S&W model 14-4 target rescued today

[bikemutt]

I should have known better than to walk into a LGS today on my lunch hour. There, in the middle of it's integrated-lock cousins, distant Brazilian relatives and plastic hi-cap friends sat this drop-dead gorgeous model 14-4 with the 8-3/8" barrel, wearing immaculate target grips.

It was definitely love at first sight as it's mine now. Paid a bit more than I should, $495, but these never show up around here, and if they do, they are beat up. The bore light revealed a work of art that appears to have been lightly used and well cared for. Likewise the finish is an example that tells me S&W really did know how to do a remarkable blueing job if they wanted to.

I've always felt the .38 spc guns get less respect from the general gun buying public, maybe because the word "magnum" isn't in the caliber, I don't know. I've found these K38 guns to be a dream to shoot, and very accurate with an affordable round. Can't wait to put this one to work.

 

[silicosys4]

amazing the treasures that people don't appreciate these days, she looks purty.

 

[pendennis]

Very nice buy; and $495 is far from being overpriced. I own a Model 14 and a Model 17 with the 8 3/8 barrels. They're both tack drivers. The Model 14 is probably the most accurate of the two.

I love punching holes with 148 LWC's over some Bullseye or WW231. You can spend a very nice day at the range with it.

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[Old Fuff]

Of the various barrel lengths that were available, the 8 3/8" was the least popular, and therefore one of the hardest to find. Because of the lack of availability nailing down a realistic price is sometimes difficult. However in my view if you overpaid it won't take long for the value to catch up.

When at a shooting range you may hear some snide comments, but they will disappear as soon as the targets are inspected.

 

[BYJO4]

Great purchase. It should be a tack driver at the range.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Nice. I wouldn't mind one like it.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

With the barrel roll-marks so far to the rear you could cut that down to 4" without looking stupid

 

[rswartsell]

bikemutt,

IMHO another great score. You think you overpaid and I wish I had such opportunities. I'd love to shoot that'n to see if the increased sight radius would improve the performance I get out of my 6" 14-2 (already limited by my questionable skills).

You are on a roll lately.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Beautiful, nice snag/save, definately one I don't see often.

I think the price was fair but do agree .38s are usually better priced.
Barrel length, condition and DOM make this one well worth it.

Does your LGS have a web site ??

 

[bikemutt]

At one point I promised myself I would't buy any more long barrel target handguns, mostly because I had a couple N-frames that I just couldn't master. Just so much weight to hold out there and try to steady. This K-frame gun on the other hand, feels well balanced despite it's obvious barrel length. We shall see, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I haven't seen any of these .38 special Masterpiece guns around here that weren't either beat up, way overpriced or both, in any barrel length for a long time, not quite forever, but close.

When I saw this one I felt I'd traversed a short time warp, it's that nice in person, glad I made it back to the present with a worthy payload

 

[tryshoot]

GREAT find, do not cut. Its putting money in the piggy bank every day.

 

[Jaymo]

I'd have taken it off his hands so fast, his palms would have been burned.

 

[Iggy]

You got a great gun and a good price.

Those were built for Wyoming fellers like me.. With that long barrel the bullet is half way to the target before the wind gits ahold of it...

 

[788Ham]

You must have had that story on your mind, the one I told this last week when I went into that pawn and found that Colt Trooper ! Ha Glad you found a gem like I did, hope it works out for you Bike, its a beauty.

 

[rikman]

Very nice !


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

 

[Flint Ridge]

Well bikemutt - you did goood.

Looks lightly used for sure. First tipoff for me is it still has the trigger stop in there. So many of those were taken out right after somebody scratched up the sideplate, bent it and mauled the screw heads.

I kinda like 'em myself.

 

[Sealevel]

She's a beauty, and at a fair price in my opinion.

About this time last year I paid $560 for an 8 & 3/8" K38 Target Masterpiece manufactured in early 1957. Afterward I had to send it back to S&W for some work that I didn't see during the purchase process. Another $125 and I was beginning to regret the purchase. After a few trips to the range though I really began to appreciate the accuracy of this revolver. I bought a set of Kurac grips for this beauty (another $140) and now just regard the "Target Masterpiece" as both the most expensive and most accurate of my eight S&W .38 Special shooters. There is a 6" 98% 14-3 for sale in a LGS for $550. I'm tempted.

Hope you enjoy that long-barreled gun as I do mine.

 

[4D5]

Nice find.

In my part of the county that would be a great price.

 

[bannockburn]

bikemutt

I don't think I have ever seen one before. Looks fantastic. Way to go!

 

[Bush Pilot]

Glad to see you found your concealed carry gun. Make sure you post a picture in a IWB holster.

 

[bikemutt]

Glad to see you found your concealed carry gun. Make sure you post a picture in a IWB holster.

Very funny Bush Pilot

 

[tahoe2]

Those sure are purdy revolvers!

 

[Guillermo]

it's always nice when you find a good deal on an outstanding rifle.

 

[highpower]

Beautiful gun!!! I have had a love affair with the K38/M14 revolvers since I first shot one over 35 years ago. I remember my first thought was " where have these guns been all my life?".

Over the years I have bought and sold many guns but the two that have never left my safe are a 1950 K38 Masterpiece and it's older brother a 1948 K22 Masterpiece.

The .38


The .22


Face off!

 

[ATLDave]

Beautiful! That will be fun to shoot!