I'm a gun nut. No question about. I have been since I was a kid and just never grew out of it. Reading my Dad's issues of American Handgunner was as important an education to me as grade school was. Dad wasn't much of a ball player so our father son activities usually involved a firearm. Yes, you would say I grew up with the gun. And specifically, I grew up with S&W revolvers.
It took me quite a few years of gun acquisitions before I personally developed a taste for them though. While I always appreciated their craftsmanship and beauty, when I first started buying my own firearms I went to newer autos. Dad didn't care for plastic guns (still doesn't) so it was no surprise that my first handgun purchase was an HK USP 9mm. They had just come out and I had to have one. Of course it didn't take too long for the coolness factor to wear off and in the end Dad's advice of "buy a Hi Power if you want a real 9mm" won out.
Eventually I did make my way back to the S&W revolvers that I had learned to shoot on. They were mostly early models. Over the last few years I've picked up some 29's, a pre-27, 38/44 HD, a 1st year 53, an S prefix 57, and most recently a chopped up 3rd model 44 Special . But I also worked in a 640-1 and a 242 to carry. Did I mention I'm a gun nut? Maybe addict would be a better word, as I'm always looking for that next great deal on an old Smith. And I think I may have just found one.
A few days ago I was doing what I'm often found doing… perusing the pages of "GoneBroker".com. Yes, I've got the saved searches constantly out there keeping an eye out for the "grail" guns, but for me the biggest part of the fun is in the hunt. And while I'm happy to hit the local gun stores and pawn shops when I can, most of the time when I'm looking for guns it's online. And every once in a while I'll find a firearm that quickly raises my gunsense.
A random search had just led me to a screen that showed a customized 5 screw K-38 Target Masterpiece. It's in good shape, is $350, only has about an hour left, and most importantly there are no other bids. This is going to be a long hour. Unfortunately with these "impulse buys" you can't expect to get a response to your questions before the end of the auction, so you're only going on what you can see and deduct for yourself from the pictures and text available. I can't overstate that this is not a good way to go about buying guns online, but sometimes it just happens this way.
Upon further evaluation I notice that although the grips aren't original, they are quality. Can't tell the manufacturer from the pics, but I'm guessing early Herrett's targets. The hammer is also clearly not factory. That would usually steer me away, but this one looks special. It seems to have that Kings cockeyed look to it, and although I can't make it out, it does appear to have something stamped in the correct location. There is some rust, but it's appears to be minimal and the rest of the finish looks excellent. I decide that at $350 it's worth it as a shooter, and who knows this could be something special.
Now the waiting. The clock ticks down, and as 15 minutes rolls past I place the opening bid. 14, 13, 12 minutes go by as a I anxiously watch the timer tick. I finally have to go do something else as I've decided not to spend a dime more. I just can't bare the stress of knowing if it will be enough. Fortunately a wife always has just the thing to take your mind off what you were doing… that being a chore. It's almost half an hour before I'm able to hit the refresh button… success! Now more waiting.
I shoot an email and send payment to the seller, contact my local FFL and the torment can commence. Did I rush into this? Is it going to be some frankengun that God only knows who put together? Will everything match? What did I miss? Mechanical issues? I revisit the auction page over and over again hoping that I've made a good decision. It seems like a good deal, but having it show up with a cylinder not matching will definitely ruin the day. Only time will tell now.
You know that feeling when you hear the phone ring on a day you are hoping to pick up a gun? I just got that feeling. Along with that good feeling however, was also one of uncertainty. Out the door and at my local FFL's in 20 minutes, to say I was anxious would have been an understatement. But as soon as I saw it, all my fears were alleviated.
What appeared to be a gun with a decent finish, turned out to a gun with a really nice finish. The two rust spots in the pictures were indeed minimal issues and should clean up ok. I was equally impressed with the condition of the stocks, which I still believe to be early Herrett's or possibly King's. The frame, cylinder, and barrel all have matching numbers (K 777xx and the last two numbers are the same making for a cool looking serial number) that date to 1949. It has a 1/8" partridge front sight, and a standard narrow serrated trigger. The hammer which I thought could be a King is stamped "Micro". And most importantly the action is nice and tight just like it should be, with a wonderful trigger pull to boot.
Micro was a company started after King's original owner died. Along with sights, they also made a few other custom parts. I've got a few 1911 barrel bushings that they made. This hammer Is cockeyed to the left for a right handed shooter, and is beautifully checkered and case hardened. I've read here that King's new management sued Micro over them selling old King Hammers that were stamped Micro. I do not believe however that this was a King's hammer. The checkering is much finer than any King's I've seen. While not likely that it left the factory like this, I would say it was modified shortly thereafter.
The stocks are of the target variety with a moderate thumbrest and large palm swell. The back strap is completely covered, while the front is relieved for access to the strain screw. The right hand panel has a significant coke bottle shape. The checkering is sharp with only a few minor flaws. There are no markings what so ever on their undersides and there are no additional holes where a jig would have left a mark. I've only seen one pair of King's target grips and they did look very similar to these, but for now their identity will remain a mystery.
Honestly, that is exactly the kind of firearm I look for and I couldn't be happier. I'd much rather have a period correct custom piece in good shape than a vintage LNIB that would only sit in the safe (that's more Dad's style). In my opinion this is a great example of a target pistol from that time period, and one I'll be holding onto for a long time to come. At $385 to my door including the transfer cost, I'd have to put this one in the good deal category. I took a chance and I think it paid off, I'm not always so lucky. It's a shooter no question, but a special one. I'm sure I'll spend a good part of the next few weeks with this pistol in my hands, but something tells me it won't be long till I'm on the hunt again.
It took me quite a few years of gun acquisitions before I personally developed a taste for them though. While I always appreciated their craftsmanship and beauty, when I first started buying my own firearms I went to newer autos. Dad didn't care for plastic guns (still doesn't) so it was no surprise that my first handgun purchase was an HK USP 9mm. They had just come out and I had to have one. Of course it didn't take too long for the coolness factor to wear off and in the end Dad's advice of "buy a Hi Power if you want a real 9mm" won out.
Eventually I did make my way back to the S&W revolvers that I had learned to shoot on. They were mostly early models. Over the last few years I've picked up some 29's, a pre-27, 38/44 HD, a 1st year 53, an S prefix 57, and most recently a chopped up 3rd model 44 Special . But I also worked in a 640-1 and a 242 to carry. Did I mention I'm a gun nut? Maybe addict would be a better word, as I'm always looking for that next great deal on an old Smith. And I think I may have just found one.
A few days ago I was doing what I'm often found doing… perusing the pages of "GoneBroker".com. Yes, I've got the saved searches constantly out there keeping an eye out for the "grail" guns, but for me the biggest part of the fun is in the hunt. And while I'm happy to hit the local gun stores and pawn shops when I can, most of the time when I'm looking for guns it's online. And every once in a while I'll find a firearm that quickly raises my gunsense.
A random search had just led me to a screen that showed a customized 5 screw K-38 Target Masterpiece. It's in good shape, is $350, only has about an hour left, and most importantly there are no other bids. This is going to be a long hour. Unfortunately with these "impulse buys" you can't expect to get a response to your questions before the end of the auction, so you're only going on what you can see and deduct for yourself from the pictures and text available. I can't overstate that this is not a good way to go about buying guns online, but sometimes it just happens this way.
Upon further evaluation I notice that although the grips aren't original, they are quality. Can't tell the manufacturer from the pics, but I'm guessing early Herrett's targets. The hammer is also clearly not factory. That would usually steer me away, but this one looks special. It seems to have that Kings cockeyed look to it, and although I can't make it out, it does appear to have something stamped in the correct location. There is some rust, but it's appears to be minimal and the rest of the finish looks excellent. I decide that at $350 it's worth it as a shooter, and who knows this could be something special.
Now the waiting. The clock ticks down, and as 15 minutes rolls past I place the opening bid. 14, 13, 12 minutes go by as a I anxiously watch the timer tick. I finally have to go do something else as I've decided not to spend a dime more. I just can't bare the stress of knowing if it will be enough. Fortunately a wife always has just the thing to take your mind off what you were doing… that being a chore. It's almost half an hour before I'm able to hit the refresh button… success! Now more waiting.
I shoot an email and send payment to the seller, contact my local FFL and the torment can commence. Did I rush into this? Is it going to be some frankengun that God only knows who put together? Will everything match? What did I miss? Mechanical issues? I revisit the auction page over and over again hoping that I've made a good decision. It seems like a good deal, but having it show up with a cylinder not matching will definitely ruin the day. Only time will tell now.
You know that feeling when you hear the phone ring on a day you are hoping to pick up a gun? I just got that feeling. Along with that good feeling however, was also one of uncertainty. Out the door and at my local FFL's in 20 minutes, to say I was anxious would have been an understatement. But as soon as I saw it, all my fears were alleviated.
What appeared to be a gun with a decent finish, turned out to a gun with a really nice finish. The two rust spots in the pictures were indeed minimal issues and should clean up ok. I was equally impressed with the condition of the stocks, which I still believe to be early Herrett's or possibly King's. The frame, cylinder, and barrel all have matching numbers (K 777xx and the last two numbers are the same making for a cool looking serial number) that date to 1949. It has a 1/8" partridge front sight, and a standard narrow serrated trigger. The hammer which I thought could be a King is stamped "Micro". And most importantly the action is nice and tight just like it should be, with a wonderful trigger pull to boot.
Micro was a company started after King's original owner died. Along with sights, they also made a few other custom parts. I've got a few 1911 barrel bushings that they made. This hammer Is cockeyed to the left for a right handed shooter, and is beautifully checkered and case hardened. I've read here that King's new management sued Micro over them selling old King Hammers that were stamped Micro. I do not believe however that this was a King's hammer. The checkering is much finer than any King's I've seen. While not likely that it left the factory like this, I would say it was modified shortly thereafter.
The stocks are of the target variety with a moderate thumbrest and large palm swell. The back strap is completely covered, while the front is relieved for access to the strain screw. The right hand panel has a significant coke bottle shape. The checkering is sharp with only a few minor flaws. There are no markings what so ever on their undersides and there are no additional holes where a jig would have left a mark. I've only seen one pair of King's target grips and they did look very similar to these, but for now their identity will remain a mystery.
Honestly, that is exactly the kind of firearm I look for and I couldn't be happier. I'd much rather have a period correct custom piece in good shape than a vintage LNIB that would only sit in the safe (that's more Dad's style). In my opinion this is a great example of a target pistol from that time period, and one I'll be holding onto for a long time to come. At $385 to my door including the transfer cost, I'd have to put this one in the good deal category. I took a chance and I think it paid off, I'm not always so lucky. It's a shooter no question, but a special one. I'm sure I'll spend a good part of the next few weeks with this pistol in my hands, but something tells me it won't be long till I'm on the hunt again.
