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Thread: Got lucky: S&W Model 14-4 w/4" barrel!

  1. #1
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    Got lucky: S&W Model 14-2 w/4" barrel!

    I like Model 14s and saw this one for sale, so I snagged it. Someone on another forum* told me that it was originally a special order deal and there were only 2038 made. I had no idea that they were that uncommon when I bought it; I just wanted a great shooter. Yippee, folks!

    * He provided the scan of the advertisement.





    Last edited by woad_yurt; October 13th, 2009 at 05:59 PM.
    A Makarov? Simple, easy and works perfectly every time. ¡Vale!

  2. #2
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    Neat find! But the serial number is earlier than the "Dayton" guns. It may have been a special order for a police department. You might consider having it lettered.
    "A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man."

  3. #3
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    That is a nice looking revolver. Good thing you were ready!...and there!

    Mark.
    ...even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

  4. #4
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    One thing about S&W revolvers is to never say never. Lettering that revolver is a good way to find out if it is a "Dayton" gun but if all you wanted was a shooter... you got one.

    I had one when I was an LEO and it was a good shooter, wished I'd kept it.

  5. #5
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    That's nifty, and there could be some neat history behind it. The advertisement says there is something special about the sights -- is this something the distributor special ordered or is the pamphlet actually so old that it is referring to a then-new standardization of S&W sights?

    Those things aside, wouldn't a 4" m14 be a Combat Masterpiece with target hammer and trigger?
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  6. #6
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    JCMAG

    That's nifty, and there could be some neat history behind it. The advertisement says there is something special about the sights -- is this something the distributor special ordered or is the pamphlet actually so old that it is referring to a then-new standardization of S&W sights?

    Those things aside, wouldn't a 4" m14 be a Combat Masterpiece with target hammer and trigger?
    Yep, it is that old. As to the Combat Masterpiece, yes and no. The CM had a skinnier barrel. This was shipped with the heavier barrel style of the M14. Also it will be stamped m14 instead of M15. But those are the technical reasons. For actual use, yeah a Combat Masterpeice.

  7. #7
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    Thanks, StrawHat, that makes sense to me.

    Collectibillity aside, this looks like a great shooter.
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  8. #8
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    I wish new Smiths were still under $90.

    Nice find
    "There are three and only three ways to reform our Congressional legislation, familiarly called, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box".
    - Stephen Decatur Miller (May 8, 1787 – March 8, 1838)

  9. #9
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    It was finally delivered. The gunsmith at the shop to which it as shipped said that it looked like it was a factory barrel job. He said that it looked original and didn't appear to have been "messed with." In the hand, the plum color is much more evenly distributed. The picture makes it look like an extreme difference but it's not. The serial number tells that it was made in '62, according to someone on another forum, and the barrel I have is not the extra thick Dayton barrels.

    I know for sure that the guts arere Model 14, though. I shot it today and there was no mistaking the feel of that trigger. It does have the target trigger and wider hammer spur. The thing shoots like a dream. Spot on every time.

    Either it's been rebarrelled and I got a great shooter or it's an original and I got a very rare revolver. I'm going to get a S&W letter.
    A Makarov? Simple, easy and works perfectly every time. ¡Vale!

  10. #10
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    Glad you are happy with the gun. I have several guns that have "plum" colors. It does not bother me in the slightest.

    Only a letter will answer the question as to the gun's original configuration. My guess...re-barreled...but a 14 is a GREAT gun...I wish I had one. I will have one some day.

    Bob

  11. #11
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    Not only were S&W M14s rebarreled with 4" barrels but some M15s were retubed with the longer barrel of the M14! It makes for fun times when trying to figure out what is original and what is done by a knowledgable shooter.

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