to shoot +P just wanted to make sure there was no need to put the higher pressure rounds through the revolver. I am thinking that factory loads <800 fps should qualify as a safe and effective application. I'll keep and enjoy it for what it is.