Howdy
Bummer that they did not allow you to check out the action. That shop would be off my list simply because of that.
OK, first let's talk about the trigger over travel stop, or 'adjustable stop' as the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson calls it.
The adjustable trigger stop was first incorporated on the K-38 Masterpiece (pre-model 14), the K-32 Masterpiece (pre-model 16), and the K-22 Masterpiece (pre-model 17), in 1946.
It was standard on all these models, it was not an option.
According to SCSW, 'Masterpiece' refers to those K frame revolvers introduced about 1946 with micrometer click-adjustable sights, short fast action, and built in anti-backlash trigger (referring to the adjustable trigger stop). Earlier 'target' revolvers with the earlier style adjustable rear sights, that were adjusted by backing out a tiny screw on one side, and pushing over the rear sight blade with a tiny screw on the other side, such as the early K-22s or the 38 M&P Target Models did not have an adjustable trigger stop. It was the advent of the 'modern' click-adjustable rear sight in 1946 (still used today) that signaled the beginning of the Masterpiece era.
Here is the trigger stop on my Model 17-3 from 1975.
No, it is not adjustable from the outside, you have to remove the side plate to adjust it. Backing out the screw allows the trigger stop to be wiggled around. WHICH I STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST. Just leave it the way the factory set it. If you mess with it, it can take quite a while to get it in the correct position for the trigger to trip the hammer. It is real easy to mess this up and the trigger cannot release the hammer in single action. This can lead to much gnashing of teeth as you keep pulling the trigger and nothing happens. Just leave it alone, the craftsmen at S&W adjusted it properly. Trust me on this.
Here is my favorite worn old K-22 that shipped in 1935. Notice the small screw for the rear sight, and the lack of an adjustable trigger stop. Yes, it is wearing incorrect magna grips, but it is the best shooting 22 I own.
By the way, here is a look under the side plate of a Model 617-6 that shipped in 2003. Where is the adjustable trigger stop? There isn't one. One more reason I don't like the new Smiths.
OK. enough about trigger stops. Today was a nice, cool, cloudy day at the range, perfect for some field tests. The revolvers in today's test, top to bottom, where a Model 10-5, probably made around 1964, a K-38 Combat Masterpiece (pre-model 15) from 1953, and a Model 14-3 from 1974. The Model 10 has a typical 4 inch tapered barrel from that era, sometimes known as a 'pencil barrel'. (Don't use that term around a serious collector.) The K-38 Combat Masterpiece has the typical slightly tapered 4 inch barrel, but not as tapered as the Model 10. The Model 14 has a typical 6" bull barrel (there is no taper anyway) and a heavy rib. The Model 10 weighs 2 pounds 1 ounce, the K-38 Combat Masterpiece weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces, and the Model 14 weighs in at 2 pounds 9 ounces.
All shooting was done single action, from a rest, with the targets out at 25 feet. I have to say the group with the Model 10 was slightly better than the group with the K-38 Combat Masterpiece (boy am I grateful for Control C and Control V so I don't have to keep typing that). Yeah, I will never make it on a Bullseye team, I plead poor eyesight and slightly shaky hands, even with the rest. Yeah, the Model 14 put the other two to shame. It is heavier and the single action trigger pull is lighter.
Single action trigger pulls:
Model 10 = 3 pounds 10 ounces
K-38 Combat Masterpiece = 4 pounds 5 ounces
Model 14 = 3 pounds 8 ounces
When I got out my fancy battery powered Lyman trigger pull gauge I was surprised at the difference between the Model 10 trigger pull and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece trigger pull. I could not tell at the range, but that is what the trigger pull gauge said. The Model 10 is a police trade in, and I can see looking at the recoil shield that it has been fired much more than either of the other two, which probably somewhat accounts for the light trigger pull. No idea whether or not a police armorer polished the insides, I certainly did not.
And yes, the insides of all three are identical. Some parts could probably be interchanged.
Not a super scientific test, I only shot one target for each revolver. The rest of the afternoon was spent plinking at soup cans on the 25 yard berm, which is much more satisfying than punching paper.
Which one handles better, the Model 10 or the K-38 Combat Masterpiece?
Hard to say. I am playing around with them right now, and I think I actually prefer the Model 10. With it's very thin tapered barrel, it is clearly lighter in my hand and less muzzle heavy. The Model 14, with it's heavy 6" barrel and rib is clearly more muzzle heavy and does not 'handle' as well in my hands. But it is really accurate.
Adjustable sights or fixed sights? I don't really care. I am very used to shooting with fixed sights from CAS. I actually never adjust the sights on any of my adjustable sighted revolvers. Once I have them where I want them I just leave them there. None of that adjusting for different loads for me, I use Kentucky windage.
Anyway, that's today's report.