My first M&P Target model

S

SouthNarc

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In building my pre war collection this year I've been on the hunt for a nice specimen of M&P Target and I managed to hit pay dirt a couple of weeks ago with this one that shipped in October of 1928. The ivory bead matches the ivory service stocks and the finish is pretty flawless.

I'm happy with my first foray into Targets and I think I got lucky.

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Once again, we need a button with stronger emotion than just "Like", maybe "Love" or "Adore" or something. That M&P Target checks all of my boxes in the Winner column. It looks like it came right out of your DeLorean Time Machine.
Congratulations.
Froggie
 
Green Frog said:
Once again, we need a button with stronger emotion than just "Like", maybe "Love" or "Adore" or something. That M&P Target checks all of my boxes in the Winner column. It looks like it came right out of your DeLorean Time Machine.
Congratulations.
Froggie
Click to expand...

Thanks Froggie I'm super chuffed!
 
I too was addicted to target models---exclusively. I professed to not even understand why fixed sight guns were even made.

If/when one is obliged to explain such an obsession is when you can not only explain it, but you can show it. The folks who came before you took REALLY GOOD CARE of their target guns!! Some of mine, older than dirt, appeared to be brand spanking new----aside from the telltale imprint of A BUNCH of rounds sent down range testifying with the marks of the cartridge cases they left on the recoil shield---which very plainly said "Been there---done that!"

Ralph Tremaine
 
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Spectacular! I understand those early one screw sights came out of adjustment pretty easily compared with the 2 screw that replaced them. I would be interested in hearing how yours holds where it is set. That is if you decide to put that beauty through it's paces.
 
A good point------- more like a bad one!

The "2 screw" sight (early 30's) was THE very first from S&W that wouldn't "shoot loose"-----after only a mere FIFTY years of trying. The prevailing opinion during those 50 years was the tension achieved either by pressing against the barrel catch cam spring (on the NM #3's/and other top breaks) or by bending the tang on the later hand ejectors would be sufficient to secure the elevation setting. It wasn't!

Then along came the "2 screw" sight. I envision its creation came about concurrent with the 38-44 Outdoorsman----and a meeting with the engineers---went something along these lines: "We're going to have a contest to develop a new sight---one that absolutely, positively WILL NOT shoot loose----no matter what!! First place winner gets to keep his job----good luck to the rest of you!!"

It worked! That which remains a mystery to me is the seemingly large number of us who have no clue as to how to go about setting and locking the "2 screw" sights-----most seeming to think simply running down what they call the "jam screw" does the trick. It doesn't!

My two cents worth on the "2 screw" sight is it's the best one S&W ever made----infinitely adjustable, AND won't shoot loose when properly set AND locked. That was a good thing too, because the 357 Magnum came along right after the "2 screw" sight did!

As to the teeny-tiny little screws on the pre-war sights: Drop by Lowes, and pick up the Kobalt Precision Screwdriver Set (Part #0525844--at least it was a looooooooong time ago when I got mine.) Two of the four flat blade tools in the set will fit any pre-war S&W sight screws---AND they have handles big enough to hold onto with your hands---instead of your fingers! (The price of this set suggests they're junk. They're not----I used mine for YEARS, and they're still good to go.)

Ralph Tremaine
 
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Thanks for the tip on the Kobalt's. Always wondered if there was such an animal to handle the torque on those tiny screws.

Southnarc, I would have a hard time bringing myself to dirty that one up. Excellent example.
 
rct269 said:
A good point------- more like a bad one!

The "2 screw" sight (early 30's) was THE very first from S&W that wouldn't "shoot loose"-----after only a mere FIFTY years of trying. The prevailing opinion during those 50 years was the tension achieved either by pressing against the barrel catch cam spring (on the NM #3's/and other top breaks) or by bending the tang on the later hand ejectors would be sufficient to secure the elevation setting. It wasn't!

Then along came the "2 screw" sight. I envision its creation came about concurrent with the 38-44 Outdoorsman----and a meeting with the engineers---went something along these lines: "We're going to have a contest to develop a new sight---one that absolutely, positively WILL NOT shoot loose----no matter what!! First place winner gets to keep his job----good luck to the rest of you!!"

It worked! That which remains a mystery to me is the seemingly large number of us who have no clue as to how to go about setting and locking the "2 screw" sights-----most seeming to think simply running down what they call the "jam screw" does the trick. It doesn't!

My two cents worth on the "2 screw" sight is it's the best one S&W ever made----infinitely adjustable, AND won't shoot loose when properly set AND locked. That was a good thing too, because the 357 Magnum came along right after the "2 screw" sight did!

As to the teeny-tiny little screws on the pre-war sights: Drop by Lowes, and pick up the Kobalt Precision Screwdriver Set (Part #0525844--at least it was a looooooooong time ago when I got mine.) Two of the four flat blade tools in the set will fit any pre-war S&W sight screws---AND they have handles big enough to hold onto with your hands---instead of your fingers! (The price of this set suggests they're junk. They're not----I used mine for YEARS, and they're still good to go.)

Ralph Tremaine
Click to expand...

Retired W4 said:
Thanks for the tip on the Kobalt's. Always wondered if there was such an animal to handle the torque on those tiny screws.

Southnarc, I would have a hard time bringing myself to dirty that one up. Excellent example.
Click to expand...

Yeah man this one might be a safe queen. Guess I need another!:D

Ralph thanks so much sir for that Kobalt screwdriver tip I'll get a set ASAP.
 
Speaking of THE tiny screw---the one up front that secures the sight assembly to the top strap, they are inclined to well and truly FREEZE into place!!

"Unfreeze" them thus: Raise the sight carrier so as to expose the sight channel in the top strap. Secure the gun in an upright position with the muzzle some lower than the rear sight (Remove the grips, and clamp the grip frame in a suitable vise (padded jaws). Pour your favorite "unstickem" juice into the sight channel (Kroil is my favorite.)--------and go play with your children's mother.

The "unstickem" juice will flow down DIRECTLY to the threads of the offending screw, and it will be "unstuck" in fairly short order---a damn sight quicker than after you've poured repeated applications of way too much juice on top of the screw head!!

Get back to the gun unless your children's mother isn't through with you yet-----Hope springs eternal!!

Ralph Tremaine
 
Wow! Not much to say except that is one gorgeous revolver.
Hard to believe it was out among the rabble and not hidden away.
And yes I would shoot it every once in a while. Would be too hard to resist, mid-range wadcutters would not hurt it and it would make me feel quite special. 😎
 
SS336 said:
Wow! Not much to say except that is one gorgeous revolver.
Hard to believe it was out among the rabble and not hidden away.
And yes I would shoot it every once in a while. Would be too hard to resist, mid-range wadcutters would not hurt it and it would make me feel quite special. 😎
Click to expand...

I still have about 2,000 rounds of Federal Gold Match 148 gr.
 
And next, speaking of brand new OLD target guns!! (This one, an M&P, came to live here in 2003.) It was shipped December 23, 1936, and delivered to Patrolman H. R. Vibber, New York Central Rail Road Co. in Elyeria Ohio----with a Marble Ivory bead front sight. The Patrolman's cost was $31.23.

Three questions popped into my head at almost the same time: What's up with that front sight?/Why in the world didn't he ever use the gun?/How is it that a Rail Road Cop can turn loose of what at the time was a fair amount of money for a gun he obviously didn't need?

I decided almost immediately he intended to try his hand at the Long Shooters competition---those loony tunes who engaged targets out to 300 yards---with handguns(!!), (The M&P Targets being their favorite gun---and that front sight being what I thought might very well be a favorite for the task at hand.)

First off I learned maybe they're not so loony! I set up a string of targets in the front field, engaged the services of a shot caller, and cut loose! It took some doing, but I was at least on the targets in fairly short order---not "on the targets" such that I was a threat to take home any fancy trophies right off, but I was at least making holes in the paper!

I decided maybe he went to a shoot, decided those guys were nuts, and turned around and went home without even trying it. He should've tried it.

Ralph Tremaine
 
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South Narc, what a beautiful M&P Target, absolutely my favorite S&W revolver ! Missed responding to this thread earlier but logged on and remembered to look it up to see your pics, have several days away to catch up on forum. The stocks are a delightful bonus IMO. Looks to be in that perfect condition that makes it a collectors piece that you can also shoot to your hearts content. One of mine goes on every range trip.
Let me know if you would ever want to part with it !

Thanks.
Let me know if you ever want to part with it !
 
Keith Brown said:
South Narc, what a beautiful M&P Target, absolutely my favorite S&W revolver ! Missed responding to this thread earlier but logged on and remembered to look it up to see your pics, have several days away to catch up on forum. The stocks are a delightful bonus IMO. Looks to be in that perfect condition that makes it a collectors piece that you can also shoot to your hearts content. One of mine goes on every range trip.
Let me know if you would ever want to part with it !

Thanks.
Let me know if you ever want to part with it !
Click to expand...


Hey Keith thanks for that sir, I'm really happy with this one! If I decide to pass it on I'll reach out. Likewise if here are any exhibition grade grips unclaimed on your bench, I'd be happy to claim them!:D
 
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