Any Reason NOT to “14-2”?

[revchuck38]

6gr unique under a 158 is way over max. 5.2-5.4 are +p.

Just for context, I have some 170-grain SWCs loaded over six grains of Unique. They run about 1070 fps from a 4” barrel. That load is listed in old Lyman manuals as a .38-44 load, and I use in in my M28 because reasons.

[03RN]

Yeah...after I typed that, I stopped a minute to think what the h&ll I just said. Sorry. Like you stated, I meant decent +P level loads on occasion and NOT a steady diet. My usual +P load is 5.4gr Unique/158gr LSWC. That’s for my .357 SP101 as well.

No worries, I typed 13.5gr unique in my .357 reloading thread. I meant 2400

[Bruce Cartwright]

Entropy:

The K-38 was S&W's target revolver for years. They are typically incredibly accurate. The K frames also have a better feel to them than the N frame guns. It is hard to quantify, but the K frames handle a bit better. I have a tough time fitting into XXL gloves and I still prefer the K frame. If you use it in its intended role, high end target/field revolver, I think you will be fine durability wise. I'd feed that gun a steady diet of full charge rounds with either a 148 grain wadcutter or 158 grain semi-wadcutter over an appropriate charge of Bullseye and do my absolute best to wear it out.

One of my mentors, Bill Roberts, shot a K38 for all sorts of stuff and he ran thousands of rounds through it. One of his favorite pastimes was shooting the National Match bullseye course with his firing double action only. After I saw him run that K38, I realized that revolvers were far more capable than most give them credit for. One time I shot against Bill in an informal steel match using my tricked out 1911 and he using his K38. We both had 15 steel plates to knock down. He beat me like a rented mule. As Pat Roger's used to say: "Learning occurred" that day for me.

Later, one of my neighbors turned out to be a medically retired motor cycle officer from the Los Angeles Police Department. His duty gun was a K-38 with a six inch barrel that was modified to double action only and wore custom Fuzzy Farrant stocks. He carried that gun from the late 60s to the early 80s. I would buy either of those K38s in a instant give the chance. S&W doesn't make them like that anymore.

Food for thought. If you buy that blaster, I think there is some forum rule that pretty much requires you to post photos of it in a pile of brass....

[Trooper224]

I loved winning bullseye matches with my M14, against guys with tricked out pistols and red dots.

It's one of my favorites. Don't let it get away.

Bruce and I will have to agree to disagree on the feel of N frames though.

[Bruce Cartwright]

I loved winning bullseye matches with my M14, against guys with tricked out pistols and red dots.

It's one of my favorites. Don't let it get away.

Bruce and I will have to agree to disagree on the feel of N frames though.

Trooper 224:

I agree to amicably disagree. We should engage is strenuous debate, perhaps aided with a dram of 15 year old Macallans. I will concede that the second best handling S&W was an issued Registered Magnum with a 5 inch barrel.....

Bruce

[okie john]

Not sure if the 14/K38 had anything designed different than any other K frame...say like the 19.

The 14/K38 are 38 Specials. Either should stand up to a lifetime of use with 38 Special loads.

The 19 is a .357 Magnum. BIG difference. Pretty much the revolver version of putting the 40 S&W into the G19 envelope.


Okie John

[HeavyDuty]

I have my grandfathers late 60s K-22, and would someday love a K-38 to match. There’s something about the hang of a 6” K frame…

[entropy]

More info tonight on it. Going to get with the gent that is selling it to ask questions directly.

I must admit, the more I dive into it, the more I like the idea of a K Frame sized .38. I don’t really shoot many .357s, although the N Frames, the Rugers and the DW are all chambered for such. Standard to +P 38s is what I always shoot (and have reloading components for). It seems the same with .44 for me. I always shoot mid to upper end Special loads, and never really dive into the magnum stuff...just never found the need nor desire.

[entropy]

A bit of a disappointment. Indeed a Simpson gun (which doesn’t bother me) but also has the DA “disabled”. That’s a showstopper.

Oh well.

I AM on the prowl for a K-38 now however. I’ve managed to talk myself into needing one. Lol

[Malamute]

A bit of a disappointment. Indeed a Simpson gun (which doesn’t bother me) but also has the DA “disabled”. That’s a showstopper.

Oh well.

I AM on the prowl for a K-38 now however. I’ve managed to talk myself into needing one. Lol

Not sure if it was done at the factory, or exactly how they do it, but it may be as simple as replacing and fitting the DA lever in the front of the hammer. Replacement parts arent that hard to find either, as in replace the hammer with one that has the regular parts.