K38 Target Nickel & SAO total production numbers

[Model25Man]

I was curious to know if any 'total production' numbers have been verified concerning the nickel and SAO model 14s/pre model 14s? Now that I'm retired my interest has turned to shooting .38 calibers at my farm, and the K38 Target has always been one of my favorite Smiths. I'm also thinking about making them a focus of my collecting interest.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi

Factory nickel plated Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece revolvers are scarce at least, if not rare. When you add the extra wrinkle of factory SAO, the numbers would grow smaller exponentially.

I'm not aware of any statistical analysis that would yield a number of the total produced, but instinctively, would say it is very small. I've been collecting the K-38 (starting with my first one, a Model 14-3) for about 45 years. I have never seen a confirmed factory SAO that came with the nickel finish. Both of my SAO examples are -3 and only a few serial number digits apart. Both are blued.

 

[JP@AK]

BTW I don't think there were any factory SAO (unless special ordered) in the years before model numbers started in 1958. I believe they started with the -2.

 

[Model25Man]

Sorry, I should have worded my original post differently. What I was wondering was how many SAOs model 14s were produced, and how many nickel model 14/pre 14s were produced?

 

[JP@AK]

Okay. Sorry I misunderstood.

But the answer isn't all that much different. Nickel is extremely uncommon on the K-38 Masterpiece. The SCSW 3d and 4th Editions actually say it is "rare." That means only a tiny percentage (low single digits) were finished that way. I'm not aware of any data that defines it any more closely than that. You'd look long and hard to find one for sale.

The picture is brighter on the SAO. These were in regular production from 1961 until 1978 (so, -2 and -3 only). Note: the SCSW says until 1982, but Roy told me they actually stopped in 1978. I've never seen any production numbers, but they are neither rare nor scarce, just less common. I stumbled on my first one a few years back at a gun show and bought it for an excellent price. 98% condition with original, numbered, Magna stocks. That sent me on a quest for a second one, and it only took me a couple months to find another one, ANIB. As I mentioned earlier, it is only a few serial numbers away from the first one and they both shipped in 1973. Eventually, I'd like to add an ANIB SAO -2 to my collection, but it is a low priority for me.

The one thing you need to be careful of with the SAO is that lots of standard Model 14s were converted to SAO. It just takes the removal of one part from the lockworks to do it. In addition, S&W used to sell kits to convert to the correct hammer, so some converted guns appear to be factory. Only a letter can confirm that it shipped as SAO.

 

[Model25Man]

Thanks for all the info Jack. I've owned several Model 14s thru the years, but just recently my interest in these increased after picking up alike new in the box 8-3/8". I reload for .38 and enjoy the heck out of shooting it, so the Model 14 is a perfect match.

 

[JP@AK]

My go-to load for the K-38 is a 158 grain hard cast semi-wadcutter, loaded ahead of 3.5 grains of Red Dot. I've been shooting that load in the K-38 and the Highway Patrolman for decades.

Enjoy!

 

[Model25Man]

Trail Boss has been my 'go to' powder for plinking the last few years. BTW, I have a friend that I believe is living in Palmer. His name is Paul Hartig if you ever run on to him.

 

[JP@AK]

I have a friend that I believe is living in Palmer. His name is Paul Hartig if you ever run on to him.

The name sounds awfully familiar. Palmer is a pretty small town, and we live just outside of town. I'll keep an ear out for him. What does he do?

 

[rct269]

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

BTW I don't think there were any factory SAO (unless special ordered) in the years before model numbers started in 1958. I believe they started with the -2.

I think you may just have made my day---if not several decades----which is how long I've been puzzled about this--this being when did they start making these things (SAO K-38's). (??) I've had it in my head there were non model number marked 4 screw's in SAO---but I've never seen one that I can recall----and most certainly have never seen one I could buy.

I had a SAO K-38 at some now unknown point in the past, but it came to be via the installation of the factory conversion kit. I have one now, but it's a 14-3 which I bought reluctantly---having never been able to find the 4 screw version I thought existed.

So, the one remaining question gnawing at me is did the conversion kits become available before, after, or essentially at the same time as the SAO revolvers? I've assumed it was at essentially the same time, but have never been able to confirm it to my satisfaction.

Many thanks!!

Ralph Tremaine

And I lied----I have another question. In the beginning they were known as "short action single action K-38's". Somewhere along the line, the "short action" nomenclature went away. When? (I had about half decided they must have changed the mechanism when they changed the name, but that's not the case. My SAO K-38's (14-3) action is shorter (1/10") than any of my earlier K-38's.)

 

[Model25Man]

Jack- Paul H. would most likely be retired now. We grew up together in south Kansas City. He called me from Alaska a few years ago, but I haven't talked to him since. I looked on his facebook page and he's still in Palmer.-Steve