Need Info on my handgun

[mollyg11]

I have a .38 S&W Serial GK26XXX Mod. 67 that I inherited from my father who is now deceased. On the right side of the barrel it is engraved with 38 S&W Special CTG. The revolver is nickel-plated with wood hand grips.

I don't know much about this pistol and need advice regarding the correct ammunition to use. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bartkowski]

It shoots .38 Smith and Wesson Special, more commonly known as .38 special. I don't know anything about the gun other than the caliber, but it sounds like a fine firearm.

 

[Jim Watson]

CTG is the abbreviation for Cartridge. Confuses the dickens out of people looking at a Smith and Wesson for the first time. Model 67 is stainless steel, sometimes people buff them bright to look like nickel plating.

There is a huge variety of .38 Special ammunition. It will ALL shoot safely in your gun. It won't all be fun.

The 148 grain target wadcutter with the nearly flat bullet all the way down in the case; and anything labeled "Cowboy" will be mild and pleasant to shoot.

The 130 grain jacketed bullet load sold under the Winchester USA label - Winchester White Box - WWB is nearly as mild.

The original (from 1899) 158 grain roundnose is only moderately powerful and not hard to manage.

Anything labeled .38 Special +P (Really increased pressure, usually taken to equal increased power.) will have more recoil and muzzle blast. But a +P hollowpoint is a good self defense loading if you can handle it. It can be managed with practice... always shoot with ear protection, noise is about as bad as kick and you can do something about noise. If you just cannot, use something less jarring and do your best on accuracy.

My condolences on the passing of your Father.

 

[Ron James]

Could that serial number actually start with 6K instead of GK?????

 

[mollyg11]

Ron,
I looked a little closer at the serial # and it does appear to be a 6 rather than a G. Does that help give further information on this handgun?

 

[Ron James]

That would date your Model 67 to 1974 . The Model 67 is the stainless steel version of the Model 15 and both are also called the Combat Masterpiece. Both the Model 15 and the Model 67 were considered very fine Police Handguns. The .38 Special is a very good, very accurate and versatile cartridge and will do everything but tap dance. It is not out dated and is a very good self defence cartridge. Your father left you a very fine heirloom. Value is relative to your location but it is listed at 400 new in the box,350 in exc.,285 in very good. The pre-lock ( too long to go into but yours is a pre-lock by about 30 years) Smith and Wesson's are going up in value, slowly but surely and there is a demand for them by shooters and collectors alike. Hope that helps. If you happen to have the box and papers that go with it, hang on to them, it increases the value.

 

[mollyg11]

Ron,
Thanks for the info. It makes ownership more interesting when you have a little history to go with it.