S&W Model 1950

[StrawHat]

After decades of looking, I finally found a shooter grade Model 1950, 45 ACP revolver.



I plan to use the Saeco 453, 240 grain wadcutter boolit in this revolver. Looking to get 850-900 fps frm it.

Kevin

[Nueces]

It's a very classy big bore Smith. Mine has a small patch of pitting between two cylinder flutes, which is why I got it for $225 at the big Houston gun show back around 1980. I think you can reach your velocity goal easily.

[RJM52]

Always liked that one more than the 1955...have passed on a few of them that I should not have...

Beautiful gun...have a great time with it...

The SAECO 453 does show to be a 225 grain bullet however...

I really like the 240 Keith in my .45 ARs...Lyman 452423
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/cba.htm

Bob

[StrawHat]

Always liked that one more than the 1955...have passed on a few of them that I should not have...

Beautiful gun...have a great time with it...

The SAECO 453 does show to be a 225 grain bullet however...

I really like the 240 Keith in my .45 ARs...Lyman 452423
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/cba.htm

Bob

Sorry, fat finger and a small keyboard. I meant to type 230 grain full wadcutter bullet.

I also have a GB 452423 that casts 240 grain Keith SWC boolits. I will try those also but really like the full WC.

Kevin

[Thumbcocker]

They are great old guns. One thing be sure to check the cylinder size. I had a 1955 that was beautiful but never shot very well. Cylinder mouths were .456-.457. Traded it for a Model of 1989 with smaller cylinder mouths that shoots like it has eyeballs.

[Nueces]

My first big bore Smith was also a 1955 with yawning large throats. I got good performance by using the Lyman Thompson 452490GC, sized at least 0.453 over as much as 7/Unique. I think the gas check got the bullet base past the throats with no base erosion.

By good performance, I mean I could off hand hit rocks across the ranch pond (75 to 125 yards). Never put it on paper.

[TNsailorman]

Most of us have in the past sold/traded a handgun or more that we feel like kicking ourselves about. One I my worst moments was in the early 1980's when I let a friend talk me out of a 1950 4" in .45 ACP. It had a super slick action on it and handled like a dream. Very accurate too. I only paid $150.00 dollars for it and shot it for 2 years in competition(combat handgun competition). My friend kept after me match after match wanting to buy it and I finally gave in and sold it to him for the same price I had paid for it. It went into his collection and I doubt if it has been shot since. I have had several .45 ACP revolver shince that one but none really came up to that one in feel and shooting abilities. I liked the old S&W long action. aw memories of the ones I let get away, james

[Outpost75]

S&W also made a fixed sight version called the Model of 1950 Military. These externally resembled the old M1917 revolver, but were produced in commercial finish, having the postwar hammer block and short action with the S- serial number prefix. Mine was part of an order produced for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and came from the estate of the former US Postmaster of Middleburg, Virginia. Grip are not the originals.

281158281159

[Drm50]

I always wanted a 1950 Target, I managed a Military fixed sight model. Gave up and started with 1955 Target models. I have 3 of them presently. I’m one that hates Moons so I load AR brass for them all. I don’t size bullets and tumble lube. Used different powders at approx. 700fps.
I’ve not standardized a bullet yet. The Lyman 242gr WC shoots well, it’s been my standard for my m 25-5s / 45 Colt. Would like to use one bullet for acp revolvers / ar brass and Colt 1911s.

[Electrod47]

I need to add my " The one that got away" Tale that haunts me still. 1981 Bullhead City AZ the local TG&Y was closing its doors, yes they had a small guns and ammo section. Never went in there myself until that day. There in the cleaned out glass display case was the 150 Target lying in its red velvet lined wooden case with cleaning rod and a pile of moon clips. Price 200.00. WHY I did not give the gal a 10 dollar deposit haunts me still. I told her to hold it I would be right back. No ATM card or Credit Card in those days. Ran out the door to my Bank on the corner and came right back in about 15 minutes flat. It was gone. Dude that watched my interaction with sales clerk convinced her ( with 200.00 ) he should be allowed to buy the gun. That still chaps my hide!

[ddixie884]

My chopped and re-blued example has a 5" barrel and the chambers will pass a .452 jacketed bullet but a supposed .452 cast SWC gives a solid no go just after the nose of the bullet begins to emerge from the front of the cylinder on all 6. I figure this means I probably have .4525 to .453 to work with on all. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine......281171

[Nueces]

My chopped and re-blued example has a 5" barrel and the chambers will pass a .452 jacketed bullet but a supposed .452 cast SWC gives a solid no go just after the nose of the bullet begins to emerge from the front of the cylinder on all 6. I figure this means I probably have .4525 to .453 to work with on all. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine......281171

A revolver man of taste and refinement, also evidenced by the bronze T Grip. I have before described the 4" 44 Special 1950 Target I had made by the old MMC outfit in Deming, NM. Original factory barrel, with checkered top strap, on a 5 screw M27 , rechambered. I now have the bits to make a 45 like yours.

First to arrive, years ago, was a 5 screw M27 that had been crudely shortened. Next, I found a factory 6 1/2" 45 barrel. The barrel will be cut to 5" and top checkered to match the frame top strap. Since M27 cylinders are too short to accept many 45 Colt loads, I think a big Smith in 45 S&W (Schofield) would be an appropriate and useful upgrade from the 45 AR.

Can't say I'll get it done any time soon, as I don't have a gunsmith in mind with the talent and dedication of the MMC crew. I'm sure they exist, I just don't know any.

[ddixie884]

We all have our little bits and pieces to build that next dream gun. I haven;t had many done and I'm 69 but I have about 3 bushels of carefully gathered and hoarded parts....

[376Steyr]

We all have our little bits and pieces to build that next dream gun. I haven;t had many done and I'm 69 but I have about 3 bushels of carefully gathered and hoarded parts....

I used to watch "American Pickers". My favorite episode was when Grandpa, about 90 years old and in a wheelchair, is rolled out. The Pickers show him something they had dug out of the depths of his collapsing barn and ask if it is for sale. The old man looks at it, then moans, "No, no, I have plans for that."

[Nueces]

Often, the funnin' is in the wantin' and plannin'.

[Mk42gunner]

Knowing that none of the N frames I've had or shot really suited me, I still want another.

Robert

[rintinglen]

Knowing that none of the N frames I've had or shot really suited me, I still want another.

Robert

Me too. The N Frame S&W's are just a hair too big for me. But If I ever Find another 3 1/2" 27 At a reasonable price, I hope I don't break my arm reaching for my wallet.

[StrawHat]

...S&W also made a fixed sight version called the Model of 1950 Military. These externally resembled the old M1917 revolver, but were produced in commercial finish, having the postwar hammer block and short action with the S- serial number prefix...

Yes, the Model 1950 Army was introduced at the same time as the Model 1950 Target. The Model 1950 Target was produced until 1961 and about 2768 revolvers were produced. The Model 1950 Army (the Model 1950 Military was chambered for the 44 Smith & Wesson Special.) was produced until 1966 and roughly 1000 more were produced than the Target Model.

Kevin

[atr]

that is a beauty!
well done

[Outpost75]

According to my factory letter about 5000 Model 1950 Military models were produced in .45 ACP/Auto Rimmed, all contract orders to the US Postal Service.

[ddixie884]

281283

This was acquired from a member from the classifieds. Good folks here, good transaction.......

[StrawHat]

According to my factory letter about 5000 Model 1950 Military models were produced in .45 ACP/Auto Rimmed, all contract orders to the US Postal Service.

If you can post a photograph of that section of the letter, I would enjoy seeing what else Roy had to say.

Kevin

[StrawHat]

If you can post a photograph of that section of the letter, I would enjoy seeing what else Roy had to say.

Kevin

Here is a page from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (4th edition) telling how many of the 1950 Army were built.

I know the 2nd Hand Ejector Model of 1917, the first ACP revolver, was used by the Post Office but was not aware the Model of 1950 was.

281427

Kevin

[Dale53]

My family had an Appliance Repair shop/Hardware store. In the Hardware store/shop we had a Sub Post Office for several years. I can remember when the Post Men were issued Surplus 1917 revolvers right after WW II. The mailman that picked up and delivered to our sub post office, was issued one with absolutely NO training whatsoever! I am not sure he even knew which end the bullet came from:shock: Fortunately, I never heard of any accidents regarding the firearms of the P.O. Dept.

Often, as a young adult, I would close up the shop in the evening and walk home with the store log, cash bag, cradled in my arms together with a handgun in my hands (I would cradle the book, in my arms with the handgun in my right hand resting on the book in plain sight. The cops knew it (and supported the idea) and everyone in the neighborhood knew about it. It was interesting to remember that almost no one came close to me during that one mile or so walk through the neighborhood. They stayed "well clear". We had had a couple of holdups in the area, hence the need to go visibly armed.

FWIW
Dale53

[Norske]

I bought a Model 1955 for $385 back when revolvers were being traded for high-capacity semiautos in mass. I shoot it better than I shoot either of my 1911s. It will be the last centerfire handgun I sell when I get so old I'm culling the herd.

[gunther]

Outpost: A question; What are the cylinder throat dimensions on your 1950?

[Outpost75]

Outpost: A question; What are the cylinder throat dimensions on your 1950?

.456"

[Char-Gar]

There was a reason the Model 1955 Target Model replaced the 1950 Target Model. The reason is the heavier barrel shot better in competition and that is what it was all about.

[Tatume]

Originally Posted by gunther
Outpost: A question; What are the cylinder throat dimensions on your 1950?


.456"

This is the reason the Model 1955 is more accurate; it has appropriately sized chamber throats. As Outpost75 undoubtedly knows, when fed with cast bullets that fill the throats, the Model 1950 is very accurate as well.

[Char-Gar]

This is the reason the Model 1955 is more accurate; it has appropriately sized chamber throats. As Outpost75 undoubtedly knows, when fed with cast bullets that fill the throats, the Model 1950 is very accurate as well.

Nope. I have two 1955 Target Models and their cylinder throats run .456 and .4565. I also have two Brazilian Navy Smiths and their cylinder throats run .455 and .4565. It was not until the Model of 1989 that Smith and Wesson got their heads screwed on straight and produced a 45 ACP revolver with .453 throats.

[gunther]

Outpost and Char Gar: What do you feed those oversized throats?

[smithnframe]

Very nice vintage N frame!

[Nueces]

My first 1955 also had those yawning throats. This was in the early 70s, when good, clear advice on cast bullet technique was rare. The magazine writers were our only regular source. Even though Keith and Donaldson knew the truth, they tended to be overshadowed by newer scribes who knew not. So, I sized to 452, but found that a gas check worked pretty well to get the bullet through the throat into the barrel in fairly good shape. My 1955 was a shooter with auto rim brass and the Lyman 452490GC Thompson design.

Now, I would go with a plain base design of 454 or 455 diameter, the largest I could load and chamber.

[Outpost75]

Outpost and Char Gar: What do you feed those oversized throats?

282677 3.5 grains of Bullseye in the .455 MkII Starline brass, 4 grains in the .45 Auto Rim or ACP, 6 grains in the .45 Colt. My bullets drop from the mold at .455" in 1 to 30 tin-lead from Roto Metals.

[Catshooter]

Man that is a nice looking boolet. Did you design that one Outpost?

gunther,

The way I did it was get an older 454424 Lyman. It dropped right about .456 which I sized to .455. Worked well.


Cat

[Outpost75]

Man that is a nice looking boolet. Did you design that one Outpost?...
Cat

Yup!

[StrawHat]

282677 3.5 grains of Bullseye in the .455 MkII Starline brass, 4 grains in the .45 Auto Rim or ACP, 6 grains in the .45 Colt. My bullets drop from the mold at .455" in 1 to 30 tin-lead from Roto Metals.

What weight.

Kevin

[Outpost75]

What weight.

Kevin

264 grains in either 50-50 plumber's lead and COWW with 1% tin added, about 8 BHN, or 1 to 30 tin-lead.
Cast about the same in both hardness, diameter and weight.

[StrawHat]

264 grains in either 50-50 plumber's lead and COWW with 1% tin added, about 8 BHN, or 1 to 30 tin-lead.
Cast about the same in both hardness, diameter and weight.

Thank you

Kevin

[gunther]

Outpost; Catshooter: When using .456 bullets, do you size the cases, or leave them unsized?

[Outpost75]

Outpost; Catshooter: When using .456 bullets, do you size the cases, or leave them unsized?

Most .45 Colt chambers are sloppy, so that at least partial sizing is necessary.

Modern .45 Colt carbide dies work the brass too much and case life is poor.

I do not full-length size, but partially size the front half of the case only, using a backed-off old RCBS steel die. I then use an RCBS cowboy expander with .453" diameter expander plug to slightly expand and flare the case mouth. Bullet can then be hand-started and then seated to length. Crimping is done separately using the Redding Profile Crimp die which gently profiles the case body. These rounds shoot well in two pre-WW2 Colts, an S&W 625, modern Ubertis, Piettas and Rugers as well as a Rossi carbine.

I don't size bullets smaller for the Rugers, one size fits all.

[Catshooter]

I had four or five .45 carbide sizers and of course they don't all size the same. So I picked out the largest and used that one. That worked out well. This was in ACP & Auto Rim in a 1955 Target.


Cat

[StrawHat]

I added a set of elk grips to the Model 1950, Target 45 ACP. I like them.


Kevin

[Texas by God]

That is a beautiful gun.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Drm50]

When I was a kid in Scouts was into stamp collecting. The Post Master was family friend and would save me a sheet of stamps and the poster announcing it. The stamps were kept in a big old fashion safe. In the safe was a 1917 S&W 45acp. I remember gun was stamped US Postal Dept. We got a actual post office building in middle 60s, PO Master retired and I have no idea what happened to the 45. I’ve got 9 S&W m25s , six are 25-2 acp. All with 6.5” barrels.

[jgt]

It may not matter to anyone else, but looking at the first two pictures of this thread, I noticed the first pic is of a 1950, but the second pic is of an earlier version of the revolver. The giveaway is the hammer spur. The second pic is of the previous version with the "long action". The rear of the hammer spur kinda rolls around onto itself. The 1950 version is shorter and does not have the curl at the back of the spur.

[StrawHat]

It may not matter to anyone else, but looking at the first two pictures of this thread, I noticed the first pic is of a 1950, but the second pic is of an earlier version of the revolver. The giveaway is the hammer spur. The second pic is of the previous version with the "long action". The rear of the hammer spur kinda rolls around onto itself. The 1950 version is shorter and does not have the curl at the back of the spur.

The two photos in Post 1 are of the same 1950 Target Model, 45 ACP. Just left and right sides. I do have some ACPs with the long actions and several more with the short actions. But those two photos are the same revolver just from different angles.

Kevin

[ddixie884]

It is a nice one, congrats....

[jgt]

I should have been more clear in my reference to the second picture. I was referring to the picture posted by Outpost 75. It was described as a military and police model of the 1950 but clearly displayed a hammer of the long action that was replaced in the 1950 model with a short action and different hammer spur.

[StrawHat]

I should have been more clear in my reference to the second picture. I was referring to the picture posted by Outpost 75. It was described as a military and police model of the 1950 but clearly displayed a hammer of the long action that was replaced in the 1950 model with a short action and different hammer spur.

I had not noticed but you are correct.

Kevin