Webley MK IV .38S&W questions

[vanfunk]

Hello Folks,

Well, with a fresh case of the "jones" for new gun coursing through my veins, I stopped in at the local gunmonger's last night for a look-see. Among many of the items I'd like to acquire was a 95%-or-so Webley Mark IV (I believe) in .38 S&W. I've never owned a Webley and this one is reasonably priced, so I'm strongly considering picking it up tonight after work. What I want to know, though, is whether or not the action is working properly. On this example, when cocking the hammer single-action, the cylinder isn't in its fully locked position until the trigger is pulled. It is only with a little trigger travel that the bolt stop positively locks into the bolt stop notches. However, the cylinder locks up before hammer fall. Is this normal? I have certainly seen this in several Colt revolvers and have had a few S&W's go out of time, so I'm wondering if this is a problem. I will likely pass on this example if, indeed, this behavior is abnormal for the model.

Thanks in advance for your help!

vanfunk

 

[Mike_In_BC]

Maybe I'm not fully understanding you, but I have a .455 webley and a .38 s&w enfield. What some old timers told me about how to check if one locks tight is to draw the hammer (empty gun!!) then pull the trigger and keep holding it fully pulled while letting it fall. In this position hammer all the way down, trigger all the way pulled it should be locked up tight.

In my experience no webley locks up like a colt, I live in Canada and there are lots of they around. They call them wobley webleys. Every one I have shot funtioned fine but was no great shakes in regards to accuracy.

For instance my .455 MK VI will print an 6 inch group at ten yards, and my Colt New Service in .455 with the same ammo will print under two inches at ten yards.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks Mike,

By your helpful description, it sounds as though the specimen in question is functioning properly. I will take another look at it tonight to see if, indeed, I must have it. Then to find an inexpensive source of .38 S&W ammo...

Thanks,
vanfunk

 

[Jim K]

They are a fun gun and the WWII ones have a lot of history. The best way to get inexpensive ammo is to reload. You should be able to use regular .38 Special bullets, as those Webley bores were close to .357.

Just remember that the gun was not made for hot shot ballistics; with factory strength loads it will last a long time.

Jim

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ummmm.... NO!! You can't shoot .38 Specials in a .38 S&W. The Specials are much longer than the S&W rounds and they are also too "hot" for most older .38 S&W revolvers.

I have a Enfield Mk1 No.2 and there's no way to load .38 Special rounds in the cylinder. BTW, most of the bores are .360" to .362", not .357".

janfunk,
Are you sure it's a Webley and not an Enfield? They look almost the same but I didn't think the Webley was chambered in .38 S&W. (I could be totally wrong about the Webley not being chambered in .38 S&W though)

 

[Checkman]

The Webley Mk IV was chambered for the 38/200. The Enfield No. 2 Mk I/II* was a close copy but different. Apparently the British goverment didn't want to pay Webley. Webley manufactured the Mk IV from the mid twenties until the late sixties or early seventies.

Ironically near the end of WW2 Enfield was unable to meet the demand for revolvers so the British goverment actually contracted with Webley and purchased the Mk IV.

I'm looking for a 38 Enfield or Webley. But they aren't real common anymore. At least where I live. They also seem to sell for two or three hundred dollars less then the Mk VI.

 

[lite-box]

Normal for a Webley & Enfield.


Ammo isn't too expensive, I've had good luck with the Magtech 38 S&W ammo that runs $12-14 per box. Really interesting gus, I have a Webley MkIV, Enfield No2 MkI** and a LL S&W M&P 38/200.

 

[BMW2]

I think he's referring to using .38 caliber bullets, intended for use in a .38 special, for reloading .38 s&w.

 

[Mike_In_BC]

Here where I live in western canada the local gun place had four boxes of winchester "Super-X" .38 s&w, it was kinda expensive, over thirty dollars per box of fifty, I can't remember right now. They had beautiful nickel plated brass that I have reloaded 3 times since and look brand new. I have used cast lead round nose bullets that are about .359, and .357 wadcutters with hollow bases. For powder I have been using light charges of titegroup. I loaded some a bit hotter for my s&w m&p .38/200, but they didn't shoot any better than the usually light loads so I stopped.

Anyway if you buy please post some images. I love those old top-breaks. We seem to have more of them kicking around up here in Canada, so I person can still get a good deal on a piece of history.

 

[Checkman]

There is just something about them that is so very British. They're not pretty, but they're still very appealing. To me they speak of adventure in far away parts of the world - back when there were far away parts of the world.

The Webleys are also very practical and robust. On the other hand the French guns are just ugly. DOn't care how well they may work they're ugly.

 

[BigGunsMoreFun]

I have both and neither are wobbly

I have the Webley and the Enfield with the bobbed hammer. Both of my guns lock up nice and tight. No slop in the cylinder at all. Both shoot .38 S&W NOT .38 Special. You want to blow your gun to pieces go ahead and force some .38 Specials down it's throat.

Both of mine have been decent shooter although you'd do well to stay under the 10 yard mark shooting them at anything. Especially the Webley. At 25 yards, it won't hit a 2' x 2' piece of cardboard. The Enfield will but it groups at about 8" to 10" at 25 yards. It also has a longer barrel than the Webley.

I paid $125.00 for the Webley with the original issue holster. The Enfield cost me $200.00 with the original issue holster and belt.

.38 S&W ammo is pretty easy to find and not that expensive. I bought 500 rounds from Sportsman's Guide for about $100.00. The shipping is what kills you on ordering ammo.

I think they are good guns and a good addition to any collection.

Good luck on your purchase. You might check Gunbroker and Auction Arms before buying the wobbly Webley from your local guy. You might find a better deal.

Molon Labe,
Joe

 

[vanfunk]

Thank you all gentleman for your input. Before I could pick up the Webley, I stumbled upon an older Pedersoli Charleville musket for a great price, and had to snap it up. I will go back for the Webley on Wednesday. And, oh yes, it's definitely a Webley and not an Enfield, and it's in .38/200.

Thanks,

vanfunk

 

[Jim K]

Hi, guys,

Believe it or not, I have been into guns for a whole week at least and when I say ".38 Special BULLETS", I mean BULLETS, not cartridges. I have loaded many rounds of .38 S&W with .38 Special .357 diameter BULLETS, with good results.

And you can't get a .38 Special CARTRIDGE into either the .380 Webley Mk IV or the Pistol Revolver No. 2 (aka "Enfield"); the chamber shoulders won't allow it and the cylinder itself is too short for anything much longer than a .38 Special wadcutter.

Jim