calmex
Member
After years of looking, I finally found a rather used and worn Pre-Model 20. Internally, she's in very good shape and the action is nice. Externally, there's pitting and signs of having been left "just laying around".
Still, in a country where .38 special revolvers are the most they'll let you have the .38 Heavy Duty and her sister the Outdoorsman are Kings. She came with the most awful Rubber grips I ever saw, but I had a set of PC Magnas that had come along with a set of Diamond Targets I got off of a Forum Member about a year ago. So, those went on right away although they're probably not exactly correct for the age of the revolver.
The serial number is S 148250 so any information as to approximate Date of Birth and such would be most appreciated.
Pitted or not, these are the "King of the Hill" as far as defensive handguns are concerned here in Mexico. Loaded with Elmer's load (those 356429's in the photo actually have only 12.5 grains of 2400 under them, which I feel is enough and a lot better than Aguila .38 special roundnose) or a reasonable facsimile it's the best you'll get as a civilian in Mexico. And it's probably quite enough, actually. Better than what most poeple have by far.
Yes, I am the guilty party who painted white paint into the lettering. I want any Mexican Policeman to be able to READ that it says .38 Special, night or day (because they won't have a working flashlight, you know?). And anyway, I like it. It's a shooter, not a collectible, but I sure wanted one!
This is an old thread. I am surprised at it's sudden reawakening, but it's nice to see it again. Since these original photos were posted I managed to get the correct stocks from a forum member and this Heavy Duty soldiers on today as one of my principal and most cherished side-arms. It sits in the safe right beside -- almost kissing -- the Roettinger gun when I'm not actually using the Heavy Duty for something or other. Here's a photo of her as she appears now.
When not in use, she sits in the safe snuggled up to Phil Roettinger's NRM. What a nice place to snuggle!
Still, in a country where .38 special revolvers are the most they'll let you have the .38 Heavy Duty and her sister the Outdoorsman are Kings. She came with the most awful Rubber grips I ever saw, but I had a set of PC Magnas that had come along with a set of Diamond Targets I got off of a Forum Member about a year ago. So, those went on right away although they're probably not exactly correct for the age of the revolver.
The serial number is S 148250 so any information as to approximate Date of Birth and such would be most appreciated.
Pitted or not, these are the "King of the Hill" as far as defensive handguns are concerned here in Mexico. Loaded with Elmer's load (those 356429's in the photo actually have only 12.5 grains of 2400 under them, which I feel is enough and a lot better than Aguila .38 special roundnose) or a reasonable facsimile it's the best you'll get as a civilian in Mexico. And it's probably quite enough, actually. Better than what most poeple have by far.
Yes, I am the guilty party who painted white paint into the lettering. I want any Mexican Policeman to be able to READ that it says .38 Special, night or day (because they won't have a working flashlight, you know?). And anyway, I like it. It's a shooter, not a collectible, but I sure wanted one!
This is an old thread. I am surprised at it's sudden reawakening, but it's nice to see it again. Since these original photos were posted I managed to get the correct stocks from a forum member and this Heavy Duty soldiers on today as one of my principal and most cherished side-arms. It sits in the safe right beside -- almost kissing -- the Roettinger gun when I'm not actually using the Heavy Duty for something or other. Here's a photo of her as she appears now.
When not in use, she sits in the safe snuggled up to Phil Roettinger's NRM. What a nice place to snuggle!
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