Black_Talon
Member
SCSW 3rd Ed. says 1948.
K-38 Target Masterpiece is greatness in steel and walnut
- Thread starter netfotoj
- Start date
SCSW 3rd Ed. says 1948.
Love K38 Masterpieces. This is obviously not factory engraving, and it came with a pair of uuuggglllyyy white plastic grips that have never seen the city limits of Springfield MA; so it's been the perfect engraved gun for me to shoot - something I've always wanted. I can't remember exactly, but I think it dates to 1952-53.
I have a couple others of this model, but this is the one many friends prefer to try.
Here's it's in it's EPS holster. I bought gun in used but new condition during the initial boom in internet gun sales. I bought the Herrett's grips in the first picture from a fellow forum member here; ditto for the holster.
I have a couple others of this model, but this is the one many friends prefer to try.
Here's it's in it's EPS holster. I bought gun in used but new condition during the initial boom in internet gun sales. I bought the Herrett's grips in the first picture from a fellow forum member here; ditto for the holster.
DWFAN
US Veteran
This is when S&W finally got it. Single action 14-2 with factory muzzle brake. Looks cool with the brake on it but don't shoot worth a hoot unless it's aligned correctly. I had a buddy of mine make up a bore tool to install it.
DW
DW
OP
netfotoj
Member
It's somewhat of a Labor Day analogy to say it took a bit of work to get my S&W K-38 Target Masterpiece Model 14-3 zeroed properly with my jacketed hollow-point load of choice. As I noted on my blog earlier today, work ain't work if you're having fun.
The defense load I chose is the new Winchester Bonded PDX1 Jacketed Hollow Point Personal Protection .38 Special +P 130 Grain. Gee whiz Winchester, what a mouthful of a name!
But according to the reviews I've read this really is a new, improved defense round and Winchester will be retiring their Ranger law-enforcement SXT ammo and replacing it with this new PDX1, so it must really be good stuff.
So I bought a box and headed to the range with the 14-3, thinking it shouldn't take too much work to get it dailed in properly since I had already zeroed it with CCI TMJ 125-grain .38 Special +P.
Wrong again. Every load is different and though it may have been only 5 grains different in weight, the point of impact shifted a few inches with the PDX1. So I slowly dialed it in with the Bomar target sight rib the previous owner had installed on my 14-3. Emphasis on the word slowly.
The clicks on this Bomar sight can't be any more than 1/8" if that. But slowly, a click or two at a time, I brought the impact down and right until it was right on the money. Trouble was the clicks moved it so slowly, I blew a whole box of 20 rounds at more than $1 a round to get it zeroed.
I finally got it zeroed with that 8" bullseye target shown, shooting from a bench rest at 10 yards. The upper-left small bull was the final test with two shots hitting together.
Oh well, I work in a gun store and we sell more ammo with plenty of the PDX1 in stock at the moment.
And it ain't work if you're having fun, which is exactly what shooting my 14-3 is. But I gotta admit, it's a lot more fun shooting it with cheaper ammo. I also took along some of the cheap stuff and me and a shooting buddy enjoyed shooting that stuff up, too.
Now I gotta find me an old Smith snubby with a trigger like this 14-3 if such a wonderful .38 like that can possibly be found for a price I can afford.
The defense load I chose is the new Winchester Bonded PDX1 Jacketed Hollow Point Personal Protection .38 Special +P 130 Grain. Gee whiz Winchester, what a mouthful of a name!
But according to the reviews I've read this really is a new, improved defense round and Winchester will be retiring their Ranger law-enforcement SXT ammo and replacing it with this new PDX1, so it must really be good stuff.
So I bought a box and headed to the range with the 14-3, thinking it shouldn't take too much work to get it dailed in properly since I had already zeroed it with CCI TMJ 125-grain .38 Special +P.
Wrong again. Every load is different and though it may have been only 5 grains different in weight, the point of impact shifted a few inches with the PDX1. So I slowly dialed it in with the Bomar target sight rib the previous owner had installed on my 14-3. Emphasis on the word slowly.
The clicks on this Bomar sight can't be any more than 1/8" if that. But slowly, a click or two at a time, I brought the impact down and right until it was right on the money. Trouble was the clicks moved it so slowly, I blew a whole box of 20 rounds at more than $1 a round to get it zeroed.
I finally got it zeroed with that 8" bullseye target shown, shooting from a bench rest at 10 yards. The upper-left small bull was the final test with two shots hitting together.
Oh well, I work in a gun store and we sell more ammo with plenty of the PDX1 in stock at the moment.
And it ain't work if you're having fun, which is exactly what shooting my 14-3 is. But I gotta admit, it's a lot more fun shooting it with cheaper ammo. I also took along some of the cheap stuff and me and a shooting buddy enjoyed shooting that stuff up, too.
Now I gotta find me an old Smith snubby with a trigger like this 14-3 if such a wonderful .38 like that can possibly be found for a price I can afford.
netfotoj, I'm sure you know that there is a high probability that your K38 has had an action job in it's PPC past.
You know, I've seen a lot of K-frames for sale over the years that had been modified like that, but I've never shot one. Although, in the various gun rags PPC guns have always gotten a favorable review. Maybe I will buy one, I'm tired of looking for a full-lug Model 14.
You know, I've seen a lot of K-frames for sale over the years that had been modified like that, but I've never shot one. Although, in the various gun rags PPC guns have always gotten a favorable review. Maybe I will buy one, I'm tired of looking for a full-lug Model 14.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
The BoMar Combat rib was an add on that many of us made when using the K-38 for target of PPC work. Added seven ounces up top and gave a beautiful sight picture too. They also made another rib that had a "winged" front sight I think they called it the California Combat..or something like that.
One did have to drill and tap two holes for the ribs unfortunately.
I've posted it here many times....Anyone calling themselves a fan of S&W's should own a K-22 and/or a K-38. They are simply the cream of the crop of the classic older Smiths.
FN in MT
One did have to drill and tap two holes for the ribs unfortunately.
I've posted it here many times....Anyone calling themselves a fan of S&W's should own a K-22 and/or a K-38. They are simply the cream of the crop of the classic older Smiths.
FN in MT
OP
netfotoj
Member
Absolutely no doubt about that. Some talented triggersmith did a job that is the very best of any Smith trigger I've ever pulled and I've seen a lot of them in the gun store where I work. The single-action pull is feather light and the DA pull is so silky smooth you'll launch the first shot as a total surprise. But after you shoot it a bit, you find that "sweet spot" just before release so you can make a final adjustment of the sight picture and put the shot exactly where you want it.
Sweet is not an adequate word to describe this trigger job.
Buck Mossie
Member
just a FYI... This was done by the Department to all of the 38s they had in inventory at the time... The LAPD armorers were trained by S&W and they used all factory parts...
B
K38
Member
Oh dear merciful heaven! there is nothing quite the same as a S&W masterpiece whether it's stock or a custom job. I have them in .22 and .38 and they are my favorite firearm. I have not been able find a model 16-3 to complete the set, but I do have some neat customs with Bo-Mar and Aristocrat ribs. The only thing that I have found that comes close is the Colt Officers Model Match in .22 and .38. These are very fine, but to a S&W man they are a little odd. I would like to find the russian TOZ 49 target revolver, it is, like the world beating TOZ 35 Free Pistol finished like one of Stalin's tanks. (But it shoots like Star Wars! and wears the Olympic medals to prove it) (there is the little matter of a steady supply of 7.62mm Nagant short ammo). There are different triggers in my collection (Morini electronic, Pardini SP and GT, TOZ 35 ec.) but none better than a K38!
All Hail The Model 14!
Dwight (K38)
as always the FKWG
All Hail The Model 14!
Dwight (K38)
as always the FKWG
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hi, everyone! My grandfather left me this gun right before he died. I don't know much about it, just that it is really accurate. For what I've been investigating, the gun is a combat, target masterpiece K38, and that's about all I know of it. I would like to know how much a gun like this can cost. this is an engraved gun. I'm not planning on selling it, I just would like to know If what I have is one of the best guns in the world because my grandfather always said that if this gun isn't the best revolver in the world, is one of the of the best.
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OP
netfotoj
Member
A better trigger than my 14-3 Target Masterpiece?
I didn't think it was possible, but I have found a Smith trigger better than the K-38 Target Masterpiece 14-3 that started this thread. At the gun shop where I work, some misguided soul sold us a S&W 65-3 with 3" barrel.
It's got a great set of grips and a custom trigger job from the S&W Performance Center. My job is to take photos of new and used guns and list them on gunbroker, and as soon as I held this 65-3 and pulled the trigger once, it was love at first pull. No photos for this one at the shop, it went home with me. That trigger is so slick the first time I pulled my pants almost fell down.
Bluebook says: MODEL 65- .357 Mag. cal., stainless version of Model 13, K-frame, has 3 (round butt, disc. 2000) or 4 (square butt) in. heavy barrels, satin stainless steel, current production uses Uncle Mike's grips, fixed sights, 35 oz. Disc. 2004.
The grips may be the "smooth Dymondwood combat grips" which Bluebook says came on the Model 65 Ladysmith. Whatever they are, they fit my hand perfect and shoot great. I love the 3" barrel, which carries great and shoots great too. It's now one of my favorite carry guns, which is something the Model 14-3 6" barrel is not well suited for.
And the fixed sights have been right on the money for every load I've fired so far, so I haven't missed adjustable sights.
I have learned that shooting really hot .357 Magnum loads, like 180-grain Cor-Bon, is not a good idea with a K-Frame. Save those for your N- or L-Frame Smiths. It shoots just fine with 110-grain .357 Magnum loads, which are more than adequate to stop anything short of a charging rhinoceros.
I didn't think it was possible, but I have found a Smith trigger better than the K-38 Target Masterpiece 14-3 that started this thread. At the gun shop where I work, some misguided soul sold us a S&W 65-3 with 3" barrel.
It's got a great set of grips and a custom trigger job from the S&W Performance Center. My job is to take photos of new and used guns and list them on gunbroker, and as soon as I held this 65-3 and pulled the trigger once, it was love at first pull. No photos for this one at the shop, it went home with me. That trigger is so slick the first time I pulled my pants almost fell down.
Bluebook says: MODEL 65- .357 Mag. cal., stainless version of Model 13, K-frame, has 3 (round butt, disc. 2000) or 4 (square butt) in. heavy barrels, satin stainless steel, current production uses Uncle Mike's grips, fixed sights, 35 oz. Disc. 2004.
The grips may be the "smooth Dymondwood combat grips" which Bluebook says came on the Model 65 Ladysmith. Whatever they are, they fit my hand perfect and shoot great. I love the 3" barrel, which carries great and shoots great too. It's now one of my favorite carry guns, which is something the Model 14-3 6" barrel is not well suited for.
And the fixed sights have been right on the money for every load I've fired so far, so I haven't missed adjustable sights.
I have learned that shooting really hot .357 Magnum loads, like 180-grain Cor-Bon, is not a good idea with a K-Frame. Save those for your N- or L-Frame Smiths. It shoots just fine with 110-grain .357 Magnum loads, which are more than adequate to stop anything short of a charging rhinoceros.
bluetopper
Member
Captain38
Member
Netfotoj,
You've got a Model 14-3 that's apparently been set up to shoot PPC competition. The work was probably done somewhere in the early '70s.
The 6 inch bull barrel is probably a Douglas with 1 in 10 twist. The sights on the adjustable Bo-Mar rib would allow the shooter to take a neck-hold sight picture on a B27 target at 50 yards and still drop a 148 grain wadcutter real close to the X-ring .
PPC rules limited single action trigger pull to a minimum of 2 1/2 pounds.
You've got a Model 14-3 that's apparently been set up to shoot PPC competition. The work was probably done somewhere in the early '70s.
The 6 inch bull barrel is probably a Douglas with 1 in 10 twist. The sights on the adjustable Bo-Mar rib would allow the shooter to take a neck-hold sight picture on a B27 target at 50 yards and still drop a 148 grain wadcutter real close to the X-ring .
PPC rules limited single action trigger pull to a minimum of 2 1/2 pounds.
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OP
netfotoj
Member
Thanks for the info, Cap. My digital trigger gauge has gone nuts so I can't measure the trigger but I'm sure your info is correct, it sure feels about 2.5 lbs.
I hadn't considered that it has a replacement barrel. And finding wadcutters to shoot is hard to do these days, all I've shot are FMJs, mostly 158 grain. +Ps, which pattern great.
Captain38
Member
A week ago AIM Surplus had S&B 148 grain wadcutters at $14.95 per 50 round box.
AIMSurplus, your home for surplus ammunition, guns and firearms
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