S&W Model 1950

[ddixie884]

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.



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 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?

Attachment 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]

Attachment 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?