M&P Help

[45NUTT]

Just picked up this 5" barrel M&P 38 special. What I know: looks good, might be refinished, internals are clean, no rust or corrosion. Releasing the cylinder is tight as it appears the rod is not pushing forward enough for a clean release. Shutting the cylinder is also tight.

Also, what are the correct grips? Thanks! Any idea as to date of manufacture?

 

[DWalt]

What is the serial number stamped on the butt? Probably in the 4xxxxx-5xxxxx range. Just from what I see, yours is no younger than the late 1920s and no older than the early 1920s. Grips are far too late to be original, post 1960s. Period grips will be round tops, not Magnas, and will have no medallions.

 

[45NUTT]

518974. Forgot to upload this one.

 

[A10]

Grips look to be from the mid 70's or 80', Kframe PC Magnas. They're in nice shape. And I'm with you, in the refinish camp.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Post a picture of the front of the extractor rod. Remove the grips and post a picture of the left side of the frame so we can see what the grips cover up.

 

[45NUTT]

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Looks like an original finish to me.

 

[DWalt]

No question as to its identification, a .38 M&P with non-period grips which likely left the factory in 1925. No indication that it was ever returned to the factory for service work. I do not see any positive indicators that suggest it has been refinished. I have a 1922 .38 M&P that looks like it just left the factory except for one small scratch.

 

[45NUTT]

So that's great, but the issue of opening & closing the cylinder is my main question. To get it back into battery, I have to push the cylinder back in and rotate it slightly for it to close all the way. I might have a gunsmith look at it, as the internals look okay to me. It shoots to POA at 7 yards and extraction is a little sticky. Maybe it just sat around looking pretty for 60+ years!

 

[DWalt]

Do you have the same difficulty when you open the cylinder? Could be your extractor rod is not fully screwed in.

 

[45NUTT]

Do you have the same difficulty when you open the cylinder? Could be your extractor rod is not fully screwed in.

That was it!!! Thanks brotha. That's what makes this forum great, sharing knowledge.
After going to bed last night I realized I had the correct grips on my old 32-20 HE. Now she looks right.