New 14-Questions

[HERMAN.40]

Hi everyone. Just home from the Mason Mi gunshow. I fell for and bought a model 14-4 .38 special,with a 6 inch bbl. Target trigger, target hammer. Very nice shape with very light cylinder ring. No box or papers though. Serial number 90K42**. I was wondering what the difference was between the models 14, 15, and 16 is? I saw an old rusty model 15 at a gunshop earlier in the week. It had a 4 inch bbl and adjustable sights. Just got me to wondering what the main differences were. I think the 16 has a bbl. rib, but i,m not sure. Thanks in advance for the help. I just love having that new gun grin.

 

[Alk8944]

Depending on dash number the differences between a 14 and 15 can be very subtle or blatantly obvious. Basically, speaking about most common variants of the three these are the general differences.

Model 14. Commonly referred to as "K-38 Masterpiece". 6" heavy contour barrel with wide rib, .38 Special.

Model 15. The ".38 Combat Masterpiece". 4" tapered barrel, .38 Special.

Model 16. The "K-32 Masterpiece". Cosmetically identical to the K-38 Masterpiece but in .32 S&W Long caliber.

There is also a 16-4 "Re-introduction" in .32 H&R Magnum and having a full-lugged barrel and available in 4", 6", and 8 3/8" variants.

All the above are K-Frame revolvers.

Now, to complicate things:

There have been K-38s (Pre-model marked) with tapered and narrow ribbed barrels and some in 5". In the Model 14 there are 4" and 8 3/8" variants.

There have been Combat Masterpiece variations in .32 S&W Long, and in Model 15 guns both tapered and heavy barrels and lengths, at times, of 2", 4", and 6".

 

[Speedo2]

Hello Herman; great snag at the Mason show, M14's are some of the great ones. The differences between the M14 and M15 get a little confusing when it comes to some of the more esoteric editions, but generally, they are both k-frame, target sighted 38 spl. revolvers. M14's (K38 Target Masterpieces) typically have 6" bbl's and Patridge (...not Partridge, God forbid) front sights and are seldom seen in nickel (special order only, I believe; except of late). M15's (K38 Combat Masterpieces) typically have 4" bbls and ramped, Baughman front sights; also nickel editions are not uncommon. M15's were also made with 2" bbls,and much later (between 1986 and 1992) they were made with 6" and 8-3/8" bbls, at a time when S&W temporarily discontinued the M14 line. Confused yet? Well, a few M14's were also produced with special, un-tapered (heavy) 4" bbls with ramped front sights; these are as the Dayton guns and are pretty scarce. There are also reports of some 5" M14's. M14's were re-commenced in 1999. It takes the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition (abbreviated "SCSW3" around here), to be able to speak half-way intelligently about them, and even with that, you're likely to get into arguments (as well as interesting discussions) with other self-proclaimed experts on them. Bottom line: get thee a copy of SCSW3; it's cheap and readily available.

Now M16's are also k-framed, target revolvers, but are an altogether different animal, being that they are chambered in 32 S&W Long, and later (M16-4's) for 32 H&R Magnum cartridges. M16's (except for M16-4's) are scarcer than hens teeth, and get much respect (and big bucks) when they change hands. Why is that? Because they were originally very unpopular and nobody bought them; now they are considered to be rare. The M16 has the distinction of there being about twice as many old blue & gold boxes labeled for them on the market as there are guns. This, it was patiently explained to me, was due to a marketing error made back in the fifties. Anyway M16's are made in 4", 6" and 8-3/8" bbls and I've never even heard of one finished in nickel.

Now, I'll let some of the experts chime in here and add to this confusion. -S2

 

[HERMAN.40]

Thanks for the quick replys. I probably paid more than I should have. $495 but It was one of the best looking revolvers at the show. Once I figure out how to post pictures, I'll put some up. They had a few snubnose smiths also, but they cost about the same. Where do you buy the SCSW3 at?

 

[Iggy]

You didn't get hurt paying that price. I've seen them go for more, much more.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I'd be willing to bet you will like the 14-4 even more when you shoot it.

 

[blujax01]

Thanks for the quick replys. I probably paid more than I should have. $495 but It was one of the best looking revolvers at the show. Once I figure out how to post pictures, I'll put some up. They had a few snubnose smiths also, but they cost about the same. Where do you buy the SCSW3 at?

SCSW3 can be found at Amazon(dotcom), MidwayUSA(dotcom) or the S&W Web Site. Or at Barnes and Noble (dotcom or store) and some gun shops. Less than $30.
Or maybe your local library?

 

[HERMAN.40]

Thanks again for the great information. The knowlege here is amazing. Thanks Iggy, You made me feel better about the price. Like I said, I fell for it and thought it was a good gun and had the money. After I got it home, I dry fired it and the trigger feels great. Very smooth, with a good release. Now I need to get some handloads out and see how it shoots. I have tomorrow off and will go into Kazoo to order SCSW3 at Barnes and Noble. Thanks Blujax01 for the help.

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks again for the great information. The knowlege here is amazing. Thanks Iggy, You made me feel better about the price. Like I said, I fell for it and thought it was a good gun and had the money. After I got it home, I dry fired it and the trigger feels great. Very smooth, with a good release. Now I need to get some handloads out and see how it shoots. I have tomorrow off and will go into Kazoo to order SCSW3 at Barnes and Noble. Thanks Blujax01 for the help.

You may not even have to order it. My B&N, which is really not noted as a gun interest store, had a copy on the shelf when I asked for it last month! I was reading it that afternoon. You will get a great deal of valuable info out of it.

Froggie