S&W 14-2 for center-fire pistol

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 4:58 pm

I started looking for backup gun for CFP after my pistol began malfunctioning.
Permit process has already started so now trying to decide what to buy.

Local gun store has a Smith & Wesson 14-2 revolver in .38spl.
Pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kqaicwp7ri6w ... 4u_oV7QaBa
Serial no: K5514xx under cylinder swing arm, also codes "10D" and "14 2" there.
Comes with some kind of target grip -That does not fit in the cfp measuring box- and is poor fit to my hand anyways.
Bluing looks good except for a spot under barrel (barrel weight fixing?) and ejector rod. Cylinder locks with slight freeplay. Trigger in single action is ok, but at over 1.5kg a bit on the heavy side.
Can the single action trigger pull of this revolver be made lighter (1kg limit) just by replacing springs? If it requires filing surfaces.. no thanks. Have done enough of that with my bp revolver.

How old is this gun? Is it of good quality?
I´v read that some of these have target/match hammers and triggers. Does this one have those parts?
Price could be a bit lower.. Will make an offer.

Of course, .38 has more recoil and bullets for reloading cost more than .32
I also tried one Manurhin MR32 match revolver. Very good trigger there, Recoil like fast .22 out of Benelli MP90 barrel. But that gun is more expensive and not so good condition. Also more difficult for me to arm the hammer as my left thumb barely fits the space between Manurhin´s rear sight and hammer..

Rover · Post by **Rover** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:35 pm

It would a good choice. It is top quality, but doesn't appear to have the target hammer and trigger.

It would be no trouble to hack enough off the grips to make it fit the box, although I tried a pair like them and didn't like them (That's why they make files and putty.). You can lighten the trigger pull by merely putting in a lighter trigger return spring or cutting off a few coils.

I can't believe you're throwing the cost of .38 bullets vs .32s into the equation. Just how cheap ARE you?

There are plenty of these around, so if the price isn't right.....keep looking.

Leon · Post by **Leon** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 6:00 pm

"Can the single action trigger pull of this revolver be made lighter (1kg limit) just by replacing springs?"

Yes, it can. Wolff make a variety of spring kits for these. www.brownells.com

"Of course, .38 has more recoil and bullets for reloading cost more than .32"

It doesn't have to be. What has become an extremely popular load in Australia for .38s is 2 gr of Bullseye propelling a 100gr SWC seated deep in the case - i.e the top of the projectile is 3mm below the case top. Recoil is like a .32/.22 and very good accuracy.

The 14-2 looks in good condition, if the price is right you can't go wrong.

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 1:02 am

How accurate are these S&W 14 revolvers in general?
How small groups has that 100gr load produced?

Found one 14-3 model from other local shop.
Price is less than this 14-2, but looks more used.
14-3 is Single action only and has target hammer and -trigger?

Spencer · Post by **Spencer** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:24 am

David Moore - feel free to chime in here re accuracy of .38 Spl in revolvers.

My experience with this has been with a .38 Combat Masterpiece (wish I still had it) and currently with a K14 target.
Both capable of clover-leaf groups at 25m with 148gr HBWC at around 790fps - pity about the shooter's ability...

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 4:13 am

The best group from my .38 revolver is with a 134g button nose cast wad cutter at 780fps.
Ten shot group from a rest measured 18mm outside to outside. The 100 shot group blew out to 22mm.
The best from a .32 was 22mm with 1 or 2 in 100 going 50 to 80mm out of the group.
For ISSF Centrefire the single action K is the better revolver than double action.
Better still is a Manurhin 38 Match.

6string · Post by **6string** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:30 am

I'm not sure how difficult it is to procure small parts in Finland, but for many years S&W made a single action only hammer/trigger parts kit. This would convert the revolver to shoot single action only, generally also with a cleaner release. I seem to recall that it generally came with target width (wide) parts.

Hope that helps!

Jim

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:17 am

In Finland only the parts that are under pressure: barrel, frame and cylinder need permits from police. Buying the rest is no problem - if one can find them.

David M · Post by **David M** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:51 pm

It will be easier to find a double action hammer / trigger to fit the single action K than trying to find the single action masterpiece hammer/trigger.

RJP · Post by **RJP** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:07 pm

I have a S&W Model 15 with a Nil-Grip on it and it fits in the measuring box nicely.

The only difference between the M15 and M14 is barrel length and front sight. The M15 is a 4 inch barrel and the M14 is a 6 inch barrel.

The front sight on the M15 is a ramp and the M14 has a patridge style undercut front sight. With a little creative grinding with a Dremel tool, I now have an undercut front sight on my M15.

I load 105 grain bullets at a little over 800 feet per second. I get excellent accuracy and mild recoil.

Here in the US, a used M15 can be bought for $300 to $400 and the Nil-Grips can be bought for a few hundred more. That gives me a really good International Center Fire revolver for about $500 to $600.

Another plus factor is that I never had a malfunction and I do Not have to pick up brass off the floor.

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:16 am

One local shop lists two 16-2 and one 16-4 in .32 S&w. All seem well used. Barrel on one reads "32 magnum"

Another shop has a model 18 in .32 s&w long that looks almost new.

How do those compare to 14-2 (except for the obvious caliber difference) ?

David M · Post by **David M** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 1:34 am

The only true .32sw is the old model 14 K32 masterpiece, now rare and expensive. The model 16 is .32 mag and was never very sussesful as a ISSF target gun with ligh loads.

FredB · Post by **FredB** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 10:59 am

"The only true .32sw is the old model 14 K32 masterpiece"

"Another shop has a model 18 in .32 s&w long"

OK, I'm really getting confused here. AFAIK the Model 14 is .38 Spl, and the Model 18 is .22LR. Are the guns named above rechambered?

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:34 pm

It´s possible that there is a typo..?

That .32 S&W Long model 18: http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... php?p=1271

David M · Post by **David M** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 2:10 pm

The K masterpiece was available as K22, K32 and K38 about late 1960's. They were in .22 longrifle, .32 sw long and the .38 special.
The later model 16 is chambered in .32 HR mag.
A good .K32 masterpiece is a rare collectors piece now and brings big money.
The model 16 in HR will also chamber .32 long but does not peform well.
The best available revolver in .32 sw long is a french Manurhin Match 32.
Your best choice is a single action target trim K38 6" and shoot .38 special wadcutter loads.
The model 18 is the late model .22 cal. version of the Model 15 .38 Special Combat Masterpiece.

Leon · Post by **Leon** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 9:05 pm

JiriK wrote:It´s possible that there is a typo..?

That .32 S&W Long model 18: http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... php?p=1271

Looks like a K32 to me. If so, buy it. The condition is fine and the price fantastic.

I also like the 14-2 and the 17-2 listed on the same site...

http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... .php?p=857

http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... .php?p=860

I think you should compromise and buy all three and have a nice matched .22, 32 and .38 set !

David M · Post by **David M** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 12:11 am

Here is what a genuine K32 looks like. The second photo is the first series .32 with the contoured barrel.

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 3:47 am

Leon wrote:
JiriK wrote:It´s possible that there is a typo..?

That .32 S&W Long model 18: http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... php?p=1271
Looks like a K32 to me. If so, buy it. The condition is fine and the price fantastic.

I also like the 14-2 and the 17-2 listed on the same site...

http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... .php?p=857

http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... .php?p=860

I think you should compromise and buy all three and have a nice matched .22, 32 and .38 set !

A bit too expensive set for me :)
I applied for buying permit for .22 free pistol (found one 200€ Morini CM84e) .32 or .38 revolver and .33 or .36 black powder pistol for Kuchenreuter competition.
I´d really like to find used Feinwerkbau History 1, but no luck so far so I´ll propably buy a Hege Siber from one local shooter.

JiriK · Post by **JiriK** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:15 am

S&W 14-2 vs Colt Officers model match .38
How do those compare?

jezzliam · Post by **jezzliam** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:50 am

Leon wrote:
JiriK wrote:It´s possible that there is a typo..?

That .32 S&W Long model 18: http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... php?p=1271
Looks like a K32 to me. If so, buy it. The condition is fine and the price fantastic.

I also like the 14-2 and the 17-2 listed on the same site...

http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... .php?p=857

http://www.pyssypuoti.fi/kauppa/product ... .php?p=860

I think you should compromise and buy all three and have a nice matched .22, 32 and .38 set !

Wow it is a great one, you should get it. so neat.

TargetTalk

S&W 14-2 for center-fire pistol

S&W 14-2 for center-fire pistol

M15 instead of M14

confused