Smith & Wesson model 14 best years or versions

[Master Blaster]

I realized I have a hole in my S&W revolver collection. I own several k22 and model 17 revolvers, but no model 14.
I have decided to remedy this oversight.

So I would like to hear about your favorite model 14.

Help me find the best year or version of the model 14 or k38 target masterpiece. What should I expect to pay?

Pictures are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[dickydalton]

I paid $600 for my Pre-14 a few years ago. it's the bottom one in the picture.

DSC00015

• dickydalton
• Nov 3, 2017

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I came across this like new in the box Model 14-3 on the used shelf of a local store a few years ago. It left the factory in 1974. Asking price was $550. I asked if they would take $500. The gun was on consignment so they would have to get back to me. I was amazed when they said the consignor would take $500. I can't tell you how quick I ran back to pick it up. It even came with the box for that price. A lot of folks don't like the Bangor Punta era guns, but I can tell you this one is terrific inside and out.

Do not expect to get a deal like that on a terrific old Model 14 like this, it was just dumb luck of being in the right place at the right time.






I picked up this K 38 Combat Masterpiece, the precursor to the Model 15 a couple of years ago. It left the factory in 1953. I paid $800 for it, which I thought was a fair price.






A couple of K-38s. The one at the top with the funky grips and altered front sight left the factory in 1957, the one at the bottom left the factory in 1950. I don't have the prices handy, but I probably paid around $500 for each of them.






At the far end of the spectrum was the 38 Military and Police Target Model, the precursor to the K-38. This one left the factory in 1917. I paid $650 for it. I really don't recommend this model unless you like old guns. It still shoots great, and the action is as smooth as when it left the factory, however this model had the old fashioned rear target sights with two tiny screws on either side. To adjust for windage you back off the screw on one side, then use the screw on the other side to push the sight where you want it, then snug up the first screw. The system works fine, but you need a very small screwdriver to adjust the rear sight. That is why S&W put the modern click adjustable rear sights on the K-38 starting in 1946. One big screw on the right side of the gun. You don't need a fancy screw driver to adjust it, most normal screw drivers will do. And there are clicks you can count as you adjust the sight.

A lot of modern shooters probably would not like the original service grips on this model, but I like to keep the original grips on my revolvers whenever possible.

 

[Whiterook808]

I bought my 14-2 back in the mid-eighties. I can't say how many rounds I have through it. I still shoot it regularly as it is one of my favorites. It has the single action conversion installed so the trigger is light and crisp. You owe it to yourself to get a model 14!

 

[CraigC]

20yrs ago I found a shop in a small town that had a bunch of "new old stock" S&W's and Rugers from the 1970's to early 1980's at very low (even for the time) prices. No big bore S&W's or N-frames but a bunch of K and L frames. Lots of Ruger New Model single actions, Security Sixes, Speed Sixes, etc.. At the time, I could only afford one and what I took home was a 14-4 for the whopping sum of $285. When I went back several years later the old man running the shop had died and all the old guns were gone.

It's a hell of a fine shooter and is now wearing Culina English walnut.

 

[Master Blaster]

The Bangor Punta Guns seem to have the nicest polish and bluing.
Some really nice looking model 14s

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The Bangor Punta Guns seem to have the nicest polish and bluing.

I probably opened up a can of words commenting on the Bangor Punta era. All I know for sure is I have a bunch of S&W revolvers from the mid-1970s and they are all outstanding. Can't really say much about the rest of the era.

 

[dickydalton]

Howdy

I came across this like new in the box Model 14-3 on the used shelf of a local store a few years ago. It left the factory in 1974. Asking price was $550. I asked if they would take $500. The gun was on consignment so they would have to get back to me. I was amazed when they said the consignor would take $500. I can't tell you how quick I ran back to pick it up. It even came with the box for that price. A lot of folks don't like the Bangor Punta era guns, but I can tell you this one is terrific inside and out.

Do not expect to get a deal like that on a terrific old Model 14 like this, it was just dumb luck of being in the right place at the right time.

View attachment 878386




I picked up this K 38 Combat Masterpiece, the precursor to the Model 15 a couple of years ago. It left the factory in 1953. I paid $800 for it, which I thought was a fair price.

View attachment 878387




A couple of K-38s. The one at the top with the funky grips and altered front sight left the factory in 1957, the one at the bottom left the factory in 1950. I don't have the prices handy, but I probably paid around $500 for each of them.

View attachment 878388





At the far end of the spectrum was the 38 Military and Police Target Model, the precursor to the K-38. This one left the factory in 1917. I paid $650 for it. I really don't recommend this model unless you like old guns. It still shoots great, and the action is as smooth as when it left the factory, however this model had the old fashioned rear target sights with two tiny screws on either side. To adjust for windage you back off the screw on one side, then use the screw on the other side to push the sight where you want it, then snug up the first screw. The system works fine, but you need a very small screwdriver to adjust the rear sight. That is why S&W put the modern click adjustable rear sights on the K-38 starting in 1946. One big screw on the right side of the gun. You don't need a fancy screw driver to adjust it, most normal screw drivers will do. And there are clicks you can count as you adjust the sight.

A lot of modern shooters probably would not like the original service grips on this model, but I like to keep the original grips on my revolvers whenever possible.

View attachment 878389

I was also after that 1953 Smith, Sir. That's my birth year and I'm sorry you got it!!!

 

[cfullgraf]

I know the Bangor Punta era S&W's have a varied reputation. My experience with guns purchased new (Model 19, Model 25-5) and a Model 18) and used (a couple Model 14's, a couple Model 25-5's, and a couple Model 15's) from the Bangor Punta days has been good.

Mechanically they have performed well although a couple of the used guns suffered from poor cosmetics due to the questionable handling and storage from the previous owners.

 

[CraigC]

I probably opened up a can of words commenting on the Bangor Punta era. All I know for sure is I have a bunch of S&W revolvers from the mid-1970s and they are all outstanding. Can't really say much about the rest of the era.

I have a bunch from the Bangor-Punta era and they are all excellent.

 

[Tallball]

Mine is fun to shoot. Used revolvers with unusually long barrels don't sell easily these days and I can usually bargain them down to low prices.

Smith And Wesson Model 14-4

• Tallball
• Jul 30, 2018

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

It's hard to go wrong with any era of the Model 14. They are uniformly excellent. I would just look for one with the features you want. TH and TT are the most looked-for features. Anything from 14-3 and earlier will have the pinned barrel as well as some of the 14-4s.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

TH and TT are the most looked-for features.

OK, I give up.

What are TH and TT?

Target Hammer and Target Trigger?

 

[Master Blaster]

And TG. Target Grips,

TH TT TG was that what they scribbled on the box label in grease pencil?

 

[J-Bar]

I am a very casual S&W collector; no theme to my acquisitions other than a preference for the older .38 Specials, with a leaning towards K Frames. I have a 14-3 from 1977 and a 14-4 from 1978, both 6" barrels. It is an exquisite agony deciding which one to take to the range, they are both superbly accurate and fun to shoot. I paid about $750 for the 14-4, and swapped a used pair of Italian SAA clones for the 14-3, and would not take $800 for either one. The 14-3 has the Target Hammer, Target Trigger, original box and papers, but honestly it is not more accurate in my hands than the 14-4.

If you find a 14 from the 1970s in good condition for $800 or less, snatch it up.

14-3:



14-4:

 

[cfullgraf]

Mine is fun to shoot. Used revolvers with unusually long barrels don't sell easily these days and I can usually bargain them down to low prices.

I enjoy shooting my 8-3/8" barreled K-frames particularly my Model 14.

In my parts of the world, the long barreled S&W revolvers command a bit of a premium over the shorter barreled versions.

I have 8-3/8" barreled versions of the Model 14, 17, 686, 25-5, 57, 29, 27, and a 460 XVR. All are fun to shoot.

I wish I could stumble into an 8-3/8" barreled Model 16-4 but it would probably break the bank.

 

[dickydalton]

OK, I give up.

What are TH and TT?

Target Hammer and Target Trigger?

i just want that 1953!

 

[Bristol Mt.Man]

Picked one up at an auction. 14-3, beautiful gun.

 

[Master Blaster]

Thanks for all the advice.
Here is what I ended up getting, $650.00.
The 14-4 has the walnut grips, next to it is my 17-3.
So an 8 3/8" set.

 

[CraigC]

Nice! I always wanted a few 8 3/8" K-frames.

 

[reddog81]

Well it didn't take you very long to find that nice specimen. Congrats.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Thanks for all the advice.
Here is what I ended up getting, $650.00.
The 14-4 has the walnut grips, next to it is my 17-3.
So an 8 3/8" set.View attachment 878976 View attachment 878977

Sweeeeeet!

#Jelly

 

[red rick]

Here is my 14-3 and 14-4 . The 14-4 has the 3 T's . I like the 14-3 better . I don't like the wider hammer , trigger and especially the stocks .

 

[Edcnh]

Nice gun. You will really like it. I recently found a model 14-2 with box and original paperwork in pristine condition. It is a tack driver!

 

[CraigC]

I don't like the wider hammer , trigger and especially the stocks .

I never cared for them either, or understood what all the fuss was about.