WORKING WEAPONS

[cwo4uscgret]

I have a few that don't get shot as much as the others but don't have any "safe queens" that aren't shot. MY oldest handgun that I have and shoot is a S&W Model 1-1/2 cf.

 

[jimmyj]

For the last 8 or 9 months my go-to carry gun has been my 642, so I guess that qualifies. I bought it in January and have put just over 1,100 rounds through it so far, with probably 3 or 4 times that many dry-fire "rounds" during practice drills (drawing, reloading, one-hand manipulations, etc.). I had a relatively minor issue that was fixed by replacing the ejector rod and it has had no issues since then.

I took this picture earlier tonight. You can see the finish wear under the cylinder latch, along the trigger guard, and at the forward edge of the frame.

This is a rather poor picture of the backstrap I took back in August before I figured how to use the "Macro" function (have I mentioned I'm not a camera guy?).

And this is a picture of the same backstrap taken earlier tonight.

This is the gun in my Wraith IWB holster by Seth's Gun Leather. It's a great combo.

It functions well, shoots great, and is easy to carry. As for the finish issues, I'll probably get it refinished at some point in the future but it's not a priority right now. It works great as is.

And for those interested, I carry it loaded with Speer 135gr Short-Barrel GDHP +P.

Hi:
I have had two Model 642/638 revolvers with finish issues like your. Both were replaced by Smith and Wesson for frame issues. Contact S&W Customer Service 1-800-331-0852. DO NOT use Hoppes #9 on these revolvers.

 

[30-30remchester]

REDLEVEL, quite a good looking piece you have there. Most of the adventures I have had, different guns were used. While one may have been used on a trapline, another would have been tied to a snowmobile. Your adventures have been with a single gun. My guns are jealous. A few have advised to refinish this gun. If it were mine I would never touch it. If you refinish it you will just end up with a shiny gun and the world had enough of these. What the world doesnt have enough of is guns with a history. If you refinish it, the visual history is forever erasred. Just my two cents. Another thought, how about writing down a history of this gun, the number of miles it has traveled, the snakes it has shot, and the times it went swimming ect. Then give this written history to a relative that would appreciate it just the way it is.

 

[redlevel]

DO NOT use Hoppes #9 on these revolvers.

You reckon my diesel fuel soak would work?

 

[fiasconva]

As much as I like pics of beautiful, pristine guns, you just gotta admire these too. I love these kinda threads! Thanks y'all...

 

[Davwingman]

Here is an Outdoorsman from 1952, said to be a CHP working gun.

 

[moonclip]

Some plain Jane indestructible plastic that rides in one of Lefty's superior creations.

......moon

 

[doublesharp]

This one hasn't worked much but it's sure traveled many a mile with me. I loaned a semi-derelict buddy $100 on this 36 3" back in 1974. He never paid me back so this is the first gun I ever bought and I've still got it. I loaned him another $100 on a model 10 a few years later and it ended up being mine, too. I used to keep the 36 in my bass boats rod locker and the finish (or lack of) shows it.

 

[monet61]

I love every chance I get to defrock a safe queen, but most of mine are good old fashioned working iron.

Outdoorsman

Old Troy, NY PD Colt Police Positive

Smith M&P

Smith M&P .32-20

27-2, this gun never stays in the safe for very long

I sure do like each and every one of those. Great guns. Thanks for posting.

 

[1 old 0311]

This looks a LOT better with a bad picture than it does in person but it rides in my pocket daily.

 

[gizamo]

I wont have a lazy gun. If it wont work for me i don't want it. Lazy guns are like lazy wimen. Not good for much of anything.

Ive got a SIG P220, a Glock 19, a Kel-Tec P-32 and a S&W 642 that I carry everyday, though sometimes I leave one of them at home to rest. But I don't give any of them much time off.

 

[Checkman]

My work guns. Excuse the picture. Just a quick snap. That's okay they aren't prissy primadonnas and could care less about a pretty photo. Though I am envious of those who do take nice photos. That a Glock 19, Glock 26 and a S&W M49 Bodyguard. Missing is my Remington 870.

Those handguns always go with me when I'm working and at least one of them accompanies me when I'm off duty. All three are kept in easy to reach locations when I am at home.

 

[M3Stuart]

This is a great thread. It makes me feel good about all my guns - I try to keep them cleaned up, but they ALL get shot - some a heck of a lot!

Edit: I think you all just saved me $600. Recently, I kept looking at my trusty ole' 36 thinking; "man an new (maybe newer pre-lock) model 60 sure would be cool"...now I'm feeling really good about ole' reliable here;

 

[GatorFarmer]

I traded for this via the forum a few years ago. It was made in 1978, I would have been about four years old when it left the factory. Had some blue wear, and had a past life as an IPSC gun.

I no longer have this, traded it for a nice Model 36 square butt that I still have. It was someone's custom carry gun though. The only highly modified Charter Arms I've seen. It was inscribed as the Terminator .44 Special in terms of caliber designation.

I used this as a pocket gun for a good while, traded it later for a 3" 31-1 that I still have. It was a 12-3 round butt snub. It was used with a succession of homemade cardboard holsters. I sort of miss it.

Paid 98 dollars for this, a Mossberg 800AM in .308. They were only made for a few years in the 1970s. Robert Stack used to be in ads for it with the legend "all the gun that I need". Stock is held together with epoxy where it broke before I got. I since painted it since SC tends to rust things.

Traded both of these this year. Both were old Alaskan bear guns, cut down and used for that purpose for years before I got them off AA for WWG in Anchorage. The Model 12 was made in 1919.

Early 90s 5903 that I still have. I would have been in high school when it was made. Vaguely wanted one at the time, ended up with this one years later.

Traded off this old Victory Model, but it got a second life as still being a working gun - went off to be used as a grip frame for fitting and measuring grips. Well maybe third or fourth life... It had also, in addition to its wartime service spent time - quite literally - as both a paperweight and a door stop.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Hi:
I have had two Model 642/638 revolvers with finish issues like your. Both were replaced by Smith and Wesson for frame issues. Contact S&W Customer Service 1-800-331-0852. DO NOT use Hoppes #9 on these revolvers.

Thanks for the info. I'm waiting until I can get another J-frame (hopefully early next year...*fingers crossed*) before I ask S&W about it.

And the only things I've used on it were Break Free CLP and Gun Butter lube.

 

[Ironhand]

My 28-2. It's been matte blued some time in the past, given the amount of fading of the stampings, especially on the sideplate. The target grips have been reinstalled, and show the kind of wear that tells me the right stock had a seat belt or jacket rubbing against it... a lot.

My '88 Beretta 92F. The finish is in decent shape, but it's been around the block a few times. The new-ish grips stand out against the rest of the gun, and I promptly dinged them up while I had a rifle slung on my back. The front sight protector on my FAL banged against them enough to dent the grips along the lower edge.

My oldest daughter's Argentine FM Hi-Power. The painted finish was beat-up when she got it, and it's not gotten any prettier in the years since. It's a very accurate shooter, though, an early 90s "Sportarms Miami FL" import.


I don't usually buy NIB guns, as they don't stay that way long when I own them. My first firearm was a 1921 Australian SMLE rifle in .303 caliber, and it looked like it had been dragged around the world once or twice. The "been there, done that" look is what I like on a firearm.

 

[Straightshooter2]

It has stayed in my pocket 72 consecutive hours on many occasions, mostly at the Atlanta Farmers Market.

When did you work at the Farmers Market. My uncle used to work there checking in trucks. I think he was head checker when he retired.

CW

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

This Delta has been my constant companion since the 80's.

She ain't much to look at.

 

[jimmyj]

Holster: Lewis Police Special?? (best off duty holster EVER!)

 

[Checkman]

Great thread jimmyj. I'm thoroughly enjoying this one.