38-44

Just Tripp

Just Tripp

A Nice Guy
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2017
Messages
1,339
Location
West End
Rating - 100%
14   0   0
I saw one for sale at LGS and I wonder if anyone has any experience with one. I wiki’d it and read that this was a transitional gun created as a “poor man’s .357” when .357 was new, hard to find, and expensive. Said people were pushing 158gr over 1000fps in .38 special brass and even loading up to 50% over standard loads at the time. Production ended shortly after WWII. Just curious if anyone on here has had the experience of owning one.
 
It may have been one of the "first" 38's on the 44 frame (N) later came the 357's on the N frame, mod 27 and 28...... Or I could be full of sht......
 
tbafile said:
I saw one for sale at LGS and I wonder if anyone has any experience with one. I wiki’d it and read that this was a transitional gun created as a “poor man’s .357” when .357 was new, hard to find, and expensive. Said people were pushing 158gr over 1000fps in .38 special brass and even loading up to 50% over standard loads at the time. Production ended shortly after WWII. Just curious if anyone on here has had the experience of owning one.
Click to expand...
OMG buy it! Or tell me where it is and I will buy it, been looking to get another one forever sold mine and will always regret it.
 
Bailey Boat said:
It may have been one of the "first" 38's on the 44 frame (N) later came the 357's on the N frame, mod 27 and 28...... Or I could be full of sht......
Click to expand...
You could be...but you're correct about the N frame part.
 
Smith and Wesson developed the 38/44 heavy duty to help meet the need for a more powerful round for law enforcement, one that would penetrate “bullet proof” vests and auto bodies. It’s generally believed that the original factory round was a 158Gr SWC loaded with 12Grs.of 2400 powder. They were later used to develop the .357 Magnum round and Smith and Wesson’s iconic revolvers chambered for that round. The 38/44 revolvers were produced until sometime in the early 1960’s.

I’ve been lucky enough to have two of them, one shipped in 1939 and was highly modified before I bought it. The second, equipped with a 4” barrel was shipped to the Pueblo Colorado P, D, in 1959. Both were among the finest shooting revolvers I’ve owned. My only regret is, made the mistake of selling the modified gun to a friend. IMG_0001.JPG IMG_0003.JPG IMG_0017.JPG IMG_0023.JPG
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
See!!!! If you'd sold it to me you could still shoot it when you come.
Click to expand...
Didn't realize it works like dat. I'd like to sell you my "entire collection" (so to speak). :rolleyes:
 
WZO8vygh.jpg


Bought this one at a gunshow in Glendale CA and got a letter on it from Roy Jinks. It had been shipped to a gunshop in Los Angeles in the late 30s as I recall. The revolver only traveled about 20 miles from point of delivery to the gunshow in Glendale over about 70 years! Note the modified sights. Great shooter but someone offered me great money for it so I let it go. I would love to have a 4" original Heavy Duty like the one shown by Old Bear!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom