Fun at the range with my antique !

[Hearsedriver]

Just got back from the range this morning after shooting my 1876 .38 Model 2 and had a blast. Considering its age and the fair amount of pitting in the bore, she shot very well. Once I figured out the sight picture, I was able to hit the black area of the target. I was shooting 146 gr. Remingtons from 20 feet. There is just something cool about shooting a 136 year old gun. Its the most fun I have ever had from a $200.00 gun!

 

[rboineau]

Good for you! Nice to see the old ones being used.

 

[delta-419]

Antiques

It is a lot of fun! I handload the old calibers and shoot the rounds in my antiques all the time. They are amazingly accurate for their age. I have a variety of S&W, plus others (colts), that provide me with a lot of fun and entertainment. They perform as well today as they did back in the day. Now you have to find an old 44. Enjoy!!!

 

[glowe]

Good job. I love shooting my old S&Ws all the way back to my Americans, Russians, .32 rimfires, and Model 1s. I shoot quite a bit, but don't shoot any of my antiques too often. That is why I need so many of these old Smiths!

 

[Hearsedriver]

Yeah, I am thinking I need more antiques so that I can shoot all of them, al little at a time : )

Delta, I would LOVE a .44 some day!

 

[1908reeves]

My model 3 is in need of some repair, but once it is repaired I would love to shoot it, however 44 henry rounds are a bit expensive

 

[glowe]

There is reloadable .44 Rimfire brass available. Dixie Gun Works has some and the reloads use a .22 blank as the ignition source. Also, I think Handloader Magazine had an article on how to make your own rimfire rounds using centerfire brass.

 

[cgt4570]

They are very accurate for what they are and not a bad pocket self defense round since you can lower the firing pin between case heads for safe carry! It's better than a .32acp and on par with a .380 in terms of effectiveness.

 

[2LtCal]

The oldies are it!

Outstanding!
Love to see these pieces out and in action.
I'd be interested any handload info for the 32 s&w to use in my DA 3rd model.

 

[gwpercle]

Hearsedriver....Thanks for the inspiration,
My mom gave me her fathers 38 S&W double action 4th model and a box of ammo but I was a little hesitant to shoot it. Mine is blued and tight. It was made in 1904.
After seeing your results , its coming to the range. I also think the old top breaks are cool. Just holding it brings back memories of my grandfather. Mom said if it had not been for that revolver and the small game he shot with it they would have starved to death during the 1930's depression , in east Texas. She mentioned eating a lot of rabbit and " Hoover Hog " thier term for armadillo.

gary

 

[Hearsedriver]

By the way. A member here emailed me and told me that the grips on my 2nd Model are wrong and that they are for a 1st Model. Mine is a very early 2nd model so I always assumed that they were original. What say you?

 

[gwpercle]

Hearsedriver
I say they look just fine. Only an expert or knowledgable collector would know the difference between 1st model and 2nd model grips.
And it's not hard to imagine S & W using up the grips they had on hand when they started making the 2nd model. In fact its more likely this is what happened.
You might remove the grips and see if a serial no. is written inside, I took the grips off my 38 S&W double action . 4th model but there was no serial no. inside.
I would like to find some replacements for mine they are developing small cracks on the inside and at the bottom . They look rather fragile and I don't want to damage them when we go shooting. I'll look around the site and see what I can find.


gary

 

[DWalt]

Only question I would have about the grips is that, at least from your picture, their condition is inconsistent with the condition of the metal. That suggests a possibility of replica grips.

 

[Hearsedriver]

The grips are 100% original. While they "may" not be original to this gun, I think they are. The fit is perfect. They do have some wear from handling but arnt beat up. I think the biggest probhlme wit the gun cosmetically is the way it was stored. Maybe in a holster for many years or something becasue, when I took it apart to clean and lube everything, the mechanism looked almost un-used with no wear at all. Who really knows after 140 years : )

 

[TACC1]

Nice gun, the beauty is in the craftsmanship.
I really like those old guns, but only have a SA 32, 1-1/2.
As you noted, they're fun to shoot. The only improvement I'd
make, would be to get some wood stocks similar to early
J-frame Mod 36. That grip shape and thickness suits me quite well.
All I have to do now, is find someone willing to make some. TACC1