Now I'm protected!

[AZAndy]

I don't know why I keep doing this: I drove to a nearby gun shop for some reloading supplies, and, fool that I am, decided to check the revolver case while I was there. My previous instances of "oh, I'll just check the revolver case" have resulted in going home with a half-dozen charming handguns over time. So what did I find this time?



(No, it's not really bent; there's a slight fish-eye effect from the camera going on there.)

I-Frame S&W Regulation Police in .38 S&W, original grips, nice bore, about 95% bluing. The action is pretty good, and will be better once I've cleaned the ancient lube-turned-to-varnish out of the works. The serial number suggests that it's from 1920, when Prohibition started and women got the vote, though I'm waiting for the S&W historian to confirm the shipping date.(Edit to add: Heard back from Mr. Jinks, and it shipped in October 1920.)

As I'm sure all the revolver aficionados here are aware, the .38 S&W is an instant man-stopper, throwing a 146-grain chunk of hot lead at a screaming 650 fps. I may just make a few extra-high-pressure rounds to take that up to nearly 700 fps. 700 FPS! Can you imagine it? That's almost 500 miles per hour, which has to be approaching the speed of light! And light is really fast! Don't worry, I'll wear wrist braces when I try shooting such an extreme bundle of explosive destruction, and I'll double up on the hearing protection.

I'm glad I can finally retire my self-defense slingshot. It has served me well, but it's been hard to conceal due to the red dot sight.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Like going to look at a puppy,you come home with a pet,congrats

 

[Pat Riot]

Very nice. I am quite sure your other guns won’t be jealous.

 

[jar]

Do love them 38/200 monsters. Hard to find a holster for mine so I just bought a Red Flyer Wagon to trail on behind for mine. Got me a Smith DA model 4, a Colt Police Positive and just picked up a Webley Mark IV. Coursen I don't try to tote all of them at onecest.

 

[chicharrones]

A fine looking revolver and an entertaining post.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Sweet find!

Try not to explode your shooting friends or other range goers with the earth shattering shockwaves that will undoubtedly emanate from the barrel cylinder gap and muzzle. Make sure bystanders are behind you, not to the sides.

 

[AZAndy]

Sweet find!

Try not to explode your shooting friends or other range goers with the earth shattering shockwaves that will undoubtedly emanate from the barrel cylinder gap and muzzle. Make sure bystanders are behind you, not to the sides.

I have resolved to only shoot it in the rain, so as not to set fire to the countryside.

 

[Sarge7402]

Had mine for several years - anyone interested send me a PM with your e-mail and I'll send you the article I did for the Backwoodsman several yers ago

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Looks a lot like mine, but yours is in better shape!

Great shooters.

Mine is going on the permit next time around.

 

[Sarge7402]

One of the two from the article that I still have

 

[bannockburn]

AZAndy

Fantastic find! Looks to be in great shape too! Be hard to say no to something that nice!

 

[AZAndy]

One of the two from the article that I still have

That's right nice! Has the look of something from the twenties-- is it? I've gotten really fond of I-Frames overall; I have three .32 Longs (from 1916, 1923, and 1957) that I just shot today. It sure beats torturing my wrists with .45ACP from an alloy frame.

 

[Sarge7402]

The pistol that's protected my family the longest is one I bought in 1972 - a colt Army Special in .41 Colt. Was made in about '23 and it's still going strong today. Throws a 200 grain slug at about 750 FPS. Pure lead.

 

[Jim NE]

Those are great guns! Congrats!

 

[ThomasT]

when Prohibition started and women got the vote,

Bad ideas, both of them.

Nice gun. My bud has an I frame in 32 long. He loves it. I haven't even asked if he wants to sell it. I already know the answer.

Sarge 7402 I remember your article. I save all my Backwoodsman magazines and reread them over and over. I am rereading the 2017 issues now. I started reading BWM in 2008. I bought every back issue that was offered and I am glad I did. there aren't any of the old issues offered anymore and you almost never see them for sale on Ebay.

I loaded a man 50 38S&W rounds many years ago using cut down 38 cases and 148gr HB wadcutter bullets. He stated they shot well from his old top break revolver. I don't think I would shoot any hotter loads in a gun as old as yours. But a newer 38S&W gun could be safely increased.

I know a guy who came up with a top break 38S&W revolver. He couldn't find any ammo so the Gunshop guy found out 38Super would fit and since its semi rimmed it would headspace. So he bought a box. I watched him shoot 5 rounds then I shot 5 rounds. It didn't blow up and was actually accurate. I guess the .355 bullet in the .361 or so bore kept the pressure down. But I don't recommend it to anyone.

 

[ThomasT]

The pistol that's protected my family the longest is one I bought in 1972 - a colt Army Special in .41 Colt. Was made in about '23 and it's still going strong today. Throws a 200 grain slug at about 750 FPS. Pure lead.

A man I knew that passed away several years ago showed me an old Colt "Thunderer" in .41 Colt he had that was used by an uncle to kill a robber at his store back in the 1940s. He let me keep the gun and I found two boxes of ammo for it. One was a box of Winchester hollow base Lubaloy coated bullets. I should have kept those. They are probably worth a bunch now. I never shot the gun but I guess I should have. I gave it back to him just before he died. I hope the family knows the story on that old gun.

 

[AZAndy]

I loaded a man 50 38S&W rounds many years ago using cut down 38 cases and 148gr HB wadcutter bullets. He stated they shot well from his old top break revolver. I don't think I would shoot any hotter loads in a gun as old as yours. But a newer 38S&W gun could be safely increased.

S&W started heat-treating the cylinders in 1919, so I think I'll be okay with standard max loads in this one. I do have a couple from before that-- a 1917 .38 Special and a 1916 .32 Long-- that I load lightly for, maybe just a tenth of a grain over "starting load."

 

[Sarge7402]

Buffallo bore ammo has a non +P load for the 38 S&W that in a 4" barrel puts it on the par with a 38 non +P similar special load from a 2 " barrel

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Very nice.

I picked this one up last year.

Have not determined yet what year it shipped.




Just heard from Roy.

It shipped in June of 1924.

 

[Glockula]

Cool find. Congrats!

 

[Sistema1927]

Don't worry, I'll wear wrist braces when I try shooting such an extreme bundle of explosive destruction, and I'll double up on the hearing protection.

Make sure to warn us before you touch off that hand cannon. I am in the state to the east of you, and want to make sure that I am properly protected.

 

[AZAndy]

Howdy

I picked this one up last year.

Have not determined yet what year it shipped.

Just heard from Roy.

It shipped in June of 1924.

Very nice indeed!