Star Wars Sight

[Evil Dog]

Picked up a S&W 686 earlier this month with the idea that it would be a lot more suitable for Practical Pistol than my beloved K-38. In my mind the L-frame is just a lot more durable than the K-frame.... might be, might not... just seems that way to me.

Also decided that I wanted one of those Star Wars holographic sights after a complete stranger let me take a dozen or shot out of his bottom feeding race gun that has an eotech sight. Couldn't afford the eotech but found a Burris Fastfire that was within my rather limited budget.



Wow.... what a difference. Just look through it.... heads up with both eyes open and put the red dot where you want the bullet to be. It is going to take a while to get used to it though.... currently I don't always pick up the red dot right away after coming up from the holster.



I surely do like it though... much easier on these senior citizen eyes.

 

[ugaarguy]

Was/Is your K-38 one of the 1990s production 14-5/6/7 models with full underlug, or one of the earlier models sans ejector rod shroud? If it was/is one of the more common non-shrouded models, do you find that change in balance and extra weight out front on the full underlug L Frame helps with rapid fire? Also how hot a load and how heavy a bullet are you firing in competition and practice? I'm just curious and always looking to gain knowledge on these types of things.

Last but not least that's very cool looking cross of star wars sight and classic revolver, with a nice looking leather rig to hold it all.

 

[Evil Dog]

The K-38 is of 1954 vintage. The trigger was changed to the medium wide smooth version and a 12 pound rebound slide spring installed. It is just smooth as silk in double action. An absolutely classic S&W.



I went to the L-frame thinking that it was a little beefier and should stand up better to lots of double action shooting. I prefer the Ahrends finger groove grips, have them on every S&W that I own (except for a 1960s vintage Model 36). I also prefer the 6" barrels as they always seem to balance the best for me.

Practice and competition are with the same load. A Lyman 358311 round nose 160gr bullet cast from wheelweight in front of 5 grains Winchester 231 with Winchester standard primers... brass is whatever 38 Special is handy at the time. I've found the round nose design is a lot easier to line up with a speedloader. Currently using the Safariland Comp 2 speedloaders... 7 of them on the belt.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

May the force be with you