captstan
Member
Is there such a thing as a model 14 double action only? Been offered one but I thought they were all both single or double action...
Model 14 Question
- Thread starter captstan
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JT3357
Member
There are single action only model 14's. I have never seen a double action only model 14. Maybe someone swapped in a double action only trigger/hammer?
+1 on what he said as there are single action only but I've never heard of a double action only.
A few years back I picked up a model 14 off GB, that was double action only. Story was it had been a LAPD firearm and they required their revolvers to be double action only. Had the hammer replaced and back to normal but I figured that the Police armorer did the original conversion.
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bananaman
Member
Welcome to the FORUM! I think that 14's are beautiful. I have a 14-3, that shoots quite well. I paid $410 for it of G.B. in August 2014. Super nice! I am mentioning this because the seller may be thinking that the gun is worth more D/A only. In my opinion it is not. If you are going to convert it back, you have more funds to shell out. Single action on my 14 is very nice. Let us know how you make out! Bob
Targets Guy
US Veteran
If you bob the hammer you have a DAO right? Unless you have a very strong thumb.
Not really. You could partially cock it with the trigger, and finish cocking it with your thumb. It requires some familiarity and finesse with the trigger, but no special strength with the thumb. PDs that issued DAO revolvers in the eighties or so issued revolvers that had the SA cocking ledge in the hammer removed. This was all pretty much a response to the bogus charge against Miami PD officer Martinez that he had cocked his revolver and had an AD, when he actually intentionally shot a yute in a perfectly righteous self-defense killing ("stopping," for those who don't understand how handgun ammunition works, or doesn't).
For the Model 14 you were offered, does it have the service trigger and hammer or the target trigger and hammer? If it is the target trigger and hammer, it is most likely a custom job. If it is a service trigger and hammer, it could be a retired police revolver.
elpac3
Member
Have an old Chicago PD model 36 with a modified hammer that is DAO.
DWalt
Member
It didn't leave the factory as a DAO. But not difficult to convert one. But there are factory SAO Model 14s. Those are fairly unusual. The hammer would probably need replacement to regain SA capability. I'd consider buying it if it were cheap enough.
petemacmahon
Member
Wanted to add that the very best DAO conversions always have the "SA cocking ledge" removed. It leads to the best feeling triggers on such conversions. I made sure that was done on both of my DAO conversions.
As to the OP's question, I agree with the rest here. That Model 14 did not leave the factory as DAO.
I've been collecting the K-38/Model 14 for many years and currently have about a dozen of them. Two are factory SAO, but I've never seen nor heard of a Model 14 that came DAO from the factory. I don't believe this was ever an option - special order, maybe. I suspect, as others have said, that the one in question was altered post-factory, perhaps by a PD.
DWalt
Member
There would be no good reason for S&W to make a DAO Model 14. The market for the Model 14 was principally competitive target shooters, and most of their use would be in single action. I never quite understood who the market for a SAO Model 14 was, as a target shooter could always fire a regular Model 14 in single action, with an option to use double action.
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I'm with you on this. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me either, but they do make for an interesting variation. I'm fortunate enough to have two - one in about 98% condition purchased for not much money at a gun show by itself several years ago that letters correctly; the other is ANIB with all the papers and tools.
I wonder if at some point there were matches that specified an SAO target gun. That's the only reason I can think of that would create a market. Anyone know?
UncleEd
Member
CaptStan,
One aspect not covered is the Model 14 in question 6 inch barrel or 4 inches?
When the LAPD was switching over to Model 15s, a number of its Model 14s were chopped.
And it was the LAPD that required DAO.
At the request of one Midwest PD, a short run of Model 14s with factory installed 4 inch barrels were made as well.
One aspect not covered is the Model 14 in question 6 inch barrel or 4 inches?
When the LAPD was switching over to Model 15s, a number of its Model 14s were chopped.
And it was the LAPD that required DAO.
At the request of one Midwest PD, a short run of Model 14s with factory installed 4 inch barrels were made as well.
