Impulse buy M&P 38 special

[browntown]

Saw a smith I didn't recognize at a pawn shop today. Probably paid too much, but walked out the door with a 5-screw s979xxx serial number 38 special which I assume is a post war M&P (or pre-10 if that's your bag).

I'll shoot it tomorrow with some mouse fart loads I have and report back. 275$ seems high considering the bluing wear on the muzzle and barrel but lock up is pretty tight and points well. Too bad it didn't have any magnas on it, I'll have to swap out the pachmayers for some old diamond magnas.

Pics later tonight, I promise.

 

[browntown]

Saw a smith I didn't recognize at a pawn shop today. Probably paid too much, but walked out the door with a 5-screw s979xxx serial number 38 special which I assume is a post war M&P (or pre-10 if that's your bag).

I'll shoot it tomorrow with some mouse fart loads I have and report back. 275$ seems high considering the bluing wear on the muzzle and barrel but lock up is pretty tight and points well. Too bad it didn't have any magnas on it, I'll have to swap out the pachmayers for some old diamond magnas.

Pics later tonight, I promise.

 

[Art Doc]

That actually seems like a good price compared to what I see selling lately.

 

[browntown]

Someone should offer a course in indoor handgun photography, because I clearly can't take a good photo. Here she is though.

 

[RON in PA]

Actually not that bad a photo. Considering the current hysterical demand for guns and the increase in prices you didn't do too bad, plus the fact that it's a six incher adds value. Don't knock the rubber grips, they make shooting the guns much more comfortable, especially with loads hotter than "mouse farts".

 

[P.D.]

I think you did well. Those are just neat old reliable guns. I have one in four inch that I took to the range Sunday. I enjoy shooting it as much as any other handgun I own.

 

[pred]

You did good on both the $ and the pic!
They are great old guns, and yous seems to be in nice condition.
Pretty much these days anything under 300 is quite reasonable!
I say a camo spray painted model 49 sell for $350 on GB just last month... Pure ugly.
You did well!!!!
Peter

 

[Texas Star]

Did someone alter the front sight?

T-Star

 

[donaldw870]

The front sight does appear altered to me. It should be a half-moon in that serial number range. Nevertheless, a very nice specimen.
-Donald

 

[wundudnee]

I did the same thing last fall at a local gunshow. An old gentleman had this S serial#, one line address, M&P and was asking $275.00 firm. I really didn't know what I had bought. It seems that I probably got one of my best ever gunshow buys.

 

[browntown]

i think that's way better use of $275 than mine, but I shot 100 rounds of wadcutter through it today and got about 40 of them in 5.5" targets at 25yds off hand, single action mostly.

Just getting a feel for her, I did take a loupe to the sight, it has been altered at some point in it's history, but the serrated ramp was well done by whoever did it. It clearly isn't a collector's piece, but it is a fun, easy shooter.