This one is about as shooter grade as they come.
Hard to find Smiths, in shooter grade...
- Thread starter lawandorder
- Start date
Don't have a picture but my........ 27-2 4 inch (recessed but not pinned) from 80/81 a perfect shooter grade at about 90%....... have to believe it was someones well cared for duty gun.
CptCurl
Member
I read this thread with interest. There are some really nice hard to find shooter grade revolvers here. I thought I might contribute a few. I have shown these before.
First is a delightful .44 Special Triple Lock. With serial number 1103 it shipped out in June 1910. "Hard to find" is one criteria here. A Triple Lock should qualify in its own right, but this one has a 5" barrel! As for "shooter grade," it is perfect. This revolver has been carefully used and loved over its 106 years. Everything is original. Its original blue finish is well-worn, but it remains vivid in protected areas reminding us of its original glory. Mechanically it is perfect inside and out. It shoots very well.
I particularly like the way it handles when wearing the Keith Brown Ropers I put on it.
It would be hard to find a shooter grade .44 Special to top this one. Several years ago I put it on display here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...516-s-w-44-hand-ejector-1st-model-1103-a.html
Several years ago I had the hankering for a .32-20 HE. I already had a collector grade .32-20 HE, but what I wanted was a shooter grade .32-20 HE Target. I don't know whether you have looked, but the .32-20 HE Target is hard to find. And when you find one, it's not that easy to pay for either.
Well I finally found one. It is s/n 44703 and left the S&W factory in December, 1909. Technically, it is a .32-20 HE Mod. of 1905 Target, Second Change. This revolver has a 6-1/2" barrel. You see it here alongside my Winchester 1892 .32-20 that dates to 1902. Quite a couple!
Everything matches on this revolver, including the s/n penciled inside the right grip panel. Here's the match people often ask about when target revolvers are discussed:
This wonderful revolver remains in perfect mechanical condition with a mint bore and chambers. Its original finish is worn in places, so it qualifies as "shooter grade." And shoot it does. Very accurate!
There's a real pleasure in shooter grade revolvers that is just plain lacking among the safe queens.
Curl
First is a delightful .44 Special Triple Lock. With serial number 1103 it shipped out in June 1910. "Hard to find" is one criteria here. A Triple Lock should qualify in its own right, but this one has a 5" barrel! As for "shooter grade," it is perfect. This revolver has been carefully used and loved over its 106 years. Everything is original. Its original blue finish is well-worn, but it remains vivid in protected areas reminding us of its original glory. Mechanically it is perfect inside and out. It shoots very well.
I particularly like the way it handles when wearing the Keith Brown Ropers I put on it.
It would be hard to find a shooter grade .44 Special to top this one. Several years ago I put it on display here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...516-s-w-44-hand-ejector-1st-model-1103-a.html
Several years ago I had the hankering for a .32-20 HE. I already had a collector grade .32-20 HE, but what I wanted was a shooter grade .32-20 HE Target. I don't know whether you have looked, but the .32-20 HE Target is hard to find. And when you find one, it's not that easy to pay for either.
Well I finally found one. It is s/n 44703 and left the S&W factory in December, 1909. Technically, it is a .32-20 HE Mod. of 1905 Target, Second Change. This revolver has a 6-1/2" barrel. You see it here alongside my Winchester 1892 .32-20 that dates to 1902. Quite a couple!
Everything matches on this revolver, including the s/n penciled inside the right grip panel. Here's the match people often ask about when target revolvers are discussed:
This wonderful revolver remains in perfect mechanical condition with a mint bore and chambers. Its original finish is worn in places, so it qualifies as "shooter grade." And shoot it does. Very accurate!
There's a real pleasure in shooter grade revolvers that is just plain lacking among the safe queens.
Curl
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Here are my kind of hard to find shooters
A 455 TL converted to 45 colt by counter boring. Kind of wish it was still a stock 455 but it is nice to be able to use mild lead 45 colts in it.
Here is my 44 Russian First model double action.
Here are some more recent hard to find shooters a 696 no dash
and a 4" 16-4 in 32 H&R mag
A 455 TL converted to 45 colt by counter boring. Kind of wish it was still a stock 455 but it is nice to be able to use mild lead 45 colts in it.
Here is my 44 Russian First model double action.
Here are some more recent hard to find shooters a 696 no dash
and a 4" 16-4 in 32 H&R mag
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AJ
US Veteran
I too, enjoy shooter grades. I am a shooter not a collector. If I don't feel comfortable shooting a gun I won't have it. So that being that I found a 14-3 in less than pristine condition. Mechanically it is like new and shoots better than I do. Then price was a trade for a spam can of .30-06 that I had bought from CMP quite a few years back. The can cost me $89.00. Will post a picture when I get off my lazy butt and take one.
OLDSTER
Member
Shooter
One of my favorite range guns is this 1950 K38 Combat Masterpiece
One of my favorite range guns is this 1950 K38 Combat Masterpiece
hammerfired
Member
New to S&Ws, long time gun owner. I've been told they didn't make a lot of these, not sure if it's rare or collectible.
Model 19. Serial K411xxx, appears to have been made in 1960. Nice shooter condition, checks out mechanically. Bores are bright. Half dozen small spots of corrosion at the top of the port grip. Small chip at top of stbd grip. Light holster wear. Very smooth action without a hint of grit. Can't wait to shoot it.
Model 19. Serial K411xxx, appears to have been made in 1960. Nice shooter condition, checks out mechanically. Bores are bright. Half dozen small spots of corrosion at the top of the port grip. Small chip at top of stbd grip. Light holster wear. Very smooth action without a hint of grit. Can't wait to shoot it.
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My tractor gun. 38/44 HD.
Regards,
Bruce
Regards,
Bruce
SAFireman
Member
A few more of my favorites
A five inch pre-war Heavy Duty with King reflector sights..this one is far more accurate than I....it is almost not a challenge to shoot well.
A somewhat rarely seen pre-21, or Model of 1950 Military 44 with King's reflector sight....I shot this one a few weeks ago and came to the realization that the sights were set off to one side..I really need to put up a paper target and get it lined out (it was a bit frustrating at the time)
Here is one that I really enjoy. It is a Non-Registered Magnum, it was delivered to a municipal police department near Dallas. The man who ordered the gun was heavily involved in the chase for Bonnie and Clyde -> they were long captured/killed prior to his acquisition of this gun. It has been refinished (it started life blue). It has been a real pleasure to chase down the history on this one, and I really enjoy shooting it on the steel plates behind my house.
Many thanks to all of the posters here, collecting Smith & Wessons (or any firearms for that matter) does not require pristine guns handled with kid gloves
A five inch pre-war Heavy Duty with King reflector sights..this one is far more accurate than I....it is almost not a challenge to shoot well.
A somewhat rarely seen pre-21, or Model of 1950 Military 44 with King's reflector sight....I shot this one a few weeks ago and came to the realization that the sights were set off to one side..I really need to put up a paper target and get it lined out (it was a bit frustrating at the time)
Here is one that I really enjoy. It is a Non-Registered Magnum, it was delivered to a municipal police department near Dallas. The man who ordered the gun was heavily involved in the chase for Bonnie and Clyde -> they were long captured/killed prior to his acquisition of this gun. It has been refinished (it started life blue). It has been a real pleasure to chase down the history on this one, and I really enjoy shooting it on the steel plates behind my house.
Many thanks to all of the posters here, collecting Smith & Wessons (or any firearms for that matter) does not require pristine guns handled with kid gloves
Neat old guns.
I really like the 44 special.
Found this one last summer 1922 Second model
sent back to the factory in 1946 for the Third Model
barrel and re-nickel.
Slick as glass and prints well.
When shipped back in 1946 it went to the Texas Department
of Public Safety--Beaumont, Texas .
I really like the 44 special.
Found this one last summer 1922 Second model
sent back to the factory in 1946 for the Third Model
barrel and re-nickel.
Slick as glass and prints well.
When shipped back in 1946 it went to the Texas Department
of Public Safety--Beaumont, Texas .
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jsfricks
Member
Very nice Mike! Shipped 27 days before I was downloaded!
I found the ONLY Nickel 27-1 known...
And she is in shooter grade. I love her.
My most appropriate handgun for this thread would probably be my 5 screw Highway Patrolman from 1954 but I want to post a picture now so I'll throw on the often shown Model of 1989 .45 Colt.
I'll dig out the HP and get some pictures to add here soon. Ok, as promised here's an example of maybe not such a rare, but sought after Highway Patrolman, shooter grade.
I'll dig out the HP and get some pictures to add here soon. Ok, as promised here's an example of maybe not such a rare, but sought after Highway Patrolman, shooter grade.
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MrG5122
Member
Really too nice to shoot but she gets shot often.
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hoosier4guns
Member
Picked last weekend for $375.
Regards,
Bruce
Thanks for bringing this thread back Bruce. Posted these before, but they qualify here.
Pre-27 3.5 inch:
Pre-29 in the wrong box, great shooter:
British Service Revolver in 38-200, no British proofs, but letters as being sold to them. Unconverted and all original parts:
My great-uncle's pre-17:
Pre-27 3.5 inch:
Pre-29 in the wrong box, great shooter:
British Service Revolver in 38-200, no British proofs, but letters as being sold to them. Unconverted and all original parts:
My great-uncle's pre-17:
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Harkrader
Member
My bottom-line rule is that if I can't shoot it, I don't want it, with a couple exceptions. One exception: My great, great grandfather's Harper's Ferry 1842 rifle that he carried in the War of The Great Rebellion. Though it appears to be in excellent condition, I haven't fired it out of concern for damaging it. It is complete with the ram and bayonette.
I have two guns I shoot to horrify friends. First is a Colt "Black Army" 1911. I got it in "shooter grade," so, why not? I'm no expert, but it appears to me that the barrel is not original. It has "AA" stamped on the frame. I'm told that means it was armory-rebuilt, but it is a 1911 and NOT an A1.
Second is a gun that was one of my "grail guns": A 1921/28-overstamp Navy Thompson. Parts for it? BWAAAA HA HA HA HA HA! "Shoot it like you stole it!"
So I do.
I have two guns I shoot to horrify friends. First is a Colt "Black Army" 1911. I got it in "shooter grade," so, why not? I'm no expert, but it appears to me that the barrel is not original. It has "AA" stamped on the frame. I'm told that means it was armory-rebuilt, but it is a 1911 and NOT an A1.
Second is a gun that was one of my "grail guns": A 1921/28-overstamp Navy Thompson. Parts for it? BWAAAA HA HA HA HA HA! "Shoot it like you stole it!"
So I do.
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