Help With a Decision

[Robert L Wells]

I have a Model 14-1 (circa 1961) and a Model 19-2 (circa 1964) that are in the hands of a friend in New Orleans. He'll be bringing them over to me this month (I hope) to complete a trade. I bought both guns back in 2013. I have $650 in the 14 and about the same in the 19.

The 14 has diamond targets that are not original (I didn't get the original magnas), but they make the gun "correct" for the way most people shot them. The gun is in high condition, about 95 to 98%.

The 19, which is about 95% tops, came with dingy dark diamond targets (no figure in the wood). Someone had cut a notch into the base so they could thread through a leather lanyard loop (I guess). I found a nice set of diamond magnas at a good price.

Here's the decision: When I get the guns, should I put the magnas on the 14 and the targets on the 19. That would be "correct" as far as the way they came from the factory, but the stocks are not numbered to the guns. Also, most owners changed the magnas on their 14s to targets, so that would be "correct" in a way (the targets are not numbered).

It's a close call, but which configuration would result in a more desirable pair of guns? I like keeping the 14 with the targets, but two seconds later I look at the 19 and think it should look original. Help.

 

[saemetric]

Leave 14 as is and add Tyler grip adapter to 19.

 

[Peak53]

Swap in my honest opinion

 

[RobertJ.]

which configuration would result in a more desirable pair of guns?

Desirable to who? You or someone else?

If you plan on shooting them the answer might be different than if you just want to show them off to a collector.

 

[MrG5122]

Dash 1's don't come up every day. Leave the targets on the 14 since it has the target hammer and trigger. That would be correct.

The 19 would look better and probably sell better if it had targets. Invest in another pair of period correct targets for that one.

If either had numbered grips I would leave them on. Since they rarely numbered targets that point is moot.

 

[OldChief]

They're both great revolvers and if they were mine and I was going to keep them, as I could afford it, I'd get a set of Culina targets for each. I have a beautiful set of English Walnut Culina grips on my 29-2 and have just ordered a set for one of my K-frames.

 

[Robert L Wells]

Desirable to who? You or someone else?

If you plan on shooting them the answer might be different than if you just want to show them off to a collector.

No, for me to keep as a collector and a shooter. The thing is, I'll never find the original numbered magna stocks for the 14, whereas the targets wouldn't have been numbered -- and the 14 is really nice!

I could start looking for diamond targets for the 19 as well, and sell the magna stocks eventually. But tonight I was just looking for some opinions.

Swapping the stocks will take both guns back to "factory original" which is something I have always favored. Maybe I'm too fixated on the Model 14 and mismatched stock numbers.

 

[lrrifleman]

Actually, the K38/Model 14 came with either magnas or target stocks. I have a 14-1 that came with magnas and service trigger/hammer. I have a 14-3 that came with the 3Ts, from the factory.

Personally, if I were going to shoot both revolvers, I would locate another pair of target stocks.

 

[RobertJ.]

No, for me to keep as a collector and a shooter.

I forgot to mention that while I'm no collector, I love K-frame target stocks and that's what I'd have on both.

The only two N-frames that I currently own are wearing aftermarket stocks, as N-frame targets are just slightly too large for my hands. I keep the targets wrapped up and put away.

 

[kscharlie]

Short of a factory letter, how do you know the 14-1 shipped with magna stocks on it? It could just as easily been ordered with targets, and they would not have been numbered to the gun. IMO, the 14 is a target revolver and needs to keep the target stocks.

I am the second owner of a 14-1 and the original owner absolutely butchered the target stocks that came on it. I had to replace them with another period correct set. The upside is that the replacements are much nicer than the originals. I also have a 19-4 with targets on it, and I would not want Magna's on that gun.

That's my opinion and it's worth about 2 cents more than what you paid for it. Ultimately, your guns, your stocks. Do what makes you happy.

 

[Texas Star]

Leave the Magnas on the M-19 or get smooth rosewood Magnas. Add a Tyler adaptor. The gun will then have a relatively low profile under a suit coat or casual jacket, in a suitable holster.

The M-14 is a target gun with target H&T and is best suited for target work, although LAPD and other agencies did use them in duty holsters.Of course, it's a great small game gun, too.

Factory target grips are too thick for most people. I remove them and use Pachmayr Presentation or Uncle Mike's rubber grips. They fit my hand better. If I had the money, I'd get smooth rosewood Walter Roper style grips. Or duplicate the Uncle Mike's grips in rosewood or dark walnut, from the designer, Craig Spegle.

Oh: using a good lined holster will minimize finish wear. Most of the few people who see my guns are amazed at how little wear they show. That includes a M-66-3 that I wore almost daily for 22 years. It's by me now, as one of my favorite home defense guns. When I die, it'll pass to my son, who also knows the need for good holsters.

 

[fungunnin]

My 14-1 is wearing diamond targets and I am pretty sure they are the orginal grips to the gun. I say leave the targets on the target gun.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[usm1rifle]

You should do what makes you happy,

 

[chiefbob81]

Try anything, eventually you'll change your preference and swap them again, fun huh?

 

[Robert L Wells]

Try anything, eventually you'll change your preference and swap them again, fun huh?

Yep. This thing of ours ...

 

[Jtown]

Go with targets, get another set.
Walt

 

[ABPOS]

That is a tough one. I'm not sure I'd like either with just magnas. I had bought some newer factory magnas and put them on my 6" model 19 and I hated the way it felt. But it's front heavy and it made it feel like it just wanted to roll out of my hand. But those new factory magnas are not as nice as the older ones. They're kind of flat and the checkering isn't as aggressive. But honestly a front heavy gun like that needs a good, meaty grip. IMHO.

I do think the 14 kind of begs to have the targets. Since it's basically a target gun. I'd be looking for something else for the 19. Now it may feel good with the Factory Magnas. Or like someone said, add a Tyler T grip and it may very well feel really good. It's more a fighting gun anyways and sort of deserves fighting type stocks.