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Old November 1, 2012, 02:55 PM   #1
doc540
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1972 S&W - Too Nice to Shoot?

K-38 Masterpiece: 14-3

Well, the "to shoot or collect" question got answered today

sighted in at 50yds for silhouette matches

Final adjustments put 6 rounds in the 11 o'clock position after shooting low right.


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Old November 2, 2012, 02:43 PM   #2
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In my world that was the correct answer.
By the way it is still collectable just take good care of it and enjoy the shooting.
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Old November 2, 2012, 05:42 PM   #3
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I aagree with shooting it ....and nice group by the way at 50 yds...rested or not....!
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Old November 2, 2012, 06:00 PM   #4
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I collect nothing but shooters.
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Old November 2, 2012, 06:03 PM   #5
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i shoot everything i own. I dont care how expensive it is. To me its like buying a nice car and looking at it but not driving it.

now you know it shoots just as good as it looks.
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Old November 2, 2012, 07:46 PM   #6
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Stunning blueing.
Wish they would still make 'em like that.
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Old November 2, 2012, 11:58 PM   #7
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Had to go back and shoot it again today.
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Old November 3, 2012, 03:29 PM   #8
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Anyone that owns an S&W masterpiece like that is a FOOL not to shoot it.
My only suggestion is to put a set of these on it.


http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500412
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Old November 4, 2012, 09:18 PM   #9
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thnx

got another set of the Herrett-style target grips on the way

fit my hands perfectly

like sitting in the drivers seat of a '72 Cadillac Eldorado

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Old November 5, 2012, 06:30 PM   #10
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may not be popular with some, but I like'em and shoot better with'em



Have a set on the 686, too.
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Old November 5, 2012, 06:37 PM   #11
lee n. field
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Quote:
1972 S&W - Too Nice to Shoot?
What good is it if you can't shoot it?
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Old November 5, 2012, 07:50 PM   #12
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EVERYTHING is for shooting BUT....................I would shoot it VERY rarely.
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Old November 5, 2012, 10:56 PM   #13
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like only twice a week?
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Old November 6, 2012, 03:08 PM   #14
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I think if you knew it was unfired, like if you got it from family or you bought it brand new, leave it that way. However, in this case, shoot it and enjoy it. You really are not devaluing it any by shooting it. You just have to take care of it.
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Old November 6, 2012, 03:26 PM   #15
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I've got a '48 K-38 that in very nice condition...and shoot it all the time!
They're just too nice a firearm not to use! There's a difference between use and abuse. I would never take it out on a camping or hiking trip...but a trip to the range? You better believe it!


And doc...that is one sweet looking K38! Very nice!
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Old November 6, 2012, 04:15 PM   #16
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Anyone that owns an S&W masterpiece like that is a FOOL not to shoot it.
However.....we sure do love those fools (when they sell one that is)
Long live those that buy nice guns, never shoot them, then sell them.
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Old November 6, 2012, 04:23 PM   #17
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Guns like that K-38 show that it is folly to contemplate what all around barrel length, etc., is best. You do not play golf with a single club, whether it be a Driver or a Putter! Buy several, and have the best one available for the job at hand...in this case, "...for silhouette matches..." A wonderful gun for that purpose...not so much for concealed carry.
Welcome to the wonderful world of revolvers!
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Old November 7, 2012, 10:58 AM   #18
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My 1972 14-3 is on the opposite side of the spectrum: it's so dog-ugly that I felt pity for it. That is, until I shot it. Easily the most accurate and sweetest trigger of my Masterpieces.

Here you see as I try to remove the remnants of some plastic wood the crazy previous owner incorporated to the stocks

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Old November 7, 2012, 11:25 AM   #19
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Shoot the ever loving hell out of it. When your dead will it matter that you kept it a safe queen and didn't enjoy shooting it???????
They were made to shoot. I see no point in owning a gun that shouldn't be shot because of possible hurting value or possibly putting a ding or scratch on it
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Old November 9, 2012, 10:52 PM   #20
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Shot my first handloads through it yesterday.

What a noise-making dreamboat, it is.
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Old November 11, 2012, 10:32 AM   #21
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Shoot it an enjoy it. But also have a workhorse for the high miles. I'd say that gun is too nice for high mileage. But only you can decide for yourself (life is short!).
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Old November 13, 2012, 02:53 PM   #22
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You've already shot it so it's Not

collectable. MOST collector guns are 98-99%
Unfired in Box...dan
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Old November 13, 2012, 04:06 PM   #23
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I don't own any firearms that I can't shoot and shoot reliably and accurately.
One of my points of pride about the firearms I own, is that they are in excellent working condition.


The S&W .44 Magnum at the top was sipped in 1956, according to the factory letter. I shoot it, with magnum loads, its what it was made for.

With blued steel, use a really good anti-rust product like Corrosion-X and/or wax them. Since I started waxing my blued revolvers, I've had way, way less problem with finger prints, freckling and powder/lead residue.



The wax pictured above, along with the same company's surface cleaner, is amazing on blue steel. At both preserving it and making it shine like nothing else will.
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Old November 13, 2012, 04:12 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dewey
collectable. MOST collector guns are 98-99%
Unfired in Box...dan
S&Ws are fired at the factory though, so none of them are unfired. Natural wear, with no refinishing is the biggest factor. Most S&W collectors would want to be able to fire a 14-3 like OP's.
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Old November 13, 2012, 07:00 PM   #25
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You can CAREFULLY fire it and still keep it in good shape. Why keep it for the next owner?
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