S&W (Lew Horton) Shorty Forty/Pic Added

[JWS3]

Hello All
My first post here on the forum. 'Been lurking for a few days though.
Over the last 30 or so years, I've owned a lot of S&W semi's and revolvers. I currently own just one as of now and it's a very special and significant one: The second generation Lew Horton Shorty Forty. My younger brother unselfishly presented me with it over Thanksgiving weekend. He is dying of cancer and wanted it to go to family and a good home. He purchased it NIB in Oct '1994 and has kept all the factory documentation/paperwork. He used it as his CCW weapon and he told me he'd put approx 200 to 300 rounds through the pipe. There is near zilch wear on the gun. He took care of all of his weapons, being even more meticulous than myself.

It's in excellent condition and it has 3 magazines (all PC marked) and he gave me a Minuteman belt scabbard and a Bianchi shoulder holster with it.

A question to those who are Short Forty knowledgeable: How many of the second generation Lew Horton pistols were made? I know the first generation had 3 runs of approx 500 each but, I can't find any information on the number produced for the second generation pistols. The serial number on mine is SPC012x. I'd appreciate any input on this fine sidearm.

Please pardon my photos. The lighting wasn't all that cooperative and my photography skills are lacking.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Welcome aboard.

Grinder and a few others will likely chime in.

I know Grinder is busy....but he usually scans the forum every few days.

Nice piece.

 

[JWS3]

Thank you form the warm welcome and info about Grinder!

-Jim

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I just read a few days ago, on another site, something consistent with your comment.

That there were 1500 made in total, with 3 runs over 3 consecutive years of 500 each.

I have few 3rd gens, including a mint 4014 (compact single stack, alloy framed, blackened .40 S&W 3rd gen- my daily carry piece) and have been looking for a LNIB/NIB Shorty 40 for a few months at a good price, which is how I came across the info I mention

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. I'm sure he is a great man and it looks like he cares about you a lot. That gun will be a treasure to you for sure and I hope you carry it every day and think about him often!

My prayers go with you and your family, and that you will have a very blessed Christmas together.

 

[JWS3]

I just read a few days ago, on another site, something consistent with your comment.

That there were 1500 made in total, with 3 runs over 3 consecutive years of 500 each.

I have few 3rd gens, including a mint 4014 (compact single stack, alloy framed, blackened .40 S&W 3rd gen- my daily carry piece) and have been looking for a LNIB/NIB Shorty 40 for a few months at a good price, which is how I came across the info I mention

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. I'm sure he is a great man and it looks like he cares about you a lot. That gun will be a treasure to you for sure and I hope you carry it every day and think about him often!

My prayers go with you and your family, and that you will have a very blessed Christmas together.

Thank you VTHokiesDuckHunter for the kind words and wishes regarding my brother. He is a very wonderful and extraordinary man. Cancer is a terrible sickness, especially when it is slow and painful. I'm going be with him and take care of him until his time comes. I will treasure his gift to me until my time comes when I'll pass it along to one of my son's.

I'm certain that you and I both read the same information about the 1500 pieces made over the 3 year run. I believe, from what I can gather and/or make sense of, that those pistols are referred to as the first generation Shorty Forty's They had vertical grooves cut into the front strap and a shorter grip tang. The second generation run had vertical and horizontal grooving cuts and a longer grip tang. I've also read that the second generation PC production run was shorter in the number manufactured and is more rare.

I plan on carrying this Shorty Forty as my CCW. I like the look and the lines of this classic piece and the weapon fits perfectly, as it feels as if it were made for my hand.

Years ago I owned a S&W 469 that almost felt the same way. I now wish I hadn't traded that one off.

Best of luck on your search for a Shorty Forty! Merry Christmas to you and your family, as well!

-Jim

 

[Two Guns]

Jim what a fine Brother and carry gun you have. I lost my brother to cancer about 22 years ago. I hope you and your brother can enjoy the time you have left together. God Bless.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

Jim:

if you want a new IWB holster at some point that is a match to the quality of your new Shorty 40, contact Tim Thurner at TT Gunleather. He made a very sweet holster for my 4014 this year, at a great price for a holster of this caliber, and without the long wait of a Sparks/Rosen holster.

Tim has blanks for the 4014/4013 single stack- I think the Shorty 40 may be the same blank but am not sure

 

[JWS3]

Jim what a fine Brother and carry gun you have. I lost my brother to cancer about 22 years ago. I hope you and your brother can enjoy the time you have left together. God Bless.

Thank you for your very kind words, Two Guns. My condolences on the passing of your brother. Brothers are special people, as a bond forms while growing up together. I'm certain I'll have many memories and will be able to tell fine stories about him just as you surely have done regarding your brother.

The name my brother gave the Shorty was "Loretta." He named all of his handguns after women he personally knew and cared about who played significant roles or, whom he despised over his lifetime. I've added a surname for it, "Windsucker." He told me it is now appropriately named... there's an inside joke with the name in there that I can't mention due to the forum rules but, he and I sure shared a deep belly-laugh over it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

-Jim

 

[JWS3]

Jim:

if you want a new IWB holster at some point that is a match to the quality of your new Shorty 40, contact Tim Thurner at TT Gunleather. He made a very sweet holster for my 4014 this year, at a great price for a holster of this caliber, and without the long wait of a Sparks/Rosen holster.

Tim has blanks for the 4014/4013 single stack- I think the Shorty 40 may be the same blank but am not sure

Hey there - thanks for the good info on the holster. I have been looking at leather and mag carries for it since he presented it to me. I'm going to go with a custom holster and carrier and I will give Mr. Thurner a serious look. The Minuteman he gave me is functional for now but it just isn't the style of holster I prefer.

Up until now, I was carrying my customized Colt MK IV, Series 70 Government Model, .45 ACP (vintage 1980, done up by Brown), in a Galco Scout IWB. I'm old school, I reckon.

Just took a look at TT Gunleather and this one caught my eye: Stronghold Griffin OWB
http://ttgunleather.com/catalog/i83.html

It reminds me of the old Bianchi Askin's Avenger I dearly loved and carried my Colt in back in the 80's

 

[Grinder]

There were around 200 manufactured in 1994.
This and the Shorty40 2000 are the rarest.
Your brother has great taste in firearms. Enjoy.

 

[Simmy952]

RGrizzle leather also makes excellent holsters for the Shorty 40. Just got my Georgia Snap from him. The Shorty is an excellent carry choice. My prayers are with your family.

 

[JWS3]

There were around 200 manufactured in 1994.
This and the Shorty40 2000 are the rarest.
Your brother has great taste in firearms. Enjoy.

Thank you for that hard to find information, Grinder. It's nice to know that there are people like you who are knowledgeable about these firearms and are willing to share the information. I knew nothing about Shorty Forty 2000 until you told me of it.

Yes, my brother has appreciation for quality weapons. He accumulated many over the years. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, he presented my youngest brother, and myself with H&K, SIG-Sauer, Colt's, S&W's, Kahr, Winchester, Remington, Ruger and a few other manufacturers I can't recall at the moment, in a very touching, heart-felt ceremony.

I would willingly give up all of my weapons just to have my brother be free of his painful cancer and live to be a ripe old age.

I see that you are located in Pennsylvania, Grinder. We grew up in Bethel Park. This afternoon, I'm heading back down to Washington County where my brother now lives, to take care of him.

Thanks again,

-Jim

 

[JWS3]

RGrizzle leather also makes excellent holsters for the Shorty 40. Just got my Georgia Snap from him. The Shorty is an excellent carry choice. My prayers are with your family.

I'll take a gander at RGrizzle, Simmy. Thank you for the information and your prayers. It is deeply appreciated.

-Jim

 

[84Carrera]

Jim:

if you want a new IWB holster at some point that is a match to the quality of your new Shorty 40, contact Tim Thurner at TT Gunleather. He made a very sweet holster for my 4014 this year, at a great price for a holster of this caliber, and without the long wait of a Sparks/Rosen holster.

Tim has blanks for the 4014/4013 single stack- I think the Shorty 40 may be the same blank but am not sure

+1 on Tim's products. I have two IWB from him, well actually from Occidental Leather, his fathers company I believe. Tim's design. One for my PPK & the other for my 4013TSW, double stack.
The quality is 2nd to none as is his customer service.
Quick story... I ordered the holster for the PPK and a double mag holder. The mags dug into my blubber. I called Tim to tell him thanks for the quality etc. etc. and mentioned the mags. Without hesitation he said send them back and he'd make a new one with a guard. I received it in a few weeks. My blubber is happy!

BTW beautiful pistol JWS

 

[JWS3]

Hey there 84Carrera - Seems like Tim has a cult-like following on this forum. Thank you for adding too VTHokiesDuckHunter's recommendation! Sounds like Tim did you right on the magazine pouch, too!

I've browsed his web site and liked what I saw of his craftsmanship on display. I'm liking the style of the Stronghold Griffen OWB. It nearly copies the no longer made Bianchi Askin's Avenger I wore for many years. If memory serves, I believe John Bianchi based Col. Askin's Avenger off of Bruce Nelson's design as well. I have years of muscle-memory built up and stored using the Askin's Avenger.

I'm also considering an RGrizzle "Working Man" holster, which Simmy952 steered me towards. Another AA style holster.

I admire the look of each design and prefer an OWB type of holster. Like you, I too am sporting a wee bit o' blubber around my mid-section but, through vigorous cycling and eating habits, I'm happy to say that I am losing the "Battle of the Bulge" and said blubber forces are rapidly in retreat.

There's just something about a quality leather holster that appeals to the senses. I do believe that the scent of the holsters has a lot to do with it.

Best regards,
-Jim

 

[JWS3]

Just a quick update on the Shorty Forty. I'm back in Pennsylvania to stay with my brother until Christmas. I plan to take my brother shooting over the weekend and I'll have a chance to fire the weapon. I sure want to see my brother shoot it again!

-Jim

 

[84Carrera]

Hey there 84Carrera - Seems like Tim has a cult-like following on this forum. Thank you for adding too VTHokiesDuckHunter's recommendation! Sounds like Tim did you right on the magazine pouch, too!

I've browsed his web site and liked what I saw of his craftsmanship on display. I'm liking the style of the Stronghold Griffen OWB. It nearly copies the no longer made Bianchi Askin's Avenger I wore for many years. If memory serves, I believe John Bianchi based Col. Askin's Avenger off of Bruce Nelson's design as well. I have years of muscle-memory built up and stored using the Askin's Avenger.

I'm also considering an RGrizzle "Working Man" holster, which Simmy952 steered me towards. Another AA style holster.

I admire the look of each design and prefer an OWB type of holster. Like you, I too am sporting a wee bit o' blubber around my mid-section but, through vigorous cycling and eating habits, I'm happy to say that I am losing the "Battle of the Bulge" and said blubber forces are rapidly in retreat.

There's just something about a quality leather holster that appeals to the senses. I do believe that the scent of the holsters has a lot to do with it.

Best regards,
-Jim

If he does it's well deserved. Tim went above & beyond what he had to do.

Yeah I need to start losing the Battle also!! Hard to friggin' believe 9 years ago I ran a half marathon in under a 9 minute pace. . But I'll get there!!
Yup leather, IMHO is the only way to go for holsters & such. Enjoy Pa.

 

[JWS3]

If he does it's well deserved. Tim went above & beyond what he had to do.

Yeah I need to start losing the Battle also!! Hard to friggin' believe 9 years ago I ran a half marathon in under a 9 minute pace. . But I'll get there!!
Yup leather, IMHO is the only way to go for holsters & such. Enjoy Pa.

*LOL* I thought I had ceased to run when I retired from the Army in '94. I didn't think about having to run daily while attending the Academy in Arizona for law enforcement... and this was 5 years after my Army retirement! There I was, 42 years old, a smoker and competing with 21 to 35 year-old cadets, out running 6 days a week, 3 to 5 miles per day. *groan* (Gotta admit, running kept me trim and has a tendency to shed the pounds).

Cycling burns calories but it isn't load-bearing...but much easier on the bones. I'll take cycling over running each time.

I'll be acquiring a dual magazine pouch as well, just as soon as I decide on which leather holster I'm going to nest Loretta Windsucker in. A matched set is a must have to compliment the weapon. It's the only civilized thing to do.

Best regards,
-Jim

 

[JWS3]

Well, I finally shot it.

On Sunday I was wide awake at 0315 hours. Had to run to the convenience store for milk. (This sounds suspiciously like a, "How I prevented an armed-robbery" story, doesn't it? Nope, it's a, "How I was making chicken tortellini so it would be ready to eat after we came back from shooting," story).

My two brothers and the family that came down to PA with me arrived at the range at around 1330 hours with the goods. After setting up targets and getting things organized, we all had the chance to shoot the weapons at the Mingo Rod and Gun Club. This a an extremely nice range with very friendly personnel. My youngest brother brought his accumulation of firearms.

I am happy to report that Loretta Windsucker exceeded my standards and expectations! Due to the lateness of our arriving and the setting of the sun, coupled with the cold temperature, we didn't get to shoot long enough.

I'll post a more detailed blurb with photos later today, once I get the household chores done, and my brother is comfortable and rested.

-Jim

 

[84Carrera]

Sounds like Ms. Windsucker is quite the lady!! Good to hear.
God bless you & your brother and merry Christmas to you both.