.38 Revolver Can't Get Any Better?

doc540 · December 20, 2012, 06:57 PM

14-2 Three T

I can't think of a way to improve on this timeless design.
(OK, remove the Tyler T for you hardcore purists!)

Smooth action, natural in the hand, inexpensive, and shoots like a little rifle.

Tortuga12 · December 20, 2012, 07:00 PM

Is that not a model 15? I thought all 14's had longer barrels.

rep1954 · December 20, 2012, 07:12 PM

Model 14's came in 6" and 8 3/8" barrels with partridge front sights. You can still get a Model 14 Classic with a 6" barrel.

doc540 · December 20, 2012, 07:19 PM

I guess Smith must'a mis-stamped this one.

dgludwig · December 20, 2012, 07:30 PM

Perfect (and it's not even a Glock

) just the way it is.

Bob Wright · December 20, 2012, 07:43 PM

Well, you've got me baffled. What would be the difference between a 4" Model 14 and a Model 15?

I'm not so much on this new Model numbering system, I knew them as the K-38 Masterpiece (6") and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece (4"), then came the Combat Magnum (Model 19) and Distinguished Combat Magnum (Model 586).

Could your gun have been rebarreled?

Bob Wright

P.S. Whatever it is, you've got a great old revolver!

nate45 · December 20, 2012, 07:58 PM

I've got a NIB 4" blue 19-4 with the three T's and I just realized I don't have a pic.

My camera went South too and I'll I've got is a cell phone too.

Its a fairly rare pistol since its got the combination of the 4" barrel and Three T's, thats Target hammer, Target trigger and Target Stocks by the way, for those of you unfamiliar with the expression Three T's.

Even so, without consulting my S&W history book, I'm going to guess that your 4" 14-2, with the Three T's is rarer still. It is also in very nice condition, as I'm sure you know.

Like I said, I don't have a pic of that Triple T 19-4, but here is a pic of my shipped in 1950, S&W .38 Special Combat Masterpiece, as a consolation prize.

P-990 · December 20, 2012, 09:19 PM

Nice looking .38! Bet it shoots as good as it looks.

One nitpick, the Three Ts are Target Trigger, Target Hammer and Target Stocks. Not sights.

Bellevance · December 20, 2012, 09:33 PM

This one could well be a Dayton gun. A number of 4-inch, heavy-barrel 14-2s were shipped special order to Dayton Sports in Dayton, Ohio.

Here's the story (and it's a good one): http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...yton-guns.html

doc540 · December 20, 2012, 09:34 PM

serial #K52591*

added the third "T"

fixed

nate45 · December 20, 2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-990

Nice looking .38! Bet it shoots as good as it looks.

One nitpick, the Three Ts are Target Trigger, Target Hammer and Target Stocks. Not sights.

Thanks very much for catching that for me. Here is a pic of my shipped in 1965, 4" Model 19-2 as compensation.

warningshot · December 21, 2012, 12:10 AM

Where is the Internal safety lock and where's the inscribed 'WARNING' lingo?

jason_iowa · December 21, 2012, 06:46 AM

lovely. The only thing better then a revolver like that is 2 of them.

youngunz4life · December 21, 2012, 07:23 AM

arguably the most underrated andor underestimated firearms of all time

hulley · December 21, 2012, 10:43 AM

Those sure are some beauties, I really need to find an old Smith.

sgms · December 21, 2012, 10:59 AM

Hard to beat the old smiths M-15's both of these are -3 2 inch nickle and standard 4 inch in need of a pair of proper wood grips.

highpower3006 · December 21, 2012, 01:08 PM

I have had this 1950 vintage K38 Masterpiece for over thirty years now. It is hands down, one of the most accurate guns I own. Think one hole six shot groups at 15 yards.

I got it to go with this K22 Masterpiece that was made a couple years earlier.

doc540 · December 21, 2012, 11:42 PM

Well, if this is gonna turn into a K Pic Party....here ya go:

complete 1953 K-22 kit: SAT, Helpful Hints, cleaning tools, and box

highpower3006 · December 21, 2012, 11:58 PM

Nice!

rep1954 · December 22, 2012, 02:06 PM

DOC540, that K-22 is indeed a very special treasure to own.

nate45 · December 22, 2012, 06:42 PM

That K-22 is very nice doc540. I have a shipped in 1952 S&W K-22 Masterpiece. I only have the Gold Box and have no idea, if its original to the revolver, no grease pencil, etc, but it came with it. I wish I had the tools and paper work like you do. Its a 98% pistol though and I went over it with a microscope. I can't find where the finish has ever been tampered with. Its super accurate too. I even shot it at 50 yards one out of my friends Ransom Rest. It groups tight, I wish I could hold it that tight.

Bob Wright · December 22, 2012, 08:27 PM

doc540,

How does the weight/diameter of that barrel compare to a Model 19 or a heavy barrel Model 10?

Bob Wright

Warrior1256 · December 22, 2012, 08:56 PM

Love my S & W 642 Airweight .38. Can just stick it in my pocket and go.

OxyGuy · December 22, 2012, 08:57 PM

I've just picked up a shiney 15-3. It has 2 of the T's and I have a set of target grips for it but I'm going to leave the Hogues on it for some shooting.

doc540 · December 22, 2012, 08:58 PM

Bob, I'm not enough of an expert to make an accurate comment.

Iv'e sold both my M19 and M10's.

The target hammer and trigger are, to me, its most endearing feature.

And it is very well balanced.

December 20, 2012, 06:57 PM	#1
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,339	.38 Revolver Can't Get Any Better? 14-2 Three T I can't think of a way to improve on this timeless design. (OK, remove the Tyler T for you hardcore purists!) Smooth action, natural in the hand, inexpensive, and shoots like a little rifle. __________________ Shooting more, typing less Last edited by doc540; December 20, 2012 at 07:19 PM.

December 20, 2012, 07:19 PM	#4
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,339	I guess Smith must'a mis-stamped this one. __________________ Shooting more, typing less

December 20, 2012, 07:30 PM	#5
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 4,449	Perfect (and it's not even a Glock ) just the way it is. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

December 20, 2012, 07:58 PM	#7
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,732	I've got a NIB 4" blue 19-4 with the three T's and I just realized I don't have a pic. My camera went South too and I'll I've got is a cell phone too. Its a fairly rare pistol since its got the combination of the 4" barrel and Three T's, thats Target hammer, Target trigger and Target Stocks by the way, for those of you unfamiliar with the expression Three T's. Even so, without consulting my S&W history book, I'm going to guess that your 4" 14-2, with the Three T's is rarer still. It is also in very nice condition, as I'm sure you know. Like I said, I don't have a pic of that Triple T 19-4, but here is a pic of my shipped in 1950, S&W .38 Special Combat Masterpiece, as a consolation prize. __________________ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."- Thomas Jefferson ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (>_<) Last edited by nate45; December 20, 2012 at 09:38 PM. Reason: Wrote an erroneous word. :o

December 20, 2012, 09:19 PM	#8
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,031	Nice looking .38! Bet it shoots as good as it looks. One nitpick, the Three Ts are Target Trigger, Target Hammer and Target Stocks. Not sights. __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

December 20, 2012, 07:00 PM	#2
Tortuga12 Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Posts: 157	Is that not a model 15? I thought all 14's had longer barrels.

December 20, 2012, 07:12 PM	#3
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 683	Model 14's came in 6" and 8 3/8" barrels with partridge front sights. You can still get a Model 14 Classic with a 6" barrel.

December 20, 2012, 07:43 PM	#6
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,246	Well, you've got me baffled. What would be the difference between a 4" Model 14 and a Model 15? I'm not so much on this new Model numbering system, I knew them as the K-38 Masterpiece (6") and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece (4"), then came the Combat Magnum (Model 19) and Distinguished Combat Magnum (Model 586). Could your gun have been rebarreled? Bob Wright P.S. Whatever it is, you've got a great old revolver!

December 20, 2012, 09:33 PM	#9
Bellevance Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 171	This one could well be a Dayton gun. A number of 4-inch, heavy-barrel 14-2s were shipped special order to Dayton Sports in Dayton, Ohio. Here's the story (and it's a good one): http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...yton-guns.html Last edited by Bellevance; December 20, 2012 at 09:43 PM.

December 20, 2012, 09:34 PM	#10
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,339	serial #K52591* added the third "T" fixed __________________ Shooting more, typing less

December 21, 2012, 12:10 AM	#12
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2009 Posts: 980	On that 1965 Model 19...Is it safe? Where is the Internal safety lock and where's the inscribed 'WARNING' lingo?

December 21, 2012, 06:46 AM	#13
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 569	lovely. The only thing better then a revolver like that is 2 of them.

December 21, 2012, 07:23 AM	#14
youngunz4life Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2010 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,877	arguably the most underrated andor underestimated firearms of all time __________________ "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" -Admiral Farragut @ Battle of Mobile Bay 05AUG1864

December 21, 2012, 10:43 AM	#15
hulley Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Location: Hoschton, Ga. Posts: 659	Those sure are some beauties, I really need to find an old Smith. __________________ Nov 2, 2011 sent form 4, SS Sparrow. Arrived May 29, 2012. Jan 30, 2012 sent form 1 for SBR. Arrived July 12, 2012 Jan 22, 2013 Sent form 4, 762-SDN-6, check cashed Jan 25, 2013.

December 21, 2012, 01:08 PM	#17
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 221	I have had this 1950 vintage K38 Masterpiece for over thirty years now. It is hands down, one of the most accurate guns I own. Think one hole six shot groups at 15 yards. I got it to go with this K22 Masterpiece that was made a couple years earlier.

December 21, 2012, 11:42 PM	#18
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,339	Well, if this is gonna turn into a K Pic Party....here ya go: complete 1953 K-22 kit: SAT, Helpful Hints, cleaning tools, and box __________________ Shooting more, typing less

December 21, 2012, 11:58 PM	#19
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 221	Nice!

December 22, 2012, 02:06 PM	#20
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 683	DOC540, that K-22 is indeed a very special treasure to own.

December 22, 2012, 06:42 PM	#21
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,732	That K-22 is very nice doc540. I have a shipped in 1952 S&W K-22 Masterpiece. I only have the Gold Box and have no idea, if its original to the revolver, no grease pencil, etc, but it came with it. I wish I had the tools and paper work like you do. Its a 98% pistol though and I went over it with a microscope. I can't find where the finish has ever been tampered with. Its super accurate too. I even shot it at 50 yards one out of my friends Ransom Rest. It groups tight, I wish I could hold it that tight. __________________ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."- Thomas Jefferson ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (>_<)

December 22, 2012, 08:27 PM	#22
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,246	doc540, How does the weight/diameter of that barrel compare to a Model 19 or a heavy barrel Model 10? Bob Wright

December 22, 2012, 08:56 PM	#23
Warrior1256 Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 144	Love my S & W 642 Airweight .38. Can just stick it in my pocket and go.

December 22, 2012, 08:57 PM	#24
OxyGuy Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 44	I've just picked up a shiney 15-3. It has 2 of the T's and I have a set of target grips for it but I'm going to leave the Hogues on it for some shooting.

December 22, 2012, 08:58 PM	#25
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,339	Bob, I'm not enough of an expert to make an accurate comment. Iv'e sold both my M19 and M10's. The target hammer and trigger are, to me, its most endearing feature. And it is very well balanced. __________________ Shooting more, typing less