To rib or not?

[Evil Dog]

I've a 1950's vintage S&W K-38 with the standard "heavy" 6" barrel. I use it both for Steel Challenge and Bullseye matches... just a matter of which grips I put on it.

I recently found a Bo-Mar rib that was made for that particular barrel. It's the rib with the "winged" front sight. What would be the pro's and con's of installing this rib? Personally I just think they look really neat.

 

[NE450No2]

I put a Bomar Rib on a 6" Mod 14 back in 1976 and shoty it in PPC, and some plate matches as well.

I really liked it. It shot as good, even at 50 yards, as any custom bull barreled match revolver I ever shot. And I shot a bunch of them over the years.

I liked the balance of it as well.

 

[valkyriekl]

If it works for you, go with it. It won't be legal for DR, but for Centerfire it'll be just fine.

I've never seen one, however (or maybe I have...hmm), and I'd like to see pictures of your K-38 wearing it.

-Kent

 

[JoeS]

Sort of hate to see somebody butcher up a 50s model 14 with a rib.
As far as function goes it works fine. I had a friend who shot ppc with one for years, then made it a loaner gun for new shooters, which i was at the time. The only downside is that counting clicks for sight changes between 15, 25 and 50 yards wasn't as convenient as the adjustable front sight like the revolver I got with a Davis rib a few months later.

 

[safearm]

If you're using it for target shooting, nothing beats a M14 with a Bomar rib. It's the one aftermarket accessory that actually makes the gun better than factory.