My first 14!

[S&W Fan]

I've always wanted a 6" 14 (since 1978 anyway lol) but never came across one I either could afford or was in worse shape than I wanted. Well today I stopped in to one of my favorite shops just for giggles and while I was looking around one of the guys asked if I'd like to see a 14-4 they had-they know I like older Smiths, handle my transfers for me lol.

They brought out a full target version, 34K prefix so I'm guessing '78/'79 vintage. There are a handful of very minor finish issues but it looks like it hasn't been shot much-no box, papers or tools-I don't care for the price haha.

I about fell over when the owner of the shop told me the price-I couldn't say "yes" fast enough. I got out the door with tax and background check fee for considerably under $600. The finish issues don't matter one iota for me as it will be a shooter.

Can't wait to shoot it, the action is butter smooth. I consider myself lucky in that my last two purchases have been really good deals (the other is the 66-1 I've posted).

**Edited to add it is da/sa**






A slight bit of blue wear just past the windage screw on top of the frame


Some marks on the left side of the barrel


A slight mark on along the rib, right side of the barrel


A single mark on the cylinder by the notch


A slight mark on the left grip panel

 

[Green Frog]

If you're looking for a great shooting revolver, it looks like you found it. I wouldn't want to be without at least one 38 Masterpiece in my gun box.
Congratulations.
Froggie

 

[TJm15.38]

I've always wanted an older Model 14 like yours. Congratulations; a great find at an outstanding price.

 

[GF]

Good revolver, everything you need and nothing you don't.
I have the best luck with lead bullets, 148gr wadcutters and 158gr LSWC in my Model 14.
Find what round it likes and it'll make you look good at the range.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I wanted one ever since I was a young kid tagging along with my dad on saturdays visiting the pawnshops and gun stores downtown. I always thought they were beautiful guns and 65 years later I finally found a mid 70’s model in very nice shape at a really good price. Not quite as good a price as you found but still a great deal.

Beautiful gun and hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

 

[S&W Fan]

Thanks all, now I'm searching for some 148gr wadcutter ammo lol. I have a fair amount of 130gr fmj I use for plinking in my other .38/.357 revolvers but this one deserves some true old school target stuff.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Great find, great price. My 14 is the most accurate revolver I have!

 

[sophie]

Nice Model 14-4 and full target at that. Congratulations

 

[Valmet]

That’s quite a deal these days- and a fantastic example of a 14. Well done OP.

 

[Igiveup]

I have it's twin and just think it is the best shooter ever. Congratulations for a great revolver and great price. Heck, in the last month I have sold three M10's 4 inch guns for $600 ea. You did great.

 

[JP@AK]

I don't like the K-38 Masterpiece at all . . .

This pic shows fewer than half of them that live in my safe.

This is a Model 14-4 that I bought new. It is still in the original box with all the original stuff, including the sales receipt. It shipped to Boise, Idaho on July 21, 1980.

 

[BC38]

I only have one - a little older and a definitely more finish wear than yours, and I don't have the original stocks, but I got it for about 2/3 the price of yours, and it is still quite the shooter.

 

[RobertJ.]

Nice find! You won't be disappointed!

I found this 14-4 about four years ago, and it instantly became a favorite:

 

[schutz5]

Thunderstruck!!!
Way cool!

 

[hkcavalier]

Tube on my 14-4 is a tad longer. Great shooter. Due to the barrel everyone assumes it's a big magnum at the range.

 

[comfortsource]

Good find on a Model 14! I landed a 14-3 back in January that was a 5K prefix (1973 vintage)..... full target but mine is DAO..... I did not see if you mentioned your was or not. I assume there is a mix of SA/DA Model 14's out there?

Otherwise, great buy for a slick shooting 38. BTW, those finish "issues" never bothered me either for my shooters!

J

 

[bananaman]

I certainly agree about accuracy of 14's. I have a -3 that I picked up around 9 years ago. Gotta love them! Bob

 

[S&W Fan]

This is one is a traditional da/sa version.

 

[JP@AK]

I landed a 14-3 back in January that was a 5K prefix (1973 vintage)..... full target but mine is DAO

That is interesting. DAO was not a cataloged option.
From 1961 until 1978, S&W offered the Model 14 in SAO as an option. The first two shipped on June 28, 1961 (they were Model 14-1 units). The SCSW says they lasted until 1982, but Roy says the option was discontinued in 1978, although, of course, some might have shipped after that.

I assume there is a mix of SA/DA Model 14's out there?

Well, yes. But the vast majority were double action.

There is actually a misnomer involved here. Unless it has been messed with, a double action K-38 IS DA/SA. The term "double action" is in reference to the trigger. The trigger can perform two functions: cocking the hammer and releasing the hammer. If it is double action only, then the trigger can only perform both actions and the hammer cannot be put in cocked mode by simply pulling it back. If it is single action only, then the trigger can only release the hammer, it cannot cock it.

Hence, the standard Model 14 can be fired in either DA mode or SA mode. An SAO cannot. And those were the only cataloged options.

This is a factory Model 14-3 SAO from 1973, one of two in my collection:

 

[Dave.357]

K .38’s. Are my favorite handgun ,good news is the made a bunch
Of them bad news they made a bunch of them and it is hard not to buy them.