K 38 Masterpiece Accuracy Old vs Newer ?

[boatbum101]

I'm wanting one to shoot in NRA Distinguished Revolver matches . At 1 time I had a dash 3 , later model . I also had / have a Colt OMM . With 148 HBWC's the Colt easily outshot the Smith @ 50yds . At 25yds both were close . Sold the Smith & kept the Colt . In these matches we must shoot 158 lead RN or SWC . Any safe load or factory new / reman . I'm wondering if the older guns show better accuracy . Heard this more than once & am curious . Pre model , no dash , dash 1 , dash 2 guns & early dash 3 (1K s/n's ) are reputed to be more accurate . Was hoping perhaps some of the older gents could clarrify this for me . Gun must be stock configuration . Trigger work is allowed as long as it'll lift 2 1/2lb weight SA . Not having to disturb grip to recock in Rapid Fire could improve my scores . Colt sear would have to be modified to get a non-stacking DA pull & is not legal according to the rules . Prices I've seen the older one's bring is wild to me , but it's been awhile since I've bought any guns . Wordsmith has 2 pre model 14's , both are 99+% & start @ $1K . I rather not buy collector quality as I plan on shooting . I'm hoping I can find a 90 - 95% one with good timing , lockup & bore etc . Help me out here , tell me what you think .
Andy

 

[OKFC05]

Well, I can't use my old 14-4 8" barrel because of the 6 1/2" rule (see below).
However, with the required 158gr SWC my 6" 686 will shoot a "possible" if I can hold it still enough.
I just can't see where the gun is going to be the limiting factor unless it has something wrong with it.

For me, shooting bullseye double action does not give higher scores; just the opposite. I've never had any time limit problems shooting single action, even on rapid fire. Usually, my timed fire score is highest, followed closely by the rapid fire, and my slow fire is the worst with iron sights (is there a dot on that target?) for old eyes. Suggest practice cocking and shooting one-handed.

NRA Rules (Entire rulebook FREE to copy in PDF, and paper copies available from NRA):
http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/Pistol/pistol-book.pdf
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3.1.4 Distinguished Revolver - The revolver must be capable of chambering and firing a 158-grain round
nose or semi-wadcutter .38 Special cartridge. It must be a factory manufactured revolver with no external
modifications except for stocks which may be modified or changed because of the size of the competitor' hand or
to facilitate loading. Except for stocks and the honing of the sear or sear notch to make a more crisp trigger, and
maintain a 2 1/2 lb. minimum trigger pull, no external or internal modification may be made to the revolver as
manufactured and sold by the factory of origin. No parts may be removed from the revolver, either externally or
internally, nor may any part be added. Specifically prohibited is any system of recoil control based upon
compensators, barrel venting, barrel porting or weighted grips. Exposed holes that have been drilled and tapped
for mounting of a scope are not considered to be an external modification.
(a) Trigger - Must have single and double action capability and must be capable of lifting 2 1/2 lbs when the
revolver is cocked for single action firing. Triggers will be weighed. Any trigger, sold by the manufacturer of
the revolver, without modification, may be used.
(b) Sights - Fixed or adjustable rear sights may be used. An adjustable front sight is not allowed.
(c) Barrel - Length not to exceed six and one-half inches (6 1/2").
(d) Stocks - Except as set forth above, the right and left stocks must be mirror images of each other.
(e) Ammunition - Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet
only.​

(f)​

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The following are not allowed. Trigger Shoes, compensators of any type or design; any external trigger
stop device; any internal trigger stop not originally installed by the factory as original equipment in stock​

revolvers of the same make and model; tape on the stocks or stocks flared at the base.

 

[rboineau]

I'm not a competitive target shooter, but when I buy a gun I like to shoot it very carefully over sandbags with various light loads to try for a small-as-possible group.

Have done this with several different Model K-38s since the early 1970s, and find that for no apparent reason that I can discern or measure, they vary widely in accuracy.

Most shot about 2-inch or a little wider 6-shot groups at 20 yards with factory wadcutters or equivalent handloads, but I ran across two that would put all six in one ragged hole.

Skeeter Skelton in "Shooting Times" tested the K Masterpieces in one issue of the magazine (mid/late '70's) and happened to get one of the ultra-accurate 38s. He made the remark that he thought he had enough 38 Special guns but wasn't sending that one back to Smith.