New S&W Heavy Duty

Do a 4 number and we’ll all go run and buy one! Are you listening SW?? Hello??? McFly?? “No we’re not listening… we’re working on HH’s over here”
 
S&W 38-44 Heavy Duty. Shipped September 1931.


lRVbMx.jpg



5S1p5c.jpg





Or, if you prefer adjustable sights, a 38-44 Outdoorsman that shipped in 1933. Notice you need a teeny little screw driver to adjust the rear sight. That is the way they came in those days.

LVKDC8.jpg



6pBgcQ.jpg
 
Way back, when revolvers were the main sidearm, there were considered to be two types of revolvers. The belt type, fixed sights and the target type, with adjustable sights. Holster makers needed two different “forms” to build for both.

Here is an image of both styles with 4” barrels.

IMG_7369.jpeg

Kevin
 
While I've already stated that the N-frame size is
not for me, I'll join in the chorus praising
fixed sighted revolvers.

Also for my uses, adjustable sights on revolvers
or autos were never needed.

Wished Bill Jordan had pushed S&W for a fixed
sighted Model 19 as a regular production gun.
 
Last edited:
I prefer fixed sights as well. I don’t adjust sights to the ammo. I tailor my ammo to the gun and the sights. In the case of my model 10 I use a 6 O’clock aim to hit where I want with the best grouping, most consistent, accurate loads from that gun.

I will adjust my sights that are adjustable if other factors are throwing of my POI side to side, but with all my guns I have several different loads I shoot from each.

If I competed in Bullseye or another competition that called for accuracy I would adjust my sights, if they’re adjustable, to a specific load for that competition. But I no longer compete in shooting sports. I guess I do compete with myself for accuracy and speed, but formal competitions no longer interest me.

For SD & HD I’ll take fixed sights any day over a small adjustable device that might be out of whack when the chips are down.
Murphy is my Guardian Angel. ;)
 
Part of the charm of the "Heavy Duty" is its historical position as a transition between the 38 Special and .357 Magnum. I would prefer to own a beat up HD 38/44 from the 30s, 40s, or 50s instead of a new Magnum look-alike.

But that's just me.

I bet this new one will be fun to shoot. Hopefully, the bullet hits where the sights align. If not, then that would be strike three.
 
IIRC Ed McGivern used adjustables, the superiority of adjustable over fixed sights for service use was being recognized in the 1950s-the Combat Masterpiece, the Highway Patrolman, then the Combat Magnum. Skeeter Skelton wrote that fixed sight handguns usually shot to the left for him, Charlie Askins wrote that when the Border Patrol received their Colt New Service 38s in the 1930s, he made a tool to adjust their barrels for windage though he gave no details.
 
UncleEd said:
While I've already stated that the N-frame size is
not for me, I'll join in the chorus praising
fixed sighted revolvers.

Also for my uses, adjustable sights on revolvers
or autos were never needed.

Wished Bill Jordan had pushed S&W for a fixed
sighted Model 19 as a regular production gun.
Click to expand...
S&W did…
It was called the Model 13 and 65.

I carried a couple of M65’s for a dozen years.
Absolutely DESPISED them.
The only way they would shoot anywhere near where you aimed them was with the skinny magna grips and 158gr Lead SWC Magnum factory ammo. And then only for one cylinder worth. They were then badly leaded up and shot basketball sized groups at 25yds. Qualifying on a 50yd course was impossible. Even with .38spl ammo. Qualifying courses had to be 25yds or less…
I used the S&W target grips or the Magna’s with a Tyler Grip adapter. No ?357mags with the magnas as recoil is uncontrollable.
I had to file down the front sight for 125gr .357’s, and had a gunsmith show me how to lock it in a vice and WHACK the barrel to move windage to shoot close enough to qualify.
I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I was issued a Model 66 as I was the pistol team leader. Two years after, we were issued M686-2 4”.
Never looked back!
In retrospect, the best issue revolver I was ever given was a Model 15. With the Remington 158gr +P “FBI Load” it would shoot “bug holes” from a rest at 25yds. Ditto a 148gr HBWC, but to a different POI… but that’s why it had/has adjustable sights!
 
Last edited:
BLACKHAWKNJ said:
IIRC Ed McGivern used adjustables, the superiority of adjustable over fixed sights for service use was being recognized in the 1950s-the Combat Masterpiece, the Highway Patrolman, then the Combat Magnum. Skeeter Skelton wrote that fixed sight handguns usually shot to the left for him, Charlie Askins wrote that when the Border Patrol received their Colt New Service 38s in the 1930s, he made a tool to adjust their barrels for windage though he gave no details.
Click to expand...
It’s called a 6” vice with pads, and a 10” lead Babbitt bar!
You lock the revolver in the vice and you give it a good “WHACK” on the barrel in the direction you want to move the impact point. It’s trial and error. Mostly just error!
For out to 20-30 feet, combat shooting, fixed sights are OK.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like someone needs to visit Dollar Tree and get a set of reading glasses. I’m still using a 2.0 this year… 2.5 for close in speed shooting.
 
nofendertom said:
StrawHat --- One of my favorite revolvers on the Forum. You have an enviable array of .45acp shooters.
Click to expand...
A lifetime, 5 decades of collecting, leads one to develop an affinity for some things. My first collection was Committee of Safety muskets. Had a dozen or so. Sold them to another collector. Next was American Civil War carbines. I had all of the primary and most of the secondary ones. Sold them off one or two at a time. Next was shotguns on the WH Baker design or company. Then, about 30 years ago, I decided to specialize in S&W ACP revolvers. When I say I am a collector, or have a collection, I mean I have studied the topic and researched each piece I acquire. Do I also have an accumulation of other firearms? Sure, but my collection is where all of my research goes.

Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
New S&W - NO ILS
Replies
12
Views
909
Guillermo
G
WestKentucky
  • Locked
Revolver on duty!
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
trackskippy
trackskippy
S
  • Locked
The new S&W 460XVR snubbie
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
tc300mag1
T
M
  • Locked
New S&W 500 compensator
Replies
6
Views
662
patrol120
P
BLU
  • Locked
New S&W Revolver-with NO lock!
Replies
18
Views
5K
BLU
BLU
Back
Top