I left 22.5 lbs of lead at the range today (38/44s)

[Peter M. Eick]

I went to the range I shot a 1000 rounds of 38/44's today. It has been a while and I had a grand time doing it. I admit I am off, but heck, you got to get started somewhere.







These are both nice 1950's vintage 38/44 Outdoorsman's. The magna grip one is a 1950 and the target grip one is a 1952 vintage. It is somewhat rare in that it is a glossy or "bright" finished version.

I was shooting a hot load of SR4756 (unmentioned here but near above the starting load for Speer 8, "that magic book of spells") and a hot load of 2400. "Keith's load" I call them. They are hotter than the SR4756 loads but fun to shoot.



50 shots, offhand, 15 yrds.



50 shots, offhand, 15 yrds



50 shots, offhand, 15 yrds.

I definitely noticed I was having trouble with the magna grips again. I find they "swim" in my mitts at I tend to loose shots at the wrong time. With a 1 7/8 lb trigger on the gun, it is hard to control if you don't grab the grips the same way each time.

I like the glossy better. The nice wide trigger, wide hammer and bigger grips are just fun to shoot.

I will say I like blasting with real 38/44 power level ammo. My loads run between 1150 and 1200 with a 158 LSWC (MBC) and are reasonable accurate when I do my part. I just need to get out more, hone those groups down and start really practicing again.

I was noting my bag was quite light coming home so I figured it out. 1000 rounds of 158's is about 22.5 lbs of lead tossed down the range. Now I am sore, happy, and looking forward to tomorrow!

 

[bannockburn]

Peter M. Eick

Sounds like you had a really great time with some vintage old school .38/44 revolvers. And 22.5 pounds is a lot of lead to be sending down range! I'm surprised you don't have to fill out some sort of environmental impact report with the EPA after that range session.

Just kidding! Always great to see those big N frames in action! Thanks for sharing.

 

[jmace57]

Peter - you have a lot more endurance than I do, my friend! I don't think I could lift my revolver 1000 times to shoot it, much less take the recoil!

 

[murf]

addicting! got to pump a few rounds down range myself today. beautiful weapons coupled with excellent results is the best of times. glad you had a good day.

murf

 

[Malamute]

Great post Peter!

Looks like a great way to spend the day.

 

[Manny]

That looks like an outstanding way to spend a day. A couple of beautiful old revolvers and I love that they're out doing what they were meant to do and not being hidden away unused in a safe.

 

[StrawHat]

...I definitely noticed I was having trouble with the magna grips again. I find they "swim" in my mitts at I tend to loose shots at the wrong time...

Peter,

Nice revolvers, the "N"frame S&W is very much perfection in my book.

I shoot several revolvers with the Magna style grip. I have found the addition of a grip adapter to be a great benefit in getting a repeatable grip.

Kevin

 

[tallpaul]

I have never understood the devotion to magnas some here seem to have. They are terrible grips for me and most I know who actually shoot their guns. I mean ya can shoot them with magnas but they are no where near great in my and a lot of others opinions. When I was starting out many years ago the original Smith grips got tossed first thing and Pachmayrs were put on before we ever shot them. As and old fart I admit I have swapped a lot out to wood grips of several flavors such as Herret and Hougue.... but few of my revolvers keep the original grips no matter the make.

 

[CajunBass]

I'll second the grip adapter. I put them on all my Magna stocked guns. Either a Tyler's or a BK adapter will work.

You're a tough man. I don't think I could fire 1,000 rounds of 22. A hundred 38's is an endurance test for me. Not the gun. For ME.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Thanks for the tips and advice on the grips.

I understand the Magna's are a limitation to my shooting abilities. No questions that the Coke bottle grips of the late 50's or the target grips are a better choice.

The issue is that as a collector, I am trying to figure out how the old timers did so well with them. There must be an art to how to do it well. I enjoy trying to figure that out, just like I enjoy shooting full power 38/44 loads instead of wimpy 38+P. Its all part of the history and fun of the guns.

My problem is grip strength. You have to grab Magna's tight, and I have to loop my little finger underneath the grips to index the gun so it does not swim in my hands when I am shooting long strings. I stopped my grip training due to medical issues for about 18 months and now I am really seeing the impact of less shooting, no grip training and a lack of overall focus.

This will come back with work. It may take a few years, but it will be a lot of fun to work at it.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I should also comment that these are just 2 of my 14 38/44 Outdoorsman's. I think I have 16 and I cant find 2 more in the safes, but hey, here was a quick shot of the 14 while I was sorting a few weeks back.

They are one of my favorite shooter guns. Great hang, good sights, great action and plenty tough.

 

[StrawHat]

I have never understood the devotion to magnas some here seem to have. They are terrible grips for me and most I know who actually shoot their guns. I mean ya can shoot them with magnas but they are no where near great in my and a lot of others opinions. When I was starting out many years ago the original Smith grips got tossed first thing and Pachmayrs were put on before we ever shot them. As and old fart I admit I have swapped a lot out to wood grips of several flavors such as Herret and Hougue.... but few of my revolvers keep the original grips no matter the make.

And yet there are many who really like and enjoy them. Must have something to do with everyone's hand is shaped different. Oh, yes, I actually shoot my revolvers and have done so for over 50 years. Mostly "N" frames but a few of the smaller framed S&W's also.

For me, any rubber grip gets tossed before I put the revolver in the shooting box. They do not allow me a positive grip and shift under recoil. I like smooth stag and an adapter. When I was competing, I made a grip that duplicated the magna with an adapter. It worked well and I still use it on a couple of different revolvers.

Kevin

 

[Iggy]

Drool alert!! Peter is letting us get a glimpse of his N frame collection again.

I'd say that was pretty decent shooting my ownself..

 

[bannockburn]

]Peter M. Eick

I think I have 16 and I cant find 2 more in the safes, but hey, here was a quick shot of the 14 while I was sorting a few weeks back.

That right there is the mark of true collector and .38/44 enthusiast! Thanks for a glimpse of the dozen plus two.

 

[cfullgraf]

And yet there are many who really like and enjoy them. Must have something to do with everyone's hand is shaped different. Oh, yes, I actually shoot my revolvers and have done so for over 50 years. Mostly "N" frames but a few of the smaller framed S&W's also.

For me, any rubber grip gets tossed before I put the revolver in the shooting box. They do not allow me a positive grip and shift under recoil. I like smooth stag and an adapter. When I was competing, I made a grip that duplicated the magna with an adapter. It worked well and I still use it on a couple of different revolvers.

Kevin

I like the looks of the wood S&W grips on their revolvers but I can't shoot them worth a flip. I change them out to neoprene. Pachmayr is my favorite.

Fortunately, everyone has their own favorites. It would be a boring world if everyone liked the same things.

I'm impressed with Mr. Eick's day at the range. I sent a mere 7 pounds of lead down range today (44 Special and 45 ACP revolver) and the wrist my mustang broke a decade ago will suffer for the next several days.

I need to add a 38/44 to my list of wants. I cannot say I have seen one in my parts.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Beautiful collection, and kudos to endurance. Hopefully I can sling half that much lead next Labor Day!

 

[Rio Laxas]

Peter, it was several of your posts that got me interested in the 38/44s a while back. I now have a few of both the Heavy Duty and Outdoorsman. I've come to like the 6.5" barrels the most, even with fixed sights.

I still like my .44 Special revolvers just a bit more, but the 38/44s get more range time.