Alexcabbie
Regular Member
imported post
As a young USAF Security Policeman I carried the K38 Combat Masterpiece as my duty weapon. So I was delighted to see on sale at a gun show one of these, in the original box and in near-perfect condition. The serial number inside the yoke is K60590 and the butt bears the number k137683. The grips are in perfect condition except that age has given them some deeper color, and they bear the same number as is on the butt.
I paid $900 for this weapon and was almost immediately accosted by people offering to pay me several hundred more for it.
There is a reason S&W called this weapon a "Masterpiece". The FBI and various law enforcement agencies were so taken with the K38 "target Masterpiece" that they asked for a 4"barrel version with a Baughman "Quick draw" ramp sight. The esult was the "combat Masterpiece" and it is SWEET!!.
It is also kind of rare, from what I have heard the USAF mostly destroyed the old K38s and (the later version of the K38) the Model 15s when they switched to the 9mm Beretta 92. And a K38 (pre-1957) in perfect condition is worth a pretty penny or at least there are people willing to pay more than what I did for mine which is the proof of that puddin'.
I took the weapon to the range - hey, when you meet an old pal you just gotta talk a bit, don't you?? -and put a box of wadcutters and a box ofFMJ through her. Accurate? hell yes, just as I remember. Cylinder lockup is tight, you'd think it was only fired bu a little old lady on Sunday after church. Trigger: couldn't ask for better, smooth and solid in DA and clean crisp letoff in SA.
I don't plan to take this gem to the range that often because it is valuable; and when I do I take it STRAIGHT HOME and clean and oil it thoroughly.But I DO OC it often, loaded with HORNADY 125 gr JHP/XTP hollowpoints. I wouldn't fire+p in it excepy in an emergency because I would hate to risk damaging the gun seeing as how Ipaid good money and it is (supposedly) so rare. I confess that OCing this piece is sorta like driving a vintage Cadillac around. and I do like it when I run into someone who appreciates a fine example of American gunsmithing. I only wish I could find a Bucheimer "Federal Man" holster for the piece, but Bucheimer is out of business and none was available at the show.
As a young USAF Security Policeman I carried the K38 Combat Masterpiece as my duty weapon. So I was delighted to see on sale at a gun show one of these, in the original box and in near-perfect condition. The serial number inside the yoke is K60590 and the butt bears the number k137683. The grips are in perfect condition except that age has given them some deeper color, and they bear the same number as is on the butt.
I paid $900 for this weapon and was almost immediately accosted by people offering to pay me several hundred more for it.
There is a reason S&W called this weapon a "Masterpiece". The FBI and various law enforcement agencies were so taken with the K38 "target Masterpiece" that they asked for a 4"barrel version with a Baughman "Quick draw" ramp sight. The esult was the "combat Masterpiece" and it is SWEET!!.
It is also kind of rare, from what I have heard the USAF mostly destroyed the old K38s and (the later version of the K38) the Model 15s when they switched to the 9mm Beretta 92. And a K38 (pre-1957) in perfect condition is worth a pretty penny or at least there are people willing to pay more than what I did for mine which is the proof of that puddin'.
I took the weapon to the range - hey, when you meet an old pal you just gotta talk a bit, don't you?? -and put a box of wadcutters and a box ofFMJ through her. Accurate? hell yes, just as I remember. Cylinder lockup is tight, you'd think it was only fired bu a little old lady on Sunday after church. Trigger: couldn't ask for better, smooth and solid in DA and clean crisp letoff in SA.
I don't plan to take this gem to the range that often because it is valuable; and when I do I take it STRAIGHT HOME and clean and oil it thoroughly.But I DO OC it often, loaded with HORNADY 125 gr JHP/XTP hollowpoints. I wouldn't fire+p in it excepy in an emergency because I would hate to risk damaging the gun seeing as how Ipaid good money and it is (supposedly) so rare. I confess that OCing this piece is sorta like driving a vintage Cadillac around. and I do like it when I run into someone who appreciates a fine example of American gunsmithing. I only wish I could find a Bucheimer "Federal Man" holster for the piece, but Bucheimer is out of business and none was available at the show.
