38/44 Update: target

[J-Bar]

On Saturday I bought a long-sought-after S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty at a gunshow, and posted photos:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/i-scratched-an-old-itch-today-38-44-heavy-duty.896086/

Its first trip to the range proves that it likes 158 grain bullets to 125 grain bullets (not surprising, it was designed for those). I only had one 158 grain .38 Special load on hand, a home cast Lee RNFP, Alox Lube, 3.1 grains of HP-38. The best target is below, 10 yards, standing, two handed, single action. Not terrible, not wonderful; I knew when I pulled those two low right so at least I could call the shots. Most of the dispersion is me, but I will play with various powder charges and see if I can tighten the groups up a bit.

Thanks to everyone for your enabling on the previous thread!

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Not bad for shooting what you had available. In an N frame, she must handle pretty tamely.

 

[J-Bar]

In an N frame, she must handle pretty tamely.

Yes, virtually no perceived recoil at all. Which my arthritic hands appreciated!



I expect a few heavier loads will be included in future experments, but I got nothing to prove by trying to wear it out with a diet of +Ps. We're retired, and the old gal and I deserve relaxing fun, not heavy work.

 

[Dave T]

The addition of a grip adapter will probably improve your shooting by improving your grip on the gun, i.e. more and better control. I have them on both of my HDs.

Dave

 

[J-Bar]

The addition of a grip adapter will probably improve your shooting by improving your grip on the gun, i.e. more and better control. I have them on both of my HDs.

Dave

I have N-Frame target grips on a couple of others, a Model 27 and a Model 28. I will put a set on this new HD as part of the next range experiment. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I see you dated yours as having left the factory in 1955. Mine is an early one that shipped in 1931. Yours has the short throw style hammer that would be correct for that time. Notice the different style hammer and the older style Service grips on my 38/44 HD.

 

[J-Bar]

Howdy

I see you dated yours as having left the factory in 1955. Mine is an early one that shipped in 1931. Yours has the short throw style hammer that would be correct for that time. Notice the different style hammer and the older style Service grips on my 34/44 HD.

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DJ,

There was one at the gun show that appeared to be the same vintage as yours that had a nickel finish. Story was it was refinished by the factory. It was considerably more expensive, and I’m not much into nickel anyway, so I passed on that one, even though it has been decades since I saw any like yours.