Ditched the Charter Arms 38's for a Ladysmith

[Monac]

Please tell us more about those grips....looks like a baby 686. Like it a lot.

Those are the old S&W J-frame "Target" grips. They were sold directly by S&W, although I don't think they were standard on any gun. I don't think they have been made since the 1980's. They are my favorite J-frame grips. They were made of either walnut or Goncalo Alves, there were minor variations in the thumb groove, and there was a smooth version. You can find them on GunBroker or Ebay sometimes, but prices have really gone up.

This pair have long since been sold, but the listing shows the original packaging: https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...s-w-j-frame-target-grips.cfm?gun_id=101211590

They fit both the round and square butt J-frames. Also the I-frames and Perfected modes. I think Driftwood Johnson said they fit even earlier guns, but I don't want to attribute any mistakes by my faulty memory to him.

 

[hannstv]

Those are the old S&W J-frame "Target" grips. They were sold directly by S&W, although I don't think they were standard on any gun. I don't think they have been made since the 1980's. They are my favorite J-frame grips. They were made of either walnut or Goncalo Alves, there were minor variations in the thumb groove, and there was a smooth version. You can find them on GunBroker or Ebay sometimes, but prices have really gone up.

This pair have long since been sold, but the listing shows the original packaging: https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...s-w-j-frame-target-grips.cfm?gun_id=101211590

They fit both the round and square butt J-frames. Also the I-frames and Perfected modes. I think Driftwood Johnson said they fit even earlier guns, but I don't want to attribute any mistakes by my faulty memory to him.

Thank you.

 

[ThomasT]

Like poster Westkentuckey I have a 3" model 30-1 in 32 long. No way would I ever ream mine. If I want more power I just load a hotter round in 32 Long brass. But not too hot. I have several 32 mags on hand for that. I also have a 3" model 36-6 that came with adjustable sights and full lug barrel. From what I have read S&W only made 615 of these guns. I don't have the box and docs for this one but no matter. Its a trail and backpack gun for me.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

I cleaned up the Ladysmith and used Renaissance Wax on it. Posed with the original maroon case.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

Since selling the Charter Arms, I also sold my Glock 48. I bought a very nice 4" S&W model 15-3 for $380 plus shipping and fees on gun broker and dropped it off at the gunsmith to get a buttery smooth action like my snubby model 15-3.

Then today I got bit by the bug again and bought a model 10-8 for $283 plus shipping and fees. All together, I have purchased 4 S&W .38's since the beginning of the year. It's a sickness I tell you! But, the guns were all purchased at a good-to-great price & it was too good to pass up!

The model 10-8 will be sporting a 3" barrel and front night sight once I'm done with it. I have been carrying my 2" model 15-3 daily and feel the 3" will carry even easier with it's round butt, fixed sights and eventually a bobbed hammer.

K-frame 38's are rapidly becoming my favorites!

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Like the earlier poster, I've had a couple of real turkeys from S&W. Both, a 617 and a 586 went back to the factory multiple times. Both were bought new. Went to look at a new no-lock 642 at the LGS, and the proprietor couldn't get the cylinder open. So S&W doesn't necessarily mean quality to me.

Recently bought a couple of new CA Undercovers. Haven't had problem 1 with either and the triggers on one are good, the other excellent.

The problem with CA, I think, is that people rush to buy new offerings. CA will put them out there without a lot of testing or thought and people get burned. Stick with their standard (boring?) offerings (like the Undercover), accept them for what they are, and you'll most likely get something you're happy with.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have resisted the urge as long as I could.

That's not a Ladysmith.

These are Ladysmiths. Left to right, 1st Model, 2nd Model, and 3rd Model.






The Ladysmith was a tiny 7 shot revolver built on the M frame, made from 1902 until 1921. Chambered for 22 Long, not 22 Long Rifle, although a 22 LR will fit into the chambers.



This is how tiny they were.












A comparison of three 22 caliber S&W revolvers. K-22 at the top, 22/32 Heavy Frame Target with Bekeart grips, and Ladysmith 3rd Model at the bottom.





To be fair, Smith and Wesson has been correct in calling the current J frame version, Lady Smith, two separate words, as marked on the frame.

The original Ladysmiths were always written as one word.



J frame Model 36 Chiefs Special compared to 3rd Model Ladysmith.







There is an old myth that when Daniel Wesson heard that Ladysmiths were the preferred handgun of ladies of the evening, he ordered the model be discontinued. Just a myth, Wesson died in 1906, Ladysmiths continued in production until 1921.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

Lady..........Smith

 

[mnrivrat]

The 696 is an L-frame. Full sized as BTC said. I have long wondered how it is that S&W insists the K-frame won't work as a 44 Special...and Charter Arms keeps turning them out in a Colt D-frame size that falls between the S&W J & K frames. Even with the 696 S&W warns not to use certain ammunition as it will split/crack the forcing cone. Good grief!

Dave

The 696 was a grail gun for me, but was just to much $ . First time I heard about the warning regarding the forcing cone. Then one day the owner of the LGS I was doing work for handed me a Rossi M720 he wanted tuned up. I was impressed with it (first Rossi that did that for me) . When I returned it I asked him what he wanted for it. He said it was not for sale as he was keeping it for himself. Over the following 18 months I bought three of them for less than I could buy one M696 for. I have since sold off two but still hanging on to the last one for a little bit yet. No regrets as all three were very good revolvers. They sell for a couple hundred dollars more now, but still worth the money. They are stainless guns with 3 inch barrels, and of course in .44Spl.
PS: I found the fit , finish, and machining did not take a back seat to the stainless S&W guns I have owned. Imported by Interarms I think these were some of the early stainless Rossi revolvers, and I also owned a couple of their .357's which used the same frame. (similar to a K frame)

 

[Biblethumpncop]

View attachment 1002886 View attachment 1002888 View attachment 1002889 View attachment 1002890 View attachment 1002891 View attachment 1002892 I bought 2 custom made 3" Charter Arms Police Undercovers with adj sights I had posted on here before. They were to be for my wife and my 19 year old daughter. I really liked to concept of the budget, American company that supports law enforcement and a lifetime warranty.

I have owned 2 old Bulldogs, an old Undercover, these 2 custom Police Undercovers and I recently bought a Target Pathfinder.

Unfortunately, one of the two custom guns went back twice due to timing issues (less than 50 rounds the first time, never fired the second time as it wasn't corrected from the factory properly.). They warrantied the gun and made me a new replacement. Unfortunately, they put the barrel from a fixed sighted version on it which had a low front sight causing extremely high shots. It went back to the factory and the proper barrel/sight was installed.

I ordered a Pathfinder Target .22lr 4" at the same time the replacement gun was being made. It was shipped with the replacement gun and I also ordered a stainless steel grip frame (instead of the light weight poly frame). As I was installing frame, I had the mainspring launch on me and I lost it. A call to the factory was all that was needed and they sent me a new spring for free.

I had numerous misfires with 5 models/brand of ammo. I noticed the b/c gap was .020" on my feeler gauges. They sent me a label and it went back to the factory.

They put in an extra heavy spring and said the b/c gap was within specs. I disagreed but told them to return the gun to me (after all, it has a lifetime warranty and can go back on their dime again).

The gun came back and the paperwork stated they test fired it 24 times (da/sa) with Federal ammo and it passed.

I had just as many misfires as before (several per cylinder full of ammo). It went back again and is there now.

I still appreciate the company and want them to succeed but my experience with repeatedly sending 3 guns back that were brand new left me less than confident trusting the custom 38's for my wife and daughter's safety to in a time of crisis. I don't want this to sound like I am bashing them, but I just don't feel confident. I test fired the replacement gun and it was fine, like the other custom that I never returned . So I sold them and made about $100 profit each.

I found a 3" S&W Ladysmith 36-3 for $506 after shipping and FFL. The gun is essentially a baby brother of my 2" model 15 and 4" model 28. I need to test fire it this weekend and I might put lighter springs in it as long as it is reliable.

I'm holding out hope Charter Arms can make my Pathfinder right. Since I just plink with it beside my Colt Diamondback 22, I don't need confidence in it the same way as I do a self defense gun.

UPDATE:
I got my Pathfinder back from the factory yesterday. I sent it to them in May.

The repair order said they were able to replicate the misfires and they found the barrel gap was excessive. This is the same gun I sent back earlier this year and they returned it stating the barrel gap was within standards and they test fired it successfully. Hmmm

They found the firing pin didn't protrude far enough so the polished the firing pin, deburred the firing pin hole and relieved the step in the hammer so it would strike farther. They also replaced the mainspring. IT IS STOUT NOW! Heavy trigger pull but it should go bang.

I hope to shoot it soon.