This course of action, however, soon resulted in problems, and Ordnance eventually got involved. We do not sell or share your information with anyone. Out of stock View Details . The Smith and Wesson 38 revolver is a highly accurate and very popular handgun due to its versatility. A .38 Smith & Wesson cartridge compared with a .38 Special cartridge. This course of action was related in the Ordnance Dept. revolvers being used in combat during World War II by American troops. The article originally appeared in the March 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Use our simple filters to quickly and easily find magazines that are compatible with your pistol. F.M. Browse the Guns.com inventory for the best deals on Smith & Wesson pistols and revolvers. It states that the revolver was adopted in 1942 as the official sidearm for all U.S. Navy Flying Personnel, and is widely used by U.S. Marine Corps Flyers, the U.S. Coast Guard and in the Merchant Marine. The gun was marketed for S&W via the Defense Supplies Corp. While the vast majority of the S&W .38 Spl. But, back in the 50s and 60s, few reloaded, and those who had such a Smith & Wesson Victory model didnt care. Smith & Wesson's medium revolver series has been the company's workhorses for over a century. Below that, theres the FTR/MA 54. Here, we'll offer a few suggestions. Quite a few were purchased by U.S. importers and sold as a less costly option for the self-defense market. Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers have had your back since 1950. The ones made for Commonwealth purchase had 5-inch barrels; they initially lacked the US Government Property markings, and they acquired others when accepted by the various British services. Ships To Store Smith & Wesson 642 Ladysmith 38 S&W Spl +P Revolver 569 $50 Mail-In Rebate. Results of the test showed the Hammer Block to be unsatisfactory. Remington's Nylon 66 semi-automatic .22 LR rifles have grown from 1950s bargain buys to 21st century collectors darlings. But with the end of the war drawing near and with the need for additional handguns lessening, the remaining .38-200 contracts were cancelled during the first quarter of 1945. These small round-butt revolvers grew from Smith's old Model 1903 Hand Ejector design and, passing through the Regulation Police models, was later primarily manufactured in the 1950s and 60s. Ordnance Dept. The serial number is on the bottom of the frame, with the V sometimes on one side of the lanyard loop, and the serial number on the other. Smith & Wesson 11760 686 Plus Performance Center Single/Double 357 Magnum 5" 7 rd Black Synthetic Grip Stainless Steel Revolver. That's because the .38 revolver is a ridiculously reliable gun. (68) Smith & Wesson 642 38 Special 1.87in Stainless Revolver - 5 Rounds $519.99 $469.99 after Rebate Compare Rebate! All Rights Reserved. The primary use of these revolvers continued to be for arming foreign military and security personnel.. In 1877, Smith & Wesson introduced .38 S&W (9x20mm) ammunition designed for its "First Model," a single action, spur-triggered revolver. the200 gr was determined by the Hague Convention rules to be inhumane as it tumbles upon striking target. Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Suede Leather IWB Holster - Made in USA - Fits Most J Frame Revolvers - Ruger LCR - Smith and Wesson Body Guard - Taurus - Charter & Most .38 Special Type Guns 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,140) Volberg, Small Arms Branch, Chief of Ordnance: Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, The International Harvester M1 Garand: A New Rifle For The Nuclear Age, The Model Of 1903 Springfield: A Collector's Perspective | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Fightin' Iron: A Valuable Anachronism | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Throwback Thursday: Welcome Surprise in Deadly Skies | NRA Family, Throwback Thursday: The POWs of Camp Perry | NRA Family, New For 2023: Harrington & Richardson Retro AR-15s, The Model Of 1903 Springfield: A Collector's Perspective, The Keefe Report: True Velocity's Leap | An Official Journal Of The NRA, The Keefe Report: On The Range With An American Hero | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Trust But Verify: Function-Checking Your Guns | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Remington Returns: The Revival Of An Ammunition Giant | An Official Journal Of The NRA, WATCH: 2022 National Sporting Clays Championship | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, WATCH: Colt Python Revolver History | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, I Have This Old Gun: Maynard Carbine | An Official Journal Of The NRA, I Have This Old Gun: Winchester Model 12 Riot Gun | An Official Journal Of The NRA, I Have This Old Gun: Remington Model 51 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Armed Citizen protected by Smith & Wesson, The Armed Citizen March 3, 2023 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Women | The Armed Citizen March 3, 2023, BEAR Arms: Making The Switch From Gun Owner to Armed Citizen | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Women | The Armed Citizen February 17, 2023, X-Vision Optics Launches Thermal Impact Scope | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum | Veronica Kosich Receives NRA-Sponsored Diana Award at SCI Convention, Henry Supports Fallen Firefighters Foundation | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum | Freedom Hunters: Giving Back to Americas Veterans through Hunting and the Great Outdoors, Hardware: SIG Sauer P320-XTEN | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson M&P12 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Review: Ruger 10/22 Compact | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, Rifleman Review: Taurus G3X | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Video Review: Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 4.5 OSP in 10mm Auto | NRA Family, Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 4.5 OSP In 10 mm Auto, Video Review: KelTec P15 Semi-Auto Pistol | NRA Family, Video Review: Savage Stance Pistol | NRA Family, Preview: Leupold 2-10X 30 mm Mark 5HD Riflescope | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Women | New for 2022: 20-Gauge Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus, Preview: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Double-Stack 9 mm Pistol Lineup | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, Find More Great NRA Publications Perfect For Every Interest, Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer. A lanyard ring was also attached to the butt. This lovely little Lady Smith remains in excellent co Smith & Wesson Model 15-4 Double Action Revolver serial #236K864, 38 Special, 2 barrel with a pristine bore. and supplied the government with thousands of them; renaming them the Victory Model, with serial numbers. Whether you're looking for a truck gun, something for the bug out bag, or a do-anything firearm we have you covered. I flew as head spook on EC-121M reconnaissance aircraft in the early-mid 1970s. Now, a brief aside here: If you do find any actual, real, .38-200 ammunition, or the later FMJ version of it, do notunder any circumstancesfire it in a clanky old Iver Johnson or other top-break revolver even a S&W top-break. These seven-shot 9mm revolvers (hence the "9" in the model) have cylinders that are cut for moon clips. It shows light use as seen and comes in non-factory plastic case as seen. Smith & Wesson 38 Special Revolvers (24) Refine By: Price Sort by: PER PAGE: 1 2 Compare Rebate! This is a pre-owned Smith & Wesson with the model "511126" on the frame. By mid-1944, the Navy reversed its original policy and began to issue M1911A1 .45 pistols to some non-combatant personnel, such as guards aboard merchant vessels so that the .38 revolvers they would ordinarily be armed with could be available to flight crews. Continuing down the same road, the N-framed Model 29 was the first .44 Magnum (to the joy of "Dirty Harry"), just as the Model 57 was the first .41 Magnum, the Model 610 in 10mm/.40 S&W, and so on. Rubber grip for superior shock absorption. Smith & Wesson Model 52-2, 38 Special MidRange, 5" Blue, New in the Box, Some Papers, Extra Magazine, No Tools. So, in 1954, it got pulled out of whatever depot it was in, inspected, rebuilt, parkerized and sent back into inventory. customers to the absolute best of our abilities. IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR SMITH & WESSON . Single-action revolvers were the standard, but trigger-cockersa.k.a. This indicates that it received a through factory inspection or overhaul, in 1954, at the Lithgow Arsenal. Will only ship to your FFL. 38 Smith & Wesson. Antique (Pre-1899) Rifles - Flintlock Misc, Antique (Pre-1899) Rifles - Matchlock/Wheellock Misc, Century Arms International (CAI) - Rifles, Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Rifles (perc), Winchester Rifles - Modern Bolt/Auto/Single, Winchester Rifles - Pre-1899 Bolt/Single Shot, Century Arms International (CAI) - Pistols, Colt Automatic Pistols (.25, .32, & .380 cal), Colt Single Action Revolvers - Modern (22 Cal. All Rights Reserved, Smith & Wesson Model 642 Pink Grip .38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 442 .38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .38 Special Revolver, Smith & Wesson 642 Ladysmith 38 S&W Spl +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 637 .38 Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Governor .410/.45 ACP/.45 LC Revolver, Smith & Wesson Performance Center 629 Stealth Hunter 44 Rem Mag 7.50 in Revolver, Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .38 S&W Revolver with Integrated Crimson Trace Laser, Smith & Wesson 637 Performance Center .38 Special Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 686 .357 Magnum/.38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson S&W500 S&W .500 Magnum Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 69 Combat Magnum .44 Magnum Revolver, Smith & Wesson J Frame Model 642 Airweight NL 38 S&W Special Revolver, Smith & Wesson 442 .38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson 637 Airweight Crimson Trace Lasergrip .38 Special Revolver, Smith & Wesson Performance Center Pro Model 642 .38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Performance Center Pro Model 442 Moon Clip .38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Revolver, Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .38 S&W Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 642 Performance Center .38 Special +P Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 642 CT .38 S&W Special +P Revolver. U.S. Navy pilot Lt. James Pope, shown here aboard the U.S.S. Victory Model RevolverWhile all of the .38 revolvers made by Smith & Wesson during World War II were dubbed Victory Model, the term as generally used today refers to the .38 Spl. and had a 4" barrel as made under a World War II U.S. Navy contract. Fixed rear sight. The S&W allows for both single and double-action. As related in an Ordnance Dept. This is a mint crisp example that was shipped to the US Navy in 1944. Near excellent condition with small spot of wear on the sideplate. As stated in R.G. This gun features current evolution i Smith & Wesson 38 Bodyguard .38 Spl. 4"-barreled revolvers as made under U.S. Navy and U.S. There was a well-made leather shoulder holster fabricated specifically for these 2" Victory Model revolvers that had US embossed on the front. The .38 S&W case is larger in diameter than the Special, in order to accept the .360- to .361-inch diameter bullets. K/L Frame: .38 Special and .357 Magnum. But the need for wartime production rates and a more durable finish soon had the revolvers sporting parkerized finishes and plain wooden grips. Enter your email address to receive our latest deals, personalized offers, and MVP access to pre-order notifications.See Details, 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors. That one calls for a 200-grain lead round-nosed bullet at something like 650 fps, which still isnt a magnum, but was deemed good enough for the British. Here are the features to watch out for. Frames for relatively powerful cartridges were totally enclosed to provide the strength needed to contain powerful loads. A S&W Victory Model revolver is shown next to a World War II U.S. Navy shoulder holster (above) with cartridge loops on the strap. Stay in the know. Guns.com Unboxing Studio Presents: Smith & Wesson 627 Model of 1989. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 Revolver with Insight Technologies Laser Module serial #CPK0299, 38 Special, 1 7/8 barrel with an excellent bore. This weapon was almost identical to the U.S. Navys Caliber .38 Special Revolver except for caliber and barrel length. This 5 alloy frame steel bbl. The Resident Inspector of Ordnance at Smith & Wesson worked under the handicap of having no drawings or gages with which to conduct a thorough inspection. jacketed bullets, was made by Remington for issue with Victory Model revolvers. We get the FFL from your store others make you find it, copy it, and fax it. While it wasnt employed as extensively as was the M1911A1 pistol, it accompanied many U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators during the pivotal battles of the Pacific Theater. The U.S. military flaming bomb insignia was applied to this S&W Victory Model with 2" barrel. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. There is also a 10% restocking fee on returned items. Now, a 146-grain bullet at a paltry 600 fps isnt exactly the hammer of Thor. The overall size and construction add some weight to it, and the gun comes in at 46.3 oz. Manufacturer model #: 103039. Gift Cards. Initially, the Navy restricted issuance of the M1911A1 .45 ACP pistols to overseas combat zones and used the.38-cal. That way, were helping small businesses in Today it's still one of the best you can get. . These small revolvers are designed to fire a full power round and are as simple and easy to use as they are reliable. lead bullet. In 98% mint new un-fired condition, all matching Including the grips, (which you rarely see matching on these) we have a 1944 production Smith & Wesson Victory Model Revolver in .38 special with the standard 4 inch barrel. So, enterprising hacks would pop a .38 Special reamer into the chambers and lengthen them enough to accept .38 Special ammo. This is a Smith & Wesson Model 64-3 chambered in .38 Special. Heck, even if it spent the entire war just guarding supplies, thats honest service, and thats enough to make it collectible. Shop a selection of .38 special and other centerfire revolvers at Academy Sports + Outdoors. This course of action, however, soon resulted in problems, and Ordnance eventually got involved. It is a full-size, semi-automatic pistol built with a polymer frame and stainless steel chassis and features a stainless steel barrel and slide, as well as interchangeable grip panels. Heralded by the I-frame S&W Model 32 Terrier chambered in .38 S&Wthe first .38 Special snubs were seen in the 1940s with the exposed hammer Chief's Special. 38 S&W SPECIAL $569. It became pretty obvious that the demand for these pistols would soon overwhelm the available supply, particularly since the Army and Marines would also be clamoring for handguns when war began. Smith & Wesson M442 13222 38 1 7/8 DON'T Tread ON ME Revolver. I mean, really? Most were either large caliber guns or pocket pistols that used .22 or .32 short loads. generous return policy, and handle everything you dont have to go back to and 150 ft.-lbs. The Gun Parlor Inc. is here to serve you and we look forward to helping you find just what you are looking for. Other features include wood or rubber grips, a choice of barrel lengths, and red ramp front and adjustable white outline rear sights. SMITH & WESSON M&P BODYGUARD .38 SPECIAL +P REVOLVER W/O LASER, GRAY - 103039 PALMETTOSTATEARMORY.COM. Soon Colt, Enfield, Webley and a host of lesser known companies in other countries began making revolvers chambered in .38 S&W. Offered over the years in .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull, and .45 Colt, the Model 460 is a serious handgun. Omaha Outdoors has a broad selection of Smith and Wesson 38 Special models with barrel lengths of 1.875 inches to 7 inches, and some models also chamber 357 Magnum for any scenario you encounter. Classified Ad (1000+), Search Full Text of Listings Mostly, .38 Special gets used in small guns meant for concealed carry: its low recoil makes it a perfect round for such applications. As production continued, the Navy markings were factory-applied to the topstrap above the cylinder. This is a beautiful pistol. community. Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. As with the J- and K-frames, there are a few different subfamilies in the L-frame tribe including the Distinguished Service Magnum, Distinguished Combat Magnum, the Service Magnum, and the Target Magnum lines. ammunition with lead bullets could not be utilized in overseas combat zones due to provisions of the Hague Convention, thus the necessity for the steel-jacketed bullets. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. Show Only with Pictures Smith & Wesson's answer to the Taurus Judge and the even earlier MIL Thunder 5, the Governor series launched the American revolver maker's Z-frame wheelguns. Some of Smith & Wessons best-selling revolvers include the Model 19, Model 29, Model 642, Model 686, and the Model 10, while the most popular semi-auto pistols include the Model 41, M&P9 M2.0, M&P9 Shield, and the SD Series. It is sometimes believed that such initials represent the person who actually inspected the guns, but that was not the case. The rimfire K-frame, or K-22, is also in this family. revolvers built under Navy contract had 4" barrels and the standard finish was Parkerizing. with an excellent bore. Suitable for home defense and personal protection, the M&P M2.0 is also available in a compact model, as well as variants chambered in 40 S&W and 45 ACP. Fired cases in such a revolver are ugly and ruined. F.M. As discussed in an Ordnance Dept. This is a pre-owned Smith & Wesson with the model "511126" on the frame. A SMITH WESSON 38 pistol is currently worth an average price of $515.85 new and $448.93 used . Victory Model revolvers had 4" barrels, there was also a little-known variant that was otherwise identical except for having a 2" barrel. You can unsubscribe at anytime. Victory Model. The Smith & Wesson Model 10, previously known as the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police or the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is a K-frame revolver of worldwide popularity. Oh, and its all rare collectible ammo, as well. However, the Model 64 by Smith & Wesson may be the greatest incarnation of the .38 caliber police revolver. Ones made for Commonwealth often have markings from British services. The FTR on mine probably required a re-parkerizing, because the US Property stamping is rather light, even though mine is in the half-million range of serial numbers. Or not. Approximately 65,000 Victory Model revolvers were purchased by the Navy directly from Smith & Wesson.