S&W King Super Target 38 Special

[Pine Cone2]

Dropped by my local store and they were waiting for me with a nice revolver.

Made me close my eyes, and then pulled out a S&W King Super Target. M&P, 4th Change, 38 Special, serial number 553XXX. Square butt, vented 6" barrel, fairly nice blueing.

I'm guessing it was built in the late 1920's or early 1930's, but the S&W book doesn't have much info. I gather that King was a gunsmith that reworked both S&W's and Colt's and may not be in business any longer. I would appreciate a better build date guess and would like to know more about the King company.

Haven't shot it yet, but the cylinders don't lock up very tight on some of the chambers. Not super sloppy, but this is a gun that has been shot a lot.

Sure looks like a very nice revolver, and unlike any I have seen before. Anyone know who might have made the grips?

Can't wait to get it out pointing at a target...

 

[410bore]

the grips are factory S&W but much much newer than the gun

 

[JSR III]

and when those grips were made they were called stocks.

 

[DCWilson]

Even a little beat up, any gun with a King Super Target Rib on it is a special piece of steel. Congratulations -- I hope to have one someday, but I think I have used up a couple of years worth of good luck with the fortunate purchases I have made so far this year.

As was pointed out, the stocks are post-1968 S&W Relieved Target stocks -- the lack of a diamond is what dates them. I'm thinking 1928 for the gun. I have M&P 544xxx, and it dates to 1927.

 

[Pine Cone2]

I didn't realize it was a 1920's gun when I bought it. I assume that I should stick to standard 38 Special loads and avoid +P loads.

 

[haggis]

Here's a link to King's catalog #19 if you're interested.

HSCA - No Title

Buck

 

[Pine Cone2]

Buck - thanks for the link to the King catalog. Never even heard of them before I bought this one. Very interesting reading.

Pretty expensive gun. Not sure when the catalog was printed, but the price for a regular M&Ps was $38.00 while this model sold for a princely $56.50, a 50% premium over the standard price. All I could tell about the catalog is that it is pre-WWII.

Thanks for the link!

 

[DCWilson]

I didn't realize it was a 1920's gun when I bought it. I assume that I should stick to standard 38 Special loads and avoid +P loads.

Yes, I would avoid +P ammo. In fact, I pretty much restrict myself to 148 gr match wadcutter ammo in my prewar .38s. That is excessively cautious, I know, but I just don't want to stress these older guns.

 

[bigmoose]

Haggis,

Thanks for the link to the catalog. The OP's .38 is one sharp looking revolver.

This is a little off topic, but here are some pics of my Remington Model 25 (.32-20) special ordered with King sights. The front is a rarely seen Triple Bead. The rear is the Adjustable Sporting (old style). These sights are described on pages 40 and 41 of that catalog. Remington, Savage, and others offered King Sights as an option in the '20s and '30s at least.

King Sights on any gun are very cool.

 

[Pine Cone2]

Yes, I would avoid +P ammo. In fact, I pretty much restrict myself to 148 gr match wadcutter ammo in my prewar .38s. That is excessively cautious, I know, but I just don't want to stress these older guns.

Thanks for confirming my guess. I think I will do as you suggest and just shoot wadcutters though it to make it obvious which ammo should be used in the gun. Now I just need to buy some.

Looks like Titegroup or Universal would make a low pressure load with a 148 grain wadcutter. Does anyone have any experience with a load like that?

 

[bigmoose]

Pine cone,

I use 3.4 grains of Titegroup with 148 gr double ended wadcutters. Be sure to seat the bullets deep or they won't chamber. It is a mild load with great accuracy. I have never had any problems with it. I shoot it in a model 10 4" and a model 36 snubbie, and will try it soon on my model 19 Combat Magnum.

 

[Pine Cone2]

Thanks bigmoose!

I have normally used 231 for light 38 Special loads but noticed it had significantly higher pressures than the Titegroup.

I'll give it a try

 

[lowhog]

Yes, I would avoid +P ammo. In fact, I pretty much restrict myself to 148 gr match wadcutter ammo in my prewar .38s. That is excessively cautious, I know, but I just don't want to stress these older guns.

David ,I wouldn't think twice about sticking +p in a pre-war 38-44 heavy duty for the house.Mike