Model 14-3 at an otherwise waste of a show.

[BB57]

The local gun shows here are generally a disappointment. They are mostly gun shops from around the state bringing in new fire arms to sell as their normal in store prices. There are some used guns, but not many and usually not interesting. However...I go anyway because sometimes you get lucky.

I found a Pre-Model 17 recently and one of my friends commented that I needed a K-38. I have a 6" Model 19, a 6" Model 66, a 4" Model 15, a 3" Model 13, a 4" Pre Model 10, a 5" Victory Model, a 6" Model 17 and the above mentioned 6" Pre-17. But, given my preference for 6" revolvers, and my lack of a 6" .38 Special, I have been looking for a Model 14, and I finally took on home today.

I've seen it before and the vendor has always had it over priced at $700, and stood firm on it. But today I offered $400 and he countered at $500 and tax. We settled on $500 cash, out the door. Based on recent completed sales on GB for 6" 14-3s in similar condition, $500 is a decent price, not a great price, but still in the lower end of the range.

The serial number dates it to 1975, and it's got a turn line but is in excellent condition (the scratches in the pictures are lint and or hair compliments of the cat.

I'll take it out and see how it shoots tomorrow.

 

[jimbo728]

Bet it shoots right and tight!
Jim

 

[rjm6120]

You got yourself a good one, it looks like! Congrats!

 

[22hipower]

Very nice. Had somewhat the same experience at the last show. Everything interesting (and not that much interesting) was priced too high or if priced right, condition was poor. Getting ready to walk out the door I saw this 14-4 with 3 Ts from, I think, 1978. For the last year or two nice 14s have had pretty high prices. This one shows some use but should be great at the range and $450 was the best price seen for quite awhile.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Roofuss]

Picked up this model 14-3 about 2 weeks ago, with original box, paperwork and the 3T's . Looked long & hard for a nice 6" K-38, and after looking at a lot of overpriced beaters, or guns priced out of my range, I settled on this one. Paid $700 for it, and yes to some, maybe I paid too much, but nice ones are going up, and are getting tougher to find at reasonable prices...I'm a happy camper !!

 

[Narragansett]

Nice find, at a fair price. I had a 1975 or 76 new one, sold it. One of those mistakes you make along the way when you are buying and selling guns, along with my model 65. I have a 6" K-38 or I would be looking for 1 off those. they are nice target shooters. They are a 38 cal model 17. What's not to like. I'm stuck on 28's now

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Congratulations! You did well.

I paid $460 for a K-38 that had endshake issues. A couple shims later, and it was shooting perfectly. That was seven years ago. I've since shot thousands of wadcutters and SWCs through it for informal bullseye at 25 and 50 yards. It's much more accurate than I can shoot.

 

[Rimmer]

Are Mod 14's with 8 3/8" with 3 T's harder to find?

 

[Roofuss]

In my several week search , both at shows, and online, I found a lot more 6" model 14's than I did 8 3/8" guns. Usually the longer barreled guns were a bit more $$ as well. I made up my mind if I was going to anti-up the bucks, it was going to be a nice gun, minimal , if any finish wear, with box & paperwork, and the 3 T's . I found a keeper !!

 

[kobsw]

Picked up this model 14-3 about 2 weeks ago, with original box, paperwork and the 3T's . Looked long & hard for a nice 6" K-38, and after looking at a lot of overpriced beaters, or guns priced out of my range, I settled on this one. Paid $700 for it, and yes to some, maybe I paid too much, but nice ones are going up, and are getting tougher to find at reasonable prices...I'm a happy camper !!

WOW! that's really nice.

I'd pay $700 all day for that setup.

Kobsw