Considering a 38/44 Outdoorsman

[Maicobmw]

The LGS has a pretty nice looking 38/44 Outdoorsman I am thinking about bringing home. It has a buggered spot on the right side of the barrel near the muzzle and a few freckles here and there, but is pretty darn clean otherwise. Probably not shot all that much. Action and timing are fine. It comes with the wood box which is a little beat up, no paperwork, but then I don't care all that much about boxes.

I would appreciate any comments or observations from the collective. Early fifties? Grips correct?

 

[rocknroad]

As Nike says, "Just Do It." You won't be disappointed. I love my pre-war OD, from my grandfather. I shoot it whenever I go the range and am impressed every time.

 

[daddio202]

The gun dates to 1954 and the relieved grips may have been added a little later as 1954-1955 guns should not have the relieved area in them. But I think they look great and are functional as well. I have a pre-27 I put the same grips on and it too is from same time frame with serial beginning i n S137. To me the outdoorsman even though only 38 special are right up there with registered magnums as far as quality goes. You may want to make sure the cylinder has not been reamed to 357 before purchasing because that will ruin all collector value. Great gun and if everything checks out mechanically and price is right I would buy it in a heartbeat. Good luck and let us know it you purchase it.

 

[Kinman]

My entrance into and beginning of my interest in Smith and Wesson revolvers was basically with a trade into a '53 Outdoorsman. I was not aware of its monetary value or collector appeal when I stumbled into it on a trade offer for a Colt 1911 that I was into around $700. I figured if I could get the Smith with its original box and matching stocks I was money ahead without even learning anything about them. Of course you are looking at the 38-44, N frame 38 special and making sure that it was not reamed out to accept .357 cartridges should be of interest to you, simply drop a .357 round in a chamber and if it don't go your good to go. Its easy to see why many of these were "converted" because it makes them much more versatile. Of all my Smiths I value this model the least due to my basic lack of interest in shooting .38 special in anything but my Model 52-2. If you are enamored with shooting .38 special in a revolver look into a K-38 Target Masterpiece.
The Outdoorsman and Heavy Duty fit an important part of the history and development of Smith and Wesson, people and in particular L.E. types wanted more power out of the .38 special and the Heavy Duty 38-44 loads were developed for that purpose. I figure if your going to pack an N-frame it might as well be a .44 or .45, especially if your looking for more stopping power so its pretty logical that was the reason for their demise, and any loss of interest in them collectively.
I seem to remember reading that Keith loved his pre-war Outdoorsman due to its excellent trigger, he was loading it to the maximum of course and couldn't damage it.
The one your looking at appears to be in excellent shooter grade condition. Even if I was looking for one to be a shooter I would not want it bored to accept .357, if handed one by a relative or old friend that would be a different story.

 

[Maicobmw]

The gun dates to 1954 and the relieved grips may have been added a little later as 1954-1955 guns should not have the relieved area in them. But I think they look great and are functional as well. I have a pre-27 I put the same grips on and it too is from same time frame with serial beginning i n S137. To me the outdoorsman even though only 38 special are right up there with registered magnums as far as quality goes. You may want to make sure the cylinder has not been reamed to 357 before purchasing because that will ruin all collector value. Great gun and if everything checks out mechanically and price is right I would buy it in a heartbeat. Good luck and let us know it you purchase it.

Great stuff, thank you.

 

[Grayfox]

I've got one that I enjoy shooting very much. Its a ***** cat with regular .38 ammo, quite accurate and fun to shoot. But that's a lot of gun for a .38 Special. If all you want is a .38, you'd be better off with a K-frame. And as mentioned, if its reamed to .357, all collector value is lost.
To really enjoy the .38/44 you need to be a reloader. Whip yourself up some old time, for real .38/44 High Velocity loads and experience the gun the way it was meant to be. Then you'll really love it.

 

[Maicobmw]

Much obliged... I have not been specifically looking for this model, but it is not all that often that an interesting old revolver pops up locally that I can lay my hands on.

 

[22hipower]

Don't think anyone else mentioned it but the box isn't original to the gun. It does have some value though, check what they're going for on eBay. To buy or not to buy would basically depend on price (always does I suppose). Even though shooter grade it is an important part of S&W history and I wanted one just for that reason. If you can buy it for $600 or less I would do it immediately. Above that I'd have to think about it, at $700 I'd probably still buy, at $800 I'd still consider it, much above that I'd leave it. I have one a little nicer a couple thousand SNs before this one and I paid $650 for it but that was six years ago and it is the bright blue finish; which the one you're looking at may also be, can't tell for sure from the picture. Anyway 20% premium or so for that finish versus the standard satin blue. Which reminds me, any chance that one may be refinished? Sideplate screws look a little "dished" in the picture but it isn't sharp enough to be sure. Might want to check the left side of the butt under those diamond target stocks and see if there are any S&W rework stamps. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[boatbum101]

Mine is a 1954 gun & still chambered in 38 special . It very accurate with anything from HBWC target loads to full blown 38/44 loads that'll equal current 357 performance . It appears to be std post war matte blue finish . If it has not been reamed , refinished / reworked . I'd offer $750 & see how it goes . They don't sell all that well unless high condition with box & all the goodies . Like I said mine will outshoot any K38 & rivals my Colt OMM with wadcutter ammo . added plus is 38/44 loads with a good cast bullet will take any deer or hog in our area provided you do your part . If it didn't have that ding on the muzzle I'd go up to $ 850 but no higher . Good luck .

 

[THREEDFLYER]

The serial number of the gun you are pondering is from 1954......I have two of the Pre-23 Outdoorsman's both from 1954 and one has a slightly lower S/N the other slightly higher.

Grab it and ENJOY!

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have one and I LOVE to shoot it. I am confident you will enjoy yours.

 

[410bore]

I echo 22hipower, this one is refinished. Hope it is priced accordingly.

 

[Maicobmw]

Thanks to all for the great advice. I'll have another look to confirm that it hasn't been reamed and look closer for signs of refinishing, but will likely step back. As I said I am not looking specifically for this model, it would be a convenience buy, plus the price is a little more than it probably should be. I doubt it will sell immediately anyway, so maybe time is on my side.