have to brag a bit

[SFCRangerDoc]

If y'all recall I recently acquired my great grandpa's service .38 (model 1905 3rd change 3" barrel). I had never shot it before and took her out to the range last night. The very first group results were phenomenal!

It was consistently shooting groups like this during my range session, so I'm absolutely stoked to start reloading for it to see if I can tighten up the pattern a bit more!

 

[mojave30cal]

What kind of ammo did you use??

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

What kind of ammo did you use??

Remington .38 130gr FMJ

 

[JP@AK]

Good shooting. If you can find them, you might try some 148 gr Match ammo. Olin, Remington and Federal are all still making it. Even though I roll my own, I still pick up a box or two once in a while when I have the chance. It may improve your POI. I won't say it will tighten up your groups any, because you already seem to be doing just fine on that point!

Like you, I tend to shoot fixed sight guns off to one side (in my case, they tend to go to the left). I can shoot a couple targets with fixed sights and get tight groups, but they tend to be just off the black to the left. Then I can switch to a K-38 or Combat Masterpiece or a Highway Patrolman, shoot the same ammo at the same distance and be right in the middle of the black. This happens consistently. I have no explanation for it.

Turning to your gun, I was intrigued by this:

model 1905 3rd change 3" barrel

Could you please show us a photo? I've never even heard of a 3" barrel on an early M&P. I'm wondering if yours is really a 4".

 

[JP@AK]

Here's an illustration. These stayed in the black, but they are still off to the left. This is a very early postwar M&P (shipped in March, 1946). It has the 5" barrel, which I especially like. The target was shot at 15 yards.

Notice the nice, clean, round holes cut by the wadcutters.

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

Could you please show us a photo? I've never even heard of a 3" barrel on an early M&P. I'm wondering if yours is really a 4".

That's because it's a custom job. The LAPD armorer cut/crowned the barrel for my grandfather when he was doing undercover work back in the day. I believe It was a 6" when it started it's life out.

Also with respect to the POI...i was aiming off to the right because I wanted to hit on light paper to see groupings. That group was the first group i ever shot with this so I wanted to be sure I could see my hits. This gun hits right where I point it

(original 1912 grips)

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks!
As I said before, nice shooting!
Based on the relationship of the rod knob to the lettering, I'd say it could have been a 5", 6" or 6 1/2". I just looked at a 6 1/2" Target model in my collection from the same period as yours, and the knob/lettering seems to be the same, or very close. I take it you haven't lettered it.
Anyway, that's a gem! The family connection makes it absolutely priceless.
Those original stocks are quite nice. I assume you still have them?

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

Thanks!
As I said before, nice shooting!
Based on the relationship of the rod knob to the lettering, I'd say it could have been a 5", 6" or 6 1/2". I just looked at a 6 1/2" Target model in my collection from the same period as yours, and the knob/lettering seems to be the same, or very close. I take it you haven't lettered it.
Anyway, that's a gem! The family connection makes it absolutely priceless.
Those original stocks are quite nice. I assume you still have them?

No, I haven't lettered it yet. I plan to email Roy at some point to get the history. I emailed S&W and they gave me a manufacture date of late 1912 to early 1913 based on the SN.

I do have the original grips. Wouldn't trade or sell those for anything! They fit a little small in my hands though so I put on the wood gold medallion grips. I also have the funky plastic grip adaptor my gpa had on it as well.

This is how the gun looked when I took possession from my Gpa a couple weeks back. He had the square butt grips on it for some reason and that funky adaptor. I just didn't like that look/feel so I returned her to a more traditional state.

 

[JP@AK]

Two comments:
1. Those stocks are not to be sneezed at! I agree they don't belong on a Model of 1902, but they are very early postwar stocks that appear to be in excellent condition. If you want to unload them, there is a guy here on the Forum who is specifically looking for some just like this. I'd be delighted to put you two together.
2. The grip adapter may not be "funky" at all. What name is on it? There were several makes during the time period that your grandfather may have carried this gun. Some of them are sought after and some are more difficult to find than others.

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

Two comments:
1. Those stocks are not to be sneezed at! I agree they don't belong on a Model of 1902, but they are very early postwar stocks that appear to be in excellent condition. If you want to unload them, there is a guy here on the Forum who is specifically looking for some just like this. I'd be delighted to put you two together.
2. The grip adapter may not be "funky" at all. What name is on it? There were several makes during the time period that your grandfather may have carried this gun. Some of them are sought after and some are more difficult to find than others.

I will have to think about if I want to get rid of them. I was wanting diamond grips for my .38 with gold medallion but wasn't able to find them for a reasonable price. So I settled for the non diamond gold medallion grips. I'm contemplating starting to collect the old S&W guns so I may hold onto the square butt grips for now. If I do decide to sell them I'll for sure reach out.

As for the adaptor, I'll take a look at it when I get home. I don't remember what the writing on it says.

 

[gwpercle]

You been bitten....welcome to club. Nothing is more enjoyable than a day at the range with a good revolver. Your's is sweet! Have a good time with her. A blued steel and walnut S&W revolver beats plastic semi-auto every time.
Gary

 

[JP@AK]

Makes sense to me. The stocks you have, in the kind of condition I see, are currently selling for $100 or more on GB and eBay. There are various subtle differences between diamond Magna stocks over time, from the prewar type through the end of the run in 1967-68. Yours represent the first or second style of postwar Magnas, depending on what the insert (or washer) on the inside looks like.

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

You been bitten....welcome to club. Nothing is more enjoyable than a day at the range with a good revolver. Your's is sweet! Have a good time with her. A blued steel and walnut S&W revolver beats plastic semi-auto every time.
Gary

I could not agree with you more However I would say my non plastic Springfield GI Model 1911-A1 is right up there with a good wheel gun at the range as well

 

[JP@AK]

Yeah, except that you have to chase brass all afternoon . . .

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

Yeah, except that you have to chase brass all afternoon . . .

Psh that's why you bring jr shooters to the range...in exchange for letting them shoot, they pick up brass!...work smart, not hard my friend!

 

[JP@AK]

Well, sure, but I'm old, retired and my kids are all grown and have jobs. So do my grandkids. So I end up going to the range a lot by myself. And I'm usually there when it is closed to the public and open only to members. So, where do I get all this help you're talking about???
Besides, I really want to spend most of my range time with several of my older Smith revolvers. The autos end up staying home most of the time. And, I admit, part of it is not having to pick up brass. Bending over is such a chore these days.

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

Well, sure, but I'm old, retired and my kids are all grown and have jobs. So do my grandkids. So I end up going to the range a lot by myself. And I'm usually there when it is closed to the public and open only to members. So, where do I get all this help you're talking about???
Besides, I really want to spend most of my range time with several of my older Smith revolvers. The autos end up staying home most of the time. And, I admit, part of it is not having to pick up brass. Bending over is such a chore these days.

Ha! Fair enough! I'm right there with you on giving the old wheelguns plenty of love

And yes, I do admit not having to chase brass is quite nice. Plus it keeps it pristine for later reloading!

 

[SFCRangerDoc]

As for the adaptor, I'll take a look at it when I get home. I don't remember what the writing on it says.

JP@AK here is the grip adaptor i was speaking of...its heavily worn but it looks like its sure grip adaptor made by the mershon corp.

 

[JP@AK]

JP@AK here is the grip adaptor i was speaking of...its heavily worn but it looks like its sure grip adaptor made by the mershon corp.

Yep. That's an oldie and goodie.
I have one just like it (albeit in better condition) that has been in my family for nearly 60 years. It was first purchased in late 1956 or early 1957.