The Model of 1950 .45 Target

[StrawHat]

Sometimes lightning strikes twice. I recently came into another 45 ACP Model 1950. This one from July, 1955 making it a birth year revolver for me.

Curt Harlow was kind enough to make these Magnas for me. I like the look.

Kevin

 

[Truckman]

I'm glad you finally nabbed a birthyear gun, Kevin, and a beauty it is...I have three guns in my safe born the same year (before the earth cooled) as myself, but so far none the same month...And before anybody says it, yes the Julian calendar was in use at that time......Ben

 

[H Richard]

I can't believe I've missed this one all these years (or had forgotten I had seen it). As I have been gradually selling off my collection over the past sew years, I can't think of parting with my 25-2. It gets to the range with me several times a year. with my cast bullet hand loads, its a tack driver.

Moon clips are no problem. Just get a proper tool and the job is easy.

 

[NSEGE]

Pre-WWII target in 45 Colt??

I've been looking at a Pre-WWII target, 6 1/2" barrel in 45Colt, or at least that's what it appears to be. It has a slim barrel with a call bead front sight, and the pre-war "long" action/hump back hammer. The cylinder is "long" ie. not a 45ACP re-chambered to 45 Colt. It's in very nice shape and doesn't appear to be re-blued.

I need to look at it closer in a few weeks, but what I need to know did S&W ever make such an animal?? Don't believe it's a triple-lock/new century, but if I can get my hands on it that will be easy enough to tell. Just trying to get some indication whether or not it's worth pursuing

 

[Muley Gil]

I've been looking at a Pre-WWII target, 6 1/2" barrel in 45Colt, or at least that's what it appears to be. It has a slim barrel with a call bead front sight, and the pre-war "long" action/hump back hammer. The cylinder is "long" ie. not a 45ACP re-chambered to 45 Colt. It's in very nice shape and doesn't appear to be re-blued.

I need to look at it closer in a few weeks, but what I need to know did S&W ever make such an animal?? Don't believe it's a triple-lock/new century, but if I can get my hands on it that will be easy enough to tell. Just trying to get some indication whether or not it's worth pursuing

It could be a converted .455.

 

[NSEGE]

It could be a converted .455.

Did the 455 Ely have a 45 Colt length cylinder or a 45ACP length cylinder?

 

[Muley Gil]

Did the 455 Ely have a 45 Colt length cylinder or a 45ACP length cylinder?

It was longer, due to the thin rim that headspaces on the rear of the cylinder.

Many .455 S&W and Colt revolvers were rechambered to .45 Colt. I have had one of each.

 

[Say When!]

Thank you David Wilson and Smith & Wesson Forum Members!

I learned a lot!

 

[50 target]

1950 Target, Pre 26,

I have one, S81xxx range, shooter grade. Being a shooter and really liking the 45acp cartridge I was disappointed in the accuracy. I had a good friend at the time that was an S&W trained armorer with the Ga. Highway Patrol. Even after he went through it and got everything spot on it did not come up to what I thought it should do. The load I shot a lot of worked in everything and was very accurate; 4.4-4.5 grains of Bullseye, any primer, and the Lyman 452460 200 Gr. swc. Shot great in everything but that 1950. My brother gave me a batch of the Lee 190 Gr. swc cast bullets that had a long body (bearing surface) and a button nose. It was unlike the Lyman with a short body and a long nose. Well I changed to the Lee bullet with that load and Boy oh Boy did that thing shoot. At a rested 25 yards it would shoot 5 rounds into one ragged hole. That gun had sat in my safe for 10 years because I had been so aggravated that I couldn't get it to shoot. Well, one day I am reading Mike Venturino and he stated that the 1917 and 1950 had shallow rifling and needed a bullet with more bearing surface. I have a Pre Model 1955 Target and that 1950 will equal it in accuracy with that load. The 1955 will handle the Lyman 200 gr swc with ease and shoot phenomenal groups. Just wanted to pass along my experience in case anyone is having trouble getting that 1950 to shoot up to par. They are great guns. Bought mine in 1982 for $400 and had to work like a demon to come up with the money but glad I did. Thanks for this thread and all the info.