Pawn shop find. 4" 31-1 and 14-3

[Biff_Biffington]

These both came from a random pawnshop stop. The 14-3 has one of the lightest and smoothest triggers that I have ever handled. When I started in law enforcement back in 1987, many old guys still carried these. Has some holster wear but a great bore. SN K962XXX.

The 31-1 is minty- SN 745XXX with a flat latch which IIRC dates it to before 1966. Trigger is usual for a J frame. Smooth but heavy. Both left with me for south of $650 total.

 

[bobsguns]

Model 14s might be the best gun Smith has made, IMO. Clearly, you found a wonderful deal on yours!

I have an 8-3/8" bbl Model 14 but haven't shot it yet. It pairs nicely with my 8-3/8" Model 17. Sadly, I haven't shot it yet either!

 

[Truckman]

I keep shopping at the wrong pawnshops... ...Ben

 

[Bastogne71]

This is my 4 inch M31-1. I've replaced the magna grips with a set of the J frame target stocks. They give me a much better grip than those tiny magmas that came on it. I recommend you give them a try.

 

[heeter3]

BIFF,you will never go wrong with a 14.Its the best revolver I own out of 12 very good ones,enjoy it.

 

[bananaman]

Nice snag you picked up! You can't go wrong with a Model 14. Mine is a -3 also. Shoots like a laser. Bob

 

[glenncal1]

Biff- were you wearing a mask at that pawnshop . Both of those guns for $650, definite score.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I bought this 14-3 twenty years ago. The seller must have been short of money so I got it cheap. I bought a bull bar that fits his car for EUR 200 and we did a trade. I have a 14-3 that I didn't think was worth anything, it was just another S&W in my safe.

It's accurate and easy to shoot, I'm already thinking about cutting the barrel down to about 3" for IDPA use.
Later I bought the whole Masterpiece family and I hardly think about cutting the barrels anymore.
I tried to find a model 31 3" or 4" but they are really rare here, so I bought a 16-2.
I had already bought a 17-5 before.

These are cheap here
14-3 EUR 200
16-2 EUR 150
17-5 EUR 350

Models 14 and 16 are available in almost every gun shop, model 17 is a bit more sought after and valuable.

 

[1Celticfozzie]

Awesome finds. So far every pawn shop I have ever stopped in has nothing that I would buy. So far. Doesn't mean I don't stop though.

 

[glenncal1]

Wonder how hard it would be to import a bunch of the Model 16s to the US?

 

[Truckman]

Wonder how hard it would be to import a bunch of the Model 16s to the US?

Dunno, But I'm in for whatever the $ equivalent of 150 Euros is... ...Ben

 

[Green Frog]

I hope you were wearing a mask the whole time you were in that pawn shop. The police will be looking for you.

I'm interested in the fine trigger in that 14-3. Does it have target parts or standard? The 14-3 I used as a donor on my 16-3 Homage had standard or perhaps semi-target parts, and it had one of the worst triggers I've ever experienced on any Smith. Of course I'm sure it passed through many hands before mine, so who knows how it may have been messed with?

The 31-1 may be the best part of the deal (no flames, please!) IMHO, that is one of the best but most underrated revolvers of its times. It will easily handle the strongest 32 S&W L cartridges with aplomb, and quite a few of them have been reamed out to 32 H&R… a very simple process. If you should decide it doesn't fit your wants and needs, I know an amphibian in Central VA who would be glad to own it!

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

Wonder how hard it would be to import a bunch of the Model 16s to the US?

I propose to the Finnish government and Ministry of Defense that they buy all the S&W Model 16s that are on sale in Finland and give them in exchange for our US F-35 fighters.