If you still have contact with the original owner, ask him what ammo he carried in his Heavy Duty. I wonder if he used the .38/44 rounds or the old standard 158 grain lead round nose.
S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty
- Thread starter 1970gidget
- Start date
If you still have contact with the original owner, ask him what ammo he carried in his Heavy Duty. I wonder if he used the .38/44 rounds or the old standard 158 grain lead round nose.
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There is something about
the 38/44, I picture Sterling Hayden with one......
June 1950
the 38/44, I picture Sterling Hayden with one......
June 1950
The VG condition post war HD's have been hovering around the $900 to $1100 mark for a while. I think estimates of $1500 are high. The box is in much higher shape than the gun which shows honest LE wear.
Still, a very nice package, enjoy.
Still, a very nice package, enjoy.
the 38/44, I picture Sterling Hayden with one......
Sorry Dix!
OP
1970gidget
Member
Unfortunately he passed away about 2 years ago. So that info is lost.
SuperMan
Member
...sorry to hear that...but even so I would still write down what you know about him... Even his name, Departments and dates of service would be valuable....
If you are looking for some real .38-44 ammo to try out, Buffalo Bore has .38 Special +P 158 grain Hardcast and 158 grain LSWC-HP-GC ammo that runs 1150+- from a 4" gun. I believe Underwood has some also in that range.
The BB is what I carry whenever I carry a .38...it is certified for even Airweight S&Ws...
If you are looking for some real .38-44 ammo to try out, Buffalo Bore has .38 Special +P 158 grain Hardcast and 158 grain LSWC-HP-GC ammo that runs 1150+- from a 4" gun. I believe Underwood has some also in that range.
The BB is what I carry whenever I carry a .38...it is certified for even Airweight S&Ws...
The HD we picked up a number of years ago is my favorite Smith.
$650.00 including tax out the door at one of the gun shows. One of the reasons to check out the shows when they take place. You never know what may turn up even if you aren't looking for something specific.
$650.00 including tax out the door at one of the gun shows. One of the reasons to check out the shows when they take place. You never know what may turn up even if you aren't looking for something specific.
Those Heavy Duties have a lot of classic charm. I stumbled across this one at a gun show a number of years ago and I couldn't resist it - it's in excellent shape and remains original. Roy said it left the factory in November 1957.
John
John
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larryofcc
Member
Like many, mine was shipped to Wolf & Klar in Texas. No idea where it went from there. Not dolled up, just 100% Plain Jane. # 44063 was shipped 11-23-1934. Wish it could talk. Big Larry
DWalt
Member
Regarding ammunition, the .38-44 cartridge is simply a more heavily loaded version of the.38 Special that increases the muzzle velocity to about 1100 ft/sec. The major ammunition manufacturers stopped making it long ago. But its performance is easily duplicated by handloading. Several of the boutique loaders such as Underwood and Buffalo Bore offer it, if money is no object. Unless you have special needs to justify using .38-44 level ammunition, it is preferable to use whatever .38 Special loadings you can find. I have one HD which was formerly a cop gun, and also had its chambers deepened to use .357 Magnum cartridges. It is a shooter grade gun, so chamber lengthening is not really a significant defect. I once fired several dozen .357s through it just to see what it felt like. I doubt I will repeat doing that anytime soon.
I have been looking for a post-war Transitional HD 4" for a while, but couldn't pass up the HD Model of 1950 I found today on my rounds of the local shops. Incorrect Magnas, but in very nice shape and dates to ~1955 by the s/n (S1484xx).
Edited to add a pic with older brother...
Edited to add a pic with older brother...
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Congratulations on the new acquisition! I would not pass that up either, IF I ever found one in that condition local to me. Can I ask if "older brother" is wearing grips that had to be specially fitted to the frame? I am referring to the small difference in length between post-war Magnas and pre-WWII length frames, that I recently found out about.
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The Elk stag stocks were made by our own bigmtnman here on the forum, and were made by him for pre-war N frames.
He makes them occasionally... just have to keep an eagle eye on the classifieds. 
Inland7-45
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These are really great guns. Mine is a 5" first or second year production. I bought from a local store in 2009. I paid $395 for it. The finish is nice and it has a set of unusual smooth large medallion magnas which are obviously not original to gun.
I have been using 170 grain SWC from Lyman mold with a full charge of AA#5 per Lyman Cast Bullet manual. Shoots great in the 38/44 and also in my 6" model 27-2.
I have been using 170 grain SWC from Lyman mold with a full charge of AA#5 per Lyman Cast Bullet manual. Shoots great in the 38/44 and also in my 6" model 27-2.
Got it, Thanks! Just to keep the eye candy going, here is my one example from the Heavy Duty Family. I have not had a chance to research it much yet, but I am getting there. Most likely a twin of the one posted by the OP, separated at birth no doubtHe makes them occasionally... just have to keep an eagle eye on the classifieds.
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