Opinions on S&W Target revolvers?
- Thread starter nntw
- Start date
I have owned several of each model you are thinking of. For their purpose they are hard to beat. With the .22, you will have to try several different kinds of ammo and once you find what it likes the accuracy can be amazing. They are also an inexpensive way to learn to shoot a handgun.
The .38's are usually excellent shooters as well. factory .38 target ammo is not as readily available now and to get the best accuracy you will likely need to start handloading the ammo. It is a good cartrige to learn to load precision ammo with and is quite economical.
FWIW, 44Bore.
The .38's are usually excellent shooters as well. factory .38 target ammo is not as readily available now and to get the best accuracy you will likely need to start handloading the ammo. It is a good cartrige to learn to load precision ammo with and is quite economical.
FWIW, 44Bore.
The guns you are asking about are classic in my opinion & were the premier target revolvers in the past. For lots of folks they still are, myself included.
I like my Model 14-4 (.38 spl.) so much that I puchaced this Taurus in .32 S&W Long. It's not a smith, but I like it's configuration like my .38 having that 6" barrel & adjustable sights. I like the center-fire guns because I reload all my own cartridges for them, they are fun to shoot, & depending on bullet style, cut nice clean holes in paper targets.
Either one you are asking about would make you happy. If you don't want to reload, get the .22, but remember reloading your own ammo in those other cartridges is again half the fun. Good luck in choosing.....
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
My grandfather's estate sold off his K-38 before i could get it
. Least i got the high standard and the Chief special.
I wish i could trace where that K gun went, so sweet. Buy one, better yet, buy 2 and send me one.
. Least i got the high standard and the Chief special. I wish i could trace where that K gun went, so sweet. Buy one, better yet, buy 2 and send me one.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Really enjoyable guns. I like the bigger pop of the .38 but then you need a .22 as well
You badly need both of them
Yeah, the new ones just aren't quite as nice aesthetically.
Interestingly enough, these guns don't have the really high gloss bluing seen on later S&Ws; I would call it more of a satin blued finish. My four-screw Model 29 made in 1961, however, has bluing that is like a blue-black mirror. You can see the difference in this picture.
That Model 29 is not an easy gun to photograph.
I have both a model 17(K22) and a model 14(K38).They are both great guns and will easily outshoot my Colts.Like the other posters,I far prefer the older guns.Better made and finished IMO,and I can do without the full underlugs and lock
Model 17s seem to have become quite expensive lately,but the model 14s can be had for very reasonable prices.I bought a prstine model 14 here on EE awhile back for 425
Both of these classic guns are a must have
Model 17s seem to have become quite expensive lately,but the model 14s can be had for very reasonable prices.I bought a prstine model 14 here on EE awhile back for 425
Both of these classic guns are a must have
S&W Target Revolvers...
Back in the day if one got "into" handguns in a serious way, then a K38 and K22 were among the "must haves" in any collection of significance.
Excellent wheelguns IMHO.
NAA.
Back in the day if one got "into" handguns in a serious way, then a K38 and K22 were among the "must haves" in any collection of significance.
Excellent wheelguns IMHO.
NAA.
My K 38 outshot my 6" Python and it shot almost as well as my full house S&W PPC gun so I sold both the Python and the PPC gun. This was out of the Ransom Rest with full wadcutters. I used my K 38 to shoot Top Distinguished Sharpshooter at a National PPC match in the 90's - outstanding gun.
I still have that K 38 which is an early 70's model with super tight lock up and fantastic trigger.
I still have that K 38 which is an early 70's model with super tight lock up and fantastic trigger.
I have a model 14, and use it for ISSF style shooting and its great -by far better than I am and I'm a decent shot.
The nice thing is the revolers are accurate, and reasonably priced - I know of a Model 14, with morini grip, target rear sight (Millet I think) and full barrel weight (of course a good trigger job) - its being sold locally for something like 550$. Thats hard to beat!
The nice thing is the revolers are accurate, and reasonably priced - I know of a Model 14, with morini grip, target rear sight (Millet I think) and full barrel weight (of course a good trigger job) - its being sold locally for something like 550$. Thats hard to beat!
