Don't tell my wife, but I think I'm falling in love with another....

[SierraHunter]

About 3 months ago something caught my eye at one of the gun shops I go to. I didn't have the cash at the time, and begrudgingly left the beauty behind.

Fit forward to today, and I stepped into the shot to pick up some 3.5" 12ga ammo, and as I glanced, or maybe drooled over the pistol case, my eye was drawn to the far left side. it couldn't be! by some miracle that marvelous piece of steel and wood was still in the case. I whipped out my wallet and checked how much cash I had, and gave the shop owner $200 to hold it for me. Went to the bank, and pulled out another $475 and went back and filled out the adoption papers.


So what is this marvel that caught my eye you ask?

A 1953 Vintage Smith&Wesson K38 Masterpiece (Pre model 14) fitted with a 6" barrel and diamond checkered Magna stocks. The old girl is in very good shape for her age, with just a slight amount of muzzle wear, and a faint ring around the cylinder. I raced home, and grabbed a box of mild 38 special ammo off the shelf and headed out to the range. Cocked the hammer back and it just went click. cocked it back again, and same thing. Popped the cylinder open to find two rounds with very very light strikes. I had noticed that the screw for the hammer spring in the grip was backed out quite a bit, so I wanted to the shed and got a screw driver and tightened it up. Sure enough that did the trick, and I was in hogleg heaven. The old pistol will outshoot my ability's no matter what way you look at it.

Really looking forward to getting to know this old girl.

OH YEAH. And after I got home, the shop called and said they forgot to give me the box. He had the factory box for me along with all the hardware.

Unfortunately my laptop is not cooperating and letting me attach photos. I will try to add some with my phone.

[Texas by God]

I would have trouble passing that up- good score!

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[SierraHunter]

Couple photos of the new piece.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/d6186e1eb9bc19ab4573b6655f91a898.jpg


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/906702489ddf81b5d253edc44c1b7874.jpg


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[hc18flyer]

I am truly envious! I would have fallen for her too! After all 'The heart wants, what it wants'!!!

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Very fine handgun, and a good catch.

DG

[Thumbcocker]

Drool

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[jeepyj]

I've had the privilege of shooting one on several occasions. Truly a wonderful revolver. Congratulations.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I was just shooting my 1956 vintage 4" K38 today and really enjoying it. 160 gr. boolits over BE and it is so very easy to hit with. One I'd never sell.

[Markopolo]

Holy Cow Batman!!!!!

[shooting on a shoestring]

Now that piece is a real deal serious shooter’s gun.
It sounds like you understand what you have.
It does my heart good to see a fine piece in good hands.
I hope it brings you a lifetime of enjoyment.

[pworley1]

Well done!

[SierraHunter]

Good grief this gun will shoot.

Five shots on each card at 7 yards. This gun will out shoot me any day of the week. I think it’s a keeper!

On a side note, I did swap out for a set of target grips that I had laying around. They just fit my hand better.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220324/64ed152d5ffd867467a9f5de0ec63ace.jpg


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[Walks]

I have one from 1968, have Herrett Shooting Stars on Her.
That Sweet thing will out shoot Me everytime.

[Three44s]

Mine is also a ‘68 vintage but with a 8 3/8” barrel.

Three44s

[T-Bird]

Gorgeous pistol!

[Thumbcocker]

But... but it's not even polymer

[John Guedry]

That is a beauty in anybody's eyes.

[Rapier]

The original wood grips for older Smiths have gotten pricey.

[Wayne Smith]

...and you are young enough to enjoy it for a long time! Congratulations on a great find.

[MT Gianni]

Many shooters would back out the strain screw to get a better trigger feel. After a good cleaning inside the side plate you should be able to get more adjustment there. Great pick up.

[rintinglen]

For 675 Biden bucks, I think I'd be a player as well.

I have one and it is a wonderfully accurate gun. Save only CCW, it will do just about anything I can ever envision needing done with a handgun. And it is fun! No brass to chase after or bend down to pick up, and just about any 38 special round will feel docile and sedate.

[SierraHunter]

I looked for a model 15 for awhile and never found one locally. Saw a few beat up ones on gun. Broker that I could afford, but never committed. Last year I found a good deal on a virtually unfired 586 no dash with a 4” barrel. It had the rubber grips on it and they had gotten a little rust under the edge of them on the side plate, but the rest of the gun was spotless. I gave $600 for that one and really like it, but I like this K38 so much better.

[SierraHunter]

Grabbed my phone since I have a photo of the 586 on here. I swapped out the Rubber pachmyers for a set of Altimont target grips.

This gun shoots well too, but not as impressive as the K38. It’s never been back to the factory for the recall, but I’ve never had issues with the cylinder locking up either.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220324/df844d16f68ac26bcff582c419c8d02e.jpg


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[dverna]

I hate posts like this. I had a K38 and sold it about 20 years ago One of only a few guns I truly regret selling.

You have a fine pistol. Enjoy it!!!

[Electrod47]

Couple photos of the new piece.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/d6186e1eb9bc19ab4573b6655f91a898.jpg


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/906702489ddf81b5d253edc44c1b7874.jpg


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That baby is worth every dime and then some.

[smkummer]

For years, these and Colts officers model match revolvers were ignored, they were just boring 38 specials. Nothing “boring” about casually outshooting your shooting buddies at the range.

[SierraHunter]

I actually looked for a designated 38 revolver for awhile since the chances of me shooting 357 are low since I like real big bores. I didn’t find anything I liked up here, so bought that 586 because it was a good deal, and clean.

Originally I had a 4” model 15 in mind. I’ve had 2 model 10s, and a pre model 10 M&P built in 1909, and although all good guns, the fixed sights just never did it for me.

That pre model 10 was probably my favorite it has a 5” pencil barrel on it while both of the others had 5” heavy barrels. Im not usually a fan of barrels over 5” as I just don’t like to carry them.

[Jtarm]

That pre model 10 was probably my favorite it has a 5” pencil barrel on it while both of the others had 5” heavy barrels. Im not usually a fan of barrels over 5” as I just don’t like to carry them.

I had one of those and let it go.

I didn’t really have a use for it, but it was fun to shoot and I loved the look of the diamond walnut magna grips and the old speed hammer.

[Mike_M]

Very nice K38 Masterpiece. Always loved the look of S&W revolvers, especially the older ones.

I have a cousin to your K38 Masterpiece, a Post-War K-22 Masterpiece (Pre-17). It's a 5-screw 3rd Model made in 1947. I also put different grips on but kept the originals.

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