My first revolver!!!!

[selmerfan]

I'm excited to say that I'm the proud new owner of a gun only 6 years older than my father. :) Here is the 1948 S&W K38 purchased from a kindly member here at castboolits. I've run 250 rounds through it already and thoroughly enjoy shooting it and having the bullets go where I tell them.


http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu58/selmerfan/IMG_0641_zpse4385dcd.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/selmerfan/media/IMG_0641_zpse4385dcd.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu58/selmerfan/IMG_0640_zpsa29c63a9.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/selmerfan/media/IMG_0640_zpsa29c63a9.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu58/selmerfan/IMG_0647_zpsecb0ccbc.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/selmerfan/media/IMG_0647_zpsecb0ccbc.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu58/selmerfan/IMG_0642_zps0597fd20.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/selmerfan/media/IMG_0642_zps0597fd20.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu58/selmerfan/IMG_0643_zps8efd639d.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/selmerfan/media/IMG_0643_zps8efd639d.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu58/selmerfan/IMG_0646_zps1d92cb50.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/selmerfan/media/IMG_0646_zps1d92cb50.jpg.html)

[keyhole]

That is a fine piece, selmerfan. The K-38 is right at the top of the list of accurate handguns. You will always be happy with it. Congratulations.

keyhole

[161]

Very nice.

[MT Gianni]

You picked a good one.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

That's the one. Used to be used by LAPD for years. Look at all the dumb guns they are selling nowadays, plastic striker pin small high cap fixed sighted models stamped out with mim parts. You have a real shooting iron there made when men fashioned steel into something you can put boolit after boolit into the X ring.

[selmerfan]

I'm still marveling at the metal to metal fit. Now I know why some consider the workmanship on my original Stevens 44 1/2 "rough". The seams are seamless on this gun.

[Scharfschuetze]

Hang onto that one! The K38/Model 14 is just plain fun to shoot and load for and the quality of those old ones makes one wonder "what's up" with all the plastic stuff.

[bedbugbilly]

Congratulations! You got a fine revolver there! I love vintage Smiths and you'll enjoy that one every time you shoot it. Hang on to it always and don't let go of it. It has two major things going for it . . . it's a Smith and it's your "first revolver". . . . you are going to create many fond memories over the years as you use it!

And by the way . . . . 1948 . . . six years older than your Dad? Boy . . . are you making me feel old . . . really, reeeaaalllllly OLD! LOL :-

Congrats again and enjoy it! You got a real "keeper" . . . and thanks for the great photos!

[lbaize3]

Well, what do ya know! I am two years older than your pistol. Keep that K 38! There is nothing better for just plinking. And it will bring home a bunch of tree rats and bunnies if you do your part.

[selmerfan]

bedbugbilly, I missed my calling as a mathematician - it's 6 years YOUNGER than my dad - he was born in 1942.

[selmerfan]

And I ran another 150 rounds through it this afternoon. 100 rounds of 148 WC w/2.8 gr. Bullseye and 50 rounds with a 215 gr. 358627PB with 2.5 gr Bullseye. The 358627 shoots GREAT in this gun - I wish I had the mold! I sold my 358627 GC version a couple years ago, but I'm going to look for a good heavy SWC PB 6 cavity mold like a 358477 or 358429. Nice and mild, the wadcutters shoot pretty good at 25 yds, but by 50 yds they are all over the place. The 358627, on the other hand, shot sub 2" groups at 25 yds, 4" groups at 50, and I was ringing up the 12"x12" gong at 100 yds shooting from prone position. Very pleased - but now I understand why guys that shoot a lot of pistol have progressive presses - I can barely keep up with my single stage! :)

[osteodoc08]

An awesome revolver for a first one. Enjoy!

[Frosty Boolit]

That is cool. my dad was born in '54 too but I have an m&p that was made in'54! It is also my favorite .38

[Frosty Boolit]

"what's up" with all the plastic stuff.

I concur.

[dubber123]

And I ran another 150 rounds through it this afternoon. 100 rounds of 148 WC w/2.8 gr. Bullseye and 50 rounds with a 215 gr. 358627PB with 2.5 gr Bullseye. The 358627 shoots GREAT in this gun - I wish I had the mold! I sold my 358627 GC version a couple years ago, but I'm going to look for a good heavy SWC PB 6 cavity mold like a 358477 or 358429. Nice and mild, the wadcutters shoot pretty good at 25 yds, but by 50 yds they are all over the place. The 358627, on the other hand, shot sub 2" groups at 25 yds, 4" groups at 50, and I was ringing up the 12"x12" gong at 100 yds shooting from prone position. Very pleased - but now I understand why guys that shoot a lot of pistol have progressive presses - I can barely keep up with my single stage! :)

I think the 358477 you mention is only about 150 grs., so not really a "heavy". The 358429 runs about 173+ grs/ from my mold. I only ever got "eh" accuracy from my 358429 compared to other designs. BRP used to sell a 360640 RF., which I believe is still offered from other makers. It is a 150 gr. RF design, and shot better than anything else in my M14. Group average at 50 yds. was about 1.5", and went as small as .9" Enjoy your fine revolver.

[selmerfan]

I showed a like for the 158 gr. Lee RF mold that I have also - but I can't keep up with a 2 cavity! I'm in the market for a 6 cavity 150ish grain mold - probably will just stick with the Lee 158 RF.

[dubber123]

If it likes the LEE 158 RF and you get a good copy in a 6 cavity, you will be in business. I have quite a few LEE 6 cavs, and when you get a good one, they can make a pile of boolits in a hurry. I just put a few cylinders through my 1952 version of your gun, due to the prompting this thread gave me. :)

[Frank46]

Think you made an excellent choice for your first revolver. Frank

[waco]

I have a 14-2 made in the mid to late 60's
I love that thing. Tack driver if I do my part.
Enjoy your fine revolver.

[MtGun44]

Heck of a good choice. Accurate, reliable, quality manufactured, fun and
did I mention "accurate"? :-)

Bill

[LouisianaMan]

Well, you got off to a slow start with revolvers but you're catching up fast :-) That is a beautiful old gun, made to shoot a lot, shoot straight, and still outlive its owners. With that long barrel it reaches velocities that we snubbie-drivers can only dream of.

[rondog]

That's awesome! You lucky dog. I've been lusting after a nice .38 target pistol for a long time. Looks like that's EXACTLY what I need. Doubt I'll ever get one though. I have a Model 10 heavy barrel now, and owned two 6" Model 19's in the past. Those old S&W revolvers are works of art and marvels of craftsmanship!

[bugkiller]

That's a fine start to your soon to be growing collection of wheel guns. They are addicting. :)

[Groo]

Groo here
The S&W " K" series of revolvers are some of the best.
My great uncle had a K-32 6in that he would hunt squirrels with and and my great ant required head shots to " save all the meat".
Wish we still had it.

[mack1]

I think this is a terrible first revolver, there is no up from this point everything from now on will compare poorly to this