Question on old Mod S&W 14

[Jonah71]

I do enjoy firing the S&W mod 14 .38 spec. 4", but so far I've only fired 12 rounds through it. Just too cold out there for this old man. I also have some concerns about shooting +P's. The gun is in excelent condition. I'd like to keep it that way since it's almost as old as I am (1958 mod 14). Should I shoot +P's in it at all? My gun dealer says it won't hurt it a bit and I could also use it regularly on the range with no problems. I've decided not to use it as one of my carrry guns but I would like to shoot it on a regular basis. Would feel kinda silly buying a gun and not using it but just how much use could a gun like this take without damage or diminishing it's value?

 

[rcmodel]

You sure it isn't a 4" Model 15?

Most all Model 14 Target Masterpiece's were 6", or 8 3/8".
The model 15 Combat Masterpiece was a 4" version of the Model 14 Target Masterpiece.

As to your question, +P is perfectly fine in your K-38 .38 Spl.

It is actually no hotter then some of the factory loads available at the time the gun was made.

Todays standard pressure .38 Spl load is less powerful then standard .38 Spl was then.

rc

 

[Guillermo]

Todays +P .38 Spl load is less powerful then standard .38 Spl was then

fixed it for you

 

[SaxonPig]

A model marked 14 with a 4" barrel is either cut down from a longer tube or is a fairly uncommon special order for one of a couple of PDs that ordered them.

Either way factory +P is loaded well below maximum allowable chamber pressure and will cause no harm in a K frame S&W.

 

[rcmodel]

fixed it for you

Actually you didn't fix it for me.

I meant to say what I said.

Todays +P is more powerful then standard pressure was then.
But not much.

Back then, a standard 158 grain .38 Spl load was listed at 855 FPS.
Todays standard pressure 158 is listed at 755 FPS.

Todays +P 158 is 890 FPS.

rc

 

[Guillermo]

Todays +P is more powerful then standard pressure was then.

But not much

guess it depends on the "standard load" but you are correct

 

[RON in PA]

I'll disagree with you all and say that todays ammo is no different than older 38 special. Difference in quoted ballistics due to different ways of testing (vented vrs unvented barrels) and different barrel lengths.

 

[axeman_g]

I have a 4" M14 Combat Masterpiece also and YES... the gun will be just fine with +p ammo. Reminder, the M14/M15 use the same K frame as the M19 in .357. This should let you know that +P at <900fps should be just fine.

I love mine, really love mine. It has been used and is nicked up but it works flawlessly.

 

[Jonah71]

A model marked 14 with a 4" barrel is either cut down from a longer tube or is a fairly uncommon special order for one of a couple of PDs that ordered them.

Either way factory +P is loaded well below maximum allowable chamber pressure and will cause no harm in a K frame S&W.

This gun came from the factory with a 4" barrel and was issued to a K.C., Mo. LEO. Have no idea how many were ordered, I just wish I still had the box it came in lol. I'm fairly certain that one of the ways to tell (on this mod. anyway) if the barrel was cut down after mfg., the lettering would no longer be positioned in the center.
There are some surface scratches on the finish and some wear on both sides of the end of the barrel. I was told that it hadn't been re blued before, but I'm not sure I believe that. I can't see a pistol that had been carried on a regular basis for so long not showing more signs of wear. That would be a bit of a stretch imo. Still, it's in excellent condition, and after reading these replies I will be taking it to the range and putting more rounds through it. It's the only larger cal. gun I own that I can actually hit anything with on the first shot, so I may even carry it.

 

[Guillermo]

I'll disagree with you all and say that todays ammo is no different than older 38 special

nobody said that

we were comparing old REGULAR pressure to current +P

 

[SaxonPig]

KC was known for ordering some 4" 14s. Differed from the 15 in having a heavy barrel. As I recall there were a couple thousand 4" 14s made in the 1960s. Collectors seek them and they bring a premium but not fantastically rare.

SAAMI maximum for the 38 Special is 21,500 PSI. I believe that through the 1970s factory ammo was mostly loaded close to this and then they started reducing the powder charges. Current "standard" load from most manufacturers is around 16,000 and +P is around 18,500. I have chronographed older ammo and they run faster from the exact same guns than do newer stuff.

That's a fact. Nothing to do with "different testing systems" or vented barrels or anything else. In my guns, older ammo goes faster. New 158 lead goes a pathetic 730-750 FPS. Ammo from the 1960s goes 850-950 in most cases. The new stuff is down-loaded.