Exercising Heavy Duties

[j38]

Recent threads about Heavy Duties prompted me to take 3 of mine to the range today. The top HD was a Washington State Patrol gun shipped in '56. The 6.5-inch barrel gets you real close to the target. The middle HD sports a 4-inch barrel and was shipped in '54. It has all the earmarks of a pre-war revolver - just shipped after the war. The lower gun was shipped in April of 1930 - the first month of HD production. They all put 158 grain pills where they belong at 30'. Curiously, the 1930 HD shoots 2" lower than the others at this distance. In any event, I had lots of fun with these old shooting irons. Hard to imagine carrying the WSP gun on your hip all day. That's a BIG gun!

Jerry

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=309839&stc=1&d=1509420532

 

[A10]

Those old Patrol guns are danged accurate! Is the back of the grip ground on yours?

 

[DevilDog72]

the HD 4" is my grail gun. love the things

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I also have a late 1950's Washington State Patrol 6.5" 38/44 HD in the stable......it is still marked on the back-strap as a WSP gun......most of them had the markings ground off of the back-strap....how about yours??

 

[j38]

Most of the "Washington State Patrol" ID stamped on the backstrap of my HD has been ground off. 5 letters remain, ... enough to know its true identity. I also have a letter acknowledging shipment of the gun to the sporting goods store that supplied the WSP with many of their guns. I've not investigated the holster type that allowed those Highway Patrolmen to carry these LONG HDs while seated in a cruiser, but I suspect something on a pivot. If not - it may help explain why officers wanted to stop for coffee so often....

Jerry

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I have the original holster and ammo pouch issued to the patrolman that had my 38/44.....I will check it out and see if it has a swivel feature.

 

[Texas Star]

I have the original holster and ammo pouch issued to the patrolman that had my 38/44.....I will check it out and see if it has a swivel feature.

Please post pictures.

It shouldn't need a swivel. Officers in Dallas, Denver, and elsewhere have worn six-inch barrels without swivels. Denver used crossdraw holsters when I was there.

British personnel used six-inch barrel Webleys and longer S& W .455's with no ill effects.

 

[1Aspenhill]

The 5" pre war looks familiar ��

 

[Dave T]

j38,

Did you shoot plain old 38 Specials or real 38/44s in your HDs?

Dave

 

[j38]

I shot 158 grain +P lead semi-wadcutter ammo. ... and yes, Bill, I figured you'd recognize the 5 -incher. Thanks again!

Jerry

 

[Dave T]

I shot 158 grain +P lead semi-wadcutter ammo.

Good for you, but your still a several hundred fps short of the original 38/44. (smile)

Dave