Tam, Dagga, Wayne; Worth and Vintage on no dash Model 48, please

[coldcase1984]

A nice lady I've worked with for nearly 20 years is trying to decide which of her late father's handguns to carry in her car and possibly on her person as our town is getting dangerous.

So I've started test firing her battery for accuracy and reliability.

The latest is the revolver mentioned S/N K3977##, blued 3Ts, pinned 6-in., decent target stocks, lotsa blue wear on muzzle thanks to closed bottom Bianchi 5BHL, some light rust in backstrap serrations. In other words a shooter.

It's not, however, any kind of packing size defense gun in town.

I'm gonna test it with several different loads this weekend for her.

I've always wanted an 8-3/8th M48, but this would do.

What would be a fair price? Also thinking cash plus a lightly used Smith Shield 9mm, I rarely carry.

Input from you gurus three, and other P-F wheelie kings appreciated.

Dan

[Wayne Dobbs]

$800 +

[coldcase1984]

Thank you, Wayne! Will have to save some shekels; wanna treat her right.

Guess how it shoots will help me decide, too.

Anyone else?

[Wayne Dobbs]

I doubt the service is still available, but back in the day, S&W would fit an LR cylinder to Model 48s to allow you to shoot any .22 rimfire ammo. There were not many 48s made, so even a shooter commands a premium price.

[Tamara]

For some reason, .22WMR Smiths are kind of on a bubble right now. Like Wayne said, even for a shooter-grade gun you're gonna need to bring money, and I've seen people asking $1k+ with a straight face for really nice ones. There's some regional variation of course, even in the Gunbroker era.

Serial number dates it to 1960, so it's a pre-Bangor Punta gun.

[LtDave]

showing off a little:



A 48-2 from 1974. Can't be very many of those holsters out there. Upgraded the stocks to some presentation targets since the pic was taken.

[coldcase1984]

Thank you Miss Tam and Wayne. I'm just one year older than that revolver!

Lt. Dave, who made that great holster?

Inclement weather and general sloth has kept me from shooting the 48. Tomorrow i'ma fetch my near matching 17 and repair to the Ranch and pop some caps.

[LtDave]

Thank you Miss Tam and Wayne. I'm just one year older than that revolver!

Lt. Dave, who made that great holster?

Inclement weather and general sloth has kept me from shooting the 48. Tomorrow i'ma fetch my near matching 17 and repair to the Ranch and pop some caps.

It is a Lawrence.

[coldcase1984]

Had the chance to fire a few groups with the no-dash 48 and my 17-3, between severe weather bouts today.

The 48 loves CCI Maxi-Mag 40-gr. JHP! Plopped four inside a half-inch (checking max HD range) from standing barricade w two sketch chambers enlarging to about 1-in.

The 17-3 did its best work w Gemtech 42-gr. Subsonic I flat nosed & bumped to .224 w Paco Tool. Stacked six in about .6 at same distance.

I then hit MGM IPSC 6x6 standing barricade at 100 yards. Hope my lady friend wants a trade...

Pics tomorrow. Storms still rolling thru and Photobucket irks me...

[Malamute]

Good report.

I'm curious about your experience with the Paco tool.

Photobucket took a useful system and made it obnoxiously difficult to use. When it works. And its stupid now.