Performance Center PPC Revolver - the M14-6 (AKA Roper M14-6)

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SmithNut

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Yeah, I know.... We've discussed this model before, but it's worth running another thread as this is - in my opinion - one of sexiest looking K frames ever made.
Adding to that, it's one of the scarcest Model 14's ever made.

This was produced by the Performance Center and distributed by Roper Police Supply in Picayune, Mississippi.

The SCSW V4 notes that less then 100 made, but I've also heard somewhere between 120-130, but who cares, it's not like a production gun where thousands were made.

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(click on the pics for a larger view)

Here's a long running thread from the past discussing this very cool model.


MODEL 14-6 FOUR INCH ROPER GUN FOUND IT!

Would love to see pics of your M14-6 Ropers..... :)
 
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Update on reported features...

As a follow up, it would be interesting to know of variations of these 4" guns.

I'm aware of two variations, the first is the rear sight assembly, the early guns were apparently made from left over M14-5 frames as the rear sight assembly is the older model with squared off leading edge. The later models, made from M14-6 frames has the newer rounded/fitted rear sight assembly.

The other variation is the grip frame, we know of one (the one in the flyer) has a Round Butt grip-frame, while every one I've seen has a Square Butt grip-frame.

If anyone is interested, I can keep a running tally of these two variations, just let me know qty and I'll add it below....

Older style rear sight assembly ........... 3

Newer style rear sight assembly.......... 4

................. Total Reported................... 7

Round butt grip frame.......................... 1

If you would like to add to these numbers please update this tread or PM me and I'll update the above..

Thanks!!
 
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A sort of baby 586. I usually don’t like full under lugs but like this one for some odd reason.
 
Thanks SmithNut. And for those that didn't hit the link above to the 2013 thread, here's how the SWSC 3rd Edition was amended:

Model 14 PPC: Special 1995 Caliber – .38 Special
Designed for the Police Nationals for Combat Shooting by Master Gunsmith Jim Rae of the Performance Center, this was a Limited Production handgun of 131 to 135 units. Most had a 4" full lug barrel but it’s reported that at least six were made with 2-1⁄2" barrels. Precision crowned muzzle, custom duty action and polished forcing cone and was used in Police Combat Shooting. Shipped to a Law Enforcement Distributor in Mississippi for the National Police Shooting Championships held in Jackson Mississippi each summer. Received by the Mississippi Highway Patrol the first year in 1995 and the L.A.P.D. Pistol teams in 1996 as a prize for winning the World Championship. Accurized from the Performance Center, the first 6 were produced in 1995 with 6 more a year later, further quantities are unknown. Product Code: 170154 Not for retail trade.

Great work SmithNut. I'm a relatively new revolver nut and the information on this forum is just amazing. Great thread. Thanks again.
 
SWEeeeeeeet!!!

If Bhfromme's post is correct, no reason to doubt it, then these guns are from the "Old/real" Performance Center staffed and built by real old school gunsmiths!

And a factory Round butt................. :)

A real Win Win!

Would pair nicely with my 4" 586-? with factory round butt!!!!!

Smithnut why no Spegel Boot grips on that baby??
 
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Hey BAMBAM, there's a letter from Jim Rae in that thread from 2013 that explains how he designed these for the Police Nationals.
 
BAM-BAM said:
SWEeeeeeeet!!!

If Bhfromme's post is correct, no reason to doubt it, then these guns are from the "Old/real" Performance Center staffed and built by real old school gunsmiths!

And a factory Round butt................. :)

A real Win Win!

Would pair nicely with my 4" 586-? with factory round butt!!!!!

Smithnut why no Spegel Boot grips on that baby??
Click to expand...


Since the gun in my picture is a Square Butt, I've installed Spegel Target K frame grips with a short extension, to me it looks just right :)

As for Round Butt versions, I've never laid eyes on one (yet) but still looking. The gun in the flyer above is RB for sure, it may be the only one made, just don't know. I've heard that one is in the wild but it's not confirmed. Of the three I have currently all are SB, and a couple that have gone through my hands over the past 20 years or so, all have been SB.

Still looking.... :)
 
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Optimized for PPC Stock Service Revolver, which must be a factory model with no longer than 4" barrel and factory front sight.

An interesting alternative to the M586 if you wanted something a bit heavier than a M15 but still a K frame. If they had put them in the catalog, I would want one for IDPA SSR.

A friend has the catalog 6" version for PPC Distinguished.
 
Jim Watson said:
Optimized for PPC Stock Service Revolver, which must be a factory model with no longer than 4" barrel and factory front sight.

An interesting alternative to the M586 if you wanted something a bit heavier than a M15 but still a K frame. If they had put them in the catalog, I would want one for IDPA SSR.

A friend has the catalog 6" version for PPC Distinguished.
Click to expand...

Jim,
Here's my M586 (Brazil export gun) that is chambered in .38 Special, I added the high profile Patridge and taller rear blade for the "look" of the Roper M14's, it gets shot a bit more than my M14-6's. It is a RB gun, so I can vary the feel with other grips. Having said that I'm still looking for a RB M14-6, if any truly exist...

doCvVE.jpg


Here's another pic of the rest of my full lug M14's from awhile back, the -5 and the -7 are gone but I still have the 6" -6's, they are great guns....

5z4d7g.jpg
 
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SmithNut said:
Since the gun in my picture is a Square Butt, I've installed Spegel Target K frame grips with a short extension, to me it looks just right :)

As for Round Butt versions, I've never laid eyes on one (yet) but still looking. The gun in the flyer above is RB for sure, it may be the only one made, just don't know. I've heard that one is in the wild but it's not confirmed. Of the three I have currently all are SB, and a couple that have gone through my hands over the past 20 years or so, all have been SB.

Still looking.... :)
Click to expand...

From looking at the flyer; I assumed yours was wearing round to square butt grips!

Like that M17-6 in the picture...... got a 4" 617-no dash; that I had roundbutted in the 80s. I prefer round butts when I can get them; along with the 617 I round butted a 4" 686 in the 80s (shot PPC with it) and have the 4" 586 mentioned above.
 
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BAM-BAM said:
From looking at the flyer; I assumed yours was wearing round to square butt grips!

Like that M17-6 in the picture...... got a 4" 617-no dash; that I had roundbutted in the 80s. I prefer round butts when I can get them; along with the 617 I round butted a 4" 686 in the 80s (shot PPC with it) and have the 4" 586 mentioned above.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on your preference to Round butt grip frames, one can do anything with them, even make them look and feel like a Square butt.. I'm surprised it took S&W soooo long to move in that direction.

Also like you I prefer Spegels for my revolvers, worked with him way back when RB to SB grips started coming out, still have a couple pair of the prototypes he put together.. He has done a great job with RB to SB grips in all sizes... :)
 
Interesting revolvers and thread.

In reading various threads here over the years, one of the criticisms I have read leveled at the L frames has been their availability with only the lugged barrel. In contrast we have here an appreciation of the heavier full lugged barrels on the K frame, which of course was the point of the endeavor.

It is interesting to note the differences of preferences, and in some instances, how vehemently expressed they have been (although not in this thread, but in finding ways to fault the L frames).

As an old PPC shooter, I much prefer heavier barrels, so I would love to handle and fire one of these Roper Performance Center PPC revolvers. I know it won't happen, but I would be most interested in seeing any comparison between these revolvers and the 'Smolt' (K frame with a Python barrel) revolvers that were available back in the 80s.

Given my preference for heavier barrels, my customized 6" L frame has a stainless steel Wichita Arms barrel shroud with integral muzzle brake installed. That puts a fair amount of weight way out in front. The return on supporting that weight, which does take some getting used to if one has not previously handled a really heavy barreled revolver, is that .38 wadcutters feel like .22 rimfires. With a match tuned action it is so easy to roll the trigger back double action, have the front sight appear motionless, have the shot break, and then have the next shot so quickly available due to lack of recoil. For me, revolver bliss.

In retrospect one could question whether or not the custom bull barreled PPC revolvers would have been developed had these lugged barrel K frames been available back in (approx) the late 60s early 70s.

Roper were on to something with these. Great finds.
 
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I don’t suppose there was ever a stainless version released of that model was there? A four inch underlug barrel would sure go great with my Project 616. I could even get a 617 to make a complete “set”. :rolleyes:

Froggie
 
RetCapt.......a lugged barrel can be a plus or minus depending on intended use.

A plus on a range/game gun..... a minus on a duty gun on the belt for a 8 hour shift.

Kind of like the N-frame 27/28s vs the Model 19 developed in 1955 to get a lighter "duty" gun in .357 magnum
 
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Green Frog said:
I don’t suppose there was ever a stainless version released of that model was there? A four inch underlug barrel would sure go great with my Project 616. I could even get a 617 to make a complete “set”. :rolleyes:

Froggie
Click to expand...

The closest you will get is the 3" underlug'd versions of the M66....

Close but no cigar....

But fun nonetheless...

These definitely lean towards Carry versus Target guns...

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OEGWCr.jpg
 
A three inch round butt 66 is the "bestest" of all worlds .357 one can carry all day every day!!!!!!!

Got my first in 1988..... within a few years they were my only K-frame .357s. Backfilled with a few 21/2" and 4 inch guns...... just cus.

But if I want a .357 magnum on my person....... it's either a 3" 66 (sometimes a 65) or a 4" 686
 
RetCapt, can you help me out and explain what is meant by your reference to 'Smolt' (K frame with a Python barrel) revolvers?
 
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