How do you think I did...

[RevolvingGarbage]

..in trading this nice CZ82

For this most excellent S&W K-frame?

This is one of my lifetime Had-to-get-one handguns (I wanted a Victory, but this is close enough!),and I finally found one not priced out of my reach!

The pictures aren't amazing, but you may be able to see there is some slight rust freckling on both sides of the frame, and a tiny bit on the barrel. The gun also has a slight carry up issues. When pulling the hammer back very slowly the cylinder will stop just short of locking the cylinder, but I think i may be able to take care of this with a good cleaning. It has an incredibly good trigger otherwise, the cylinder gap is perfect, and there is no end shake or excessive rotational play to speak of.

I know its a K frame in .38 special. I am almost 100% positive that the target grips are not likely original to the gun, is that correct? Can anyone tell me what specific model this is? Approximate age? I was thinking early 40's to mid 60's?

 

[Old Fuff]

Such junk!

What ya' got there boy is a very early 5-screw/short action .38 Military & Police (pre-model 10) probably made in 1946 or '47. The number in the photograph isn't the serial number. Those will be found on the bottom of the butt (remove the non-orginal stocks to see it), on the bottom of the barrel toward the back, and the rear face of the cylinder. I would expect the number to have an "S" or "C" prefix.

Should it go back to the factory it's probable the carry-up problem (cylinder doesn't revolve far enough) would be cured with a new, thicker hand.

A combination of a 6" barrel and nickel finish is uncommon, but also not rare.

Everybody knows that them long 6" barrels in a .38 is useless...

Sure, they do.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

The serial number seems to be CN 966XX, so according to one of the stickied ID threads, that gives me a gun made between '48-'52.

Thank you very much Mr. Fuff!

 

[Old Fuff]

Actually the serial number is C 966xx. The "N" denotes nickel finish. In 1948 serial numbers in the C-series ran from C 1 to C 223,998, and a minor change in the profile of the hammer confirms that it was one of the first ones they made that year. Demand was heavy, and the company was still tooled up for wartime production although they had moved into a larger, more modern factory. Most of the production was centered on 2, 4 and 5 inch barrel length; but they had a fair number of 6 inch ones left over from before the war.

I would say you scored a winner because none of the later cost-cutting changes are reflected in your revolver, and I suspect that a trip to a shooting range will confirm it's a tack driver if you do your part.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Somebody got taken by the panic and it wasn't you.

While the CZ-82 is a nice pistol, it is so very common, even these panic days. It used to cost $225 6 months ago and less than $200 a couple of years ago but now costs around $350 because of the current scare.

The thing is, panic prices have plateaued and are actually coming down in recent weeks. Gun Control ain't happening, at least at a national scale. Believe it or not, ammo is starting to show up again on the shelves. Really! I kid you not! So....you got a solid good trade!

Your pre-Model (commercial) 10 M&P is in good condition. Very little freckling on the nickle. The only downside is the non-original grips, but that's something that can be fixed easily. How's the action...bore..etc? Have you had a chance to shoot it? I got a 1943 M&P Victory Parkerized with "V" SN and the 5" barrel. It is absolutely one of my favorite revolvers. It would be my "one" revolver. I still shoot it, btw.

 

[bannockburn]

Nice trade on a most excellent K frame indeed! I would do that same deal; anytime, anywhere. You might want to try a little Flitz on those areas with the rust/discoloration on them. I have used it for many years on my plated guns to clean off the dirt and tarnish and it also leaves a protective coating to keep it looking great for quite awhile.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Somebody got taken by the panic and it wasn't you.

That may have been part of it, but it seemed like the guy just wanted to try a CZ82 on for size. I had the import box/paperwork/lock etc and two nice holsters for the gun, so that helped.

I won't ever regret the trade, even if I could never find another CZ82 (as excellent of a pistol as it was).

Of course, I know I will easily be able to find another, and even if they go up another $100, they are still worth it, IMO.

Now a classic S&W wheel gun? Well, we all know they don't make em like they used to! Not to mention the prices are going up every year, even on the rougher condition Smiths...

Regarding function and internal condition, as I said, its smooth as butter. It easily has the best DA trigger of any revolver I've handled, and of course the single action is excellent. The bore is in very good shape also, with nice strong rifling and no pitting or rust to speak of.

Bannockburn, Thanks for the tip on the Flitz! I was going to ask for a good solution to reducing the amount of freckling as much as possible, and I will give that a try.

One more bonus I had forgotten about, I reload for many calibers including .38 Special, and I have just a stupid amount of .38spl brass. I probably have enough to recycle for the rest of my life considering how little it wears.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

One more thing, I took the target stocks off, and they have a 1986 date on them.

If anyone here happens to have a Hogue monogrip, or some simple S&W Magna grips they would like to trade for the target grips I have, I would be more than willing to make a trade. PM me!

 

[Certaindeaf]

Those are the best grips. I bet it shoots very well.