S&W 14-3 K38

raceroch · October 5, 2011, 04:47 PM

I bought a gun online that was listed as: "S&W 14-3 K38"

The picture is listed and it's description was that it is a shooter and has holster wear which you could see visually.

Here is my problem - after doing research I am wondering how much this gun is actually worth, and also what type of gun exactly it is. can anyone help? it looks like a 3 screw K38 but based on everything I have read I could be mistaken. Maybe I have just read to much at this point... heck, I am already considering the K22 and haven't even shot the 14 yet!

Fist S&W here.

Thanks,

raceroch

rep1954 · October 5, 2011, 05:07 PM

It's really hard to tell from your picture as to the shape of the gun. When using a point and shoot camera you should use a dark background for blued guns and a lighter background for stainless or nickel guns. You have to trick the light meter. From what I see if you paid between five hundred and five hundred and fifty dollars you probally did alright. With better pictures it might be a six hundred to six hundred and fifty dollar gun. Of coarse that is saying the action and timing is good.

smith357 · October 5, 2011, 05:10 PM

It depends on your location, folks have figured out that they are fantastic shooters and prices have gone up. Not too long ago around these parts you could not give away a shooter grade model 14, they generally sold in the $200 to $300 range. In the last couple of years they are up in the $400 to $500 range. If you have a box and paperwork then they could fetch more.

I bought this 14-4 when prices were soft and paid a premium as it was NIB. While the shooters were going for $200 I paid $350 for this one. After putting thousands of rounds through it I would not let it go for under $550.

RJay · October 5, 2011, 05:48 PM

You have a Model 14 that prior to 1957 it was called the K-38 Target Masterpiece. The -3 signifies a engineering change in 1967, hence the Model 14-3. The name K-38 Target Masterpiece is rarely used any more just as the Model 15 is no longer called the Combat Masterpiece .A rose by any other name is still a very accurate and fun gun. You of course know that to achieve the most potential from your Model 14 you should shoot wad cutters. It is fun to watch the center of a target disappear at 25 yards

NoSecondBest · October 5, 2011, 06:32 PM

My first handgun. I paid $96 for it new. I guess prices have gone up some since then.

raceroch · October 5, 2011, 07:51 PM

Thanks guys, good info. I think I got a good deal on her and since its a shooter I wont feel bad punching holes.

pendennis · October 5, 2011, 08:31 PM

A Model 14-3 will go, depending on condition, between $400 and $700. A lot depends on condition, and whether it has the box, tools, documentation, etc.

Since you've already bought it, though, get out there and blow up some ammo, and don't worry about the worth. You'll have at least that much in pure fun!

Teuthis · October 5, 2011, 10:57 PM

If you are fortunate enough to have one of them, by all means just keep it. They are among the finest handguns ever made. I have two and would not part with them for any reason. I have a 1947 model that has not been fired except at the factory. I plan to fire it when I get the courage. They are superb weapons and should fulfill their destiny. Someone can have them whenm I am gone but I shall enjoy them while I have them. Shoot and enjoy.

madcratebuilder · October 6, 2011, 06:33 AM

It should be a very good shooter for you. The name "Target Masterpiece" is well earned.

This is a 1960 vintage M14, 8.375 barrel with gold bead front sight.

Don P · October 6, 2011, 07:27 AM

As stated in 1958 model numbers were assigned to all the various S&W handguns, the .38 Combat Masterpieces were designated the Model 15.

KBM1 · October 6, 2011, 11:02 AM

You have a beautiful handgun, I've had a Model 14 for almost 30 years it's a great gun!

October 5, 2011, 05:10 PM	#3
smith357 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Posts: 270	It depends on your location, folks have figured out that they are fantastic shooters and prices have gone up. Not too long ago around these parts you could not give away a shooter grade model 14, they generally sold in the $200 to $300 range. In the last couple of years they are up in the $400 to $500 range. If you have a box and paperwork then they could fetch more. I bought this 14-4 when prices were soft and paid a premium as it was NIB. While the shooters were going for $200 I paid $350 for this one. After putting thousands of rounds through it I would not let it go for under $550. Last edited by smith357; October 5, 2011 at 05:20 PM.

October 5, 2011, 05:48 PM	#4
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	You have a Model 14 that prior to 1957 it was called the K-38 Target Masterpiece. The -3 signifies a engineering change in 1967, hence the Model 14-3. The name K-38 Target Masterpiece is rarely used any more just as the Model 15 is no longer called the Combat Masterpiece .A rose by any other name is still a very accurate and fun gun. You of course know that to achieve the most potential from your Model 14 you should shoot wad cutters. It is fun to watch the center of a target disappear at 25 yards __________________ Ron James

October 5, 2011, 10:57 PM	#8
Teuthis Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 537	If you are fortunate enough to have one of them, by all means just keep it. They are among the finest handguns ever made. I have two and would not part with them for any reason. I have a 1947 model that has not been fired except at the factory. I plan to fire it when I get the courage. They are superb weapons and should fulfill their destiny. Someone can have them whenm I am gone but I shall enjoy them while I have them. Shoot and enjoy. __________________ Oderint dum Metuant

October 6, 2011, 07:27 AM	#10
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	As stated in 1958 model numbers were assigned to all the various S&W handguns, the .38 Combat Masterpieces were designated the Model 15. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

October 6, 2011, 11:02 AM	#11
KBM1 Member Join Date: August 21, 2011 Location: Kansas City Posts: 37	You have a beautiful handgun, I've had a Model 14 for almost 30 years it's a great gun! __________________ http://oldschoolguns.blogspot.com/ A Place for Classic Firearms

October 5, 2011, 05:07 PM	#2
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	It's really hard to tell from your picture as to the shape of the gun. When using a point and shoot camera you should use a dark background for blued guns and a lighter background for stainless or nickel guns. You have to trick the light meter. From what I see if you paid between five hundred and five hundred and fifty dollars you probally did alright. With better pictures it might be a six hundred to six hundred and fifty dollar gun. Of coarse that is saying the action and timing is good.

October 5, 2011, 06:32 PM	#5
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	My first handgun. I paid $96 for it new. I guess prices have gone up some since then.

October 5, 2011, 07:51 PM	#6
raceroch Member Join Date: October 5, 2011 Location: RI Posts: 51	Thanks guys, good info. I think I got a good deal on her and since its a shooter I wont feel bad punching holes.

October 5, 2011, 08:31 PM	#7
pendennis Junior member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 572	A Model 14-3 will go, depending on condition, between $400 and $700. A lot depends on condition, and whether it has the box, tools, documentation, etc. Since you've already bought it, though, get out there and blow up some ammo, and don't worry about the worth. You'll have at least that much in pure fun!

October 6, 2011, 06:33 AM	#9
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	It should be a very good shooter for you. The name "Target Masterpiece" is well earned. This is a 1960 vintage M14, 8.375 barrel with gold bead front sight.