Who likes the good old .38 Special for fun?

[bushog]

For some reason I want a 8 3/4” Model 14…..

[LeverGunner]

Some darn nice guns being shown here, thanks all for sharing.

[bula]

Now and then, I see a reference to the "P Jr." Can someone flesh out the description ? Model, make, distributer, etc.. ? More info please.

[Odin]

Jul 3, 2023 7:30:50 GMT -5 bula said:

Now and then, I see a reference to the "P Jr." Can someone flesh out the description ? Model, make, distributer, etc.. ? More info please.

It is a miniaturized Colt SAA, a 90 percent gun. Uberti calls it the Stallion. I believe Cimarron has a version of it too, but I can't recall the name. Essentially the same size as a Ruger Single Six, they've been chambered in 22LR, 17HMR, 32H&R Mag, 38 Special and 41 Long Colt, with barrels at 3.5. 4.75, 5.5 and 7.5-inches, if I recall correctly.

The cat's meow, in my mind, is the "Target" version with adjustable sights, chambered in 38 Special.

[bula]

Thank you Odin. Adjustable sights always preferred for me too. Availability ? Where ? As little as I've heard of these over the years, gotta wonder. 

[oddshooter]

Jul 2, 2023 12:18:32 GMT -5 bushog said:

For some reason I want a 8 3/4” Model 14…..

I know the reason !


8 3/8" is near perfection.
I have one and it is my Reference Revolver for all things 38 Special.  


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[dobegrant]

I find myself shooting.38 specials weekly these days. Magnums not as much, older you get the more you appreciate them.

[needsmostuff]

Warm summer afternoon, coffee can full of 38 wadcutter reloads and a couple of big ole dinosaurs to shoot em out of.
Doesn't get much better.

[Chip]

I've wanted a S&W model 15 forever!!

[oddshooter]

needsmostuff,

Nice pic of that Smith&Wesson with those gorgeous grips.

What is that Colt? three Five seven from the 1950's.


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[Frank V]

Wow, glad I'm not alone with the .38 Special. Thanks for all the nice pictures & info fellas.

[needsmostuff]

Jul 5, 2023 9:25:55 GMT -5 oddshooter said:

needsmostuff,

Nice pic of that Smith&Wesson with those gorgeous grips.

What is that Colt? three Five seven from the 1950's.


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Thanks for likin them. Seems like the appreciation of 38 spl. is mostly lost on the younger shooters. Not enough flash and awe.
The old S&W was close to the end for the 38/44 Outdoorsman. Basically, a shiny Highway Patrolman, in 38spl. Grips? not sure, maybe vintage Hogue.
The Colt is a 38 cal. Trooper. A basic Cop gun of the 60's and Colt's competition for S&Ws mod. 10. Same frame and guts as the long running Official Police, the 357 Trooper and the Python just finished to the level of a service weapon.
That well seasoned old Trooper has finest Double Action, smoothest staging trigger pull of any I own. A true joy to operate.

[jonjon]

Everyone should should shoot .38 spec. now and then to appreciate what fun they are.

[oddshooter]

needsmostuff,

I just noticed what looks like a thumb ledge on the right hand side. Are you a lefty?

So the Colt is a trooper. I think the Colt 3five7 and the Colt trooper came out a couple of years apart, mid 50's. I believe the 3five7 had the early trigger work that later went into the Python. The Python came a couple of years after the other two. I enjoy all three. Mine are in 357mag, but they get a few 38 specials on a regular occasion.

I'm a Colt classics fan. Maybe not as rugged as the Ruger and doesn't have the sweet Double Action of the S&W; but old Colts just drip history to me. Lots of cowboys put their life on the line depending on these old beauties.
The Colt just seems to go with sitting around a camp fire. There's a ton of them in 38 special.


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[jeffh]

My "first love" is the 44 Special, but I'm a big fan of the 38 Special and shoot more of it than all else combined.

I just don't use 38 Special brass though.

Except for a 3" LCRX and a 357 Max Contender Carbine barrel, all my 35s are 357s, but 99% of the loads used in them are 38 Special-level loads. This way, I get all the advantages of a 38 with the latitude to crank it up if I want to or have to.

148 grain WCs, 158 grain RFNs are lots of fun, but I actually shoot mostly 180 grain WFNs at 38 Special pressure levels. Still plenty of "thump" in a three-inch revolver, but quiet in a suppressed carbine and slightly more accurate than the 148s and 158s out to 50 yards. Pretty much all the same up close.